6 minute read
Upcoming movies, exhibits and events
Susan Suarez President & CEO
We began our busy 2025 season last month with several interesting and well-attended programs. Many thanks to Judit Price for sharing her family’s experiences during the Holocaust as well as their life in post-war Budapest under the Communist regime.
The Museum co-sponsored International Holocaust Remembrance Day community programming with Jewish Federation of Greater Naples and the Italian Cultural Society of Naples. These programs documented the efforts of Italian citizens, religious organizations and underground partisan networks to protect Jewish neighbors and refugees from the Nazis.
International Holocaust Remembrance Day commemorates the liberation date of Auschwitz, and the Museum honored the 80th anniversary by offering complimentary admission and a special film created by David Nelson of the Museum staff. “Salute to Liberators” traces the final year of fighting by American, British, Canadian and French troops as they sought to defeat the Nazis. The film follows the action from D-Day through the liberation of Nazi concentration camps and killing centers.
Movies That Matter
Join us on Wednesday, Feb. 5 at 2 p.m. for the final Zoom panel discussion of the 2024-2025 season. We will discuss the documentaries “Gather: The Fight to Revitalize our Native Foodways” and “Waterborne: Troubling Florida Water Quality, Policy & Public Health.”
“Gather” is directed by Sanjay Rawal, creator of “Food Chains: The Revolution in America’s Fields,” a Movies That Matter film selection in October 2021. “Gather” documents the growing movement among Native Americans to reclaim their spiritual, political and cultural identities through food sovereignty.
“Waterborne” explores the public health impact in Florida of harmful algal blooms and waterborne bacteria. Scientific experts and local city and state officials discuss how Florida’s policies are failing to reduce the occurrence of HABs and bacteria contamination, resulting in the public’s inadequate protection from exposure to this.
Reservations are required to receive links for the films and Zoom discussion. To RSVP, visit hmcec.org/events. Thank you to our 2024-2025 series sponsors:
• Benefactor and Naming Sponsor: Rhonda Brazina
• Sustainer Sponsors: Debbie Laites and Ben Z Post
• Patron Sponsors: Jeff & Ida Margolis, Linda Singer and Mitchell Zeitler.
New exhibit
“Convincing the Masses: Propaganda at Home and Abroad” explores the many ways propaganda was used during World War II by both the Nazis and the Allies. The exhibit reminds us how important it is to “consider the source” regarding information. The artifacts on display are drawn from the Museum’s permanent collections as well as materials on loan to the exhibit from the community. From common household goods to items commemorating special events, the artifacts on display were used to help build and secure loyalty among citizens and potential allies to that side’s cause. The exhibit is on display in the Estelle and Stuart Price Gallery through June 8.
Save the date for Triumph of Resistance
We invite you to join us for Triumph of Resistance on Tuesday, March 4 at the Arthrex One Conference Center in Naples. The Museum will honor Samuel R. Harris, co-founder and President Emeritus of the Illinois Holocaust Museum in Skokie, IL. Of the eight members of his immediate family, only Sam and his sisters, Rosa and Sara, survived the Holocaust. He is the author of “Sammy –Child Survivor of the Holocaust” about his experiences as one of the youngest survivors of a concentration camp.
The Triumph of Resistance program will include a screening of “An Undeniable Voice,” the short film about Harris’ amazing story of survival and resilience, produced by actress and activist Sharon Stone. Following a brief filmed introduction by Stone, Harris’ granddaughter, Jessica Kreamer, will share what she has learned from him.
Individual tickets are $400 each. Triumph of Resistance sponsorship packages and program advertising are also available. A private event will be held for Triumph sponsors of $2,500 and above on Tuesday, Feb. 25. For more information, please email donor@hmcec.org.
Volunteer spotlight
We could not do what we do without the amazing volunteers who believe in and support our mission. Museum volunteers donate their valuable time both here at the Museum and throughout the Southwest Florida community on our behalf. Whether serving on the Board of Directors, greeting visitors or speaking to students and community groups, our volunteers are essential to help us carry out our mission.
Rochelle (Shelley) Lieb is one such volunteer. A child of Holocaust survivors, Lieb has spoken with students at the Museum about the impact of the Holocaust on her parents and other relatives during and after World War II, and how they rebuilt their lives after coming to the U.S. She also recently spoke to students and the public, along with fellow GenShoah member and Museum Board Chair Stuart Mest, M.D., at Ave Maria University.
Lieb and fellow Museum volunteer Ida Margolis are co-chairs of GenShoah SWFL, an affiliate group of the museum which offers programs of interest to Holocaust survivors and their descendants. Thank you, Shelley, for all you do — we are lucky to have you! If you are interested in joining our wonderful group of volunteers, please email info@hmcec.org for more information.
Upcoming special presentation
Join us next month for a special lecture program at the Museum on March 12 at 2 p.m. in honor of Women’s History Month. “The Women of Ravensbrück and The White Bus Rescue” will be presented by President and Creator of the Better Futures Foundation Richard Ohlsson. Tickets are free, but registration is required at hmcec.org.
The White Bus Rescue was undertaken in March 1945 by the Swedish Red Cross and Danish government. The operation was set up in secret meetings between Swedish Red Cross co-chair Count Folke Bernadotte and Heinrich Himmler. Their original mission was to rescue only Scandinavian prisoners from the Ravensbrück camp. However, that mission was expanded to include women of other nationalities. By early May 1945, the white buses ultimately liberated 15,500 Holocaust victims of over 20 different nationalities.
We look forward to seeing you soon at the Museum and at these great programs! Please note, the Museum has extended hours during the season, from 1 to 4:30 p.m., with the last guests admitted at 3:30 p.m.
