Making a difference in our community

Susan Suarez, President & CEO

Happy spring! In addition to bringing warmer temperatures and flowers, spring always makes us hopeful. Hopeful that we can make a difference in some way to make life better for ourselves, families and communities. We hope our world becomes more peaceful, particularly this spring, with the war raging in Ukraine and an increase in violence in our cities and towns.

Anthropologist Jane Goodall said, “What you do makes a difference, and you have to decide what kind of difference you want to make.” What kind of difference will you make?

We seek to make a difference in the lives of those with whom we interact through our education programs, tours and events. By sharing the lessons of the Holocaust, we encourage students and members of the public to take a stand and act against bigotry, hatred and violence. We also hope that they will share what they learn here with their families and friends, thereby making an even greater difference in their communities.

SWFL Christian Academy tour

Educator study trip

Good news! The educator study trip is scheduled for early June, after a two-year delay due to COVID. Thanks to generous contributions from our GenShoah members, the Museum is providing financial assistance to three teachers to go on this learning journey to important sites in Germany and Poland. The trip is organized by the Holocaust and Human Rights Education Center in White Plains, NY, which has been leading this trip for teachers for many years.

Portraits of Remembrance project

The “Portraits of Remembrance” short stories project, created by members of GenShoah of SWFL, continues to grow. Members have contributed essays about family members, such as a parent or grandparent, who are Holocaust survivors, as well as those family members who may have perished. The stories are written to be shared with and read by the middle and high school students in our education programs. This brings a personal connection to the history they are studying and assures that the family member’s legacy will not be forgotten. You can see the stories collected to date by visiting our website.

GenShoah of SWFL is a group for the children and grandchildren of survivors. If you would like to join and become involved in the “Portraits of Remembrance” project or other programs, please contact me at Susan@HMCEC.org.

Complimentary Museum admission May 8

Each May 8th, we celebrate the day the Allies formally accepted the German forces’ unconditional surrender, ending World War II. In honor of VE Day on Sunday, May 8, we are offering complimentary admission to the Museum. Space is limited, and you must reserve your space ahead of time on our website at www.hmcec.org.

This year, May 8th is also Mother’s Day, and all of us at the Museum send best wishes to mothers everywhere!

I look forward to seeing you at the Museum!

GenShoah meeting

SWFL Christian Academy