COMMUNITY FOCUS
Federation Star
March 2022
19
HOLOCAUST MUSEUM & JANET G. AND HARVEY D. COHEN EDUCATION CENTER www.HMCEC.org / 239.263.9200
Upstanders needed Susan Suarez President & CEO CREDIT: DELL RIVER IMAGERY
R
ecently, we were privileged to honor a true hero at our annual fundraising event, “Triumph of Courage.” Lieutenant-General, the Honourable Roméo Dallaire (retd), a celebrated advocate for Human Rights, is the epitome of an “Upstander.” He was the Force Commander of the United Nations Assistance Mission for Rwanda prior to and during the worst genocide since the Holocaust. He warned the international community of the increasingly dangerous situation caused by hate-fueled violence in the country. Instead of allowing him to intervene, he was ordered to withdraw his troops. He and a small contingent of Ghanaian and Tunisian soldiers and military observers, however, felt it was their moral obligation to remain behind. Disobeying orders, they tried to protect those who had sought refuge from the violence with the U.N. forces. General Dallaire said he lives everyday with the terrible tragedy he witnessed. He has devoted himself to educating people about the importance of conflict
resolution and addressing human rights issues around the world. The world needs more “Upstanders” like General Dallaire. When you look at the “Ten Stages of Genocide” classification by Dr. Gregory Stanton, Founding President of Genocide Watch, it is shocking to see several contemporary human rights violation issues clearly fall within his ranking system. Why haven’t we learned from the lessons of the Holocaust? Each day, the news carries reports of hate-fueled violence against those deemed “other.” Countries continue to allow the persecution of minority groups. Why does disinformation about the Holocaust and other genocides continue to circulate? Why are the deniers of the Holocaust, the most-documented genocide in history, still given credence? In past columns, we’ve shared survey results, which revealed the lack of basic information about the Holocaust on the part of many adults and college students in the U.S. and Europe. A recent study among teenagers found, unsurprisingly, that most get their news from social media. This also includes their knowledge of the Holocaust and its history. Given the amount of disinformation circulating
Students in the Museum
Gen. Dallaire with Rwandan children on that platform in general, it is more important than ever to support organizations, like our Museum, that offer credible Holocaust Education programs. Our student education programs and teacher workshops provide not only the factual, historical information about the Holocaust, but also the personal stories of local Southwest Florida residents who are survivors and liberators. Sharing those
stories forges important personal bonds with the young people and adults who hear them. We know stories like these have a lasting impact because of the comments we receive from Museum visitors and former school field trip students. We can help change people’s behavior. We teach the lessons of the Holocaust to inspire people of all ages to act against bigotry, hatred and violence. It will take all of us to diminish hate in our world. Our positive actions on behalf of those in need, our respect and empathy for others can make all our communities a better place. One person’s smallest act of kindness can make a big difference. Join our efforts and be that person for your family, friends and neighbors. Make a difference — you, too, can be an “Upstander” like General Dallaire.
Thank you to our Triumph 2022 Sponsors and Patrons for your Support of Our Education Mission (As of 2-9-22)
Managing one’s finances can be hard, but you no longer have to do it alone. Naples Daily Money Manager can help.
• Bill Paying • Document Organization • Reconciliations • Budgeting • Banking • Professional Collaborations Bonded and Insured naplesdmm@gmail.com 239-300-7177 www.naplesdmm.com
REMEMBRANCE SPONSORS Baer’s Furniture, Shelley and Steven Einhorn, Maureen and Arnold Lerner, Fran and Rob Nossen, Estelle and Stuart Price TESTIMONY SPONSORS Lorelei Meeker and Geoff Grodner Michele and Richard Yovanovich HOPE SPONSORS Gracia Kuller, Publix Super Markets Charities INSPIRE SPONSORS Barbara and Hymie Akst, Felicia and Ken Anchor, Silvie and Herb Berkeley, Life in Naples, Naples Daily News, Judith and John Remondi, Sandy and Fred Roth, Mindy and Jay Sterns, Phyllis and Stephen Strome, WGCU Public Media PATRON TICKETS Stacey and Frank Baum, Shirley and Marshall Besikof, Sue Bookbinder, Jules and Leslie Cogan, Arline and Phil Diamond, Ellen and Alan Englander, Alicia and Michael Feldman, Nancy Garfien, Shelli A. Halper, Diane and Ron McGinty, Barbara C. Winthrop, Nancy G. White Thank you to our Triumph Event Committee: Maureen Lerner, Committee Chair; Felicia Anchor, Diane McGinty, Estelle Price, Sandy Roth, Nancy White Holocaust Museum & Janet G. and Harvey D. Cohen Education Center
www.HMCEC.org
239-263-9200
