# Virginia Holocaust Museum > We Remember > Generated by All in One SEO Pro v5.0.3, this is an llms-full.txt file, used by LLMs to index the site. ## Posts ### [The Passing of Elly Ipson](https://www.vaholocaust.org/14771-2/) **Published:** October 6, 2026 **Author:** Laurie Simpson Crouch **Content:** The Museum is deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Elly Ipson (OBM). Elly was the wife of museum co-Founder, Jay Ipson, and was a full-time volunteer at VHM from its earliest days. Elly worked closely with Jay on a variety of museum projects but was most active in Museum fundraising and development. May her memory be for a blessing. Elly’s service will be held Wednesday, October 7 at 11am at Bliley’s Funeral Home (3801 Augusta Ave) Pictured: Elly and Jay on their wedding day. [![A black and white photo of Jay and Elly Ipson on their wedding day.](https://www.vaholocaust.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/Jay-Elly-Ipson.tif)](https://www.vaholocaust.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/Jay-Elly-Ipson.tif) **Categories:** News --- ### [Remembering James “Jim” Ukrop](https://www.vaholocaust.org/remembering-james-jim-ukrop/) **Published:** September 27, 2026 **Author:** Laurie Simpson Crouch **Content:** ![A candid photo of the late James “Jim” Ukrop](https://www.vaholocaust.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/Screenshot-2026-09-27-at-115707-AM-224x300.png) The Virginia Holocaust Museum is deeply saddened by the passing of [James “Jim” Ukrop](https://www.richmonder.org/jim-ukrop-grocery-chain-leader-and-richmond-civic-booster-dies-at-89/) — a dear friend, generous supporter, and someone who cared deeply about making Richmond a better place. Jim had a remarkable gift for bringing people together. He built bridges between people and organizations, across neighborhoods and generations, and always seemed to believe that there was more we could do when we worked together. That spirit meant so much to the Virginia Holocaust Museum. Jim understood the importance of remembering the past and, just as importantly, using what we learn from it to build a kinder, more connected community. He gave his time, his energy, his leadership, and his generosity to so many causes throughout Richmond. But what stands out most is the way he did it — with genuine care for people and a belief in the good that could come from bringing people together. We were fortunate to call Jim a friend and grateful for the many ways he supported the Museum and its [mission.](https://www.vaholocaust.org/mission-and-vision-statements/) Richmond is a better place because of Jim Ukrop. His absence will be deeply felt, but so will the good he leaves behind. May his memory be a blessing. **Categories:** News --- ### [](https://www.vaholocaust.org/rabbi-beck-berman/) **Published:** August 21, 2026 **Author:** Laurie Simpson Crouch **Content:** ### Remembering Rabbi Dennis Beck-Berman The Virginia Holocaust Museum mourns the passing of Rabbi Dennis Beck-Berman, Ha-Rav David Avraham ben Yisrael Ephraim Yitzchak v'Feygel, who died on Sunday, August 16, 2026. Rabbi Beck-Berman was a longtime and deeply valued member of the Virginia Holocaust Museum's [**Board of Directors** ](https://www.vaholocaust.org/board-of-directors/)and a dedicated leader in Virginia's Jewish community. His commitment to preserving Jewish history, honoring the memory of those lost in the Holocaust, and strengthening Jewish life in our community was evident throughout his many years of service to the Museum. *\[Optional: a sentence noting when he joined the Board or a specific initiative/program he championed would strengthen this section and add relevant length.\]* Rabbi Beck-Berman was also a beloved and active presence at **Congregation Brith Achim** in Petersburg, where he played an important role in the local Jewish community for many years. His leadership, wisdom, warmth, and devotion to his faith and community touched countless lives, both within his congregation and across the broader Richmond-area Jewish community he served alongside organizations such as the **[Jewish Community Federation of Richmond.](https://www.jewishrichmond.org/)** We extend our deepest condolences to his daughters, Cantor Sarah Beck-Berman and Rachel Beck-Berman, LCSW; his brother, Jack Berman; his extended family; and all those who mourn his loss. The Virginia Holocaust Museum is grateful for Rabbi Beck-Berman's many years of service and friendship. His presence on our Board helped guide the Museum's mission of Holocaust education and remembrance, and his voice will be missed in the rooms where that work continues. We will remember him with deep appreciation and affection, and we will miss him greatly. May his memory be for a blessing. May his family be comforted among the mourners of Zion and Jerusalem. **Categories:** News, Obituary --- ### [Bernard ‘Bernie’ L. Henderson](https://www.vaholocaust.org/bernie-henderson/) **Published:** June 12, 2026 **Author:** Laurie Simpson Crouch **Content:** ![A photo of a smiling Bernie Henderson in front of the Richmond skyline](https://www.vaholocaust.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Screenshot-2026-06-12-at-34304-PM.png "#image_title") [Bernard “Bernie” L. Henderson, Jr.](https://www.vaholocaust.org/board-of-directors/), age 75, died on Monday, June 8, 2026, in Richmond, Va. Bernie is survived by his wife of 51 years, Marie Jimenez Henderson; their daughter Carrie, her husband Darren Caumont, and their children, Trainor and Evette; their daughter Angela Jones, and her children, Mackenzie and Hollee; his siblings, Kendra Penrod (John) of Nebraska, Dale Henderson of Texas, Gail Shaw (John) of Texas, Linda Lindsay (Eddie) of Texas, Rebecca Whaley (Willard) of Florida, Vernon (Jody) of Florida, Barbara Jones of Florida, Lawrence (Wendy) of Florida and Mary (Tommy) Brown of Florida. He is also survived by several nephews, nieces and cousins. Bernie was preceded in death by his father, Levie Bernard "Lee" Henderson Sr.; his mother, Thelma Henderson; and his son-in-law, Josh Jones. Bernie was an active member of Grace Baptist Church of Richmond since 1963, serving several terms as Chair of the Board of Deacons, Chair of the Board of Trustees, Moderator and many other positions of service. He served as Moderator of the Richmond Baptist Association and a member of the governing body of the Baptist General Association of Virginia until he resigned that position in protest of the Association's dismissal of a church for ordaining an openly gay person. Bernie had a lifelong interest in politics, beginning with campaigning door-to-door for John F. Kennedy in 1960, at the age of 9. He was active in Democratic campaigns at every level, including serving as Coordinator of Volunteers for J. Sargeant Reynolds' House of Delegates campaign in 1965. He was campaign manager for 2 successful re-election campaigns for Delegate Junie L. Bradshaw and 2 for State Senator William F. Parkerson, Jr. He served as Chair of the Henrico County Democratic Committee, Secretary of the Third Congressional District Democratic Committee, Vice Chair of the Seventh Congressional District Democratic Committee and he represented Henrico County on the Democratic State Central Committee for several years. Bernie's career in public service began when he was a high school student and was Legislative Assistant to Delegates Junie L. Bradshaw, William Ferguson Reid and Senator William F. Parkerson, Jr. While in college, he was a member of the staff of the Clerk of the U.S. House of Representatives, W. Pat Jennings. His first position after college was Administrator of the Virginia Bureau of Insurance for 2 years. He then served for 8 years as the Assistant to the Commissioners of the State Corporation Commission, including responsibilities as liaison to the General Assembly, Congress, the Governor's Office and other governmental entities. Governor Robb appointed him Director of the Virginia Department of Commerce, Governor Baliles appointed him Director of the Virginia Department of Health Professions and he was re-appointed to that position by Governor Wilder. At the conclusion of the Wilder Administration, he retired from Virginia government, and returned when Governor Warner appointed him Senior Deputy Secretary of the Commonwealth; Governor Kaine re-appointed him to that position and during that term he also served as interim Secretary of the Commonwealth and acting Associate Chief of Staff. He retired from Virginia government for the second time at the conclusion of the Kaine Administration. Bernie also represented Virginia on the Board of the Council of State Governments from 1986 to 1990 and he was President of the Virginia State Agency Group in 1988 and 1989. After retiring from full-time government service, he accepted gubernatorial appointments from Governors McAuliffe and Northam to serve 2 terms on the Virginia War Memorial Board, 2 terms on the Conflict of Interest and Ethics Council and 1 term on the Board of Pharmacy. During the eight years between the Wilder and Warner Administrations, Bernie negotiated acquisitions of funeral homes and cemeteries for The Loewen Group for 4 years, and for the next 4 years he managed the company's 15 funeral homes and 7 cemeteries in Virginia, Maryland and Washington, D. C. Two weeks after retiring from Virginia government in 2010 for the second time, Bernie became associated with Woody Funeral Home as Director for Family and Community Relations. In 2015, he became President of Woody Funeral Home. In 2017, Nelsen Funeral Home was acquired, and he became Chief Executive Officer of all 6 Woody and Nelsen locations. At the end of 2020, Bernie was named President Emeritus, and he continued to advise management and serve as Funeral Celebrant. Bernie's community involvement included serving as President of Richmond First, The Shepherd's Center of Richmond and Jewish Family Services of Richmond. His service on other governing boards included the Virginia Holocaust Museum, the Better Business Bureau of Central Virginia, the Capital Area Agency on Aging and the Henrico Chamber of Commerce. He also taught at the University of Richmond, the College of William & Mary, the Open University of The Shepherd's Center and the Chesterfield Lifelong Learning Institute. Bernie was educated at Richmond Public Schools, including Thomas Jefferson High School where he was second-in-command of the Corps of Cadets. He majored in political science at Old Dominion University. He completed post-graduate programs at the University of Virginia (economics) and the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University (program performance assessment). He also completed training for Administrative Law Judges at The National Judicial College and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and funeral management at Loewen University. Among Bernie's awards and recognitions, he received Certificates of Recognition for Public Service from Governors Godwin, Warner and Kaine. He was named Outstanding Young Man of America by the U.S. Jaycees, Man of the Year by the Accountants Society of Virginia, he also received the Distinguished and Meritorious Service Award from the Virginia State Bar and the Lifetime Achievement Award from Marquis Who's Who Publications Board. Visitation will be held at Woody Funeral Home, 1771 North Parham Road, Richmond, VA 23229, US, on June 20, 2026, from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm. A Funeral Service will also take place on June 21, 2026, from 2:00 pm to 3:00 pm at Grace Baptist Church, 4200 Dover Rd, Richmond, VA 23221, US. Memorial contributions may be made to [Grace Baptist Church](https://www.rvagrace.org/), 4200 Dover Road, Richmond, Virginia 23221. *Author: Museum Editorial Team (under the direction of Laurie Crouch, Marketing and Communications Director). Our team shares stories, research, and updates that support the Virginia Holocaust Museum’s mission to preserve history, educate visitors, and promote reflection, with all content carefully reviewed for accuracy, clarity, and respect.* **Categories:** Obituary --- ### [The Passing of Bill Martin](https://www.vaholocaust.org/bill-martin/) **Published:** December 29, 2025 **Author:** Laurie Simpson Crouch **Content:** **What a loss. What a profound loss.** When I began my work at the Virginia Holocaust Museum a few years ago, I was already familiar with Bill Martin from my time in the local nonprofit community. But stepping into the world of Richmond’s museums, I quickly realized what a gift it was to have Bill not only as a colleague, but as an ally and a friend. As chair of the Museum Directors group, Bill was a true force. He had a rare ability to lead with both wisdom and generosity. He always had a word of encouragement, a thoughtful insight, or a timely piece of advice for those of us with the audacity—and the passion—to run cultural institutions. He showed up. He paid attention. He cared deeply about the work and about the people doing it. Bill supported museums across the city, attending programs, celebrating milestones, and lending his voice and presence wherever it was needed. His leadership at the Valentine Museum was extraordinary. Under his guidance, the institution continued to grow and evolve, with major achievements including the recent Capital Campaign and transformative investments in the archives and public spaces. He also helped elevate our entire community through initiatives such as the Richmond History Makers Award and the launch of the Richmond 250 Community Task Force—projects that brought institutions together and strengthened our shared civic story. Bill Martin was, in every sense, an institution unto himself. A mentor, a champion, and a dear friend to so many of us. He will be deeply missed, and his impact on Richmond’s cultural landscape will be felt for generations. Samuel H. Asher President and Executive Director **Categories:** News --- ### [The Jewish Motorcyclists Alliance (JMA) Visit VHM](https://www.vaholocaust.org/jewish-motorcyclists-alliance/) **Published:** July 30, 2025 **Author:** Laurie Simpson Crouch **Content:** ### Jewish bikers visit Richmond on North American journey to raise Holocaust awareness Cross-country ride places spotlight on Holocaust history. **[Click HERE to read the full story.](https://www.vaholocaust.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/1673_001.pdf)** https://richmond.com/life-entertainment/local/faith-values/article\_ea206d4f-2a79-4206-88b6-6546b40c5d2e.html **Categories:** News --- ### [The Passing of Charles (Charlie) Sydnor](https://www.vaholocaust.org/charles-sydnor/) **Published:** December 3, 2025 **Author:** Laurie Simpson Crouch **Content:** ![](https://www.vaholocaust.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Charlie-scaled.png "Charlie") ### The Passing of Dr. Charles (Charlie) Sydnor It is with heavy hearts; we share that our dear friend and colleague Dr. Charles (Charlie) Sydnor has passed away. Charlie was an integral part of the Virginia Holocaust Museum from the very beginning, dedicating his time, research and heart to our mission. As a nationally recognized historian his contributions to the field of Holocaust studies are immeasurable. Charlie dedicated his life to preserving truth, fostering understanding and educating future generations about one of the darkest chapters in human history. Through his scholarship, teaching and commitment to remembrance, he touched countless lives and ensured that the stories of survivors, victims and families would not be forgotten. Charlie’s compassion, integrity and dedication to historical truth shaped his work at the Museum and as an expert witness for the Office of Special Investigations in the Criminal Division of the U.S. Department of Justice, testifying in the de-naturalization cases brought against former SS concentration camp guards. As an expert witness he helped to bring legal justice for Holocaust victims and their families. A talented and eloquent speaker Charlie once said, “Be not afraid to make history and to change the world. You can and you must. The hope that sustains the human spirit, even through the darkest passages and the brightest days, is the simple belief that what is to come will always be better than what is now.” We will continue to honor the words, life and legacy of Charlie through our work here at the Virginia Holocaust Museum, reminding us of the collective responsibility we all share to combating hatred and preserving memory. It must be said that even with all of Charlie’s accomplishments and recognition he was down-to-earth and humble. To some of us he was a boss and mentor; to all of us, he was simply our friend Charlie. We miss his kindness, humor and warmth. Charlie, your voice, your work and your impact live on. Our hearts are with Charlie’s family, friends and all who had the honor of learning from him and working alongside him. Memorial Service Details Services will be held on Sunday, December 14, at 2:00 p.m. in the Memorial Chapel of Emory & Henry followed by a reception in the Fellowship Hall. A private interment will be held in the Holston Conference Cemetery at Emory. **Categories:** News --- ### [WTVR covers the opening of the Henri Maizels Memorial Butterfly Garden](https://www.vaholocaust.org/wtvr-covers-the-opening-of-the-henri-maizels-memorial-butterfly-garden/) **Published:** April 7, 2025 **Author:** Laurie Simpson Crouch **Content:** ![🦋](https://static.xx.fbcdn.net/images/emoji.php/v9/t5a/2/16/1f98b.png) We are honored to share WTVR’s beautiful coverage of the opening of the Henri Maizels Memorial Butterfly Garden at the Virginia Holocaust Museum. This meaningful space, filled with hand-painted butterflies, serves as a tribute to the 1.5 million children who perished in the Holocaust and a reminder of the importance of remembrance, education, and hope. ![🎥](https://static.xx.fbcdn.net/images/emoji.php/v9/t9e/2/16/1f3a5.png) Watch the full story here: [\[https://www.wtvr.com/news/local-news/holocaust-museum-painted-butterflies-april-3-2025?fbclid=IwY2xjawJgsWFleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHhHrdVE6XfaHhHhAeXO8HSjDzpdAM5OavEOvQoLlyqKHlrl8z4EislcickDX\_aem\_ghSRZmUPZwsT-C5YBR5EP](https://www.wtvr.com/news/local-news/holocaust-museum-painted-butterflies-april-3-2025?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAAR6RBrWrrIiaO8d3CvfTnOfiLjIZHU1mgOmY8T4-quNm5fMHH0srYBEDNgeegQ_aem_0Y9xGHJz8Dd4O3__2bGJ-g)A [\#HolocaustRemembrance](https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/holocaustremembrance?__eep__=6&__cft__%5B0%5D=AZVr-u4yXdcU2-7JrE-Z5mdGo-_BI8Ah1PXDYIpPeBwCtyyyWDC5nc_Y1WF8DWrSFeMAhjt5QFgnMpIZL0HDXJNYTdMDdMTGN-VcVcid4nOK3_c3WU0Cpnr9rFH7R_tfGGG47-GZQhPvz61Y4wR17Bw0&__tn__=%2ANK-R) [\#ButterflyProject](https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/butterflyproject?__eep__=6&__cft__%5B0%5D=AZVr-u4yXdcU2-7JrE-Z5mdGo-_BI8Ah1PXDYIpPeBwCtyyyWDC5nc_Y1WF8DWrSFeMAhjt5QFgnMpIZL0HDXJNYTdMDdMTGN-VcVcid4nOK3_c3WU0Cpnr9rFH7R_tfGGG47-GZQhPvz61Y4wR17Bw0&__tn__=%2ANK-R) [\#HenriMaizelsGarden](https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/henrimaizelsgarden?__eep__=6&__cft__%5B0%5D=AZVr-u4yXdcU2-7JrE-Z5mdGo-_BI8Ah1PXDYIpPeBwCtyyyWDC5nc_Y1WF8DWrSFeMAhjt5QFgnMpIZL0HDXJNYTdMDdMTGN-VcVcid4nOK3_c3WU0Cpnr9rFH7R_tfGGG47-GZQhPvz61Y4wR17Bw0&__tn__=%2ANK-R) [\#NeverForget](https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/neverforget?__eep__=6&__cft__%5B0%5D=AZVr-u4yXdcU2-7JrE-Z5mdGo-_BI8Ah1PXDYIpPeBwCtyyyWDC5nc_Y1WF8DWrSFeMAhjt5QFgnMpIZL0HDXJNYTdMDdMTGN-VcVcid4nOK3_c3WU0Cpnr9rFH7R_tfGGG47-GZQhPvz61Y4wR17Bw0&__tn__=%2ANK-R) **Categories:** News --- ### [MacArthur Memorial Center to host Holocaust survivor, Dr. Rojer Loria, to mark 80th anniversary of Allied victory in Europe](https://www.vaholocaust.org/7660-2/) **Published:** April 24, 2025 **Author:** Laurie Simpson Crouch **Content:** ### by: Madie MacDonald Posted: Apr 23, 2025 / 10:06 AM EDT NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY) — To mark the 80th anniversary of the Allied victory in Europe during World War II, the MacArthur Memorial Center will host Holocaust survivor Dr. Roger Loria. According to a post from the City of Norfolk, the MacArthur Memorial Center partnered with the Holocaust Commission of the United Jewish Federation of Tidewater and the Virginia Holocaust Museum in order to host the event where Dr. Loria is expected to share his personal story of survival The event is scheduled to take place on May 8 starting at 7 p.m. at the MacArthur Memorial Visitor Center. Doors for the event open at 6:15 p.m. Read the full article here: https://www.wavy.com/news/local-news/norfolk/macarthur-memorial-center-to-host-holocaust-survivor-to-mark-80th-anniversary-of-allied-victory-in-europe/ **Categories:** News --- ### [Local Perspectives on Ceasefire: Relief and Reservation in Richmond](https://www.vaholocaust.org/local-perspectives-on-ceasefire-relief-and-reservation-in-richmond/) **Published:** October 14, 2025 **Author:** Laurie Simpson Crouch **Content:** ### Local Perspectives on Ceasefire: Relief and Reservation in Richmond By [Cherisse Hoffman](https://www.12onyourside.com/authors/cherisse.hoffman/) Published: Oct. 13, 2025 at 6:53 PM EDT\|Updated: 15 hours ago RICHMOND, Va. (WWBT) - A significant step in the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas unfolded today as 20 living hostages held by Hamas were released, alongside hundreds of Palestinian prisoners held by Israel. This exchange marks the initial phase of a peace plan and comes as a ceasefire agreement has been solidified, offering a moment of both celebration and optimism for those on both sides of the conflict. Samuel Asher, Director of the Virginia Holocaust Museum, described it as a “great day for the people of Israel.” “Israel’s national anthem is called ‘The Hope’ and Israelis are dancing in the streets right now in the hope that this will be the end of the war and that all of the parts will fall into place,” Asher said. Sereen Haddad, a pro-Palestine advocate and former VCU student who has participated in numerous protests at Monroe Park, acknowledged the immediate relief for Palestinians. “I’m very happy for the people of Palestine right now. I recognize that this is a pause for them as well, and it’s so much-needed rest in general,” Haddad said. However, Haddad quickly tempered this sentiment with caution, stressing that this pause should not lead to complacency. She views the exchange as merely a step, not a definitive solution. “This genocide has not ended, it is a continuation, it’s going to continue and so we will believe it when we see it,” Haddad said, highlighting the skepticism and ongoing concerns within the Palestinian community. While Asher said this is a welcome sign, and for things to progress, there needs to be more actions instead of words. “The progress is great, but we need to keep the progress going, and that’s what’s so important, and the leadership has to make this happen and everyone needs to get behind it,” Asher said. Both sides express hope for swift progress in future steps, but for now, they are content to witness some form of resolution taking shape. *Copyright 2025 WWBT. All rights reserved.* *Copyright 2025 WWBT. All rights reserved.* https://www.12onyourside.com/2025/10/13/local-perspectives-ceasefire-relief-reservation-richmond/ **Categories:** News --- ### [Ann Reinhardt Richmon Obituary](https://www.vaholocaust.org/ann-reinhardt-richmon-obituary/) **Published:** July 21, 2025 **Author:** Laurie Simpson Crouch **Content:** Ann Reinhardt Richmon, of Richmond Virginia, age 93, passed away peacefully with her family by her side on July 17, 2025. She is preceded in death by her devoted husband, Sidney Richmon, who died at age 95 after 73 ½ wonderful years of marriage. She is survived by her four children, Bob Richmon (Judy), Sandy Palyo, Mike Richmon (Diane) and Teki Hall (Jeff). She will also be missed by her six grandchildren Courtney Pfister (Mike), Jake Palyo (Katrina), Rachel Richmon, Jessica Hall, Scott Hall (Liz) and Victoria Hall. She was also blessed with eight great-grandchildren. Her greatest joy was spending time with her grandchildren. She loved making their favorite meals and caring for them as they were growing up. No grandmother could be more dearly loved. Ann will be remembered by her sharp wit and her fabulous kitchen skills. As Sid used to say,” Ann could make chicken salad out of chicken shit!”. She put those cooking skills to good use as the head chef of a restaurant she owned in Shockoe Slip in the early 80’s called “The Bus Stop”. She had a lunch following that was addicted to her home-made soups and daily specials. She loved sending her famous homemade strudel to friends and family for any occasion. It was a secret recipe that we are still hoping to uncover. Ann lived a joyous life. The Richmon house was always a revolving door for all the kids in the neighborhood to hang out, enjoy a good meal, have some fun times, or get some good advice. She can rest easy knowing she was a fabulous mother and a devoted wife. We are at peace knowing she is reunited with her loving husband. She will be missed. In lieu of food, flowers, etc., donations can be made in her memory to the Virginia Holocaust Museum (www.vaholocaust.org). This is dear to Ann as she and her family narrowly escaped the Nazi regime when her parents left everything and fled to America in 1937. Per Ann’s wishes, the funeral will be private with family at graveside. Source: https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/timesdispatch/name/ann-richmon-obituary?id=58920635 **Categories:** News --- ### [CCMS project honors children killed in Holocaust](https://www.vaholocaust.org/ccms-project-honors-children-killed-in-holocaust/) **Published:** June 6, 2025 **Author:** Laurie Simpson Crouch **Content:** By: David Broyles Jun 5, 2025 The Carroll News It is said children are caterpillars and adults are butterflies. Students in Carroll Middle School’s U.S. History II proved the opposite after recently participating in “The Butterfly Project (TBP).” “In essence, the project is an ongoing effort to memorialize the 1.5 million children who perished during the Holocaust,” said Sixth Grade Social Studies Teacher Heather Lucas. “The ceramic butterflies that CCMS students have painted are a way to give those children an act of remembrance and are a symbol of resilience and hope.” Lucas explained originally she received an email from the Virginia Holocaust Museum (VHM) about participating in the project. She signed up and ordered the kits through VHM, who sponsored the cost through a grant funded specifically for the project. “Once complete, we are sending the butterflies back. They will then include CCMS’s painted butterflies in a permanent display of a moving mural which will be installed in the lobby of the museum located in Richmond. The butterflies and the mural are a way to demonstrate our power to transform evil and ugliness into meaning and beauty,” Lucas indicated. The program began in California in 2006, and was inspired by Pavel Friedmann’s poem “Last Butterfly,” written while he was imprisoned in Terezin concentration camp. According to TBP, Friedmann was murdered at 21 years old on September 29, 1944 at the Auschwitz concentration camp. Lucas said the Museum has been phenomenal in educating about the Holocaust and has initiated several training opportunities for teachers and students. Lucas praised the support of CCMS Art Teacher Tia Duncan-Stuart, who kiln fired the ceramic butterflies so they can be sent back to Richmond as soon as possible. According to information supplied by The Butterfly Project, the ongoing effort will memorialize 1.5 million children who perished in the Holocaust with each butterfly representing a child who was lost and a voice that is gained. “Together, we honor our Survivors and our commitment to Never Forget. May your contribution to this memorial inspire new dialogue, connecting and empowering individuals of all backgrounds and beliefs,” wrote Project Education Team Chair and Co-Founder Jan Landau to Lucas. The TBP was founded in 2006 at San Diego Jewish Academy by Landau and Artist Cheryl Rattner Price as a hands-on, hopeful and profound approach to teaching the Holocaust. More information on TBP can be found online at [https://thebutterflyprojectnow.org](https://thebutterflyprojectnow.org/) and about the Virginia Holocaust Museum at [https://www.vaholocaust.org](https://www.vaholocaust.org/). https://www.thecarrollnews.com/news/ccms-project-honors-children-killed-in-holocaust/article\_b3d2795d-1ba4-4893-a5a5-b15295c35f2e.html **Categories:** News --- ### [Holocaust survivor to talk at war anniversary event in Norfolk Thursday](https://www.vaholocaust.org/7800-2/) **Published:** May 8, 2025 **Author:** Laurie Simpson Crouch **Content:** # WHRO \| By [Vicki L. Friedman](https://www.whro.org/people/vicki-l-friedman) Published May 7, 2025 at 3:11 PM EDT ## Roger Loria, a retired Richmond professor, is a Holocaust survivor who continues to speak publicly about what his family endured in 1940s Europe because of hate. Roger Loria remembers. He recalls fleeing his home in Antwerp, Belgium, as a toddler with his mother, who carried a lone suitcase and a toothbrush. His recollection is vivid of joining another family to walk miles at night to reach the border with Switzerland. Though just 3 1⁄2 years old, he was assigned the task of keeping their baby quiet by putting sugar cubes to his lips every time he made a sound. They couldn’t let the Gestapo, the Nazi police, hear them. Loria, 85, is a Holocaust survivor who will share his story at 7 p.m. on Thursday at the MacArthur Memorial Visitor Center in Norfolk. The program commemorating the 80th anniversary of the Allied victory in Europe during World War II is free, though registration is required. “We had to crawl on our bellies toward the barbed wire because the Germans had made ditches so you would slip and break your neck,” Loria said, speaking on the phone from his Richmond home that he shares with his wife, Win. “I remember the Swiss soldier lifting the barbed wire to let us through.” Loria and his mother, Dina, found safety unlike the 6 million Jews exterminated by the Nazis and their collaborators committed to ethnic cleansing. He learned after the war that his father, Wolf, had been killed. As a native of Poland, Wolf Loria was classified as “stateless" after the Nazis invaded Poland in 1939. While Roger and his mother had some protection given that they were born in Belgium, Wolf had none as an immigrant. He worried his stateless status would bring harm to his wife and child and left for France in 1942, hoping they could later follow. But he was captured and eventually deported to Auschwitz. Wolf died of starvation one month before the war ended. Roger is the only survivor from his father’s side. “More than 70 people were massacred from my father’s family,” Loria said. “To my knowledge, it’s the largest grave site of a single family during World War II.” Many dug their own graves in the small Polish village. Others were shot. “Some were buried alive,” said Loria, who learned the details as an adult from two men who had been small boys playing on a roof out of sight of the Nazis. Loria feels fortunate to have photos of his father; not many survivors were able to hold on to keepsakes when they fled or were ordered to leave. A family friend who had warned his mother of a Nazi raid later went into the apartment and took the pictures. “She could have been shot if they caught her. After the war, she gave us the pictures.” Loria and his mother remained in Switzerland from January 1944 until the war ended in 1945. They returned to Belgium during the fall, but Dina was denied work because she was Jewish. They were finally taken in by a Jewish orphanage. Dina watched the girls while Roger was left with the boys. "I was told I could not communicate with her except during her days off," he said. "But I was lucky. I still had my mother." Shortly after Israel's establishment as a sovereign state in 1948, the orphanage relocated there. After high school, Roger served 2 ½ years in the Israeli army as mandated by law. A cousin encouraged him to make a future in the diamond industry, his father’s livelihood. His mother stowed diamonds in the toothbrush they carried and paid off the smuggler who led them to the Swiss border. But Loria chose another direction. “I had the drive always to learn.” Loria earned his undergraduate degree in Israel and attended the State of New York University at Buffalo on a Rockefeller Memorial Fellowship, awarded to a half-dozen students per year. He studied at Boston University under Sidney Kibrick, among the first physicians to administer the polio vaccine on the East Coast. Loria retired as an internationally recognized expert in virology and immunology and an emeritus professor at Virginia Commonwealth University's Medical College. When Loria lost his mother in 2004, he found his voice. The Holocaust lessons of “never again” are continually challenged with a hatred and division that drives him to continue to speak out. It’s never easy. “I’m careful how many times I do it,” he said. “I don’t want it to eat me alive.” Attacks on churches, rising hostility toward minorities and antisemitism that has never gone away remind him that his message needs to be heard. “People are not born hateful,” he said. “They learn it.” The Norfolk talk will be his third speaking engagement this year. He and his youngest daughter, Rachel, are on the board of directors of Virginia’s Holocaust Museum. He has not visited the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington, D.C. “That,” he said, “would be too much for me.” ***Visit*** [***macarthurmemorial.org*** ](https://www.macarthurmemorial.org/)***for more information and to register for the event.*** Read full story here: https://www.whro.org/arts-culture/2025-05-07/holocaust-survivor-to-talk-at-war-anniversary-event-in-norfolk-thursday **Categories:** News --- ### [Tragic Attack Near Jewish Museum in Washington, D.C.](https://www.vaholocaust.org/7855-2/) **Published:** May 22, 2025 **Author:** Laurie Simpson Crouch **Content:** ### From the President & Executive Director **From the President & Executive Director** We are deeply heartbroken by the tragic murder of Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Milgrim outside the Capital Jewish Museum in Washington, D.C. This was not merely an attack on two individuals. At the Virginia Holocaust Museum, we educate about the devastating consequences of unchecked hatred. Today, we witness the painful outcomes of a climate in which antisemitism is tolerated, amplified, and ignored. Since October 7, Jewish students have been harassed, synagogues and businesses targeted, and now this horrifying act of violence has occurred. According to the ADL, antisemitism in the U.S. has reached an unprecedented high—with over 9,300 incidents recorded this year alone. These numbers represent not just statistics, but real fear, real pain, and now, devastating loss. Our hearts and thoughts go out to the victims’ families, the Israeli Embassy, the staff of the Capital Jewish Museum, and the entire Jewish community. But thoughts alone are not enough. We call on all Virginians—especially our elected leaders—to unite and say with one voice: Antisemitism has no place here. **Samuel H. Asher** President & Executive Director Virginia Holocaust Museum **Categories:** News --- ### [Dr. Loria Speaks in Tidewater](https://www.vaholocaust.org/7891-2/) **Published:** May 27, 2025 **Author:** Laurie Simpson Crouch **Content:** ### May 8, 2025 On May 8, 2025, the 80th anniversary of the Allied victory in Europe, the MacArthur Memorial, in partnership with the Holocaust Commission of the United Jewish Federation of Tidewater and the Virginia Holocaust Museum, hosted Holocaust survivor Dr. Roger Loria. Dr. Loria shared his personal story of survival and resilience. Dr. Loria was born Antwerp, Belgium in 1940. His family attempted to flee several times after the Nazi invasion of Belgium. His father was captured and perished in Auschwitz. Dr. Loria and his mother managed to reach France but were also caught and sent to Camp de Rivesaltes, an internment camp used for transfers to Drancy and Auschwitz. Escaping Rivesaltes, they spent the rest of the war in a refugee camp in Switzerland. Watch it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nltcQ4eKIgU&t=768s **Categories:** News, Uncategorized --- ### [Boulder attack suspect charged with federal hate crime, said he 'wanted to kill all Zionist people': Court documents](https://www.vaholocaust.org/7906-2/) **Published:** June 3, 2025 **Author:** Laurie Simpson Crouch **Content:** Twelve people were injured in the Sunday afternoon attack. By[Luke Barr](https://abcnews.go.com/author/luke_barr), [Emily Shapiro](https://abcnews.go.com/author/emily_shapiro), [Alex Stone](https://abcnews.go.com/author/alex_stone), and [Meredith Deliso](https://abcnews.go.com/author/meredith_deliso) June 2, 2025, 7:41 PM Suspect in Boulder attack on Jewish group charged with attempted murder, hate crime Suspect in Boulder attack on Jewish group charged with attempted murder, hate crimeThe man accused of an "anti-Semitic terror attack" during a pro-Israel demonstration that injured 12 people, has been charged with 16 state counts of attempted murder as well as a federal hate crime. The man suspected of throwing Molotov cocktails in an ["act of terrorism" during a pro-Israel demonstration in Boulder, Colorado](https://abcnews.go.com/US/victims-attack-peal-street-mall-boulder-colorado-police/story?id=122401509), [injuring 12 people](https://abcnews.go.com/US/holocaust-survivor-boulder-attack-victims/story?id=122409895), has been charged with a federal hate crime and state charges including 16 counts of attempted first-degree murder, according to court documents. The suspect, 45-year-old Mohamed Soliman, told investigators "he researched on YouTube how to make Molotov Cocktails, purchased the ingredients to do so, and constructed them," the federal court documents said. Soliman took a concealed carry class to learn how to fire a gun, but "had to use Molotov cocktails \[for the attack\] after he was denied the purchase of a gun due to him not being a legal citizen," state court documents said. ![](https://i.abcnewsfe.com/a/70fb262c-9a99-455a-96d8-79e231d2f6d4/Mohamed-Soliman-ht-gmh-250602_1748875784706_hpEmbed_23x13.jpg) Booking photo of 45-year-old Mohamed Soliman, the man suspected of carrying out an "act of terrorism" during a pro-Israel demonstration in Boulder, Colorado, June 1, 2025. Boulder Police Department Soliman, who allegedly disguised himself as a gardener during the attack, allegedly told police "he wanted to kill all Zionist people and wished they were all dead," documents said. "SOLIMAN stated he would do it (conduct an attack) again." He "said this had nothing to do with the Jewish community and was specific in the Zionist group supporting the killings of people on his land (Palestine)," the state documents said. The video player is currently playing an ad. Soliman, a husband and father of five, allegedly said he had been planning Sunday afternoon's attack for one year but waited until his daughter graduated from high school last Thursday to carry it out, state and federal documents said. He said no one knew about his plans and he expected to die during the attack, the documents said. ![](https://i.abcnewsfe.com/a/2d1153af-32b9-4667-9750-458fad8b3be3/boulder-attack-scene-02-gty-jef-250602_1748865971916_hpEmbed_3x2.jpg) Bomb squads set up a staging area following an incident involving multiple injuries that the FBI is investigating as an act of terror on June 1, 2025 in Boulder, Colorado. Chet Strange/Getty Images Soliman appeared at his first state court hearing from the Boulder County Jail on Monday afternoon, during which the judge kept his bond at $10 million. He acknowledged that he had received and understood a protection order barring him from contacting the victims. Soliman is due back in court on Thursday for the filing of state charges. MORE: Holocaust survivor among the Boulder attack victims The suspect said he drove about 100 miles from his Colorado Springs home to Boulder on Sunday and picked up gas at a gas station on the way, the court documents said. Soliman allegedly "filled 8 glass containers he purchased from Target with gas, he put them in a black storage bin and in order to get as close as possible to the group he dressed himself like a gardener," according to state court documents. He allegedly used a "makeshift flamethrower" and threw an incendiary device into a crowd of pro-Israel demonstrators at a pedestrian mall, according to the FBI. He allegedly yelled "Free Palestine" during the attack, the FBI said. A video posted on social media during the attack showed Soliman holding what appeared to be Molotov cocktails and saying, "How many children killed" and "end Zionist," according to the court documents. ![](https://i.abcnewsfe.com/a/e78d8510-4c47-4881-b915-451f8806047f/boulder-5-rt-gmh-250602_1748868851804_hpEmbed_23x16.jpg) Law enforcement officers detain a suspect, after an attack that injured multiple people, in Boulder, Colorado, June 1, 2025. @opusobscurax/X via Reuters Soliman said he "only threw two at the group because he got scared," according to court documents. Soliman allegedly targeted the Run for Their Lives walk, which aims to raise awareness about the remaining hostages held by Hamas in Gaza and calls for their immediate release. Soliman allegedly told investigators he "specifically targeted" this group after learning about them in an online search, according to court documents. Eight people, ranging in age from 52 to 88, were hospitalized Sunday with burns, and two of those victims remain in the hospital on Monday, police said. Four other people who suffered minor injuries have since come forward, bringing the victim total to 12, officials said Monday. ![](https://i.abcnewsfe.com/a/8a38c98d-e1f6-4409-af59-e922f3a0ff03/boulder-attack-scene-01-gty-jef-250602_1748865974232_hpMain.jpg) Police officers talk with a passersby on the scene of an attack on demonstrators calling for the release of Israeli hostages held in Gaza, on Pearl Street in Boulder, Colorado, on June 1, 2025. Eli Imadali/AFP via Getty Images Sixteen unused Molotov cocktails were within "arm’s reach" of the suspect when he was arrested, FBI Denver Special Agent in Charge Mark Michalek said at a news conference, and he commended the first responders who jumped in to stop the attack. The unlit Molotov cocktails were "comprised of glass wine carafe bottles or Ball jars containing clear liquid and red rags hanging out of the bottles," documents said. Police also found a "backpack weed sprayer, potentially containing a flammable substance. The clear liquid in the glass bottles and weed sprayer were determined to be 87 octane gasoline, which was determined to contain xylene." In a new bulletin reviewed by ABC News, the Department of Homeland Security described the attack as “unique due to both the targeting of people and the use of an improvised flamethrower in addition to [improvised incendiary devices]." DHS said in the bulletin it remains “concerned that successful Homeland attacks and messaging from Foreign Terrorist Organizations and their supporters linked to the Israel-HAMAS conflict will continue to inspire violent extremists to mobilize to violence in the United States.” ![](https://i.abcnewsfe.com/a/f5d19427-8c2d-4f30-be54-192cd06799ce/boulder-attack-scene-03-gty-jef-250602_1748865971972_hpEmbed_3x2.jpg) An FBI team is investigating an attack on demonstrators calling for the release of Israeli hostages held in Gaza, at the scene on Pearl Street in Boulder, Colorado, on June 1, 2025. Eli Imadali/AFP via Getty Images Soliman was born in Egypt and lived in Kuwait for 17 years, according to the state charging document. He moved to Colorado Springs three years ago. He is in the United States illegally, according to the Department of Homeland Security. He entered the U.S. in August 2022 on a B2 visa and he filed for asylum in September 2022, according to Tricia McLaughlin, the assistant secretary for public affairs at the Department of Homeland Security. His B2 visa -- which is typically a tourism visa -- expired in February 2023, McLaughlin said. Soliman was granted a work permit after his B2 visa expired, a senior official told ABC News. That work permit expired on March 28, so he has been in the country illegally since then, the official said. He has worked as a driver for Uber and his account has since been banned from the platform, the company said. The Run for Their Lives group has been marching weekly in support of the return of the hostages to Israel, according to Boulder Mayor Aaron Brockett. "It's very meaningful. And it is just so outrageous and despicable that such a peaceful, well-intentioned gathering was violated like this with a horrific act of violence," he told ABC News Live on Monday. In the wake of the attack, people from all over the country have reached out to offer their support, the mayor said. "I have heard from our Jewish residents about the fear that they've had. And of course, those fears came true yesterday with that horrific terrorist attack," Brockett said. "So we have to work together to combat this rising antisemitism and make sure that everyone in our community is safe and valued and certainly our Jewish community members." Attorney General Pamela Bondi said in a statement Monday, "We will never tolerate this kind of hatred. We refuse to accept a world in which Jewish Americans are targeted for who they are and what they believe." President Donald Trump [responded to the attack](https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/trump-boulder-attack-tolerated/story?id=122421107) for the first time on Monday, writing on Truth Social that the crimes will be "prosecuted to the fullest extent of the Law." "This is yet another example of why we must keep our Borders SECURE, and deport Illegal, Anti-American Radicals from our Homeland. My heart goes out to the victims of this terrible tragedy, and the Great People of Boulder, Colorado!" the president added. Secretary of State Marco Rubio tweeted Monday, "In light of yesterday’s horrific attack, all terrorists, their family members, and terrorist sympathizers here on a visa should know that under the Trump Administration we will find you, revoke your visa, and deport you." Former President Joe Biden said in a statement Monday that he and former first lady Jill Biden are "praying for the victims of the violent, targeted attack on the Jewish community in Boulder." "We must stand united against Antisemitic violence and hate," he said. Click here to see the full report: <https://abcnews.go.com/US/boulder-attack-suspect-us-illegally-homeland-security/story?id=122409898> **Categories:** News --- ### [🦋 Hope and Remembrance 🦋](https://www.vaholocaust.org/🦋-hope-and-remembrance-🦋/) **Published:** April 7, 2025 **Author:** Laurie Simpson Crouch **Content:** We’re honored to share that Richmond Magazine has featured our Butterfly Project in their latest issue. Discover how local students are making a powerful impact by contributing to a meaningful memorial at the Virginia Holocaust Museum. ✨ Read the story of art, education, and remembrance coming together: <https://richmondmagazine.com/news/sunday-story/hope-and-remembrance/> \#ButterflyProject #HolocaustEducation #RichmondVA #HopeAndRemembrance #VirginiaHolocaustMuseum **Categories:** News --- ### [Yom HaShoah 2025 Registration Form](https://www.vaholocaust.org/yom-hashoah-2025-registration-form/) **Published:** February 4, 2025 **Author:** Laurie Simpson Crouch **Content:** Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form. Phone of Your Name \*First Last Email \* Phone Number of Guests in Your Party Submit![Loading](https://www.vaholocaust.org/wp-content/plugins/wpforms/assets/images/submit-spin.svg) **Categories:** Future Events, Yom HaShoah --- ### [It should never happen again](https://www.vaholocaust.org/7160-2/) **Published:** January 29, 2025 **Author:** Laurie Simpson Crouch **Content:** By [Sarah Chakales](https://www.12onyourside.com/authors/sarah.chakales/) Published: Jan. 27, 2025 at 6:29 PM EST [Click here to see the interview with Halina Zimm on WWBT.](https://www.12onyourside.com/2025/01/27/it-should-never-happen-again-survivor-shares-story-holocaust-remembrance-day/) [RICHMOND, Va. (WWBT) - The world is marking the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz, a Nazi extermination camp in occupied Poland.](https://www.12onyourside.com/2025/01/27/it-should-never-happen-again-survivor-shares-story-holocaust-remembrance-day/) At least one million people, mainly Jewish people, were murdered there as the camp became a symbol of the Holocaust. 50 survivors returned to Auschwitz Monday to mark the solemn milestone. As time passes, the number of survivors is dwindling, so the remaining ones are on a mission to keep their stories alive. “When the war started, 1939, I was 12,” Zimm said. At 97 years old, her memories from WWII are as sharp as ever. “I believe in people. I believe that people still are good at heart,” Zimm said. “Absolutely, because I experienced that. It happened to me.” She was living in Poland when war broke out and said she and her two sisters were the only members of her family to survive the Holocaust. They escaped life in concentration camps by getting fake papers, assuming new identities, and pretending to be Christians. But there was always that constant fear. “A Nazi stuck a gun in my back,” Zimm recalled. ”There was a German and a Pol. The German couldn’t speak Polish, and he interrogated me. ‘Ask her questions. What’s your name? You’re only 15 years old. What do you do here?‘” Zimm recalled when her identity was almost blown while living and working for a wealthy young couple in Warsaw. Zimm’s husband spent time in several concentration camps, and her brother-in-law was sent to Auschwitz. “When he arrived at Auschwitz, the smell was so horrible, and he asked people, tell me, what is the smell coming from? And they told him they \[are\] burning human bodies. They \[are\] burning human bodies there. Horrible,” Zimm said. “That’s why we have to remember it. Hoping, educating young people they should know about the Holocaust, hoping that it should never happen again.” “You can never win with hate,” Zimm said. “Don’t hate. In spite of all what I went through in my life, lost my parents, lost my whole family, but I never hated. Never.” Zimm’s mission is to spread love and awareness everywhere she can. She says one of her favorite pastimes is going to schools and sharing her story with young people. *Copyright 2025 WWBT. All rights reserved.* **Categories:** News --- ### [How Richmond observes Holocaust Remembrance Day](https://www.vaholocaust.org/wtvr-how-richmond-observes-holocaust-remembrance-day/) **Published:** January 29, 2025 **Author:** Laurie Simpson Crouch **Content:** ### This Holocaust Remembrance Day marks the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau, the largest Nazi concentration camp complex. By: [Brendan King](https://www.wtvr.com/author/Brendan-King) Posted 7:24 AM, Jan 27, 2025 and last updated 7:29 AM, Jan 27, 2025 RICHMOND, Va. — Monday, January 27 is recognized internationally as Holocaust Remembrance Day as designated by the United Nations. The 2025 observance marks 80 years since the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau, which was the largest Nazi concentration camp complex, and the 30th anniversary of the genocide in Bosnia. Virginia Holocaust Museum’s president and executive director, Sam Asher, gave CBS 6 a tour of the vast East Cary Street museum in Shockoe Bottom. The museum includes eye-opening and profound exhibits that detail the horrors and tragedies suffered by the Jewish people and other vulnerable populations. “If you go downstairs you can also see, here in the museum and exhibit, about the million and a half children who were murdered by the Nazis, and they intentionally murdered children so that the next generation would be taken away,” Asher explained. Asher has spent nearly 50 professional years working with the Jewish community as the leader of several Jewish Federations and, now, as museum president. “Antisemitism has never been worse in the United States. It's tripled and quadrupled over the last few years, and that's why our work is so important,” he stated. He said the work at the museum is intentional about teaching the next generations never to forget. “We can keep telling the story of what happened during the Holocaust and making sure that we tell people when we see hate to call it out,” Asher stated. ”How we teach about how not to hate is by explaining what happened during the Holocaust and what's going on with the rise of antisemitism and how to combat that.” Museum employees work with Longwood University to hold classes in their Teacher Education Resource Center. Another teaching element includes an interactive [Dimensions in Testimony from the USC Shoah Foundation](https://sfi.usc.edu/dit), a collection of biographies enabling museum visitors to engage in conversations with pre-recorded video interviews of Holocaust survivors and other witnesses to genocide. January’s speaker is Alan Moskin, a veteran of World War II and liberator of the Gunskirchen Concentration Camp. The theater is open seven days a week with showings on the hour starting at 11 a.m. with the last showing beginning at 3 p.m. Allow 30 to 45 minutes for the experience and seating is by reservation only. The museum asks you to inquire at the front desk to reserve your seat(s). **Categories:** News --- ### [Remembering Donald Seymour Brown](https://www.vaholocaust.org/7100-2/) **Published:** January 20, 2025 **Author:** Laurie Simpson Crouch **Content:** ![](https://www.vaholocaust.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Screenshot-2025-01-20-at-3.23.09-PM.png "Screenshot 2025-01-20 at 3.23.09 PM") **August 24, 1929 - January 13, 2025**Donald Seymour Brown of Richmond, born August 24,1929, the only child of Louis and Lillian Brown, died January 13, 2025, at the age of 95. He is survived by his wife, Beejay Brown; his sons, Doug (Laura) and Chuck (Beth); and his grandchildren, David, Richard, Sarah, Daniel and Lily. He is predeceased by his son, Mark. Donald shared family, achievement, and adventure for nearly 75 years with Beejay, the love of his life and his partner in everything. Born in Newark, NJ, Donald was a lifelong resident of Richmond from the age of five. As a boy scout, he achieved the rank of Eagle Scout and was an accomplished golfer. He attended Thomas Jefferson High School before going to the University of Virginia at the age of 15, where he was a cheerleader, boxer, Sports Editor of the newspaper, and a member of the Phi Epsilon Pi fraternity. He had the honor of living on the lawn during his fourth year. Donald developed a lifelong devotion to UVA and its sports teams, which brought him great joy, and occasional agony, throughout his life. During his senior year at UVA, Donald met Beejay who hailed from New York City and was a sophomore at Smith College. Thus began their amazing partnership and journey. After graduating UVA, Donald attended MCV Dental School where he finished at the top of his class and was rewarded with a senior year externship in Oral Surgery at MCV and St. Phillips hospitals. After dental school, Donald enlisted in the US Navy during the Korean War and served on the USS Atka icebreaker. After the Navy, he finished his studies at the University of Michigan Graduate School of Orthodontics, studying under the renowned Dr. Bob Moyers and presenting his thesis before the American Association of Advanced Science. Donald and Beejay married in 1954 and moved back to Richmond where Donald started his private practice and helped start a graduate orthodontic program at MCV Dental School. Donald practiced orthodontics for over 30 years, built a thriving practice, and was proud of the fact that many dentists sent him their most difficult cases for treatment. Donald became interested in stock market investing and this eventually became his second career, supporting many of his and Beejay's passions which included travel, photography, art and philanthropy. He and Beejay traveled the world visiting China, Africa, Europe and Israel and enjoyed many trips with their children. Donald was a devoted father, involved with his three sons' sports endeavors, and passed along a passion for tennis and skiing. He was an avid photographer; his Africa safari pictures were exhibited prominently at the Richmond airport. He and Beejay were enthusiastic patrons of the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, sponsoring exhibits including the Terracotta soldiers from China, the Virginia Holocaust Museum where they contributed to the Children's Memorial exhibit, and the Richmond Symphony. Donald was a lifelong member of Temple Beth Ahabah where he was a board member and Brotherhood President. Donald and Beejay are grateful to the many doctors who helped him survive a heart attack at age 80 and live another 15 joyous and rewarding years with Beejay: Drs. Ellenbogen, Vetrovec, Bickston, Dageforde and Ro in Richmond; Dr. Samir Kapadia at the Cleveland Clinic; and his pharmacist Alain Louka. The funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. on Tuesday January 21 in the Gumenick Chapel at Congregation Beth Ahabah. Graveside services will be private. Memorial contributions may be made to the Virginia Holocaust Museum or the VMFA. **Categories:** News --- ### [Remembering Stuart Wilkinson](https://www.vaholocaust.org/stuartwilkinson/) **Published:** December 10, 2024 **Author:** Laurie Simpson Crouch **Content:** ![Photo of Stuart Wilkenson](https://www.vaholocaust.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Stuart-maintenance.png) We are heartbroken to announce the passing of Stuart Wilkinson, the museum’s beloved, longtime Facilities Manager. This is a devastating loss for us. Stuart joined the museum in 2001, before the move from Temple Beth-El to our current location in Shockoe Bottom and was hands-on in both the design and construction of the entire museum. His master carpentry skills are most notably seen in our Choral Synagogue which he co-constructed, but it is true to say that his fingerprints are on every inch of 2000 East Cary Street. Beyond design and construction, Stuart was the Renaissance Man of the museum. If something broke—and something is always broken—Stuart could fix it. He knew where every light switch was, where every wire ran, and had the key for every lock the rest of us didn’t even know existed. He was our plumber, our carpenter, our mechanic, our electrician, our stagehand when we had events. Stuart was the engine that kept the VHM running for over two decades. Most significantly, Stuart should be remembered as a kind man. A true Southern gentleman. Whether he was repairing a toilet, or rebuilding the museum’s boxcar in July, he did so warmly and with a smile, and often with a joke (it cost twenty-five cents to ride the elevator with him). He was a beloved husband, father, and grandfather, and an adored member of the VHM family. The loss of his know-how and his spirit leaves a hole that cannot be filled. Stuart was a light in the world, and we share in the grief that his loved ones are feeling today. May his memory be for a blessing. We will share details of Stuart’s memorial service when we have them. ![](https://www.vaholocaust.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Stuart-Our-New-Finance-Director.jpg "KONICA MINOLTA DIGITAL CAMERA") **Categories:** News --- ### [Style Weekly: Interactive Survivors Artificial intelligence meets remembrance in the Virginia Holocaust Museum's new permanent exhibit.](https://www.vaholocaust.org/style-weekly-interactive-survivors-artificial-intelligence-meets-remembrance-in-the-virginia-holocaust-museums-new-permanent-exhibit/) **Published:** October 30, 2024 **Author:** Laurie Simpson Crouch **Content:** [By Don Harrison, 10.29.2024](https://www.styleweekly.com/interactive-survivors/) **Categories:** Uncategorized --- ### [WTVR: Using AI technology, new Virginia Holocaust Museum exhibit brings survivor stories to life](https://www.vaholocaust.org/6620-2/) **Published:** October 30, 2024 **Author:** Laurie Simpson Crouch **Content:** ### WTVR: Using AI technology, new Virginia Holocaust Museum exhibit brings survivor stories to life [By Maggi Marshall, 10.29.2024](https://www.wtvr.com/news/local-news/holocaust-museum-ai-exhibit-oct-29-2024) **Categories:** Uncategorized --- ### [12 on Your Side: New, interactive AI exhibit open at Virginia Holocaust Museum](https://www.vaholocaust.org/12-on-your-side-new-interactive-ai-exhibit-open-at-virginia-holocaust-museum/) **Published:** October 30, 2024 **Author:** Laurie Simpson Crouch **Content:** [By Jennifer Blake, 10.20.2024](https://www.12onyourside.com/2024/10/29/new-interactive-ai-exhibit-open-virginia-holocaust-museum/) **Categories:** Uncategorized --- ### [Yom Hashoah 2024](https://www.vaholocaust.org/future_events/) **Published:** May 10, 2024 **Author:** Laurie Simpson Crouch **Content:** [The Richmond Times Dispatch's coverage](https://www.vaholocaust.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/YOM-2024-RTD.pdf) of our 2024 Yom HaShaoh commemoration. **Categories:** News --- ### [Yom HaShoah Commemoration in Style Weekly](https://www.vaholocaust.org/yomhashoah-style-weekly-2024/) **Published:** March 27, 2024 **Author:** Laurie Simpson Crouch **Content:** ### Style Weekly: Yom HaShoah 2024 Yom HaShoah, the annual Day of Remembrance to honor the memory of millions of Jewish Holocaust victims, will be observed in an in-person ceremony at the Virginia Holocaust Museum on Sunday, May 5, 2024 at 2pm. The program will feature the lighting of the Holocaust Memorial Candles by survivor families from the Richmond region, the awarding of the Carole Weinstein Prizes for Tolerance and Justice in the Visual Arts, and a keynote address by Ambassador Stuart E. Eizenstat, Chairman of the United States Holocaust Memorial Council. Admission is free, but registration is requested for planning purposes. ### Read Full Post Below > [Yom HaShoah Commemoration](https://www.styleweekly.com/event/yom-hashoah-commemoration/) **Categories:** News --- ### [Youngkin Signs Bill: No Room for Hate in Virginia](https://www.vaholocaust.org/painting-the-imaginations/) **Published:** May 8, 2023 **Author:** Laurie Simpson Crouch **Content:** **May 8, 2023 The Franklin News Post** Before he got down to ceremonially signing [a bill that adds a definition of antisemitism](https://lis.virginia.gov/cgi-bin/legp604.exe?231+sum+HB1606) to the Code of Virginia, Gov. Glenn Youngkin bent close to hear the message Holocaust survivor [Halina Zimm](https://www.vaholocaust.org/halina-zimm/) wanted to share: “Hate is wrong, love is right,” he repeated, more loudly than her soft voice could, so all of the several dozen people at the Executive Mansion ceremony on Monday afternoon could hear. When she was a child, Zimm’s parents were sent to what they hoped was safety in Warsaw, shortly before the Nazis arrived in her Polish hometown. She witnessed the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising, hearing the weeping and cries as the Nazis dynamited buildings where Jews had hidden; she was sheltered by a couple who lived across the street from the ghetto, and managed to survive despite being denounced to police and accused of being Jewish. “I can’t imagine what she went through,” said Youngkin, who actually signed the measure, sponsored by [Del. Anne Ferrell Tata](https://virginiageneralassembly.gov/house/members/members.php?id=H0345), R-Virginia Beach, in March. The bill comes from an initiative Youngkin launched on his first day as governor – setting up the nation’s first state commission to combat antisemitism. It was an initiative he feels strongly about. “First, I’ve had a lot of wonderful Jewish friends over the years,” he told the Richmond Times-Dispatch after the ceremony, in a pause between photos with the students of Rudlin Torah Academy, legislators and excited members of the Jewish community. “Second, our nation is founded on Judeo-Christian principles. And this was a promise I made during the campaign,” he said. The bill writes into the Code of Virginia the Working Definition of Antisemitism adopted by the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance, which says “Antisemitism is a certain perception of Jews, which may be expressed as hatred toward Jews. Rhetorical and physical manifestations of antisemitism are directed toward Jewish or non-Jewish individuals and/or their property, toward Jewish community institutions and religious facilities.” That definition has generated some criticism because examples of antisemitic expression the alliance uses include some criticisms of the State of Israel. But Youngkin said he does not understand why any legislator would oppose the measure – 25 members of the House of Delegates voted against it while eight state senators did not vote. Youngkin said the bill would make it easier for police to address hate crime and would help educate Virginians about a form of hatred that is on the rise. “We acknowledged that we’re in a world where there is hate, in a world where hate has been translated into despicable actions, but we can stand up together and say there is no room for hate in the Commonwealth of Virginia,” Youngkin said. After signing the bill, he addressed reporters’ questions about comments that the state’s chief diversity, inclusion and equity officer, Martin Brown, made that DEI is dead. Youngkin said Brown’s comments reflect recent trends where a moment he feels is important has gone off the rails, by focusing on equal outcomes at any cost, when he said the point should be to encourage diversity and inclusion. He also said he still believes Virginians will support his proposal to scale back the state’s current abortion law, so that it permits abortions only through 15 weeks, instead of through the second trimester and later if doctors say it is necessary. Youngkin backs exceptions in cases of rape, incest or when the woman’s life is in jeopardy. **Categories:** News **Tags:** magazine, mansion, museum, publications, Shop pleu, Visitors --- ### [Meir Binshtok Obituary](https://www.vaholocaust.org/meir-binshtok/) **Published:** April 10, 2024 **Author:** Laurie Simpson Crouch **Content:** ### Meir Binshtok Obituary It is with great sadness that we report the passing of Meir Binshtok. Meir, aged 85, passed away on April 5, 2024, in Richmond, Virginia. The youngest son of Pessia and Menachem Binshtok, he was born in Tel Aviv, Israel in 1938. In Israel, he studied tool and die design at Shevach Technical Institute and served as a Sergeant in the Israel Armed Forces. In 1963, a self-professed travel lover, Meir arrived in the United States as a tourist, but there he found the love of his life, Esther. They married in Richmond in 1965 and began a new adventure focused on their children, extended family and community. He proudly became a US citizen in 1969. In 1970, Meir founded MR.FIX-IT, a class-A contractor, specializing in remodeling. An award-winning family business rooted in integrity, he ran the company for over 40 years. He proudly shared his knowledge through teaching as an adjunct professor at J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College and an instructor at the Adult Continuing Education school at St. Catherine's. He also hosted a live call-in home improvement show on BLAB TV for 12 years. Meir served on numerous boards, including Emek Shalom Holocaust Memorial, Keneseth Beth Israel Synagogue and the Better Business Bureau. In 2005, Meir retired and spent more time traveling again. He loved sitting by a pool on a cruise or exploring other cities and eating like a local. Never one to sit still for too long, during his "retirement" he could still be found in his office at MR. FIX-IT. He was preceded in death by his parents and his siblings, Chava, Chana and Kotik. He is survived by his loving wife of 59 years, Esther; Their children, Mark (Melanie), Ronnie (Coleen), and Debbie; Two grandchildren, Chavi and Gavriel; as well as many cousins, nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews. The family would also like to thank the fourth-floor nurses and doctors of Bon Secours St. Mary's Hospital as well as the compassionate team at Bon Secours Community Hospice House who treated him with dignity and respect during his last weeks of battling cancer. His funeral ceremony will be held at 2 p.m. on Monday, April 8, 2024, at Bliley's – Central, 3801 Augusta Ave. Interment will follow at Emek Sholom at Forest Lawn. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Keneseth Beth Israel Synagogue or Virginia Holocaust Museum. Published by Richmond Times-Dispatch on Apr. 7, 2024. **Categories:** News --- ### [Henri Maizels Obituary](https://www.vaholocaust.org/potter-working-a-piece-of-clay/) **Published:** November 26, 2023 **Author:** Laurie Simpson Crouch **Content:** Henri Isadore Maizels, of Henrico County, Virginia, one of Central Virginia’s last Holocaust survivors, passed away after a long illness on November 26, 2023, at age 83. Born on December 4, 1939, in Paris, France to Charles and Sara Maizels, Henri was orphaned during World War II. His American family members located him after the war and brought him to the United States. Henri was raised by his Uncle and Aunt, Nathan and Miriam Maizels, in Richmond, Virginia. After graduating from Thomas Jefferson High School in 1959, Henri enlisted in the U.S. Army, where he played saxophone in the U.S. Fifth Army Band in Europe. While in the Army, Henri found his true calling as a flutist. Throughout life, Henri could often be seen enjoying local music festivals while walking and playing two flutes simultaneously!!! After his tour of duty, Henri lived in Ibiza, Spain, for 14 years where he owned and operated a famous hair salon and made many, many lifelong friends from all walks of life. Upon his return to Richmond, Henri continued to practice the art of hairdressing with a European flair. Music was Henri’s true calling. He was an outstanding musician who devoted the last decades of his life to playing with the T.J.H.S. alumni cadet band and many others. Henri always carried at least one flute in his black bag and often sat in with other acts. Henri was often featured in multiple books, newspapers and magazines. Frenchie has been one of Richmond’s favorites since his arrival on U.S. soil. There was always a kind, warm greeting for all. Good karma was Henri’s hallmark!!! We have lost a bright and kind light that gently lit the way to a beautiful way of being. Henri truly loved and appreciated his “Lady B” who filled his last year with warmth, comfort and joy. Henri is survived by his brother (cousin) Dr. Max Maizels, his loving nieces, Dr. Neena Maizels and Danielle Maizels, his loving nephew, Nathan Maizels (Kirsten); along with many cousins, friends, band-mates, and co-workers.. Henri will be long remembered, sorely missed and always GREATLY LOVED!!! The graveside service in his honor will be held Monday, November 27th at 3pm at the cemetery chapel of Richmond Beth-El Cemetery at Forest Lawn 4000 Pilots Lane, Richmond, Virginia 23222. The family invites you to the gathering after the graveside service at the Virginia Holocaust Museum 2000 E Cary St, Richmond, VA 23223. Remembrances may be sent to the Virginia Holocaust Museum. **\#End** **Categories:** News **Tags:** museum, Shop pleu, Visitors --- ### [Governor Glenn Youngkin Introduces New Effort to Combat Antisemitism in Upcoming Budget](https://www.vaholocaust.org/painting-the-imaginations-2/) **Published:** December 11, 2023 **Author:** Laurie Simpson Crouch **Content:** **For Immediate Release:** December 11, 2023 **Contacts:** Office of the Governor: **RICHMOND, VA –** Governor Glenn Youngkin today proposed $375,000 of renewed funding for the Virginia Holocaust Museum and $2 million for security grant funds increasing the total fund to $5 million. This fund allows Jewish community institutions to apply for enhanced security measures. The Virginia Holocaust Museum investment will support the Alexander Lebenstein Teacher Education Institute program, which organizes high-quality learning experiences, educational content, and exhibitions for students to learn about the Holocaust and other genocides. Additionally, the allocated budget funds will support outreach and community-based programming such as the “Speaker’s Bureau,” which provides students with the opportunity to hear firsthand accounts from Holocaust survivors. The Governor’s budget also revises and increases funding for the Department of Criminal Justice Services’ hate crime security grant program and makes changes to allow at-risk community non-profits to apply for the funds directly. This new initiative will improve security at community centers and over the biennium, will invest $5 million to combat hate crimes. “At a time of rising antisemitism and disturbing displays on our college campuses, it is more important than ever to support community outreach initiatives, provide learning opportunities for our students about the horrors of antisemitism, and enable security enhancement opportunities for our Jewish communities,” **said Governor Glenn Youngkin.** “I’m pleased to pledge an additional $2.3 million dollars in Virginia’s budget to combat antisemitism and reiterate my commitment to stand against antireligious bigotry.” “Virginia Holocaust Museum is grateful for this timely investment in education and community building by Governor Youngkin,” **said Samuel Asher, Executive Director of Virginia Holocaust Museum.** “Commitments to Holocaust education respond to the challenging times our communities face statewide. Support like this ensures the Virginia Holocaust Museum can continue to deliver our mission to educate and inspire generations of Virginians to fight prejudice and indifference.” “My community is deeply grateful for Governor Youngkin’s commonsense approach to safety and security,” **said Rabbi Dovid Asher of Keneseth Beth Israel.** “When Jews represent just 2% of the population, yet more than 60% of faith-based hate crimes, moral leadership requires exactly this type of major investment. These wise investments will positively impact our state for generations to come.” Given increased reports of anti-religious bigotry across the country following the October 7th Hamas terrorist attack on Israel, Governor Glenn Youngkin issued Executive Directive Six in October, which created an actionable plan to coordinate with educational institutions and law enforcement entities to combat threats of violence against Jewish people and other religious communities. On his first day in office, Governor Youngkin signed Executive Order Number 8 establishing the Commission to Combat Antisemitism, which released a report on December 5, 2022. In May 2023, Governor Glenn Youngkin signed legislation patroned by Delegate Anne Ferrell Tata and Senator Siobhan Dunnavant, which formally adopts the Working Definition of Antisemitism adopted by the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) on May 26, 2016. This bill was a critical first step toward identifying and combating cases of antisemitism in education, on college campuses, and across the Commonwealth. \# # # **Contacts:** Office of the Governor: Macaulay Porter, Macaulay.Porter@governor.virginia.gov **Categories:** News --- ## Pages ### [Virginia Holocaust Museum | Richmond, VA - History, Education, Remembrance](https://www.vaholocaust.org/) **Published:** June 24, 2026 **Author:** Laurie Simpson Crouch **Content:** - Exterior of the Virginia Holocaust Museum, a red brick building with a flag flying # Welcome to the Virginia Holocaust Museum Exploring the lasting impact of the Holocaust through the experiences of Virginians—before, during, and after World War II. We inspire reflection, understanding, and action for a more just world. - 1. 2. [ ](#) [ ](#) ## A Unique Virginia Perspective ### Hope \| Resilience \| Remembrance Founded by Holocaust survivor Jay Ipson in 1997, the Virginia Holocaust Museum offers an experience unlike any other. Woven throughout each and every exhibit are the stories of survivors who came to Virginia and rebuilt their lives here — creating a journey that is both a meticulous overview of the Holocaust and a testament to the hope and resilience of those who have contributed so much to the Commonwealth. Through this Virginia-centered lens, history feels immediate rather than distant — connecting the Holocaust to the neighborhoods, institutions, and civic life around us today. [ Learn More About Our Exhibits ](https://www.vaholocaust.org/permanent-exhibits/) ![The front lobby of the Virginia Holocaust Museum located in Richmond, Virginia](https://www.vaholocaust.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/FRont-LObby-600-by-400.png "The front lobby of the Virginia Holocaust Museum located in Richmond, Virginia") ![Holocaust survivor Halina Zimm alongside teachers at the Virginia Holocaust Museum following a TEI workshop](https://www.vaholocaust.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Copy-of-TEI-2.jpg "Halina Zimm and Teachers") ### Education That Reaches Beyond Our Walls ## Educating Virginia's Teachers for a Better Tomorrow Thousands of teachers trust the Virginia Holocaust Museum to help bring Holocaust history into their classrooms. Through professional development, workshops, and our flagship **Alexander Lebenstein Teacher Education Institute (TEI)** — offered each summer with Longwood University — we equip educators and community members with the knowledge and tools to make history matter. [ Learn More About Our Educational Resources ](https://www.vaholocaust.org/educational-resources/) ### [ A Living Archive](https://www.vaholocaust.org/?page_id=1600) ## World-Class Research Capabilities and Resources Scholars, researchers, educators, and individuals from around the world turn to the Virginia Holocaust Museum's Collections Department for resources that cannot be found anywhere else. Our archives hold over 300 individual collections — objects, artwork, photographs, documents, and personal effects from survivors, liberators, righteous rescuers, and witnesses — alongside the Carole Weinstein Holocaust Research Library's more than 5,000 volumes of scholarship, literature, and film. The Barbara and Fred Kort Foundation Reading Room welcomes anyone who wants to research this history firsthand, and our Collections staff is ready to help — whether you're a scholar pursuing a major project or an individual tracing a personal story. [ Explore Our Archives & Collections ](https://www.vaholocaust.org/search-our-collections/) ![Black and white photo of young Henri Maizels with his parents Charles and Sara Maizels before the war](https://www.vaholocaust.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Henri-as-a-child.png "Black and white photo of young Henri Maizels with his parents Charles and Sara Maizels before the war") ## Upcoming Events at the Museum Oct 13 Featured 10:00 am - 2:30 pm ### [ Music As Resistance: Jewish Life, Resilience & Hope During the Holocaust ](https://www.vaholocaust.org/event/music-as-resistance-jewish-life-resilience-hope-during-the-holocaust/ "Music As Resistance: Jewish Life, Resilience & Hope During the Holocaust") Oct 27 4:30 pm - 5:30 pm ### [ A More Perfect Union: Jewish Contributions to Expanding Religious Liberty \| Webinar ](https://www.vaholocaust.org/event/a-more-perfect-union-jewish-contributions-to-expanding-religious-liberty-webinar/ "A More Perfect Union: Jewish Contributions to Expanding Religious Liberty | Webinar") Nov 18 Featured 10:00 am - 3:30 pm ### [ Teaching about the Holocaust with Centropa Stories ](https://www.vaholocaust.org/event/teaching-about-the-holocaust-with-centropa-stories/ "Teaching about the Holocaust with Centropa Stories") Apr 25 Featured 2:00 am - 4:00 pm ### [ Yom HaShoah 2027 ](https://www.vaholocaust.org/event/yom-hashoah-2027/ "Yom HaShoah 2027") [ View Calendar ](https://www.vaholocaust.org/events/ "View more events.") ![Illustration of an events calendar pinned to a dark navy background](https://www.vaholocaust.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Event-Calendar-Graphic.png "Event Calendar Graphic") --- ## Frequently Asked Questions **Where is the Virginia Holocaust Museum located?** The Virginia Holocaust Museum is located at 2000 East Cary Street, Richmond, VA 23223, in the Shockoe Bottom neighborhood of downtown Richmond. Free off-street parking is available directly across from the Museum on East Cary Street. **What are the Virginia Holocaust Museum's hours?** The Museum is open Monday through Friday from 9 AM to 5 PM, and Saturday and Sunday from 11 AM to 5 PM. The Museum is closed on New Year's Day, Easter, the first day of Rosh Hashanah, the first day of Yom Kippur, Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and New Year's Eve. The Museum closes at 1:00 PM the day before Thanksgiving. **How much does admission cost?** Admission is $10 for adults 18 and older. Admission is free for children and students of all ages, active military personnel, and Museum members. **Is the Virginia Holocaust Museum appropriate for children?** The museum’s content is powerful and can be emotionally challenging. Many families and educators find it most appropriate for older children and teens. We encourage adults to consider the maturity level of younger visitors and to be prepared for conversation and questions after the visit. **How long does a visit to the Virginia Holocaust Museum take?** Most visitors spend about an hour exploring the museum. Some guests stay longer to spend more time in specific exhibitions or reflection spaces. Visitors who want to spend time in the Carole Weinstein Holocaust Research Library or the Barbara and Fred Kort Foundation Reading Room may wish to allow additional time. **What makes the Virginia Holocaust Museum unique?** The Virginia Holocaust Museum was founded by a Holocaust survivor and is the only Holocaust museum in the country that tells the story of the Holocaust specifically through the lens of Virginians — survivors, liberators, rescuers, and witnesses who came to Virginia and built lives here. That local connection makes the history feel immediate and personal rather than distant. **What is Dimensions in Testimony?** Dimensions in Testimony is an interactive exhibit that allows visitors to have a real-time conversation with a recorded Holocaust survivor using artificial intelligence. Visitors can ask questions and receive answers drawn from hours of filmed testimony, creating an experience that feels like a direct, personal exchange with a survivor. **Does the Virginia Holocaust Museum offer resources for researchers and scholars?** Yes. The Museum's Collections Department holds more than 300 individual collections including objects, photographs, documents, artwork, and personal effects from survivors, liberators, and witnesses. The Carole Weinstein Holocaust Research Library contains more than 5,000 volumes of scholarship, literature, and film. The reading room is open to the public, and Collections staff are available to assist both serious researchers and individuals tracing personal family histories. **Does the Museum offer teacher training or professional development?** Yes. The Museum's flagship educator program is the Alexander Lebenstein Teacher Education Institute (TEI), offered each summer in partnership with Longwood University. The Museum also offers workshops, classroom resources, lesson plans, and a speaker request program for schools and community organizations across Virginia. **Can the Virginia Holocaust Museum be rented for private events?** Yes. The Museum offers rental spaces for private events, corporate gatherings, and community programs. Contact the Museum directly for availability and pricing. ### How to Find Us **Virginia Holocaust Museum** 2000 East Cary Street Richmond Virginia 23223 [ +1 8042575400 ](tel:+18042575400) Email: [ web\_contact@vaholocaust.org ](mailto:web_contact@vaholocaust.org) ### [Visit](https://www.vaholocaust.org/plan-your-visit/) Plan your visit and experience powerful exhibitions and survivor stories in person. ### [Search](https://www.vaholocaust.org/search-our-collections/) Conduct research and search our archives of oral histories, photographs, documents, and other primary sources through the Virginia Holocaust Museum's Collections Department. ### [Teach](https://www.vaholocaust.org/educational-resources/) Access tools, lesson plans, and support designed for your classroom. ### [Support](https://www.vaholocaust.org/support-holocaust-education/) Make a difference through your generosity and help sustain our mission. ### [Address](https://www.vaholocaust.org/plan-your-visit/) 2000 East Cary Street, Richmond, VA 23223 ### [Parking](https://www.vaholocaust.org/plan-your-visit/) Free, off-street parking directly across from the Museum on East Cary Street ### [Hours:](https://www.vaholocaust.org/plan-your-visit/) Monday-Friday from 9 AM to 5 PM Saturday-Sunday from 11 AM to 5 PM ### [Admission](https://www.vaholocaust.org/plan-your-visit/) Adults 18+: $10 Members: Free Children and Students: Free Active Military: Free --- ### [Professional Development](https://www.vaholocaust.org/professional-development/) **Published:** March 13, 2024 **Author:** Laurie Simpson Crouch **Content:** ### Professional Development Professional development opportunities for school systems and school staff are on-going and can be tailored to the needs of your educational community. A few possibilities within the Virginia Holocaust Museum are: - Full-day workshops, including a tour of the VHM and a workshop focusing on the teaching of the Holocaust. - Half-day workshops, including a tour of the VHM and an overview of available educational materials and opportunities for students - Workshops delivered by special guests **Upcoming Workshops Are Listed Below:** # Music As Resistance: Jewish Life, Resilience & Hope During the Holocaust October 13 @ 10:00 am - 2:30 pm VHM 2000 East Cary St, Richmond, VA, United StatesJoin the Virginia Holocaust Museum and acclaimed musicologist Dr. James A. Grymes for a powerful day exploring how music became a source of identity, resilience, resistance, and hope during the Holocaust. To register, please visit: <https://www.vaholocaust.org/music-as-resistance-professional-development-registration-form/> --- # A More Perfect Union \| Jewish Contributions to Expanding Religious Liberty October 27 @ 4:30 pm - 5:30 pm Webinar Join the Virginia Holocaust Museum and the Institute for Curriculum Services (ICS) to explore the gap between America’s founding ideals of liberty and the lived reality of early Jewish communities, and the ways Jewish experiences, values, and advocacy helped expand religious freedom for all. To register, visit: <https://www.vaholocaust.org/a-more-perfect-union-webinar/> --- # Teaching about the Holocaust with Centropa Stories November 18 @ 10:00 am - 3:30 pm VHM 2000 East Cary St, Richmond, VA, United StatesDiscover how to use Centropa’s powerful collection of personal stories, family photographs, and multimedia resources to teach about the Holocaust. Explore stories from Poland, the former Yugoslavia, and Greece, and gain practical strategies to bring these histories to life in your classroom. To register visit: [https://www.vaholocaust.org/centropa-workshop/](https://www.vaholocaust.org/music-as-resistance-professional-development-registration-form/) --- ### ALEXANDER LEBENSTEIN TEACHER EDUCATION INSTITUTE The Alexander Lebenstein Teacher Education Institute assists educators with their understanding of the Holocaust and genocide. Sessions focus on historical background and pedagogy which link to the Virginia Standards of Learning requirements. TEI is offered in partnership with Longwood University and is funded through generous teacher sponsorships. [ Learn More ](https://www.vaholocaust.org/about-tei/) ![A professor in a bright green dress is standing in front of the TEI classroom and teaching a packed class of educators.](https://www.vaholocaust.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/IMG_3000-copy-scaled.jpeg "Teaching TEI") --- ### LAW ENFORCEMENT: EXAMINING ETHICS AND LEADERSHIP Law Enforcement: Ethics and Leadership Program focuses on the role of law enforcement during the Holocaust and the role that law enforcement plays today. This 3-hour program is ideal for law enforcement at the local, state and federal level and includes: - A guided Museum tour - Presentation and discussion of the role of law enforcement during the Holocaust - An examination of the role of law enforcement in contemporary society [ Schedule Workshop ](https://www.vaholocaust.org/law-enforcement-request-form/) ![Generic police cap](https://www.vaholocaust.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/r-d-smith-od3jdQqX8O8-unsplash-600x400.jpg "r-d-smith-od3jdQqX8O8-unsplash") --- ### [A More Perfect Union Webinar](https://www.vaholocaust.org/a-more-perfect-union-webinar/) **Published:** October 6, 2026 **Author:** Laurie Simpson Crouch **Content:** Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form. Name: \*First Last Email: \* Phone: School Name: School Address:Address Line 1 Address Line 2 City — Select state —AlabamaAlaskaArizonaArkansasCaliforniaColoradoConnecticutDelawareDistrict of ColumbiaFloridaGeorgiaHawaiiIdahoIllinoisIndianaIowaKansasKentuckyLouisianaMaineMarylandMassachusettsMichiganMinnesotaMississippiMissouriMontanaNebraskaNevadaNew HampshireNew JerseyNew MexicoNew YorkNorth CarolinaNorth DakotaOhioOklahomaOregonPennsylvaniaRhode IslandSouth CarolinaSouth DakotaTennesseeTexasUtahVermontVirginiaWashingtonWest VirginiaWisconsinWyomingState Zip Code Role at School: - Teacher - Administrator/Leader - Other What Grade Level Do You Teach: - Elementary - Middle - High - Other School newsletter? to Would you like to subscribe to our newsletter? - Yes! Sign me up! Submit![Loading](https://www.vaholocaust.org/wp-content/plugins/wpforms/assets/images/submit-spin.svg) --- ### [Docent Inquiry Form](https://www.vaholocaust.org/docent-inquiry-form/) **Published:** February 27, 2025 **Author:** Laurie Simpson Crouch **Content:** ### Docent Inquiry Form Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form. Name \*First Last Email \* Email Comment Message Comment or Message Submit![Loading](https://www.vaholocaust.org/wp-content/plugins/wpforms/assets/images/submit-spin.svg) --- ### [A More Perfect Union: Jewish Contributions to Expanding Religious Liberty | Webinar](https://www.vaholocaust.org/a-more-perfect-union-jewish-contributions-to-expanding-religious-liberty-webinar/) **Published:** September 27, 2026 **Author:** Laurie Simpson Crouch **Content:** Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form. Name: \*First Last Email: \* newsletter? Do You Phone: School Name: School Address:Address Line 1 Address Line 2 City — Select state —AlabamaAlaskaArizonaArkansasCaliforniaColoradoConnecticutDelawareDistrict of ColumbiaFloridaGeorgiaHawaiiIdahoIllinoisIndianaIowaKansasKentuckyLouisianaMaineMarylandMassachusettsMichiganMinnesotaMississippiMissouriMontanaNebraskaNevadaNew HampshireNew JerseyNew MexicoNew YorkNorth CarolinaNorth DakotaOhioOklahomaOregonPennsylvaniaRhode IslandSouth CarolinaSouth DakotaTennesseeTexasUtahVermontVirginiaWashingtonWest VirginiaWisconsinWyomingState Zip Code Role at School: - Teacher - Administrator/Leader - Other What Grade Level Do You Teach: - Elementary - Middle - High - Other Would you like to subscribe to our newsletter? - Yes! Sign me up! Submit![Loading](https://www.vaholocaust.org/wp-content/plugins/wpforms/assets/images/submit-spin.svg) --- ### [Plan Your Visit](https://www.vaholocaust.org/plan-your-visit/) **Published:** June 26, 2026 **Author:** Laurie Simpson Crouch **Content:** - # Plan Your Visit We look forward to welcoming you to the Virginia Holocaust Museum. Located in the heart of Richmond's historic Shockoe Bottom neighborhood, the Virginia Holocaust Museum is just minutes from downtown. 1. [ ](#) [ ](#) ## Hours **Monday - Friday** 9 AM - 5 PM **Saturday - Sunday** 11 AM - 5 PM ## Admission **Adults 18+:** $10 Members:** Free Children:** Free Students:** Free Active Military:** Free ## Parking Free, off-street parking directly across from the Museum on East Cary Street ## Location 2000 East Cary Street Richmond, VA 23223 ## Accessibility The Museum is committed to being accessible to all visitors. Wheelchairs are available at our front desk. ## VISITING THE MUSEUM ## Self-Guided Tours **Self-Guided Tours** Most visitors choose to explore our permanent exhibits at their own pace, moving through the galleries freely and spending as much time as they'd like with the stories and histories that move them most. No reservation is required. [ Learn More About Our Exhibits ](https://www.vaholocaust.org/permanent-exhibits/) ![The front lobby of the Virginia Holocaust Museum located in Richmond, Virginia](https://www.vaholocaust.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/FRont-LObby-600-by-400.png "The front lobby of the Virginia Holocaust Museum located in Richmond, Virginia") ![Matt Simpson leading a group tour in the museum](https://www.vaholocaust.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Group-Tours.png "Group Tours") ### DOCENT-LED EXPERIENCES ## General Group Tours and Student Field Trips Planning a visit for a group? The Virginia Holocaust Museum offers two types of docent-led experiences: **General Group Tours** for community organizations, civic groups, congregations, and other adult groups, and **Student Field Trips** designed for middle and high school classes. Each guided tour provides a meaningful, engaging exploration of Holocaust history through powerful artifacts and personal stories. **Learn more about each option and schedule the tour that's right for your group.** [ Learn More About Docent-Led Tours ](https://www.vaholocaust.org/group-tours/) ### Frequently Asked Questions and Answers Do I need a reservation, or can I just walk in? Individual visitors and families are welcome to visit during regular hours without a reservation. If you’re bringing a school group or a larger community group, we recommend scheduling in advance so we can prepare for your visit. How long does a visit usually take? Most visitors spend about an hour exploring the museum. Some guests stay longer to spend more time in specific exhibitions or reflection spaces. Is the museum appropriate for children? The museum’s content is powerful and can be emotionally challenging. Many families and educators find it most appropriate for older children and teens. We encourage adults to consider the maturity level of younger visitors and to be prepared for conversation and questions after the visit. Is the museum accessible for visitors with disabilities? We are committed to making the museum as accessible as possible. Accessible parking, entrances, and routes are available, and staff are happy to assist. If you or someone in your group needs specific accommodations, please contact us before your visit so we can help plan a smooth experience. Where can I park, and is there a fee? Free off‑street parking is available just steps from the museum entrance. Signs will direct you to the designated parking area. Can I take photos inside the museum? Non‑flash photography for personal use is allowed in many areas of the museum, unless otherwise noted on signage. We ask all visitors to be mindful of the subject matter and to take photos in a respectful way. Are guided tours available for general visitors? Yes. Guided tours are available for school groups and for community, faith, civic, travel, and other adult groups by advance reservation. If you are interested in a guided experience, please contact us to discuss options and scheduling. What should I expect during my visit? The museum experience is thoughtful, educational, and often emotionally intense. Many visitors move through the exhibitions at their own pace, taking time to read, listen, and reflect. You may want to plan for quiet time or conversation after your visit. Who can I contact if I have questions before coming? If you have questions about accessibility, group visits, or planning your day, please call the museum at (804) 257-5400 or email the Director of Guest Services, [Matt Simpson.](mailto:msimpson@vaholocaust.org) We’re glad to help you prepare for your visit. ### LOCATION # Find Us In Richmond Located in the heart of Richmond's historic Shockoe Bottom neighborhood, the Virginia Holocaust Museum is just minutes from downtown. --- ### [New Education Page](https://www.vaholocaust.org/holocaust-education-in-virginia/) **Published:** August 13, 2026 **Author:** Laurie Simpson Crouch **Content:** - # **Holocaust Education in Virginia: A Teacher’s Guide** **Lesson plans, curriculum resources, and training for Virginia teachers on Holocaust education.** 1. [ ](#) [ ](#) ## Virginia Requirements for Teaching the Holocaust Virginia students encounter Holocaust education primarily through History and Social Science courses that address World War II, the rise of Nazi Germany, totalitarianism, human rights, and genocide. While Holocaust instruction may vary by school division and course sequence, Virginia educators are expected to help students understand the historical causes, events, and consequences of the Holocaust and to examine the impact of prejudice, discrimination, and civic responsibility in democratic societies. Effective Holocaust education in Virginia goes beyond learning dates and events. Students should explore how ordinary individuals, institutions, and governments made choices that shaped history. Instruction should help students analyze the dangers of antisemitism, racism, and other forms of hatred while developing critical-thinking and civic-literacy skills. The Virginia Holocaust Museum supports educators by providing standards-aligned lesson plans, classroom resources, professional development, speakers, field-trip experiences, and access to primary-source materials and survivor testimony. These resources help teachers address required content while using age-appropriate and research-based instructional strategies. **Virginia Courses and Grade Bands Where Holocaust Topics Commonly Appear** - **Middle School History (Grades 6–8)** – World history and civics courses that examine World War II, totalitarianism, human rights, and genocide. - **World History and Geography Courses** – Study of Nazi Germany, World War II, the Holocaust, and global consequences of the war. - **Virginia and United States History** – Connections between global conflict, democratic values, civil rights, and the American response to World War II. - **Government and Civics Courses** – Discussions of citizenship, democratic institutions, human rights, and the responsibilities of individuals and governments. Through museum visits, classroom materials, teacher training, and student programs, the Virginia Holocaust Museum helps educators meet these expectations while providing historical accuracy, survivor-centered learning, and meaningful opportunities for student reflection. ## Principles for Teaching Holocaust Education in Virginia Classrooms 1. **Teach the Holocaust as a Human Story Grounded in Historical Evidence** Center instruction on real people, authentic sources, and documented history. Use survivor testimony, diaries, photographs, artifacts, and primary documents to help students understand both individual experiences and larger historical events. 2. **Provide Historical Context Before Teaching the Atrocities** Students need to understand prewar Jewish life, the rise of Nazism, antisemitism, and the political conditions that made persecution possible. Context helps students see that the Holocaust developed through a series of decisions and policies rather than appearing suddenly. 3. **Emphasize Choices and Human Agency** Avoid presenting the Holocaust as inevitable. Help students examine the decisions made by perpetrators, victims, bystanders, rescuers, and governments. Exploring choices encourages critical thinking about responsibility and citizenship. 4. **Avoid Simulations and Role-Playing Activities** Students should learn about victims' experiences through testimony and evidence rather than reenacting traumatic events. Simulations can unintentionally trivialize suffering and create misconceptions about historical realities. 5. **Use Precise and Accurate Language** Clearly define terms such as antisemitism, genocide, concentration camp, ghetto, and Holocaust. Accurate vocabulary helps students understand complex historical concepts and prevents misunderstandings. 6. **Create a Respectful Learning Environment** Establish expectations for discussion before beginning the unit. Encourage thoughtful questions, evidence-based analysis, and respectful dialogue when addressing difficult topics and diverse perspectives. 7. **Connect History to Civic Responsibility** Students should understand how prejudice, discrimination, and attacks on democratic institutions can affect societies. These connections should emerge from historical evidence rather than political advocacy, helping students recognize the relevance of history to contemporary civic life. ## Planning Holocaust Instruction by Grade Level **Middle School (Grades 6–8)** Middle school instruction should focus on helping students understand what the Holocaust was, who was affected, and how prejudice and discrimination can escalate when democratic norms break down. Big questions might include: How did ordinary people respond to injustice? What choices were available to individuals? Why is it important to remember this history? **Sample Learning Outcomes** Students will be able to: - Describe the basic chronology of the Holocaust within the context of World War II. - Explain how antisemitism contributed to the persecution of Jews in Nazi-controlled Europe. - Identify the roles of victims, perpetrators, bystanders, and rescuers. - Analyze primary sources and survivor testimony to understand individual experiences. - Reflect on the importance of respect, responsibility, and civic participation. **Sample Unit Flow** 1. Introduction to Jewish life before the Holocaust. 2. Rise of Nazi Germany and growing discrimination. 3. Holocaust history through primary sources and survivor stories. 4. Examination of resistance, rescue, and moral choices. 5. Reflection activity, writing assignments, or museum-based resource assessment. Teachers may incorporate museum lesson plans, Acceptance Suitcase texts, and speaker presentations to deepen student understanding. **High School (Grades 9–12)** High school instruction should emphasize historical complexity, evidence-based analysis, and the broader implications of genocide, human rights, and civic responsibility. Students are ready to examine historical debates, government actions, propaganda, and the experiences of different groups affected by Nazi persecution. **Sample Learning Outcomes** Students will be able to: - Analyze political, social, and economic factors that contributed to the rise of Nazism. - Evaluate how governments, institutions, and individuals responded to persecution. - Interpret primary-source documents and survivor testimony. - Compare historical examples of prejudice, discrimination, and genocide. - Assess the significance of Holocaust memory and education in contemporary society. **Sample Unit Flow** 1. Historical context and the rise of totalitarianism. 2. Nazi racial ideology, antisemitism, and state-sponsored persecution. 3. Ghettos, concentration camps, and the implementation of the Final Solution. 4. Survivor testimony, resistance movements, and rescue efforts. 5. Research project, document-based assessment, or museum engagement activity. Museum resources, educator-developed lesson plans, speakers, and field experiences can support inquiry-based learning throughout the unit. ## Holocaust Education Resources from the Virginia Holocaust Museum **Lesson Plans and Downloadable Classroom Materials** The Virginia Holocaust Museum offers lesson plans and downloadable instructional materials designed primarily for secondary classrooms. These resources focus on major historical themes, primary-source analysis, survivor experiences, and civic responsibility. Teachers can use them as stand-alone lessons or as part of larger Holocaust and World War II units. **Acceptance Suitcases Book Loaner Program** The Acceptance Suitcase Program provides classroom teachers with free sets of books focused on the Holocaust, genocide, civil rights, and related themes. Available for middle and high school classrooms, the program allows students to engage deeply with age-appropriate literature while supporting literacy and historical understanding. Titles include historical fiction, memoirs, diaries, and graphic novels that encourage empathy and critical thinking. **Student Visual Arts Contest** The Museum's annual Student Visual Arts Contest invites students in grades 6–12 to explore Holocaust history, memory, and human rights through artistic expression. The contest encourages students to engage creatively with historical themes while demonstrating research, reflection, and personal interpretation. **Museum Staff and Survivors Speakers Bureau** The Museum's Speakers Bureau connects classrooms and community groups with Holocaust survivors, historians, and trained educators. These presentations provide powerful personal perspectives that complement classroom instruction and help students connect historical events to individual experiences. When survivor speakers are unavailable, educator presentations continue the important work of preserving testimony and memory. ## Teacher Professional Development and TEI [The Alexander Lebenstein Teacher Education Institute (TEI)](https://www.vaholocaust.org/about-tei/) is the Virginia Holocaust Museum's flagship professional development program for educators. TEI helps teachers deepen their understanding of Holocaust history while developing effective classroom strategies for teaching difficult and complex topics. Sessions combine historical scholarships, pedagogy, primary-source analysis, and practical classroom applications. TEI is designed primarily for middle and high school educators, including social studies, history, English, civics, and interdisciplinary teachers. Participants range from experienced Holocaust educators to teachers approaching the topic for the first time. The program emphasizes both content knowledge and instructional confidence. A central goal of TEI is helping educators connect Holocaust education to Virginia curriculum expectations and classroom practice. Participants explore standards-aligned instructional approaches, engage with museum resources, and learn strategies for teaching sensitive topics responsibly and effectively. Teachers who participate gain access to high-quality instructional materials, museum resources, professional networks, and research-based teaching methods. TEI participants may also be eligible for professional development points or recertification credit opportunities, subject to local division and licensure requirements. In addition to TEI, the Museum offers workshops, webinars, seminars, and customized professional development throughout the year. These programs allow educators to explore specific topics, strengthen instructional practice, and stay current with scholarship and best practices in Holocaust education. ## Field Trips, Group Visits, and Virtual Options for Schools A student visit to the Virginia Holocaust Museum provides an immersive learning experience that combines historical content, artifacts, testimony, and guided interpretation. Middle and high school students typically explore permanent exhibits that trace the history of the Holocaust while examining personal stories and authentic artifacts. Many school groups choose guided tours that help students engage with key themes and historical questions. Depending on scheduling and program availability, visits may also include speaker presentations, or survivor testimony, and curriculum-connected educational activities. Teachers are encouraged to incorporate museum experiences into larger units of study by using pre-visit preparation activities and post-visit reflection or assessment opportunities. Museum educational resources can help students build background knowledge before arriving and deepen understanding afterward. For schools unable to travel, virtual programs and online educational opportunities provide meaningful ways to connect students with Holocaust history, primary sources, and expert educators. Whether in person or virtual, museum engagement helps students develop historical understanding, empathy, critical-thinking skills, and civic awareness. ## Addressing Difficult Topics in Holocaust Education in Virginia Schools Teaching the Holocaust requires balancing historical accuracy with attention to students' emotional and developmental needs. Before beginning a unit, establish clear expectations for respectful discussion and explain that students will encounter difficult topics related to prejudice, persecution, and human suffering. Providing context and purpose helps students understand why this history matters. Teachers should avoid overwhelming students with graphic content. Instead, focus on personal stories, primary sources, and age-appropriate evidence that promotes understanding rather than shock. When difficult material is necessary, prepare students in advance and provide opportunities for reflection and discussion. When antisemitic comments, stereotypes, or misinformation arise, address them immediately and calmly. Ask students to examine evidence, clarify misconceptions, and consider the historical origins of harmful stereotypes. Responses should be educational, factual, and focused on maintaining a respectful learning environment. Teachers can help students connect historical antisemitism to contemporary issues by examining how prejudice, conspiracy theories, and dehumanization operate across different contexts. The goal is not to draw simplistic comparisons but to help students recognize patterns, evaluate information critically, and understand the importance of democratic values and human rights. Finally, emphasize that studying the Holocaust is not only about understanding tragedy. It is also about examining resilience, moral courage, resistance, and the responsibility individuals have to respond to injustice. These themes help students leave the unit with a sense of agency rather than despair. ## FAQ for Virginia Teachers **What does Virginia expect me to teach about the Holocaust?** Virginia students typically encounter Holocaust instruction through courses that address World War II, totalitarianism, genocide, human rights, and civic responsibility. Teachers should provide accurate historical context and help students understand the causes, events, and consequences of the Holocaust. **Which grade levels or courses typically include Holocaust instruction?** Holocaust topics most commonly appear in middle school world history courses and high school world history, U.S. history, and government-related courses. **How can the Virginia Holocaust Museum support my Holocaust curriculum?** The Museum offers lesson plans, professional development, speakers, field trips, virtual programming, classroom resources, and book-loaner materials that support classroom instruction. **Can my school borrow books or materials from the Museum?** Yes. Through the Acceptance Suitcase Program, teachers can borrow classroom sets of books focused on Holocaust history, genocide, civil rights, and related themes. **Are Museum lesson plans aligned to classroom instruction?** Yes. Museum lesson plans are designed for classroom use and support key historical themes, inquiry, and primary-source analysis. **What is the Alexander Lebenstein Teacher Education Institute?** TEI is the Museum's signature professional development program that combines Holocaust history, pedagogy, classroom resources, and standards-based instruction for educators. **Do I receive professional development credit for workshops or TEI?** Yes, Museum programs provide certificates of attendance. Teachers should confirm specific requirements with their school division. **Is there a cost for student visits?** Student admission is offered at no charge. **Are virtual programs available?** Yes. The Museum offers virtual educational opportunities that allow schools across Virginia and beyond to engage with Holocaust education resources and programming. **Do I need prior experience teaching the Holocaust to participate in Museum programs?** No. Museum resources and professional development opportunities are designed for both new and experienced educators and provide practical support for teaching the Holocaust effectively and responsibly. --- ### [Teaching about the Holocaust with Centropa Stories](https://www.vaholocaust.org/centropa-workshop/) **Published:** September 18, 2026 **Author:** Laurie Simpson Crouch **Content:** Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form. Name: \*First Last Email: \* to Phone: you Phone: School Name: \* What county is your school located in? \* Role at School: - Teacher - Administrator/Leader - Other What Grade Level Do You Teach: - Elementary - Middle - High - Other Would you like to subscribe to our newsletter? - Yes! Sign me up! Submit![Loading](https://www.vaholocaust.org/wp-content/plugins/wpforms/assets/images/submit-spin.svg) --- ### [Music as Resistance Professional Development Registration Form](https://www.vaholocaust.org/music-as-resistance-professional-development-registration-form/) **Published:** September 17, 2026 **Author:** Laurie Simpson Crouch **Content:** Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form. Name: \*First Last Email: \* Phone: School Name: \* What county is your school located in? \* Role at School: - Teacher - Administrator/Leader - Other What Grade Level Do You Teach: - Elementary - Middle - High - Other in? at to Would you like to subscribe to our newsletter? - Yes! Sign me up! Submit![Loading](https://www.vaholocaust.org/wp-content/plugins/wpforms/assets/images/submit-spin.svg) --- ### [New Support the Museum](https://www.vaholocaust.org/support-the-museum/) **Published:** July 13, 2026 **Author:** Laurie Simpson Crouch **Content:** - Color photograph of a bronze statue of a young girl holding up a bouquet of flowers in the Virginia Holocaust Museum's Memorial Garden. # Support The Virginia Holocaust Museum Your gift helps the Virginia Holocaust Museum preserve Holocaust history, safeguard survivor stories and artifacts, and provide powerful educational experiences for students, teachers, families, and visitors across the Commonwealth. As an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit, we rely on the generosity of donors, members, volunteers, and community partners to ensure this work continues for generations to come. 1. [ ](#) [ ](#) ## Who We Are **Every gift helps ensure the lessons of the Holocaust remain accessible to future generations.** Because of supporters like you, the Virginia Holocaust Museum can offer free admission for students and children, preserve thousands of artifacts and survivor testimonies, provide professional development for educators, and create exhibits and programs that inspire visitors to confront hatred, prejudice, and indifference. **Your support makes possible:** - **Free admission** for students, children, and active military personnel so financial barriers never prevent learning. - **Preservation of more than 4,800 Holocaust artifacts and survivor testimonies**, ensuring these firsthand stories remain available for future generations. - **New and renovated exhibits** that connect history to today's world and encourage thoughtful conversations about antisemitism, prejudice, and civic responsibility. ## Ways To Give **General Donations** Help preserve survivor stories, care for the Museum’s collections, and sustain the educational programs that reach students, teachers, families, and visitors across Virginia. [ Give Now ](https://www.vaholocaust.org/donations/general-donation-form/) --- **Tribute Gifts** Honor a loved one, celebrate a meaningful occasion, or remember someone special while supporting the Museum’s mission. A tribute gift allows you to recognize someone important to you while making a lasting difference. [Give Now](https://www.vaholocaust.org/tribute-gifts-form/) [ Give Now ](https://www.vaholocaust.org/tribute-gifts-form/) --- **Museum Membership** When you become a member, you invest in the Museum’s future and help sustain its work for generations to come. Membership is a meaningful way to stand with the Virginia Holocaust Museum and support its mission all year long. [ Learn More ](https://www.vaholocaust.org/become-a-member/) --- **Bus Scholarship Program** Bus Scholarships open the doors for students who might never otherwise visit the Virginia Holocaust Museum. By funding transportation, you help teachers turn lessons into lived experiences, where students connect with survivor stories, explore artifacts, and see history through human eyes. Your support gets them here. [ Learn More ](https://www.vaholocaust.org/donations/bus-scholarship-program/) --- **Exhibit Renovations Campaign** Your gift helps renew and improve exhibits so the Museum can continue teaching the history of the Holocaust with clarity, relevance, and impact. Support this work and help ensure that the Museum’s exhibitions remain meaningful for today’s visitors and future generations. [ Give Now ](https://www.vaholocaust.org/donations/exhibit-renovation-fund/) --- **Donating Artifacts** The Virginia Holocaust Museum is actively seeking materials from survivors, liberators, and eyewitnesses to help preserve the memory of the Holocaust. Donations to the collection help ensure that these stories and objects are protected and shared for generations to come. [ Learn More ](https://www.vaholocaust.org/donating-artifacts-form/) --- **Become a Docent** Are you passionate about history, human rights, and meaningful dialogue? Become a volunteer docent and help bring history to life through tours that inspire reflection, spark conversation, and deepen understanding. [ Learn More ](https://www.vaholocaust.org/become-a-docent/) --- --- ### [Become A Volunteer Docent](https://www.vaholocaust.org/become-volunteer-docent/) **Published:** August 18, 2026 **Author:** Laurie Simpson Crouch **Content:** ### **Help bring the history of the Holocaust to life at the Virginia Holocaust Museum** Our volunteer docents play an important role in welcoming visitors, sharing the stories of Holocaust survivors, and helping people connect with the Museum’s exhibitions. Whether you are passionate about history, education, or simply want to give back to your community, becoming a docent is a meaningful way to make a difference. ### We’re Especially Looking for Weekend Volunteers The Museum is currently looking for volunteers who can help **facilitate our Dimensions in Testimony (DIT) program on weekends, particularly between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m.** DIT allows visitors to have a conversation with a Holocaust survivor through interactive video technology. Volunteers help welcome visitors, get the program started, answer questions, and make sure each group has a meaningful experience. You do not need to be a Holocaust scholar or an experienced teacher. **We provide comprehensive training and ongoing support.** ### As a Museum Docent, You Will - Welcome and engage with Museum visitors - Help visitors explore our exhibitions and learn from the stories of Holocaust survivors - Facilitate Dimensions in Testimony programs - Encourage thoughtful questions and conversation - Help create a welcoming and meaningful experience for visitors of all ages and backgrounds ### We Welcome Volunteers Who Are - At least 18 years old - Interested in history, education, or the Museum’s mission - Comfortable speaking with and engaging with diverse audiences - Reliable, friendly, and willing to learn - Comfortable standing and walking for periods of time - Able to volunteer on a regular basis, with a particular need for **weekend availability from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.** **No prior teaching or museum experience is required.** We will provide the training you need to feel confident in your role. ### Make a Difference Every day, our visitors leave the Museum with a better understanding of the Holocaust and the importance of standing up against hatred, prejudice, and indifference. **Join our team of volunteer docents and help us preserve history, share powerful stories, and inspire the next generation.** **[Apply today to become a Museum docent by clicking HERE!](https://www.vaholocaust.org/7437-2/)** --- ### [Board of Directors: Meet the Museum's Executive Leadership Team](https://www.vaholocaust.org/board-of-directors/) **Published:** March 11, 2024 **Author:** Laurie Simpson Crouch **Content:** # Board of Directors ### **Carole Weinstein \| Chairman** Carole M. Weinstein is the Chair of the Virginia Holocaust Museum’s Board of Trustees, where she works closely with Museum leadership to preserve Holocaust history, confront antisemitism and hatred, and encourage people to speak out against prejudice and indifference. In July 2026, she succeeded her husband, Marcus Weinstein, as Board Chair, continuing the Weinstein family’s long-standing leadership and support of the Museum. A generous supporter of the Museum for many years, she has helped make possible key initiatives such as the Carole Weinstein Holocaust Research Library and the Carole and Marcus Weinstein Endowment Campaign. Beyond her commitment to the Virginia Holocaust Museum, Carole has a long history of philanthropic leadership in the Richmond community, including support for educational, cultural, and Jewish organizations. She and her family have contributed to institutions across the region, including the University of Richmond and the Carole and Marcus Weinstein Jewish Community Center, helping to expand opportunities for learning, connection, and remembrance. A former English professor and longtime champion of education, she has also supported faculty positions, scholarships, and international programs that open doors for students and scholars around the world. --- ### Kenneth Dye \| Vice Chairman Kenneth Dye serves as Vice-Chairman of the Virginia Holocaust Museum’s Board of Directors and brings decades of leadership, integrity, and community commitment to the Museum’s mission. A longtime Richmond resident and civic leader, Ken most recently served as Senior Director of Government & Community Affairs for Comcast Corporation Metro Richmond, where he was responsible for fostering government and community relationships across 20 franchise areas. Prior to his role in governmental affairs, Ken held senior marketing and sales positions in local cable companies (including Continental Cablevision and MediaOne) through major industry mergers. In his role at the Museum, Ken offers strategic guidance in governance, outreach, and board leadership, helping to strengthen the institution’s educational initiatives and broaden its community impact. Known for his steady leadership and deep sense of civic duty, he plays a vital role in shaping board strategy and championing the Museum’s mission to preserve Holocaust history and promote tolerance and understanding. His service reflects a profound dedication to the Museum’s work and a belief in the importance of educating young people about the past and the consequences of hate. --- ### Richard Samet, Esq.\| Vice Chairman Richard Samet is a respected Richmond attorney and dedicated member of the Virginia Holocaust Museum’s Board of Trustees. A partner at Florance Gordon Brown, he has built a distinguished legal career marked by professionalism, integrity, and a deep commitment to community service. As a third-generation Holocaust survivor, Richard brings a profoundly personal connection to the Museum’s mission. His family’s history shapes his belief in the importance of remembrance, education, and standing firmly against antisemitism and hatred in all forms. His perspective enriches the Museum’s work and adds meaningful depth to its leadership. In addition to his professional accomplishments, Richard has long been active in Jewish communal life, serving in leadership roles with the Jewish Community Federation of Richmond, Beth Ahabah Museum & Archives, and other organizations. His thoughtful guidance, legal expertise, and personal dedication strengthen the Museum’s efforts to preserve Holocaust history and inspire a more just and compassionate future. --- ### Maurice Schwarz, MD \| Secretary Dr. Maurice Schwarz is the Secretary of the Virginia Holocaust Museum’s Board of Trustees and a retired oncologist whose distinguished medical career has been defined by compassion, expertise, and service to others. As a second-generation Holocaust survivor, he brings a deeply personal understanding of the Museum’s mission and a profound commitment to preserving the lessons of the Holocaust. Throughout his decades of medical practice, Dr. Schwarz cared for cancer patients and families with exceptional empathy and dedication—values that also guide his leadership within the Museum. His family history informs his belief in the importance of remembrance, education, and standing firmly against antisemitism and intolerance. Dr. Schwarz’s thoughtful counsel, professional integrity, and personal connection to Holocaust history make him a vital member of the Museum’s leadership team, helping ensure that the stories and lessons of the past continue to inspire future generations. --- ### Katheryn Curtis \| Treasurer Katheryn Curtis serves as Treasurer of the Virginia Holocaust Museum’s Board of Trustees and has been a dedicated member of the organization’s leadership for fourteen years. She is a retired senior executive with Dominion Energy, where she built a distinguished career in finance, operations, and corporate leadership. Known for her strategic insight and steady financial stewardship, Kathy brings deep expertise in governance, organizational oversight, and long-term planning to the Museum’s board. Throughout her professional career, she earned widespread respect for her integrity, analytical rigor, and commitment to advancing both business and community priorities. These same qualities guide her leadership at the Museum, where she plays a vital role in ensuring financial sustainability while supporting the growth of its educational and commemorative mission. Kathy’s thoughtful counsel and steadfast dedication make her an invaluable member of the Museum’s leadership team, strengthening its capacity to preserve Holocaust history and promote understanding across Virginia and beyond. --- ### Marcus Weinstein \| Chair Emeritus Marcus Weinstein served for many years as Chairman of the Board of the Virginia Holocaust Museum and was one of its most devoted champions. He retired from the role in July 2026, passing the reins to his wife, Carole M. Weinstein. A prominent Richmond philanthropist and successful entrepreneur, Marcus is the founder of Weinstein Properties, one of the largest and most respected family-owned real estate companies in the nation. His business leadership and generosity have helped shape the region’s development as well as many of its cultural and educational institutions. At the Virginia Holocaust Museum, Marcus has played a transformative role in guiding the Museum’s growth, strengthening its financial foundation, and expanding its impact across Virginia. His vision and stewardship have helped elevate the Museum’s educational mission, enhance its exhibits, and secure the long-term sustainability of its programs. Marcus and Carole are among the Museum’s most significant benefactors, including their leadership in establishing the Carole and Marcus Weinstein Matching Endowment Campaign, which helps ensure the Museum’s future for generations to come. --- ### Directors Nathan Appel, PhD Richard Arenstein Rabbi Dovid Asher Elena Barr-Baum Irving Blank The Honorable Betsy Carr Hannah Cohen Miriam Davidow Linda Ferguson Steven Gillispie Jennifer Goss David Greenberg Norma Greenberg Rabbi Joshua Jeffreys Russell Jennings Wolf Joffe Rachel Loria Roger Loria, MD Carolyn Loupassi Vivian Margulies Frederick Rahal, MD Debra Rodman, Ph.D Stuart Siegel Jay Weinberg Thelma Williams-Tunstall David Yancey --- ### Honorary Life Trustees Selma Brown, OBM Eric Cantor Thomas Graves, OBM Jerome Gumenick, OBM Neilson November, OBM --- ### [The Butterfly Project For Students](https://www.vaholocaust.org/the-butterfly-project/) **Published:** July 16, 2024 **Author:** Laurie Simpson Crouch **Content:** # The Butterfly Project **The Butterfly Project** The Butterfly Project is a global initiative aimed at combating hatred and bigotry by educating people about the Holocaust through education, art, and memorial-making. Suitable for school settings and community groups, the program was started in 2006 in San Diego, California, by educator Jan Landau and artist Cheryl Rattner Price, as a gentle yet effective way to teach children about the Holocaust and to remember the 1.5 million Jewish children who were murdered. The program is built around ceramic butterflies that participants paint while learning about a child who was murdered during the Holocaust. These butterflies are then glazed and installed in permanent displays to serve as reminders of courage, justice, remembrance, and hope. The idea was inspired by the poem "The Butterfly," written by Pavel Friedmann, a young prisoner at the Terezín concentration camp. In 2023, the Virginia Holocaust Museum joined the initiative, becoming one of more than 200 organizations worldwide participating in this meaningful project. **Steps to Get Started** **The Butterfly Project is ideal for 6th–12th grade students. After learning about the Holocaust, students can paint a butterfly in memory of a child murdered during the Holocaust. Once the project is completed, finished butterflies may be used for an installation within your school or community.** **Butterfly Project kits will be available at no cost to classrooms across the Commonwealth of Virginia during the 2026–2027 school year. The application to participate will be available soon.** **Kit quantities are limited this year. Priority will be given to Title I schools and to areas that have been underserved by the program in the past. Because supply is limited, we encourage educators to reserve their kits as early as possible. Please order your kits no later than November 1, 2026. Most classroom orders range from 36–100 butterflies; if you're requesting more than that, please briefly note why on your request form.** **Because of limited funding, we can only consider requests from within the Commonwealth of Virginia. Schools outside of Virginia are encouraged to visit the Butterfly Project website and apply for a subsidy at <https://thebutterflyprojectnow.org/subsidy-application/>.** **Step 1** [**Reserve your butterflies by clicking the button below and filling out the order form.**](https://www.vaholocaust.org/butterfly-project-kit-form/) Once approved, you will be emailed a shipment form. Kits include ceramic butterflies, paint brushes, glaze, and biography cards that tell the individual story of a child who was killed during the Holocaust. [ Butterfly Order Form ](https://www.vaholocaust.org/butterfly-project-kit-form/) ![Infographic titled "What is included in TBP butterfly kits?" comparing two kit options. Classroom Butterfly Kits include 36 ceramic butterflies, 36 biography cards, 36 paint brushes, and 9 sets of glaze. Bulk Butterfly Order Kits include 100 ceramic butterflies, 100 biography cards, 100 paint brushes, and 25 sets of glaze.](https://www.vaholocaust.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Screenshot-2025-10-17-at-3.02.26-PM-scaled-e1760728993152.png "Screenshot 2025-10-17 at 3.02.26 PM") **Step 2** Once you have submitted the shipment form, please allow up to three weeks for your butterflies to be shipped to you. **Step 3** While you are waiting for your butterflies to arrive, we ask that you use the Museum's lesson plan to help support and contextualize your study of the Holocaust. Here are some additional classroom resources: - [The Butterfly Project](https://thebutterflyprojectnow.org/) - [Simon Wiesenthal Center](https://www.museumoftolerance.com/education/teacher-resources/) - [United States Holocaust Memorial Museum](https://www.ushmm.org/) This is a great opportunity for cross-curricular instruction with social studies, language arts and art. **Step 4** When your butterflies arrive, each student should paint one ceramic butterfly using the glaze provided. Along with the butterfly, each student should also receive one individual biography card — students will paint their butterfly in memory of the child. Please give students enough time to read their biography card; they should be reading, reflecting, and connecting. We also recommend that prior to painting, students say aloud (one by one) the name of the child they are painting the butterfly for. Paint your butterfly! Please only paint the front and sides of the butterfly. Do not paint the back. Do not use any other materials aside from the glaze provided. **Step 5** Once the butterflies have been glazed and are dry to the touch, they are ready to be kiln-fired. You must fire the butterflies in a kiln at a low-fire temperature of Cone 04, 05, or 06. If your school does not have a kiln available, please reach out to a neighboring school, ceramics center, or try this resource to locate a kiln near you: <https://www.kilnshare.com/>. **Step 6** After the butterflies are kiln-fired, they are complete and ready to be installed. Create a temporary or permanent installation serving as a memorial to the 1.5 million children murdered during the Holocaust. For tips on how to create your installation, please visit <https://thebutterflyprojectnow.org/installations/>. **Step 7** Once your installation is complete, please send us photographs! Email your photos to <kadams@vaholocaust.org>. You can post your installation photos to social media using the hashtag #thebutterflyprojectnow and tag @thebutterflyprojectnow and @vaholocaust. If you have any questions, please contact our Director of Marketing and Communications, Laurie Simpson Crouch, at <lsimpsoncrouch@vaholocaust.org>. ### Frequently Asked Questions ***Why is availability limited this year?*** Due to a reduction in state funding, we are only able to supply kits to schools within the Commonwealth of Virginia this year, and we are not able to supply kits to every classroom that requests one. Priority will be given to Title I schools and to areas that have been underserved by the program in the past. We encourage you to reserve early, as kits will be distributed based on these priorities while supplies last. ***Can schools outside of Virginia participate?*** Not through the Virginia Holocaust Museum this year, due to limited funding. Schools outside of Virginia are encouraged to visit the Butterfly Project website and apply for a subsidy at <https://thebutterflyprojectnow.org/subsidy-application/>. ***What are the butterflies made of?*** Our butterflies are made of low-fire white clay and have received their first bisque firing. ***What kinds of glazes are provided?*** We supply low-fire underglazes that kiln-fire to a satin sheen. ***Should we paint all sides of the butterfly?*** No. The backside of the butterflies should remain free of all glaze, or the butterflies will fuse to the kiln shelf during firing. ***Can we add details to the butterflies with paint or markers?*** No. Only paint the butterflies with the glaze provided in your kit. Any other paint or markers will burn away in the kiln. ***Should we write our names on the backs of butterflies?*** No. Although we understand the desire participants have to identify their butterflies, any writing or painting on the backs will burn off in the kiln firing and/or damage the kiln shelf. ***Will the glaze stain our clothing and our hands?*** No. The glaze provided will easily wash off. --- ![The Henri Maizels Butterfly Garden at the Virginia Holocaust Museum — a wall display of hand-painted ceramic butterflies above an illustration of a girl in profile, her hair flowing into a wave of butterflies.](https://www.vaholocaust.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Screenshot-2025-08-12-at-1.08.16-PM-scaled.png "Screenshot 2025-08-12 at 1.08.16 PM") ### Henri Maizels Butterfly Garden On April 3, 2025, the Museum dedicated the Henri Maizels Butterfly Garden, honoring Holocaust survivor Henri Isadore Maizels (1939–2023). Family members joined Great Bridge High School art students to install the first 300 hand-painted butterflies on the vibrant mural and surrounding glass cases in the lobby, creating a living memorial. The Henri Maizels Butterfly Garden was made possible through the generosity of Doris Chance, Morris Willner, Max Maizels, Sherri Thaxton, Judith Levine-Maizels, Danielle Maizels, Nathan Maizels, and Neena Maizels. It embodies the mission of <a href="/butterfly-project">The Butterfly Project</a>: to inspire hope, foster remembrance, and let the stories of children lost to hatred take flight for generations to come. Born in Paris on December 4, 1939, Henri Isadore Maizels endured profound loss early in life, losing both of his parents by the age of three. He was safeguarded first by a Catholic family and later by a Catholic orphanage, surviving the war while his Jewish identity remained protected. In 1947, Henri was reunited with relatives in the United States and began a new chapter in Richmond, Virginia. He went on to excel as an international hairstylist and a gifted musician. Known for his warmth and kindness, Henri transformed adversity into inspiration, leaving behind a legacy of resilience, artistry, and love. You can hear Henri's full oral history, recorded on February 2, 2004, **[here](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ydVImCdtm4).** ![Black-and-white portrait of Henri Maizels, a Holocaust survivor, smiling, wearing glasses, a beret, and a suit.](https://www.vaholocaust.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/HenriMaizels-150x150.jpg "HenriMaizels") Henri Isadore Maizels 1939–2023 --- ### [New Bus Scholarship Program](https://www.vaholocaust.org/bus-scholarship-program/) **Published:** July 23, 2024 **Author:** Laurie Simpson Crouch **Content:** # Bus Scholarship Program The Virginia Holocaust Museum is committed to expanding access to Holocaust education for students across the Commonwealth by reducing transportation barriers that prevent schools from participating in Museum field trips. Through the Bus Scholarship Program, the Museum provides financial assistance to eligible schools to help offset charter bus transportation costs associated with student visits to the Museum. Funding is designed to support schools that face the greatest geographic and financial barriers to participation, particularly those located in communities where distance and transportation expenses limit access to Holocaust education opportunities. **Scholarship Priorities** Priority will be given to schools and school divisions that: - Are located in geographically distant regions of Virginia, including western, southwestern, southside, Eastern Shore, and Northern Neck communities. - Have limited access to Holocaust education resources and Museum programming. - Demonstrate financial need or transportation costs that create a barrier to participation. - Represent school divisions or communities that have not previously participated in Museum field trips. **Eligibility Requirements** Schools applying for bus assistance must: - Be a Virginia middle or high school group visiting the Virginia Holocaust Museum for an educational field trip. - Have a confirmed Museum visit scheduled prior to applying. - Submit a completed Bus Scholarship Application. - Provide documentation of transportation costs, including an itemized estimate or invoice from the transportation provider. **Funding Information** Bus scholarships may provide partial support toward eligible charter bus transportation expenses. Award amounts will be based on available funding, demonstrated need, transportation costs, and the goal of expanding access to students who would otherwise be unable to participate. Schools may combine Museum bus scholarship funding with other available funding sources, including school division funds, grants, and community support. Submission of an application does not guarantee the award of Bus Scholarship funding. All requests are reviewed based on eligibility criteria, program priorities, demonstrated need, available funding, and the goal of expanding access to Museum field trips for students across the Commonwealth. **Application Process** 1. Schedule your Virginia Holocaust Museum field trip through the Museum's tour request process. 2. Obtain a transportation estimate from your bus provider. 3. Submit the Bus Scholarship Application. 4. Applications will be reviewed based on program priorities and available funding. 5. Selected schools will receive notification of award decisions. **After the Visit** Upon completion of the Museum field trip, schools must submit required transportation documentation before reimbursement or payment of approved scholarship funds can be processed. Questions For questions, please contact Director of Education Megan Ferenczy, at mferenczy@vaholocaust.org. **Bus Scholarship Funders** Our scholarship program is made possible through the generous support of the Carole and Marcus Weinstein Foundation, the Barbara and Fred Kort Foundation and the Windsor Foundation Trust. [ Click HERE For Application! ](https://www.vaholocaust.org/bus-scholarship-application/) --- ### [Bus Scholarship Application](https://www.vaholocaust.org/bus-scholarship-application/) **Published:** September 5, 2024 **Author:** Laurie Simpson Crouch **Content:** Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form. **Program Overview** The Virginia Holocaust Museum Bus Scholarship Program provides financial assistance to reduce transportation barriers and expand access to Museum field trips for students across the Commonwealth. Funding is intended to support schools and school divisions where transportation costs, geographic distance, or limited access to educational resources create barriers to participation. Priority will be given to schools located in geographically distant and historically underserved regions of Virginia, schools with demonstrated financial need, schools with limited access to Holocaust education opportunities, and schools or school divisions that have not previously participated in Museum field trips. Submission of an application does not guarantee funding. Applications are reviewed based on eligibility requirements, program priorities, demonstrated need, available funding, and the goal of expanding access to Museum field trips for students across Virginia. Please complete all fields below. If a question does not apply to you, please enter “N/A.” #### School Information School Name: \* School Division \* School Address: \*Address Line 1 Address Line 2 City --- Select state ---AlabamaAlaskaArizonaArkansasCaliforniaColoradoConnecticutDelawareDistrict of ColumbiaFloridaGeorgiaHawaiiIdahoIllinoisIndianaIowaKansasKentuckyLouisianaMaineMarylandMassachusettsMichiganMinnesotaMississippiMissouriMontanaNebraskaNevadaNew HampshireNew JerseyNew MexicoNew YorkNorth CarolinaNorth DakotaOhioOklahomaOregonPennsylvaniaRhode IslandSouth CarolinaSouth DakotaTennesseeTexasUtahVermontVirginiaWashingtonWest VirginiaWisconsinWyomingState Zip Code School Contact Name: \*First Last Title/Position \* Email: \* Phone: \* #### **School Location and Access Information** Please select the region where your school is located: \* - Western Virginia - Southwestern Virginia - Southside Virginia - Eastern Shore - Northern Neck - Central Virginia - Hampton Roads - Northern Virginia - Other Please share the name of your “Other” region here: \* Approximately how far is your school from the Virginia Holocaust Museum? \* - Less than 50 miles - 50–100 miles - 101–150 miles - More than 150 miles Estimated one-way travel time to the Virginia Holocaust Museum: \* - Less than 1 hour - 1–2 hours - 2–3 hours - More than 3 hours #### **Museum Visit Information** Date of scheduled Museum field trip: \*Clear Date Grade level(s) attending: \* Number of students attending: \* Number of teachers/chaperones attending: \* Is this transportation request supporting a full-grade-level field trip? \* - Yes - No Has your school previously participated in a Virginia Holocaust Museum field trip? \* - Yes - No If yes, please provide the year of your most recent visit: \* #### **Transportation Request** Transportation provider: \* Estimated transportation cost: \* Amount requested from the Virginia Holocaust Museum Bus Scholarship Program: \* Please upload or provide a copy of the transportation estimate or invoice. \* Drag & Drop Files, Choose Files to Upload #### Additional Funding Sources The Virginia Holocaust Museum encourages schools to combine Bus Scholarship funding with other available resources. Please identify any additional funding sources supporting transportation costs: transportation Museum: full-grade-level Please identify any additional funding sources supporting transportation costs: \* - School division funds - School activity funds - PTA/PTO funds - Grant funding - Community partners - Other: Please share the name of the “Other” funding source here: \* Amount of additional funding secured or anticipated: \* #### **Transportation Need and Impact** Please describe how transportation costs impact your school's ability to participate in a Virginia Holocaust Museum field trip. (Consider distance from the Museum, charter bus costs, available school funding, and other transportation barriers.) \* #### **Educational Access and Need** Please describe your school's interest in participating in a Museum field trip and how this experience will support student learning: \* #### **Certification** By submitting this application, the school agrees that: - The information provided is accurate and complete. - The school has a scheduled or planned Museum field trip. - Transportation arrangements and contracts remain the responsibility of the school. - Funding requests are subject to available funds and program priorities. - Submission of an application does not guarantee funding. - Approved funds will be provided according to Virginia Holocaust Museum scholarship procedures. #### **Authorized School Representative** Name \*First Last Title \* Signature \* Clear Signature Date \* #### **Application Review Criteria** Applications will be reviewed based on: - Geographic distance from the Virginia Holocaust Museum. - Transportation costs and demonstrated financial barriers. - School division access to Holocaust education resources. - Whether the school or division has previously participated in Museum field trips. - The number of students impacted. - Available scholarship funding. Our scholarship program is made possible through the generous support of the Carole and Marcus Weinstein Foundation, the Barbara and Fred Kort Foundation and the Windsor Foundation Trust. Submit![Loading](https://www.vaholocaust.org/wp-content/plugins/wpforms/assets/images/submit-spin.svg) --- ### [The Butterfly Project Kit Order Form](https://www.vaholocaust.org/butterfly-project-kit-form/) **Published:** October 17, 2025 **Author:** Laurie Simpson Crouch **Content:** # The Butterfly Project Kit Form Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form. Dear Educator, Thank you for your interest in bringing **The Butterfly Project** to your students this school year. We are grateful for the many Virginia educators who want to engage their students in this meaningful Holocaust education and remembrance project. This year, we had a very limited number of kits available through the Virginia Holocaust Museum. To make the greatest impact with the resources we had, priority was given to **Title I schools and schools serving economically disadvantaged communities**. Unfortunately, we have now filled all of our available orders and are not able to approve your request for a Museum-funded kit this year. We know this may be disappointing, and we sincerely appreciate your understanding. There is another option available. **Schools may purchase Butterfly Project kits directly from The Butterfly Project**, and a limited number of subsidies are available to help offset the cost. To learn more about purchasing a kit or applying for a subsidy, please contact The Butterfly Project directly at [**info@thebutterflyprojectnow.org**](mailto:info@thebutterflyprojectnow.org) or visit **thebutterflyprojectnow.org**. Thank you again for your commitment to Holocaust education and for wanting to bring this powerful experience to your students. We hope to have the opportunity to support your school in the future. Warmly, Virginia Holocaust Museum Teacher's Name \*First Last Email \* Phone \* Grade Level \* Class Subject \* School Name \* School Address \*Address Line 1 Address Line 2 City --- Select state ---AlabamaAlaskaArizonaArkansasCaliforniaColoradoConnecticutDelawareDistrict of ColumbiaFloridaGeorgiaHawaiiIdahoIllinoisIndianaIowaKansasKentuckyLouisianaMaineMarylandMassachusettsMichiganMinnesotaMississippiMissouriMontanaNebraskaNevadaNew HampshireNew JerseyNew MexicoNew YorkNorth CarolinaNorth DakotaOhioOklahomaOregonPennsylvaniaRhode IslandSouth CarolinaSouth DakotaTennesseeTexasUtahVermontVirginiaWashingtonWest VirginiaWisconsinWyomingState Zip Code Is your school a Title I school? \* - Yes - No - Unsure How many butterflies are you requesting? \* Most classroom orders range from 36–100 butterflies. If you're requesting more than 100, please briefly note why (e.g., multiple sections, school-wide project) in the field below. \* By what date will you need your materials? \*Clear Date Has anyone else at your school already requested Butterfly Project kits this year? If yes, please list their name so we can coordinate your shipment together. \* multiple Title please **Due to high demand, Butterfly Project kits are available while supplies last.** Submit![Loading](https://www.vaholocaust.org/wp-content/plugins/wpforms/assets/images/submit-spin.svg) --- ### [Permanent Exhibits at Virginia Holocaust Museum | Richmond, VA](https://www.vaholocaust.org/permanent-exhibits/) **Published:** July 7, 2026 **Author:** Laurie Simpson Crouch **Content:** - # Permanent Exhibits at the Virginia Holocaust Museum **The Virginia Holocaust Museum permanent exhibits** guide visitors on an immersive, chronological journey through one of history's darkest chapters—from the rise of Nazism and the persecution of European Jews to liberation and the difficult path toward rebuilding lives after the Holocaust. 1. [ ](#) [ ](#) ![Holocaust survivor Halina Zimm stands before her projected image in the Dimensions in Testimony® theater at the Virginia Holocaust Museum as students participate in the interactive experience.](https://www.vaholocaust.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Jay-Ipson-and-his-Dad.png "Virginia Holocaust Museum founder Jay Ipson with his father, Israel Ipson, shortly after liberation from Nazi persecution.") ## Virginia Holocaust Museum Permanent Exhibits The Virginia Holocaust Museum was founded by Holocaust survivor Jay M. Ipson, shown here with his father, Israel Ipson, after the end of World War II, with a simple but powerful mission: to preserve the stories of those who lived through the Holocaust and inspire future generations to stand against hatred and prejudice. As you explore the museum's permanent exhibitions, you'll encounter Jay, members of his family, and other Holocaust survivors who came to Virginia to rebuild their lives after World War II. Through their firsthand accounts, authentic artifacts, photographs, and personal belongings, history becomes deeply personal. Your experience begins with the voices of these survivors, whose stories provide a powerful introduction to the journey ahead. ## Begin With a Short Film, Then Step Onto the Train Platform Your visit begins with *Through Our Survivors' Eyes*, a 15-minute introductory film featuring the voices of Virginia Holocaust survivors. As they share memories of childhood, the rise of Nazi persecution, liberation, and rebuilding their lives in America, you'll begin to see the Holocaust through the eyes of those who lived it. Commissioned by the Jewish Community Federation of Richmond, the documentary features Holocaust survivors Bud Brodecki, Jake Fayman, David Grabin, Israel Ipson, Esther Kutner, and Simone Schwarz, whose firsthand testimonies provide a powerful introduction to the museum experience. ![Recreated Dachau concentration camp barracks exhibit at the Virginia Holocaust Museum, representing the first permanent Nazi concentration camp, established in 1933.](https://www.vaholocaust.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Old-Dachau-exhibit-Virginia-Holocaust-Museum.png "Recreated Dachau concentration camp barracks exhibit at the Virginia Holocaust Museum, representing the first permanent Nazi concentration camp, established in 1933.") ## Explore Pivotal Moments in Holocaust History As you continue through the museum, you'll encounter the events that shaped the Holocaust and forever changed millions of lives. Explore exhibits on the rise of the Nazi Party, Kristallnacht, the Dachau concentration camp, the voyage of the *St. Louis*, the Kovno Ghetto, Hyde Farmlands, and other defining moments in Holocaust history. Your journey concludes in a recreated Displaced Persons (DP) Camp, where you'll learn about the difficult choices survivors faced after liberation as they searched for loved ones, found new homes, and began rebuilding their lives. ## Experience the Holocaust Through Personal Stories and Authentic Artifacts The museum's more than 30 permanent exhibits guide you chronologically through the Holocaust, from the rise of the Nazi regime to liberation and the difficult years that followed. Along the way, you'll encounter more than 300 authentic artifacts, photographs, and personal belongings that bring history into sharp focus. Interwoven throughout the exhibitions are the voices and stories of Holocaust survivors who eventually made Virginia their home. Their firsthand accounts transform historical events into deeply personal experiences, offering a powerful reminder of resilience, loss, and the enduring importance of remembrance. ![Close-up of a yellow Star of David badge worn by Jews during the Holocaust.](https://www.vaholocaust.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Close-up-of-Arm-Band.png "Close-up of a yellow Star of David badge worn by Jews during the Holocaust.") ![Holocaust survivor Halina Zimm stands before her projected image in the Dimensions in Testimony® theater at the Virginia Holocaust Museum as students participate in the interactive experience.](https://www.vaholocaust.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Resized-Picture-of-Halina-in-DIT-600-x-400-px.png "Resized Picture of Halina in DIT 600 x 400 px") ## Experience Dimensions in Testimony®: Interactive Survivor Conversations Located on the Museum's second floor, **Dimensions in Testimony®** is an interactive experience created by the USC Shoah Foundation. Using advanced technology, visitors can ask questions and engage in a lifelike conversation with a recorded Holocaust survivor or witness to genocide. By preserving these firsthand testimonies, the experience helps ensure future generations can continue learning directly from those who lived through history. ## Authentic Early 20th-Century German Rail Boxcar Just outside the Museum entrance stands an authentic early 20th-century German rail boxcar—one of the Virginia Holocaust Museum's most powerful and recognizable artifacts. Acquired in 2003 with the assistance of Holocaust survivor Alex Lebenstein, the boxcar was recovered from Haltern am See, Germany. Similar railcars were used to deport millions of Jews and other victims to ghettos, concentration camps, and killing centers throughout Nazi-occupied Europe, making this artifact a sobering reminder of the Holocaust's human toll. ![Red Deutsche Reichsbahn passenger carriage on a platform with a metal railing, likely a historic train car.](https://www.vaholocaust.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Box-Car-at-Virginia-Holocaust-Museum.png "Box Car at Virginia Holocaust Museum") ![Ruth Bader Ginsburg plaque featured in the Virginia Holocaust Museum's Jewish-American Hall of Fame exhibit.](https://www.vaholocaust.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Jewish-American-Hall-of-Fame-1.png "Ruth Bader Ginsburg plaque featured in the Virginia Holocaust Museum's Jewish-American Hall of Fame exhibit.") ## Jewish-American Hall of Fame Tucked within the Museum's synagogue gallery, the Jewish-American Hall of Fame celebrates the remarkable achievements of Jewish Americans whose contributions have shaped science, medicine, public service, literature, music, and the arts. Since 1969, more than 50 individuals have been honored, including Albert Einstein, George Gershwin, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Joseph Pulitzer, and Dr. Jonas Salk. The exhibit also encourages visitors to consider the immeasurable human potential lost during the Holocaust. By reflecting on the accomplishments of these distinguished Americans, visitors gain a deeper appreciation for the countless innovations, discoveries, and cultural contributions that were never realized because six million Jews—and generations that followed—were murdered. [ Interested in Early American History \| VA250 ](https://www.vaholocaust.org/founding-era-jewish-americans/) ## Frequently Asked Questions ### **What will I see in the Virginia Holocaust Museum's permanent exhibits?** The museum's permanent exhibits take visitors on a chronological journey through the Holocaust, from the rise of the Nazi regime to liberation and the years that followed. Along the way, you'll encounter authentic artifacts, immersive exhibit spaces, photographs, survivor testimonies, and interactive experiences that bring history to life. ### **How long does it take to tour the permanent exhibits?** Most visitors spend about an hour exploring the museum. Some guests stay longer to spend more time in specific exhibitions or reflection spaces. Those who choose to watch the introductory film or participate in the Dimensions in Testimony® experience may wish to allow additional time. ### **Are the artifacts in the museum authentic?** Yes. The Virginia Holocaust Museum displays more than 300 authentic artifacts, photographs, and personal belongings that help tell the stories of Holocaust victims, survivors, and those who rebuilt their lives after World War II. ### **Can I interact with a Holocaust survivor during my visit?** Visitors can experience Dimensions in Testimony®, an interactive exhibit that allows guests to ask questions and engage in a lifelike conversation with a recorded Holocaust survivor or witness to genocide using advanced technology. ### **Are the permanent exhibits appropriate for children?** Because the Holocaust is a difficult and emotional subject, the museum generally recommends its permanent exhibits for visitors ages 11 and older. Parents and guardians are encouraged to use their discretion based on a child's maturity. ### **Are the permanent exhibits self-guided?** Yes. Most visitors explore the permanent exhibits at their own pace. Guided tours are also available for groups with advance reservations. ### **Is photography allowed inside the museum?** Photography for personal use is generally permitted in most exhibit areas, although flash photography and tripods are discouraged. ### **What makes the Virginia Holocaust Museum different from other Holocaust museums?** The museum was founded by Holocaust survivor Jay M. Ipson and is distinguished by the personal stories of Holocaust survivors who made Virginia their home. Throughout the exhibits, visitors encounter authentic artifacts, firsthand testimonies, immersive environments, and interactive experiences that connect history with individual lives. ### **Do I have to watch the introductory film?** No. *Through Our Survivors Eyes* is an optional 15-minute film that provides historical context and introduces visitors to the voices of Virginia Holocaust survivors. While not required, many guests find it enhances their understanding of the permanent exhibits. --- ### [Educational Resources at the Virginia Holocaust Museum](https://www.vaholocaust.org/educational-resources/) **Published:** March 12, 2024 **Author:** Laurie Simpson Crouch **Content:** # Educational Resources Providing both teachers and students with the best Educational Resources to learn about the Holocaust is the driving force behind our Education Department. Whether it is the form of a free professional development workshop here at the Museum for teachers - or the Annual Student Visual Arts Contest for students in grades 6 through 12 - our goal is to make available exceptional materials and opportunities to learn about the [Holocaust](https://www.ushmm.org/). Teacher Educational Resources include: - Free [Professional Development Workshops](https://www.vaholocaust.org/professional-development/) - [Acceptance Suitcases](https://www.vaholocaust.org/acceptance-suitcases/) - Downloadable [Lesson Plans](https://www.vaholocaust.org/lesson-plans/) - A vibrant[ Speakers Bureau](https://www.vaholocaust.org/request-a-speaker/) Student Educational Resources include: - The [Annual Student Visual Arts Contest](https://www.vaholocaust.org/student-art-contest/) - [Suggested Reading Lists](https://www.vaholocaust.org/student-suggested-reading/) --- [![Widget image](https://www.vaholocaust.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Teacher-at-Door.png)](https://www.vaholocaust.org/teacher-resources/)Teacher Resources [![Widget image](https://www.vaholocaust.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Resources-for-Students.png)](https://www.vaholocaust.org/student-resources/)Student Resources [![Generic police cap](https://www.vaholocaust.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/r-d-smith-od3jdQqX8O8-unsplash-scaled.jpg)](https://www.vaholocaust.org/law-enforcement-workshop/)Law Enforcement Resources [![Widget image](https://www.vaholocaust.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Request-A-speaker.png)](https://www.vaholocaust.org/request-a-speaker/)Request-A-Speaker --- ### Other Helpful Educational Resources include: [Facing History and Ourselves](https://www.facinghistory.org/) [USC Shoah Foundation](https://sfi.usc.edu/) [Echoes and Reflections](http://echoesandreflections.org/) [The United States Holocaust Memorial Museum](http://www.ushmm.org/) Yad Vashem --- ### [Dimensions in Testimony at the Virginia Holocaust Museum](https://www.vaholocaust.org/dimensions-in-testimony/) **Published:** July 9, 2026 **Author:** Laurie Simpson Crouch **Content:** - # Dimensions in Testimony at the Virginia Holocaust Museum The Virginia Holocaust Museum is proud to be **one of only three museums in the United States** to offer this extraordinary theater experience. Whether you are visiting for the first time or returning to the Museum, Dimensions in Testimony offers a powerful opportunity to connect with history in a deeply human way. 1. [ ](#) [ ](#) What if you could ask a Holocaust survivor a question—and hear their answer in their own words? At the Virginia Holocaust Museum, **Dimensions in Testimony** makes that possible. ## Ask a Holocaust Survivor a Question Using groundbreaking technology developed by the [USC Shoah Foundation](https://sfi.usc.edu/dit?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=714082074&gbraid=0AAAAAD7BiwxM_yTdnDwXPqRsEJqulWVJm&gclid=Cj0KCQjwjb3SBhDgARIsAMKiWzhq7nNpsA5qY6BJL3z-aRue-VDAtU_B3692Ij754sEikxjiFk6DtgoaAkNBEALw_wcB), visitors engage in a live, interactive conversation with Holocaust survivors and a U.S. Army liberator. Through advanced voice recognition and thousands of hours of recorded testimony, each participant responds naturally to audience questions, creating an experience that feels remarkably personal. Whether you are visiting for the first time or returning to the Museum, Dimensions in Testimony offers a powerful opportunity to connect with history in a deeply human way. ![Close-up of Holocaust survivor Halina Zimm standing in front of her projected Dimensions in Testimony image, featured in the Virginia Holocaust Museum’s interactive theater.](https://www.vaholocaust.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Halina-Zimm-with-her-DIT-Image-on-Screen.png) ## What is Dimensions in Testimony Dimensions in Testimony combines artificial intelligence, voice-recognition technology, and high-definition video to preserve the voices of Holocaust survivors for future generations. Before filming, each survivor participated in thousands of interview sessions, answering more than a thousand questions about every aspect of their lives. During your visit, you simply ask a question aloud. The system identifies the closest matching response, allowing the survivor to answer in their own voice and with their own memories. While the responses are pre-recorded, the conversations feel authentic, unscripted, and deeply personal. ## What You Will Learn Every conversation is different. Visitors ask questions about topics including: - Childhood before World War II - The rise of Nazi persecution - Ghettos, hiding, and concentration camps - Liberation and rebuilding their lives - Family, resilience, forgiveness, and hope - Why remembering the Holocaust still matters today No two presentations are exactly alike because the audience guides the conversation. ![Black-and-white photograph of Holocaust survivor Anita Lasker-Wallfisch playing the cello before World War II.](https://www.vaholocaust.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Anita-Playing-Her-Cello-Before-the-War.png) ## Meet the Voices Throughout the year, visitors have the opportunity to interact with four Holocaust survivors and one U.S. Army liberator whose firsthand experiences preserve the history of the Holocaust for future generations. Our featured participants include: - Pinchas Gutter - Halina Zimm - Eva Kor - Alan Moskin (U.S. Army Liberator) - Anita Lasker-Wallfisch [**View Survivor Biographies →**](https://www.vaholocaust.org/dimensions-in-testimony-survivors/) ![Portraits of the five featured Dimensions in Testimony participants—four Holocaust survivors and one U.S. Army liberator—each seated in a chair against a black background.](https://www.vaholocaust.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/All-Five-DIT-Stars.png) ## 2026 Presentation Schedule | Month | Featured Participant | |---|---| | January | Pinchas Gutter | | February | Halina Zimm | | March | Eva Kor | | April | Alan Moskin | | May | Anita Lasker-Wallfisch | | June | Pinchas Gutter | | July | Halina Zimm | | August | Eva Kor | | September | Alan Moskin | | October | Anita Lasker-Wallfisch | | November | Pinchas Gutter | | December | Halina Zimm | ![Exterior view of the Alan and Halina Zimm Theater of Remembrance, home of the Virginia Holocaust Museum’s Dimensions in Testimony experience.](https://www.vaholocaust.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Outside-of-DIT-Theater.png) ## Plan Your Visit Dimensions in Testimony is included with Museum admission. - Presentations begin every hour from **11:00 a.m. through 3:00 p.m.** - Each experience lasts approximately **30–45 minutes**. - Seating is limited. - Reservations are required and may be made at the Guest Services Desk upon arrival. [ Plan Your Visit ](https://www.vaholocaust.org/plan-your-visit/) ![Empty Dimensions in Testimony Theater at the Virginia Holocaust Museum with a large projection screen displaying survivor testimony and rows of blue theater-style chairs.](https://www.vaholocaust.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/DIT-Theater.png) ## As Seen on 60 Minutes Dimensions in Testimony has been featured nationally for its innovative approach to preserving Holocaust testimony and ensuring that future generations can continue learning directly from survivors long after they are gone. ## About the Project Dimensions in Testimony is an initiative of the USC Shoah Foundation that preserves the stories of Holocaust survivors and other witnesses to genocide through interactive biographies. The project was developed in collaboration with the [Illinois Holocaust Museum & Education Center](https://www.ilholocaustmuseum.org/), the [USC Institute for Creative Technologies](https://ict.usc.edu/), and Conscience Display, with support from the Pears Foundation and other partners. By combining survivor testimony with emerging technology, Dimensions in Testimony helps ensure these voices continue to educate and inspire future generations. ![U.S. Army liberator Alan Moskin sitting in a chair in front of a green screen while being recorded for the Virginia Holocaust Museum’s Dimensions in Testimony Theater.](https://www.vaholocaust.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Alan-being-Filmed-1.png) ## Frequently Asked Questions About Dimensions in Testimony ### What is Dimensions in Testimony? Dimensions in Testimony is an interactive theater experience created by the USC Shoah Foundation that allows visitors to engage with recorded testimony from Holocaust survivors and a U.S. Army liberator. Using advanced technology, visitors can ask questions and receive responses based on thousands of recorded interviews. ### Can I actually talk to a Holocaust survivor through Dimensions in Testimony? While the survivors are not physically present, Dimensions in Testimony creates the experience of a conversation by allowing visitors to ask questions and hear responses in the survivor’s own voice. Each response comes directly from recorded testimony. ### How does Dimensions in Testimony work? Before filming, each participant completed extensive interview sessions, answering thousands of questions about their life experiences. During your visit, voice-recognition technology identifies your question and selects the most relevant recorded response from the survivor’s testimony. ### Who is featured in the Virginia Holocaust Museum’s Dimensions in Testimony Theater? The Virginia Holocaust Museum’s Dimensions in Testimony Theater features four Holocaust survivors and one U.S. Army liberator: Pinchas Gutter, Halina Zimm, Eva Kor, Anita Lasker-Wallfisch, and Alan Moskin. ### How long does the Dimensions in Testimony experience last? The experience lasts approximately 30–45 minutes. ### Do I need a separate ticket for Dimensions in Testimony? No. Dimensions in Testimony is included with regular Museum admission. ### Do I need a reservation for Dimensions in Testimony? Yes. Seating is limited, and reservations are required. Visitors can reserve seats at the Guest Services Desk when they arrive at the Museum. ### What time are Dimensions in Testimony presentations offered? Presentations are offered daily on the hour from 11:00 AM through 3:00 PM. ### Is Dimensions in Testimony appropriate for students? Yes. Dimensions in Testimony is a powerful educational experience for middle school students, high school students, college groups, and adult visitors. It provides a meaningful opportunity to learn directly from firsthand survivor testimony. ### Why is Dimensions in Testimony important? As Holocaust survivors become fewer in number, preserving their voices is essential. Dimensions in Testimony ensures that future generations can continue learning from survivors’ experiences and understanding the human impact of the Holocaust. ### How is Dimensions in Testimony different from watching a documentary? Unlike a traditional film, Dimensions in Testimony allows visitors to guide the conversation by asking questions. Each visitor’s experience is different because the questions shape the testimony they hear. --- ### [dimensions-in-testimony-survivors](https://www.vaholocaust.org/dimensions-in-testimony-survivors/) **Published:** July 22, 2026 **Author:** Laurie Simpson Crouch **Content:** - # Featured Biographies 1. [ ](#) [ ](#) These Dimensions in Testimony survivors and one US liberator share their stories below and are featured in the Virginia Holocaust Museum's interactive exhibit in Richmond, Virginia. Read their stories below, then experience their accounts firsthand through the [USC Shoah Foundation’s Dimensions in Testimony.](https://sfi.usc.edu/dit?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=714082074&gbraid=0AAAAAD7BiwzbFKtWgVdhIr7gxCJWSz4uc&gclid=CjwKCAjwmozTBhAeEiwAkEGZzriJJWhlu7_8b5I-xkvPbJ3Fi1ST8akwzMcdMMP84tH5GWkUrGrGdBoCI0oQAvD_BwE) ![Alt text: Halina Zimm, a Holocaust survivor, sits in the interview chair used to record her testimony for the Dimensions in Testimony program.](https://www.vaholocaust.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Sq-Halina.png) ## Halina Zimm Halina Zimm, a Holocaust survivor now living in Richmond, Virginia, was born on December 4, 1927, in Łódź, Poland. She grew up there with her parents, Solomon and Regina, and her sisters, Helen and Nana. After the Nazi invasion of Poland in 1939, Jewish residents were forced to wear yellow stars and children were banned from school. Within a year, Halina’s father moved the family to Zarnów, where her grandparents lived, hoping it would be safer. By around 1942, rumors spread that the Jews of Zarnów would soon be deported. Determined to protect his daughters, Halina’s father obtained false birth certificates for Halina and Helen. Those documents allowed Halina to escape to Warsaw just two weeks before the deportations began. In Warsaw, Halina survived by working as a housekeeper while concealing her Jewish identity. Her parents did not survive the war. She lived close to the Warsaw Ghetto and witnessed both the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising and the later Warsaw Uprising firsthand, seeing the fighting and destruction from nearby streets. In the summer of 1944, she joined the Warsaw Uprising, a major revolt led by Polish resistance forces. After the Germans crushed the uprising, Halina was forced onto a train bound for Germany for slave labor. She managed to escape and remained in Poland until the Soviet Army liberated the area. In 1945, she met her future husband, Alan Zimm. Together they immigrated to the United States, where they built a new life and raised their family. **To learn more about her life, click the button below to watch her complete oral history, recorded in 2013 by Virginia Holocaust Museum Director of Collections Timothy Hensley. While this interview is not part of the Dimensions in Testimony (DIT) exhibit, it provides a much fuller picture of her life and experiences. Watching it before your DIT session may help you ask more meaningful questions. The interview is approximately 90 minutes long.** [ Learn More About Halina Zimm ](https://www.vaholocaust.org/ohms/render.php?cachefile=/2026/04/ZimmHalina.xml) ![Alt text: Pinchas Gutter a Holocaust survivor, sits in the interview chair used to record his testimony for the Dimensions in Testimony program.](https://www.vaholocaust.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/sq-pinchas.png) ## Pinchas Gutter Pinchas Gutter, a survivor of six German Nazi camps, was born in Łódź, Poland, and was eight years old when the war began. He and his twin sister fled with their family to Warsaw, where they were confined in the Warsaw Ghetto for two and a half years. In April 1943 the family was captured and deported to the Majdanek death camp. Upon arrival, Pinchas’s parents and twin sister were murdered; he was selected for labor and sent on to a series of camps, including Skarżysko-Kamienna, Częstochowa, Buchenwald, Colditz, and finally Theresienstadt, where he was liberated by the Soviet Army on May 8, 1945. After the war, Pinchas was taken to an orphanage in England run by UNRRA. In 1948, a cousin in Paris discovered he had survived and invited him to live there. Two years later he moved to Israel, volunteered for the army, and later worked in a textile factory before returning to school to learn Hebrew. During that time he met his future wife, Dorothy. Pinchas and Dorothy married in England, then lived in Brazil and South Africa before settling in Toronto in 1985. They raised three children—two daughters and a son. Today, Pinchas remains an active member of his community, serving as a cantor in his synagogue and continuing to share his story with audiences around the world. ![Alt text: Pinchas Alan Moskin a US Liberator, sits in the interview chair used to record his testimony for the Dimensions in Testimony program.](https://www.vaholocaust.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Sq-Alan.png) ## Alan Moskin Alan Robert Moskin (1926–2023) was a World War II veteran and liberator of the Gunskirchen concentration camp. Born in Englewood, New Jersey, he grew up in a family deeply rooted in public service—his father was a pharmacist, an elected city official, and one of the few Jewish mayors in New Jersey. When Alan was sixteen, the bombing of Pearl Harbor drew the United States into the war. In October 1944 he was drafted into the U.S. Army and, after basic training, deployed to England as a Private First Class in Patton’s Third Army, 66th Infantry Regiment, 71st Division. He fought on the front lines across France, through the Rhineland, and into Austria. In May 1945, Alan’s unit liberated a prisoners-of-war camp in Lambach, Austria, and then the Gunskirchen concentration camp, a subcamp of Mauthausen. There, he and his fellow soldiers first confronted the reality of Nazi mass murder and the extreme suffering of starving, dying prisoners. He marked Victory in Europe Day in Wels, Austria, and remained in the Army of Occupation until his honorable discharge in June 1946, during which time he also attended sessions of the Nuremberg Trials. After the war, Alan resumed his education at Syracuse University and later earned his law degree from New York University in 1951. He built a career in trial law and civil litigation, and with his former wife, Christa, raised two daughters and welcomed seven grandchildren. In retirement, Alan devoted himself to remembrance and public service. He volunteered with Jewish war veterans, spoke frequently to students, worked closely with local Holocaust museums, and served as color guard at naturalization ceremonies. He died in 2023 at the age of 96, remembered as both a liberator and a lifelong advocate for memory and justice. ![Anita Lasker-Wallfisch a Holocaust survivor sits in the interview chair used to record her testimony for the Dimensions in Testimony program.](https://www.vaholocaust.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Square-Anita.png) ## Anita Lasker-Wallfisch Anita Lasker-Wallfisch, a Holocaust survivor, lives in London, England. Born in 1925 in Breslau, Germany (now Wrocław, Poland), she was the youngest of three sisters. Her father was a lawyer and her mother a violinist, and Anita began studying cello in childhood, traveling to Berlin for lessons by the time she was twelve. After the Nazis rose to power, her life changed dramatically. Following Kristallnacht, she returned to Breslau; her parents were later deported, and she never saw them again. While working in a paper factory, Anita and her sister Renata helped French prisoners of war and planned to escape to France with forged documents. The plan was discovered, and Anita was imprisoned for six months before being sent to Auschwitz. In Auschwitz, her skill as a cellist saved her life: she was selected to play in the women’s camp orchestra instead of being sent to the gas chambers. In November 1944 she was transferred to Bergen-Belsen, where she and Renata were liberated by the British Army in 1945. After the war, the sisters moved to England to reunite with their eldest sister, Marianne, who had escaped there before the war. Anita resumed her cello studies and later became a founding member of the English Chamber Orchestra. In 1952 she married pianist Peter Wallfisch, and they had two children. Today, Anita remains active in sharing her story, using her voice and music to help ensure that the lessons of the Holocaust are not forgotten. ![Eva Kor a Holocaust survivor sits in the interview chair used to record her testimony for the Dimensions in Testimony program.](https://www.vaholocaust.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Square-Eva.png) ## Eva Kor Eva Mozes Kor was born in the village of Ports, Romania, in 1934. Eva’s father, Alexander Mozes, was a landowner and farmer. He and his wife, Jaffa, had four daughters: Edit, Aliz, and twins Eva and Miriam. Given the Nazi regime’s increasing encroachment into Eastern Europe, the family lived in constant fear of a Nazi invasion alongside having to deal with the everyday experience of prejudice against the Jews. When Eva and Miriam were six, their village became occupied by a Hungarian Nazi armed guard. After being under occupation for four years, the family was transported to a ghetto in Simleu Silvaniei. Just a few weeks later, the family was loaded with other Jewish prisoners onto a cattle car and transported to Auschwitz. After a 70-hour journey without any food or water, Eva and her family emerged from the crowded and over-packed cattle car. The family tried to stay together but were eventually forced to separate. This would be the very last time that Eva would see her father, mother, and two older sisters ever again. Eva and Miriam were able to stay together, but they became part of a group of children who were used as human test subjects in genetic experiments under the direction of Josef Mengele. Approximately 3,000 were abused, and many of them died as a result of experimentation. Eva soon became grievously ill, but miraculously she survived. After the camp was liberated, Eva and Miriam were the sole survivors of their family. They were in three different refugee camps over nine months before returning to Romania to live with their aunt. In 1950, they immigrated to Israel. There, they felt free and no longer feared persecution for their Jewish identity. Eva spent the next 10 years in Israel. She eventually attained the rank of sergeant major in the headquarters of the Israeli army’s engineering corps. While living in Israel, Eva met Michael Kor, another Holocaust survivor. In 1960, the couple married in Tel Aviv, and Eva joined Michael in the United States. Eva became a US citizen in 1965, and the couple had two children, Alex and Rina. While living in America, Eva became dedicated to trying to locate other survivors of Mengele’s experiments. With the help of Miriam, Eva founded CANDLES: Children of Auschwitz Nazi Deadly Lab Experi­ments Survivors, an organization that vowed to tell the story of the victims of the Holocaust and fight Holocaust denial. In 1995, Eva opened a museum in Terre Haute, Indiana. The museum continues to educate thousands of visitors about the horrors of Auschwitz and the dangers of prejudice. In later years, Eva became widely known for her decision to publicly forgive the Nazis for what they had done to her and her family. She described this as a personal step toward her own healing, not a dismissal of the crimes committed or a prescription for other survivors, and her stance sparked both admiration and controversy in the survivor community and beyond. She remained an active speaker and educator until her death in 2019 --- ### [Featured Survivor Bios](https://www.vaholocaust.org/featured-survivor-bios/) **Published:** September 5, 2024 **Author:** Laurie Simpson Crouch **Content:** # Featured Dimension In Testimony Survivor Bios ## Four Holocaust Survivors and a Liberator ![Alt text: Halina Zimm, a Holocaust survivor, sits in the interview chair used to record her testimony for the Dimensions in Testimony program.](https://www.vaholocaust.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Sq-Halina.png) ### Halina Zimm Halina Zimm, a Holocaust survivor now living in Richmond, Virginia, was born on December 4, 1927, in Łódź, Poland. She grew up there with her parents, Solomon and Regina, and her sisters, Helen and Nana. After the Nazi invasion of Poland in 1939, Jewish residents were forced to wear yellow stars and children were banned from school. Within a year, Halina’s father moved the family to Zarnów, where her grandparents lived, hoping it would be safer. By around 1942, rumors spread that the Jews of Zarnów would soon be deported. Determined to protect his daughters, Halina’s father obtained false birth certificates for Halina and Helen. Those documents allowed Halina to escape to Warsaw just two weeks before the deportations began. In Warsaw, Halina survived by working as a housekeeper while concealing her Jewish identity. Her parents did not survive the war. She lived close to the Warsaw Ghetto and witnessed both the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising and the later Warsaw Uprising firsthand, seeing the fighting and destruction from nearby streets. In the summer of 1944, she joined the Warsaw Uprising, a major revolt led by Polish resistance forces. After the Germans crushed the uprising, Halina was forced onto a train bound for Germany for slave labor. She managed to escape and remained in Poland until the Soviet Army liberated the area. In 1945, she met her future husband, Alan Zimm. Together they immigrated to the United States, where they built a new life and raised their family. **To learn more about her life, click the button below to watch her complete oral history, recorded in 2013 by Virginia Holocaust Museum Director of Collections Timothy Hensley. While this interview is not part of the Dimensions in Testimony (DIT) exhibit, it provides a much fuller picture of her life and experiences. Watching it before your DIT session may help you ask more meaningful questions. The interview is approximately 90 minutes long.** [ Listen to and Watch Halina Zimm ](https://www.vaholocaust.org/ohms/render.php?cachefile=/2026/04/ZimmHalina.xml) --- ![Alt text: Pinchas Gutter a Holocaust survivor, sits in the interview chair used to record his testimony for the Dimensions in Testimony program.](https://www.vaholocaust.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/sq-pinchas.png) ### Pinchas Gutter Pinchas Gutter, a survivor of six German Nazi camps, was born in Łódź, Poland, and was eight years old when the war began. He and his twin sister fled with their family to Warsaw, where they were confined in the Warsaw Ghetto for two and a half years. In April 1943 the family was captured and deported to the Majdanek death camp. Upon arrival, Pinchas’s parents and twin sister were murdered; he was selected for labor and sent on to a series of camps, including Skarżysko-Kamienna, Częstochowa, Buchenwald, Colditz, and finally Theresienstadt, where he was liberated by the Soviet Army on May 8, 1945. After the war, Pinchas was taken to an orphanage in England run by UNRRA. In 1948, a cousin in Paris discovered he had survived and invited him to live there. Two years later he moved to Israel, volunteered for the army, and later worked in a textile factory before returning to school to learn Hebrew. During that time he met his future wife, Dorothy. Pinchas and Dorothy married in England, then lived in Brazil and South Africa before settling in Toronto in 1985. They raised three children—two daughters and a son. Today, Pinchas remains an active member of his community, serving as a cantor in his synagogue and continuing to share his story with audiences around the world. --- ![Alt text: Pinchas Alan Moskin a US Liberator, sits in the interview chair used to record his testimony for the Dimensions in Testimony program.](https://www.vaholocaust.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Sq-Alan.png) ### Alan Moskin Alan Robert Moskin (1926–2023) was a World War II veteran and liberator of the Gunskirchen concentration camp. Born in Englewood, New Jersey, he grew up in a family deeply rooted in public service—his father was a pharmacist, an elected city official, and one of the few Jewish mayors in New Jersey. When Alan was sixteen, the bombing of Pearl Harbor drew the United States into the war. In October 1944 he was drafted into the U.S. Army and, after basic training, deployed to England as a Private First Class in Patton’s Third Army, 66th Infantry Regiment, 71st Division. He fought on the front lines across France, through the Rhineland, and into Austria. In May 1945, Alan’s unit liberated a prisoners-of-war camp in Lambach, Austria, and then the Gunskirchen concentration camp, a subcamp of Mauthausen. There, he and his fellow soldiers first confronted the reality of Nazi mass murder and the extreme suffering of starving, dying prisoners. He marked Victory in Europe Day in Wels, Austria, and remained in the Army of Occupation until his honorable discharge in June 1946, during which time he also attended sessions of the Nuremberg Trials. After the war, Alan resumed his education at Syracuse University and later earned his law degree from New York University in 1951. He built a career in trial law and civil litigation, and with his former wife, Christa, raised two daughters and welcomed seven grandchildren. In retirement, Alan devoted himself to remembrance and public service. He volunteered with Jewish war veterans, spoke frequently to students, worked closely with local Holocaust museums, and served as color guard at naturalization ceremonies. He died in 2023 at the age of 96, remembered as both a liberator and a lifelong advocate for memory and justice. --- ![](https://www.vaholocaust.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/sq-anita.png "sq anita") ### Anita Lasker-Wallfisch Anita Lasker-Wallfisch, a Holocaust survivor, lives in London, England. Born in 1925 in Breslau, Germany (now Wrocław, Poland), she was the youngest of three sisters. Her father was a lawyer and her mother a violinist, and Anita began studying cello in childhood, traveling to Berlin for lessons by the time she was twelve. After the Nazis rose to power, her life changed dramatically. Following Kristallnacht, she returned to Breslau; her parents were later deported, and she never saw them again. While working in a paper factory, Anita and her sister Renata helped French prisoners of war and planned to escape to France with forged documents. The plan was discovered, and Anita was imprisoned for six months before being sent to Auschwitz. In Auschwitz, her skill as a cellist saved her life: she was selected to play in the women’s camp orchestra instead of being sent to the gas chambers. In November 1944 she was transferred to Bergen-Belsen, where she and Renata were liberated by the British Army in 1945. After the war, the sisters moved to England to reunite with their eldest sister, Marianne, who had escaped there before the war. Anita resumed her cello studies and later became a founding member of the English Chamber Orchestra. In 1952 she married pianist Peter Wallfisch, and they had two children. Today, Anita remains active in sharing her story, using her voice and music to help ensure that the lessons of the Holocaust are not forgotten. --- ![Eva Kor seated for her Dimensions in Testimony interview](https://www.vaholocaust.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/sq-eva.png) ### Eva Kor Eva Mozes Kor was born in the village of Ports, Romania, in 1934. Eva’s father, Alexander Mozes, was a landowner and farmer. He and his wife, Jaffa, had four daughters: Edit, Aliz, and twins Eva and Miriam. Given the Nazi regime’s increasing encroachment into Eastern Europe, the family lived in constant fear of a Nazi invasion alongside having to deal with the everyday experience of prejudice against the Jews. When Eva and Miriam were six, their village became occupied by a Hungarian Nazi armed guard. After being under occupation for four years, the family was transported to a ghetto in Simleu Silvaniei. Just a few weeks later, the family was loaded with other Jewish prisoners onto a cattle car and transported to Auschwitz. After a 70-hour journey without any food or water, Eva and her family emerged from the crowded and over-packed cattle car. The family tried to stay together but were eventually forced to separate. This would be the very last time that Eva would see her father, mother, and two older sisters ever again. Eva and Miriam were able to stay together, but they became part of a group of children who were used as human test subjects in genetic experiments under the direction of Josef Mengele. Approximately 3,000 were abused, and many of them died as a result of experimentation. Eva soon became grievously ill, but miraculously she survived. After the camp was liberated, Eva and Miriam were the sole survivors of their family. They were in three different refugee camps over nine months before returning to Romania to live with their aunt. In 1950, they immigrated to Israel. There, they felt free and no longer feared persecution for their Jewish identity. Eva spent the next 10 years in Israel. She eventually attained the rank of sergeant major in the headquarters of the Israeli army’s engineering corps. While living in Israel, Eva met Michael Kor, another Holocaust survivor. In 1960, the couple married in Tel Aviv, and Eva joined Michael in the United States. Eva became a US citizen in 1965, and the couple had two children, Alex and Rina. While living in America, Eva became dedicated to trying to locate other survivors of Mengele’s experiments. With the help of Miriam, Eva founded CANDLES: Children of Auschwitz Nazi Deadly Lab Experi­ments Survivors, an organization that vowed to tell the story of the victims of the Holocaust and fight Holocaust denial. In 1995, Eva opened a museum in Terre Haute, Indiana. The museum continues to educate thousands of visitors about the horrors of Auschwitz and the dangers of prejudice. In later years, Eva became widely known for her decision to publicly forgive the Nazis for what they had done to her and her family. She described this as a personal step toward her own healing, not a dismissal of the crimes committed or a prescription for other survivors, and her stance sparked both admiration and controversy in the survivor community and beyond. She remained an active speaker and educator until her death in 2019 --- ### [Ask Collections A Question Form](https://www.vaholocaust.org/ask-collections-a-question/) **Published:** July 20, 2026 **Author:** Laurie Simpson Crouch **Content:** - # Ask Our Collections Department a Question 1. [ ](#) [ ](#) Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form. #### Do you have a question for our Collections Department? Ask it here and we will get back to you within 72 hours. Name \*First Last Email \* Phone we you? How may we help you? Submit![Loading](https://www.vaholocaust.org/wp-content/plugins/wpforms/assets/images/submit-spin.svg) --- ### [Oral Histories](https://www.vaholocaust.org/oral-histories-collection/) **Published:** July 20, 2026 **Author:** Laurie Simpson Crouch **Content:** - Black-and-white portrait photographs of Holocaust survivors displayed on the walls of the Virginia Holocaust Museum's Second Floor Gallery. # Oral Histories The Virginia Holocaust Museum began recording oral histories in 1997 to preserve the firsthand accounts of people who had witnessed genocide. While the Museum’s oral history collection originally focused on Holocaust survivors and liberators, over the years it expanded to include other instances of genocide. 1. [ ](#) [ ](#) Today, the Oral History Archive contains over 230 digitized testimonies. Housed in the Carole Weinstein Holocaust Research Library, the oral history collection provides the personal stories of people who settled in the Commonwealth of Virginia and experienced a mass atrocity. **Click on any name below to access the recorded history for that individual.** A-D - [Althaus, Samuel](https://www.vaholocaust.org/ohms/render.php?cachefile=/2024/03/Althaus.Samuel.2005.04.0319.xml)Holocaust Survivor, Poland (from 2005) - [Asher, Inga](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fe2f2dy73_M)Holocaust Survivor, Germany (from 2003) - [Beverly, Alphonso](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5JanSbhKyC8)Holocaust Liberator, United States (from 2002) - [Booth, Carlson](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cBiFalHz_D0)Holocaust Liberator, United States (from 2006) - [Brodt, Hank](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sgevu7J9s7w)Holocaust Survivor, Poland (from 2006) - [Chan, Sokly](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cpC4r3EgisQ)Genocide Survivor, Cambodia (from 2010) - [Coppard, Vera](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VAzsO1KHfEQ)Holocaust Survivor, Germany (from 2001) - [Daniels, Clara](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o6lVu38YRLY)Holocaust Survivor, Hungary (from 2007) - [DeVizcaya Hylton, Nicole](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J7PGpj-G0Dc)Holocaust Resistance, France (from 2002) E-H - [Eliya, Zyta](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JZTDZ8WzMxU)Holocaust Survivor, Czechoslovakia (Sudenland) (from 2004) - [Fischer, Emeric](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QiSD2clQWAk)Holocaust Survivor, Hungary (from 2009) - [Gayle, Martha](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=au_mApf1Gz0)Holocaust Liberator, United States (from 2001) - [Ginaite-Rubinson, Sara](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pwnKl_nybSI)Holocaust Survivor & Resistance, Lithuania (from 2009) - [Ginzburg, Alexandra](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qOmIlSoAOWY)Holocaust Survivor, Belarus (from 2005) - [Gorbaty, Rivka](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eoNQciu3USw)Holocaust Survivor, Romania (from 2005) - [Gruber, Ruth](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z31nWMto5wM)Photo Journalist, United States (from 2003) - [Heller, Agnes](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6jgnCWQ8XMU)Holocaust Survivor, Hungary (from 2003) - [Hirsch, Margaret](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HliYFVwcKek)Holocaust Survivor, Germany (from 2005) I-L - [Eliya, Zyta](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JZTDZ8WzMxU)Holocaust Survivor, Czechoslovakia (Sudenland) (from 2004) - [Fischer, Emeric](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QiSD2clQWAk)Holocaust Survivor, Hungary (from 2009) - [Ikeda, Robert](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2v04TxRlGxE)WWII Veteren and Detained in Internment Camp (from 2000) - [Ipson, Edna](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fbwnAHR4Ycc)Holocaust Survivor, Lithuania - [Ipson, Israel](https://vimeo.com/62945299)Holocaust Survivor, Lithuania (from 1991) - [Kaplan, Rosalia](https://www.vaholocaust.org/ohms/render.php?cachefile=/2026/05/Kaplan.Rosalia.2006.09.109.xml)Holocaust Survivor, Holland (from 2006) - [Kende, Steven](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9RvnZkXZmxI)Holocaust Survivor, Slovakia (from 2009) - [Koller, Rabbi Israel](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OniumwuLj9I)Holocaust Survivor, Poland (from 2004) - [Landecker, George](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gXegqq2Ow9w)Holocaust Survivor, East Prussia (from 2004) - [Lebenstein, Alexander](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qZ-88UQnfxM)Holocaust Survivor, Germany (from 2004) - [Lehman, Ted](https://www.vaholocaust.org/ohms/render.php?cachefile=/2026/05/Lehman.Ted.2004.02.0878.xml)Holocaust Survivor, Poland (from 2004) - [Leviatan, Penina](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vih90bG7UWI)Holocaust Survivor, Lithuania - [Liebster, Simone](https://vimeo.com/62872842)Holocaust Survivor, French Jehovah's Witness (from 2013) - [Loria, Roger](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6kEba6USKUU)Holocaust Survivor, Belgium - [Loupassi, Manuel](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mmfgUfItJ78)Holocaust Resistance, Greece (from 2005) M-P - [Maizels, Henri](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ydVImCdtm4)Holocaust Survivor, Poland (from 2004) - [Marcus, Ruth](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xQJ3i_7pr40)Holocaust Survivor, France (from 2004) - [Marek, Marta](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9WMKJhDHsYQ)Holocaust Survivor, Poland (from 2004) - [Marks, Morton](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mhWAiGXmb5k)w/ Ted Parker, Holocaust Liberator, United States (from 1997) - [Meth, Hilda](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=509RaYj1qC0)Holocaust Survivor, Romania (from 2004) - [Michel, Werner](https://www.vaholocaust.org/ohms/render.php?cachefile=/2024/05/Michel.Werner.2006.10.16.xml)Holocaust Resistance, Germany (from 2006) - [Modly, Edith](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pLwkAFKztXY)Holocaust Survivor, Hungary (from 2004) - [Murden, Ursula](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n94rk5rQWcA)Holocaust Survivor, Germany (from 2011) - [Niyonteze, Alinei](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HVwthnVtgWg)Genocide Survivor, Rwanda (from 2012) - [Nshimye, Francoise and Jason](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ydVImCdtm4)Genocide Survivors, Rwanda (from 2011) - [Parker, Ted](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mhWAiGXmb5k)w/ Morton Marks, Holocaust Liberator, United States (from 1997) - [Pekar, Fanyai](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NUtrgB_Eq38)Holocaust Survivor, Ukraine (from 2004) Q-T - [Rauch, Monique](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6pjL6X4YTLU)Holocaust Survivor, France (from 1998) - [Rogers, Irvin](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lzzPUOHcxR)Holocaust Liberator, United States (from 2007) - [Sam, Amanda](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BvBcAza8YYY)Genocide Survivor, Cambodia (from 2012) - [Schimmel, Otto](https://vimeo.com/136539999)Holocaust Survivor, Hungarian (from 2015) - [Schwarz, Simone Pt. 1](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AIma6Xjr0gM&t=1433s)[ Pt. 2](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PsqGW2xdFuoY)Holocaust Survivor, Poland (from 2012) - [Shatz, Frank](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lN8J-EOrgsc)Holocaust Survivor, Czechoslovakia (from 2001) - [Shatz, Frank](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lN8J-EOrgsc)Holocaust Survivor, Czechoslovakia (from 2001) - [Shneyder, Yefim](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RwWwPh7Pbfo&t=4311s)Holocaust Survivor & Partisan, Belarus (from 1998) - [(Simmons) Atkins, Hella](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u4MvuQtHT4I)w/ Wishner, Lisa, Holocaust Survivors, Netherlands (from 2005) - [(Simmons) Wishner, Lisa](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u4MvuQtHT4I)w/ Atkins Hella, Holocaust Survivors, Netherlands (from 2005) - [Sklyut, Mikhail](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zje3vmm4ar4)Holocaust Survivor & Partisan, Russia (from 2005) - [Stahl, Ilse](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iLOGf5GZffk)Holocaust Survivor, Germany (from 2005) - [Strauss, Mark Pt. 1](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nYVibf07jCo)[ Pt. 2](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3f4BT9W2_jY)Holocaust Survivor, Poland/Ukraine (from 2003) - [Toth, Juliana](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gyPmlQQ3w-I)Holocaust Survivor, Hungary (from 2003) U-Z - [Zimm, Alan](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PvxTO_GhGP0)Holocaust Survivor, Poland (from 2013) - [Zimm, Halina](https://www.vaholocaust.org/ohms/render.php?cachefile=/2026/04/ZimmHalina.xml)Holocaust Survivor, Poland (from 2013) - [Zimm, Helen](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ajUpb-FzxXU)Holocaust Survivor, Poland (from 1998) - [Zimm, Solomon](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fkQ3Bm58isYQ)Holocaust Survivor, Poland **Frequently Asked Questions: Oral Histories** **What are the museum's oral histories?** The Virginia Holocaust Museum's oral history collection consists of firsthand testimonies from Holocaust survivors, liberators, and witnesses. These recorded interviews preserve personal accounts of experiences during the Holocaust and are used for education, research, and remembrance. **Who is featured in the collection?** The collection includes survivors, rescuers, liberators, and other individuals with direct connections to the Holocaust, many with ties to the Virginia and greater Richmond community. **How can I access the oral histories?** Testimonies can be accessed by selecting any of the links above. **Are the testimonies available to educators for classroom use?** Yes. Educators may use excerpts of these testimonies to support Holocaust education curricula, in accordance with the museum's guidelines for educational use. **Can I suggest someone to be interviewed for the collection?** The museum welcomes inquiries from individuals or families who have a personal connection to the Holocaust and are interested in contributing to the collection. Please contact Timothy Hensley, Director of Collections, at <thensley@vaholocaust.org>. **How are the interviews conducted and preserved?** Interviews are conducted by trained staff or volunteers and are recorded, archived, and preserved as part of the museum's permanent collection, ensuring these testimonies remain available for future generations. **Why do oral histories matter?** Firsthand testimony offers a personal, human dimension to historical understanding that written records alone cannot provide. As survivors age, these recorded testimonies become an increasingly vital resource for education and remembrance. --- ### [Donating Artifacts to the Museum](https://www.vaholocaust.org/artifact-donations/) **Published:** July 10, 2026 **Author:** Laurie Simpson Crouch **Content:** - Close-up photograph of a cloth yellow Star of David badge that Jews were forced to wear during the Holocaust, donated to the Virginia Holocaust Museum. # Donating to the Museum 1. [ ](#) [ ](#) ## Donating Artifacts to the Museum The Virginia Holocaust Museum is actively seeking materials from Holocaust survivors, liberators, and eyewitnesses to help preserve the history and memory of the Holocaust. If you are looking for **how to donate Holocaust artifacts**, our Collections Department is here to help guide you through the process. By donating artifacts, you help ensure these important stories remain accessible to researchers, educators, students, and future generations. The Museum collects materials connected to Virginia, most commonly from Holocaust survivors who settled in the Commonwealth after the war or from Virginia service members who participated in the liberation of Nazi concentration camps. The Museum no longer accepts Nazi material culture, including flags, armbands, daggers, or other military items. ### Examples of Materials We Collect - Artwork - Books - Documents, correspondence, and diaries - Personal effects - Photographs - Sound and video recordings - Textiles - Three-dimensional objects ### Interested in Donating Holocaust Artifacts? If you would like to [**donate Holocaust artifacts** ](https://www.vaholocaust.org/donating-artifacts-form/)or other historically significant materials to the Virginia Holocaust Museum, please complete the **[Donation Inquiry For](https://www.vaholocaust.org/donating-artifacts-form/)m** using the button below. Include a brief description of your item(s), and a member of our Collections Department will review your submission and contact you if additional information is needed. Please do not send artifacts to the Museum without first completing the Donation Inquiry Form or speaking with a member of our staff so that appropriate arrangements can be made. [ Donation Inquiry Form ](https://www.vaholocaust.org/donating-artifacts-form/) --- ### [Donating Artifacts to the Virginia Holocaust Museum Form](https://www.vaholocaust.org/donating-artifacts-form/) **Published:** March 22, 2024 **Author:** Laurie Simpson Crouch **Content:** ## Donating Artifacts the the Museum Form Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form. Name \*First Last Phone Object(s) Object(s) the Email \* Description of Object(s) Photo Upload of Object(s) Drag & Drop Files, Choose Files to Upload Are you the owner of the object? - Yes - No Submit![Loading](https://www.vaholocaust.org/wp-content/plugins/wpforms/assets/images/submit-spin.svg) --- ### [Primary Resources | Virginia Holocaust Museum | Richmond Virginia](https://www.vaholocaust.org/holocaust-primary-sources/) **Published:** July 10, 2026 **Author:** Laurie Simpson Crouch **Content:** - Photograph of the inside pages of Lieselotte Kanthal’s (née Katz) Jewish passport, documenting her attempt to immigrate from Nazi Germany to the United States. # Primary Resources Holocaust primary sources include original documents, testimonies, photographs, artifacts, and historical records that provide essential evidence for understanding how genocide unfolded across Europe during World War II. 1. [ ](#) [ ](#) Primary resources from the Holocaust provide researchers, educators, and students with firsthand evidence to examine Nazi policies, propaganda, deportation systems, and the experiences of victims and survivors. These documents, photographs, artifacts, and personal accounts offer a deeper and more complete understanding of Holocaust history by connecting historical events to the lives of the people who experienced them. Primary source materials are essential for accurate historical interpretation and meaningful classroom education. They preserve the voices, memories, and experiences of those affected by the Holocaust, ensuring that their stories continue to educate and inspire future generations. For additional historical context and educational resources, visit the [United States Holocaust Memorial Museum.](https://www.ushmm.org/) ## Rise of the Nazis - [Law Regarding the Sovereign Head of the German Reich](https://www.vaholocaust.org/law-regarding-the-sovereign/) - [Law to Remove Distress of People and State](https://www.vaholocaust.org/law-to-remove-distress/) - [25 Points of NSDAP](https://www.vaholocaust.org/25-points-of-nsdap/) ![Color photograph of three Nazi propaganda postcards displayed in the Virginia Holocaust Museum, examples of Holocaust-era propaganda used by the Nazi regime to spread antisemitism and influence public opinion.](https://www.vaholocaust.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Nazi-Era-Propaganda-Postcards.png "Nazi Era Propaganda Postcards") ## Anti-Jewish Legislation - [Police Decree on Identification of Jews](https://www.vaholocaust.org/police-decree-on/) - [Directive on the Treatment of Jews in Ostland](https://www.vaholocaust.org/directive-on-the-treatment-ostland) - [Solution to the Jewish Problem](https://www.vaholocaust.org/solution-to-the-jewish/) - [Order Eliminating Jews from German Economic Life](https://www.vaholocaust.org/order-eliminating-jews/) - [Law on Passports of Jews](https://www.vaholocaust.org/law-on-passports-of-jews/) - [The Reich Citizenship Law](https://www.vaholocaust.org/reich-citizenship-law) - [The Second Decree for the Execution on the Law Regarding the Change of the Surnames and Forenames](https://www.vaholocaust.org/the-second-decree/) - [Law for the Protection of German Blood and German Honor](https://www.vaholocaust.org/law-for-the-protection-of-german/) - [Law Regarding Admission to the Bar](https://www.vaholocaust.org/law-regarding-admission/) - [Law for the Reestablishment of the Professional Civil Service](https://www.vaholocaust.org/law-for-the-reestablishment/) ![Close-up of a yellow Star of David badge worn by Jews during the Holocaust.](https://www.vaholocaust.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Close-up-of-Arm-Band.png "Close-up of Arm Band") ## Race Science - [Schmidt Testimony on the Euthanasia Program](https://www.vaholocaust.org/schmidt-testimony/) - [Order Extending Euthanasia to Insane Eastern Workers](https://www.vaholocaust.org/order-extending-euthanasia/) - [Action 14 f 13 in the Concentration Camps](https://www.vaholocaust.org/action-14f13/) - [Letter from Bishop of Limburg to the Reich Minister of Justice](https://www.vaholocaust.org/letter-from-bishop) - [Letter from Dr. Conti to the Mental Hospital in Kaufbeuren](https://www.vaholocaust.org/letter-from-dr-conti/) - [Letter from Hitler to Karl Brandt](https://www.vaholocaust.org/letter-from-hitler-to-karl-brandt/) - [Law for the Prevention of Offspring with Hereditary Diseases](https://www.vaholocaust.org/law-prevention-hereditary/) ![Photograph of a red glowing crematoria oven display in the Virginia Holocaust Museum’s Crematoria exhibit, representing the Nazi system of mass murder during the Holocaust.](https://www.vaholocaust.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Red-Glowing-Crematoria-Oven.png "Red Glowing Crematoria Oven") ## Kristallnacht - [Decree Relating to the Payment of a Fine by the Jews of German Nationality](https://www.vaholocaust.org/decree-relating-to-the-payment/) - [Measures Against Jews Tonight](https://www.vaholocaust.org/measures-against-jews/) ![Symbolic photograph of charred, burned books representing the Nazi persecution of Jewish people and the destruction of culture during Kristallnacht in 1938.](https://www.vaholocaust.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Book-Burning-During-Kristallnacht.png "Book Burning During Kristallnacht") ## Camps - [Order of Protective Custody](https://www.vaholocaust.org/order-protective-custody/) ![Recreated Dachau concentration camp barracks exhibit at the Virginia Holocaust Museum, representing the first permanent Nazi concentration camp, established in 1933.](https://www.vaholocaust.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Old-Dachau-exhibit-Virginia-Holocaust-Museum.png "Dachau exhibit Virginia Holocaust Museum") ## Frequently Asked Questions About Holocaust Primary Resources ### What are primary resources from the Holocaust? Primary resources from the Holocaust are original materials created during the time period or by people who experienced these events. They include government documents, laws, photographs, artifacts, testimonies, letters, diaries, and other historical records that provide firsthand evidence about the Holocaust. ### Why are primary sources important for studying the Holocaust? Primary sources help researchers, students, and educators understand Holocaust history through the words, experiences, and actions of people who lived through this period. They provide evidence of Nazi policies, persecution, resistance, survival, and the impact of genocide on individuals and communities. ### Who can use Holocaust primary resources? Holocaust primary resources are valuable for students, teachers, researchers, historians, genealogists, and anyone seeking to better understand the Holocaust. They can be used for classroom lessons, academic research, family history projects, and personal learning. ### How do historians use primary sources to study the Holocaust? Historians examine primary sources to understand how Nazi policies were created and carried out, how propaganda influenced society, and how victims, survivors, and witnesses experienced persecution and genocide. These materials help historians build an accurate understanding of the past. ### What types of primary resources are available in the Virginia Holocaust Museum’s collection? The Virginia Holocaust Museum’s primary resources include Nazi-era laws and government documents, propaganda materials, photographs, artifacts, survivor testimonies, and historical records that document the rise of Nazism, antisemitic persecution, Kristallnacht, the concentration camp system, and other aspects of the Holocaust. ### Can students use Holocaust primary resources for school projects? Yes. Primary resources are valuable tools for student research and classroom learning. They encourage students to analyze historical evidence, ask questions, and develop a deeper understanding of Holocaust history. ### How can I learn more about Holocaust history and primary sources? The Virginia Holocaust Museum offers educational resources, exhibits, and collections that help visitors explore Holocaust history. Additional historical information and teaching resources are also available through the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum. ## Ask Our Collections Department a Question [ Ask a Question ](https://www.vaholocaust.org/ask-our-collections-department-a-question/) --- ### [Search Our Collections | Virginia Holocaust Museum | Richmond VA](https://www.vaholocaust.org/search-our-collections/) **Published:** July 10, 2026 **Author:** Laurie Simpson Crouch **Content:** - Color photo of rows of archival storage boxes on industrial shelving in the Virginia Holocaust Museum's Collections Department, preserving historical artifacts and documents. # Search Our Collections Search the **Virginia Holocaust Museum Archives** to explore Holocaust artifacts, photographs, documents, oral histories, and other historical resources. You can also search the Carole Weinstein Holocaust Research Library and request access to the Barbara and Fred Kort Foundation Reading Room for in-depth research. 1. [ ](#) [ ](#) ## Archival Collection The Virginia Holocaust Museum Archives contains objects, artwork, photographs, documents, textiles, and furniture in addition to over 300 individual collections from Holocaust survivors, liberators, righteous, and witnesses. [ Search ](https://vaholocaust.pastperfectonline.com/) ![Close-up of a yellow Star of David badge worn by Jews during the Holocaust.](https://www.vaholocaust.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Close-up-of-Arm-Band.png "Close-up of Arm Band") ## Library Collection The Carole Weinstein Holocaust Research Library contains over 5,000 volumes on the Holocaust and modern genocide. Resources include an extensive number of scholarly works, as well as literature, documentary films, feature-length films, periodicals, and sound recordings. The library collection is non-circulating, but researchers are encouraged to use the materials in our Reading Room. [ Search ](https://library.vaholocaust.org/) ![Color photo of shelves filled with books and research materials in the Carole Weinstein Holocaust Research Library at the Virginia Holocaust Museum.](https://www.vaholocaust.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/VHM-Library.png "VHM Library") ## Archival Reading Room The [Barbara and Fred Kort Foundation](https://jewishjournal.com/old_stories/8675/) Reading Room is available for anyone interested in doing research with the Virginia Holocaust Museum. To request a research appointment with our staff, please fill out our Request Appointment form by clicking the blue button below. We will respond within 72 hours. [ Request An Appointment ](https://www.vaholocaust.org/request-a-research-appointment/) ![Color photo of the entrance sign for the Barbara and Fred Kort Foundation Reading Room and the Carole Weinstein Holocaust Research Library at the Virginia Holocaust Museum](https://www.vaholocaust.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/VHM-Reading-Room-Sign-1.png "VHM Reading Room Sign 1") ## Frequently Asked Questions ### Who can use the Virginia Holocaust Museum Archives and Research Library? The Virginia Holocaust Museum welcomes students, educators, scholars, genealogists, family members, and anyone interested in Holocaust history. Researchers are encouraged to explore our collections and schedule an appointment if they wish to use materials in the Reading Room. ### What materials are included in the Museum's archival collections? The Archives preserve thousands of historical items, including artifacts, photographs, documents, artwork, textiles, furniture, oral histories, and more than 300 individual collections donated by Holocaust survivors, liberators, rescuers, witnesses, and their families. ### What can I find in the Carole Weinstein Holocaust Research Library? The Carole Weinstein Holocaust Research Library contains more than 5,000 books and research materials related to the Holocaust and modern genocide. The collection includes scholarly works, memoirs, literature, documentaries, feature films, periodicals, and audio recordings. ### Can I borrow books from the Research Library? No. The Carole Weinstein Holocaust Research Library is a non-circulating collection. Materials may be used onsite in the Barbara and Fred Kort Foundation Reading Room during your research appointment. ### How do I search the Museum's collections? You can search both the Archives and the Research Library using the online search tools available on this page. Each search provides information about materials held in the Museum's collections. ### Do I need an appointment to conduct research? Yes. Researchers wishing to access archival materials or use the Reading Room should complete the online appointment request form. A member of the Museum staff will respond within 72 hours to coordinate your visit. ### Is there a fee to use the Archives or Research Library? No. Access to the Museum's Archives and Research Library is provided to support education and research. There is no fee to use these resources. ### Can I donate Holocaust-related materials to the Virginia Holocaust Museum? Yes. The Museum welcomes inquiries about potential donations of artifacts, photographs, documents, letters, and other materials related to Holocaust history. Please contact the Collections Department to discuss your donation before sending or delivering items. ### Can I access the collections online? Many archival records and library resources can be searched online. Some materials may only be available for viewing in person due to preservation needs, copyright restrictions, or collection policies. ### Who should I contact if I have questions about my research? If you have questions about the Museum's collections, research appointments, or archival materials, please contact the Virginia Holocaust Museum's Collections Department using the "[Ask a Question](https://www.vaholocaust.org/ask-our-collections-department-a-question/)" button below. Staff members are happy to assist researchers whenever possible. ## Ask Our Collections Department a Question [ Ask a Question ](https://www.vaholocaust.org/ask-our-collections-department-a-question/) --- ### [Ask Our Collections Department A Question](https://www.vaholocaust.org/ask-our-collections-department-a-question/) **Published:** July 10, 2026 **Author:** Laurie Simpson Crouch **Content:** # Ask Our Collections Department a Question Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form. help Email #### Do you have a question for our Collections Department? Ask it here and we will get back to you within 72 hours. Name \*First Last Email \* Phone How may we help you? Submit![Loading](https://www.vaholocaust.org/wp-content/plugins/wpforms/assets/images/submit-spin.svg) --- ### [Special Exhibits at The Virginia Holocaust Museum](https://www.vaholocaust.org/special-exhibits/) **Published:** July 8, 2026 **Author:** Laurie Simpson Crouch **Content:** - # Special Exhibits The Virginia Holocaust Museum's Special Exhibits feature rotating exhibitions that deepen understanding of Holocaust history, remembrance, human rights, and the stories of survivors, rescuers, scholars, and artists. 1. [ ](#) [ ](#) Our current special exhibitions include *Memorial Without Witness* in the Weinstein Gallery on the first floor, featuring a powerful series of black-and-white photographs taken by historian Dr. Charles W. Sydnor Jr. during his 1987 visit to Auschwitz-Birkenau. In the Museum's Second Floor Gallery, visitors can experience *Survivor Portraits*, a series of striking black-and-white portraits of Holocaust survivors living in Richmond, Virginia, by acclaimed photographer Dean Whitbeck. ## Now On Display in the Weinstein Gallery ## Memorial Without Witness In July 1987, historian Dr. Charles W. Sydnor Jr., who would later serve as Executive Director and Senior Historian at the Virginia Holocaust Museum, traveled to Frankfurt to speak at a public program. At the encouragement of his colleague, Professor Joachim Russek, he continued on to Poland to visit Auschwitz. There, he encountered the former Nazi concentration and extermination camp in an unusually quiet and nearly empty state—an experience few visitors have ever known. For several hours, Dr. Sydnor walked alone through the ruins of Auschwitz-Birkenau with only his camera. His striking black-and-white photographs capture the silence, emptiness, and haunting remnants of one of history's most notorious sites of mass murder. *Memorial Without Witness* presents a selection of these photographs, enlarged into immersive, wall-sized panels that invite visitors to experience Auschwitz through Dr. Sydnor's eyes. The exhibition offers a rare opportunity to reflect on memory, absence, and the enduring responsibility to remember the victims of the Holocaust. Today, Auschwitz-Birkenau welcomes more than two million visitors each year. Yet on that summer afternoon in 1987, Dr. Sydnor walked its grounds alone, documenting what he would later call a "memorial without witness." Dr. Sydnor passed away in 2025, but through these remarkable photographs, his legacy continues to inspire reflection, remembrance, and a deeper understanding of the Holocaust. ![Three original black-and-white photographs taken by Charles Sydnor during his visit to Auschwitz, displayed in the Virginia Holocaust Museum's special exhibition, Memorial Without Witness.](https://www.vaholocaust.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Screenshot-2026-07-08-at-14114-PM.png "Three original black-and-white photographs taken by Charles Sydnor during his visit to Auschwitz, displayed in the Virginia Holocaust Museum's special exhibition, Memorial Without Witness.") ## About the Photographer \| Dr. Charles W. Sydnor Jr. Dr. Charles W. Sydnor Jr. was a widely respected historian specializing in the Holocaust and World War II. Throughout his distinguished career, he provided expert historical testimony for the United States Department of Justice in more than twenty court cases involving former SS concentration camp guards and Nazi collaborators, including the landmark case against John Demjanjuk, who was convicted of being an accessory to the murder of 28,060 Jews at the Sobibór extermination camp. Beyond his work as a scholar and expert witness, Dr. Sydnor served as Executive Director of the Virginia Holocaust Museum from 2013 to 2015. He passed away on November 28, 2025, at the age of 82, leaving behind a lasting legacy of scholarship, justice, and Holocaust education. ![Portrait of the late Dr. Charles Sydnor, whose photographs and writings are featured in the Virginia Holocaust Museum's special exhibition, Memorial Without Witness.](https://www.vaholocaust.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Charlie-1-scaled.png) ## Now On Display in the Second Floor Gallery ## SURVIVOR PORTRAITS **By Dean Whitbeck** **Originally displayed in 2015 \| Returning by popular demand** Originally presented at the Virginia Holocaust Museum in 2015, *Survivor Portraits* returns by popular demand with a powerful collection of 20 large-scale black-and-white portraits by acclaimed photographer Dean Whitbeck. The exhibition features Holocaust survivors who made their homes in Richmond, Virginia, capturing their strength, resilience, and personal stories through Whitbeck’s striking photography. When these portraits were first displayed, many of the survivors featured were still sharing their experiences with the community. Today, many have passed away, making these photographs an even more meaningful record of their lives, voices, and legacies. Among the survivors featured are Jay Ipson, Halina Zimm, Inga Horowitz, Tommy Bare, and Alex Keisch. Through these portraits, visitors are invited to connect with the individuals behind the history and reflect on the importance of preserving survivor stories for future generations. ![Black and white portraits of Holocaust survivors who moved to Richmond after the war.](https://www.vaholocaust.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Portraits.png) ## About the Photographer \| Dean Whitbeck Dean Whitbeck is an award-winning photographer, designer, and educator whose work focuses on using visual storytelling to highlight the dignity, resilience, and experiences of individuals and communities often overlooked or underrepresented. For more than 15 years, Whitbeck has documented stories centered on social impact, human connection, and the power of personal narratives. Through his photography, he seeks to create meaningful encounters that encourage understanding, empathy, and reflection. In *Survivor Portraits*, Whitbeck captures the strength and humanity of Holocaust survivors living in Richmond, Virginia, preserving their stories and ensuring that their experiences continue to educate and inspire future generations. ![Black and white portrait of photographer Dean Whitbeck, creator of Survivor Portraits, wearing a tweed hat and Glen plaid jacket.](https://www.vaholocaust.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Dean-Whitbeck.png "Dean Whitbeck") ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How often does the Virginia Holocaust Museum feature new special exhibits? The Virginia Holocaust Museum strives to present at least two new special exhibitions each year, though the number varies depending on exhibit availability, partnerships, and scheduling. Check this page regularly to see what's currently on display. ### Are special exhibits included with museum admission? Yes. All special exhibitions are included with regular museum admission—there is no additional fee to view them. ### Are special exhibits appropriate for children and families? Most of our special exhibitions are appropriate for families and older children, but content varies by exhibit. Some exhibitions may contain images or subject matter that younger visitors could find upsetting. If you're unsure whether a current exhibit is appropriate for your family, please review the exhibit description on our website or contact the museum before your visit. ### How long does it take to view a special exhibit? Most visitors spend between 15 and 30 minutes exploring a special exhibition, though you are welcome to spend as much time as you'd like. ### Where are special exhibits located in the museum? Beginning in 2026, special exhibitions are presented in the Museum's spacious Second Floor Gallery, providing more room for larger installations and an enhanced visitor experience. If you need assistance finding the current exhibition, our Guest Services team will be happy to help. ### Will the current special exhibit still be on display during my visit? Special exhibitions are available for a limited time. Visit this page before your trip or contact the museum to confirm which exhibition will be on view during your visit. ## Past Special Exhibits Explore our Past Special Exhibits to discover the powerful stories, traveling exhibitions, and unique collections previously featured at the Virginia Holocaust Museum. [ Explore Past Epecial Exhibits Here ](https://www.vaholocaust.org/past-special-exhibits/) ## Visit The Museum Special exhibits are included with museum admission. We invite you to explore our current exhibition alongside the Virginia Holocaust Museum's permanent exhibits for a meaningful and memorable experience. [ Plan Your Visit ](https://www.vaholocaust.org/plan-your-visit/) --- ### [Museum Bookstore & Shop](https://www.vaholocaust.org/museum-bookstore-and-shop/) **Published:** July 6, 2026 **Author:** Laurie Simpson Crouch **Content:** - # Museum Bookstore & Shop Discover one of the largest selections of Holocaust-themed books and Judaica at the Virginia Holocaust Museum's Museum Bookstore & Shop. By shopping at our Museum Bookstore & Shop, you directly support the Museum and our [mission](https://www.vaholocaust.org/mission-and-vision-statements/), as all profits contribute to our cause. - 1. 2. [ ](#) [ ](#) ## About the Museum Bookstore & Shop The Museum Shop & Bookstore at the Virginia Holocaust Museum offers one of the region’s largest selections of Holocaust and genocide-related books, along with Judaica, gifts, and educational resources for classrooms and communities. Educators receive a **15%** discount on books and teaching materials with a valid school or district ID, making it easier to bring high-quality Holocaust education into their lessons. Many of the titles featured in our [Suggested Reading](/suggested-reading/) and [Teacher Resources](/teacher-resources/) pages are available in the Museum Shop & Bookstore and through our online store, so you can browse and purchase in person or from home. **Featured items** - Books on the Holocaust, genocide, and Jewish history - Judaica items and meaningful keepsakes - Gifts for students, educators, and community partners - 15% discount for educators with valid school or district ID ## Judaica ### Museum Shop Discover one of Virginia's finest selections of Judaica at the Virginia Holocaust Museum's Museum Shop & Bookstore. Whether you're searching for a meaningful gift, a treasured keepsake, or a beautiful addition to your home, you'll find an exceptional collection that celebrates Jewish heritage and tradition. Browse handcrafted Seder plates from Israel, elegant mezuzahs in both traditional and contemporary designs, exquisite menorahs, shofars, fine jewelry, candlesticks, Kiddush cups, and other ceremonial and decorative items for Jewish life and holidays. Many of our pieces are handcrafted by Israeli artisans and selected for their beauty, craftsmanship, and significance. Whether you're marking a special occasion, celebrating a holiday, or simply looking for a meaningful gift, our Judaica collection offers something for every home and every generation. Every purchase supports the Virginia Holocaust Museum's mission to educate, commemorate, and inspire a more just future. ![Collection of menorahs displayed in a glass cabinet inside the Virginia Holocaust Museum Bookstore & Gift Shop.](https://www.vaholocaust.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/VHM-Shop-Case-Filled-With-Memorahs.png "VHM Shop Case Filled With Memorahs") ![Books organized by category on shelves behind a display table filled with souvenirs in the Virginia Holocaust Museum Bookstore & Gift Shop.](https://www.vaholocaust.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/VHM-Bookstore.png "VHM Bookstore") ## Books and Gifts ### Holocaust Books for Every Reader Whether you are beginning your journey into Holocaust history or expanding a lifelong interest, the Virginia Holocaust Museum's Museum Shop & Bookstore offers one of the region's most extensive collections of Holocaust literature and Jewish history. Browse more than 800 carefully selected titles, including powerful survivor memoirs, historical nonfiction, biographies, fiction, art books, educational resources, and works exploring antisemitism, human rights, and genocide. You'll find timeless classics by authors such as Anne Frank and Primo Levi alongside contemporary voices that continue to deepen our understanding of the Holocaust and its lasting impact. Our bookstore also features a thoughtfully curated children's section with age-appropriate books that help young readers learn about the Holocaust, courage, resilience, and standing up to injustice. Whether you're shopping for a classroom, your family, or your personal library, our knowledgeable staff can help you find the right book. Every purchase supports the Virginia Holocaust Museum's educational mission, helping us preserve Holocaust history and inspire future generations to confront prejudice and protect human dignity. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### **Q: Does the Virginia Holocaust Museum have a bookstore and gift shop?** The Museum Shop & Bookstore offers Judaica items and one of the largest selections of Holocaust and genocide-related books in the region. ### **Q: Can I shop online?** Yes, the full shop is available 24/7 at \[vaholocaust.myshopify.com\]. ### **Q: Do proceeds support the Museum?** Yes, all profits from the shop directly support the Museum and its mission. ### **Q: What are the shop's hours?** Same as the Museum: Monday–Friday 9 AM–5 PM, Saturday–Sunday 11 AM–5 PM. [ ![Shabbat challah-shaped candle displayed on a blue-and-white checkered tablecloth with "Welcome to the VHM Shop" text overlay](https://www.vaholocaust.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Welcome-to-the-VHM-Online-Shop.png) ](https://vaholocaust.myshopify.com/) [**You can now visit our Museum Shop & Bookstore online 24/7!**](https://vaholocaust.myshopify.com/) [ Shop Online! ](https://vaholocaust.myshopify.com/) --- ### [All You Need to Know About Group Tours at Virginia Holocaust Museum | Richmond Virginia](https://www.vaholocaust.org/group-tours/) **Published:** July 3, 2026 **Author:** Laurie Simpson Crouch **Content:** - # Group Tours The Virginia Holocaust Museum welcomes more than 25,000 visitors each year, and many experience the Museum as part of a guided group tour. 1. [ ](#) [ ](#) ## Docent-Led ### Group Tours at the Virginia Holocaust Museum Experience one of Richmond's most meaningful cultural destinations through a docent-led group tour at the Virginia Holocaust Museum. Guided by trained volunteer docents, school groups, community organizations, businesses, faith communities, and tour operators explore the history of the Holocaust through authentic artifacts, powerful survivor stories, and immersive exhibitions that inspire reflection and dialogue. Located in Richmond's historic Shockoe Bottom, the Virginia Holocaust Museum welcomes groups of 10 or more for guided experiences designed to deepen understanding of the Holocaust and its enduring relevance today. Tours are available for both community groups and school field trips (recommended for students ages 11 and older). To ensure availability, please submit your tour request at least three weeks before your preferred visit date. Our team will respond within five business days to confirm your reservation. A guided tour offers far more than a walk through the galleries. With the insight of a knowledgeable docent, your group will engage with the Museum's exhibitions, explore personal stories of resilience and survival, and consider the consequences of prejudice, indifference, and the erosion of democratic values. Each visit encourages meaningful conversation about remembrance, human rights, and the responsibility we all share to build a more just future. ![Matt Simpson leading a group tour in the museum](https://www.vaholocaust.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Group-Tours.png "Group Tours") ### During your visit, your group will: - Explore the Museum's exhibitions through guided interpretation and thoughtful discussion. - Learn from authentic artifacts, survivor testimony, photographs, and historical documents. - Discover how the lessons of the Holocaust continue to shape conversations about justice, human rights, and civic responsibility. - Reflect together in an experience that encourages meaningful dialogue long after your visit has ended. - And if your schedule allows an additional 30–45 minutes, you may wish to include a visit to our [Dimensions in Testimony℠](https://www.vaholocaust.org/dimensions-in-testimony/) theater, where visitors can engage with recorded survivor testimony in an immersive, interactive setting. Learn more about the [USC Shoah Foundation.](https://sfi.usc.edu/dit?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=714082074&gbraid=0AAAAAD7BiwwPiYOTCGhBon18meBbtZC3d&gclid=Cj0KCQjwz9_QBhD_ARIsADnSCfDFdTtV6svJ6NHaDj7aVRCYCO8UfoLzu8jzcxbYXX2R57pCccEXHLUaAuWQEALw_wcB) ![A docent in a blue shirt leads a group of adult visitors through a gallery at the Virginia Holocaust Museum during a guided tour.](https://www.vaholocaust.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Group-Tour-2.png "Tour Group 2") ## Option One ### General Group Tours For community organizations, congregations, civic and cultural groups, professional associations, senior groups, alumni groups, travel programs, and other non-school groups. These tours focus on helping adults and multigenerational groups explore Holocaust history, remembrance, and human rights through guided interpretation and discussion. If your schedule allows an additional 30–45 minutes, you may wish to include a visit to our [Dimensions in Testimony℠](https://www.vaholocaust.org/dimensions-in-testimony/) theater, where visitors can engage with recorded survivor testimony in an immersive, interactive setting. Learn more about the [USC Shoah Foundation.](https://sfi.usc.edu/dit?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=714082074&gbraid=0AAAAAD7BiwwPiYOTCGhBon18meBbtZC3d&gclid=Cj0KCQjwz9_QBhD_ARIsADnSCfDFdTtV6svJ6NHaDj7aVRCYCO8UfoLzu8jzcxbYXX2R57pCccEXHLUaAuWQEALw_wcB) [ Request A General Group Tour ](https://www.vaholocaust.org/general-group-tour-form/) ## Option Two ### Student Field Trips For middle school, high school, and other school-based groups. These docent-led visits are designed to support classroom learning, giving students an age-appropriate opportunity to engage with Holocaust history, survivor testimony, and themes such as responsibility, prejudice, and justice. If your schedule allows an additional 30–45 minutes, you may wish to include a visit to our [Dimensions in Testimony℠](https://www.vaholocaust.org/dimensions-in-testimony/) theater, where students can engage with recorded survivor testimony in an immersive, interactive setting. Learn more about the [USC Shoah Foundation.](https://sfi.usc.edu/dit?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=714082074&gbraid=0AAAAAD7BiwwPiYOTCGhBon18meBbtZC3d&gclid=Cj0KCQjwz9_QBhD_ARIsADnSCfDFdTtV6svJ6NHaDj7aVRCYCO8UfoLzu8jzcxbYXX2R57pCccEXHLUaAuWQEALw_wcB) [ Request A Student Field Trip ](https://www.vaholocaust.org/school-field-trip-request/) ![Students on a school field trip listening to a museum educator during a guided tour at the Virginia Holocaust Museum.](https://www.vaholocaust.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Kids-on-Tour.png "Student Field Trip") ## Frequently Asked Questions ### **How many people do I need for a group tour?** A minimum of 10 people is required to book a group tour at the Virginia Holocaust Museum. ### **How far in advance do I need to book a group tour?** Group tour requests must be submitted at least three weeks before your desired visit date. Booking earlier is recommended, especially during peak school field trip seasons in spring and fall. ### **How long does it take to hear back after I submit a request?** A member of our team will contact you within 5 business days of receiving your group tour request form to finalize the details of your visit. ### **What's the minimum age for a group tour?** Participants must be at least 11 years old, due to the nature of the exhibits. This applies to both student field trips and general group visits. ### **Are there any additional fees to book a group tour?** There is no extra fee to *book* a General Group Tour or Student Field Trip. Standard general admission rates apply per visitor for general/adult groups. Student groups and their chaperones are always admitted free of charge. ### **How long does a typical tour last?** Approximately 90 minutes. ### **What's the difference between a General Group Tour and a Student Field Trip?** General Group Tours are designed for adult, community, civic, and organizational groups. Student Field Trips are tailored for school groups and include age-appropriate framing of the exhibits for grades 6 and up. ### **Will we automatically visit the Dimensions in Testimony theater?** Not automatically — visiting the Dimensions in Testimony® theater must be requested in advance. Groups may choose to add a 30–45 minute session, an interactive experience that lets visitors engage with Holocaust survivor testimony using technology developed by the USC Shoah Foundation. This experience is available for groups of 46 or fewer. ### **Do you offer bus parking?** Yes. Buses can drop off passengers directly in front of our main entrance on East Cary Street, and bus parking is available in our lower-level parking lot, accessible from 21st Street. --- ### [Founding Era Jewish Americans](https://www.vaholocaust.org/founding-era-jewish-americans/) **Published:** June 11, 2026 **Author:** Laurie Simpson Crouch **Content:** # **Founding Era Jews: Building America** Why Richmond? Why now? As Richmond marks America's 250th anniversary, the Virginia Holocaust Museum invites you into the Jewish-American Hall of Fame — a contemplative gallery tracing Jewish American contributions to the nation's story from the founding era forward. Permanently installed in Shockoe Bottom since 2010, it is the **only complete collection on public view in the United States.** The plaques honor individuals from public service, science, law, music, literature, sport, and civic leadership — a richer, more inclusive view of American history, just steps from St. John's Church, the Virginia State Capitol, and the riverfront where Sail250 will dock. Long before there was a Holocaust to remember, six American Jews helped build the country in which it would one day be remembered. Their lives — spanning two centuries, from a butcher in New Amsterdam to a commodore who saved Monticello — are the foundation on which this museum, and its founders, stand. ## Six American Jews Who Helped Shape the United States ## Asser Levy 1651-1682 ***One of the first Jewish settlers of New Amsterdam*** Asser Levy was one of the earliest Jewish settlers in New Amsterdam and a leading figure in the fight for Jewish civic rights in colonial New York. His persistence helped establish that Jews could live, work, and participate more fully in colonial society, making him a foundational figure in early Jewish American history. **Think about it:** What does citizenship mean in a society that is still deciding who belongs? ![Gold commemorative medallion depicting a 17th-century explorer with a musket, a sailing ship, and early settlers related to New Amsterdam (1654).](https://www.vaholocaust.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Asser-Levy-1.png "#image_title") ## Haym Salomon 1740-1785 ***The Financial Hero of the American Revolution*** Haym Salomon was a Polish-born Jewish immigrant who became an important financial supporter of the American Revolution. Working as a broker and fundraiser, he helped sustain the patriot cause at a moment when the future of the new nation was far from secure. **Think about it:** Who helps build a nation besides soldiers, generals, and presidents? ![Gold coin with a right-facing bust of a man, surrounded by inscriptions reading 'PROCLAIM LIBERTY THROUGHOUT ALL THE LAND' and 'HAM SALOMON 1740-1785'](https://www.vaholocaust.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/HAYM-1-x-1-in.png "#image_title") ## Gershom Mendes Seixas 1745-1816 ***Patriotic Rabbi*** Gershom Mendes Seixas, often remembered as a “Patriotic Rabbi,” was among the most important Jewish religious leaders in the Revolutionary era. As one of the first native-born Jewish ministers in the United States, he helped shape Jewish communal life as the new nation emerged. **Think about it:** How do faith communities help sustain people in times of political upheaval? ![Gold-toned commemorative medallion with a raised profile bust and the inscription '1745-1815'.](https://www.vaholocaust.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Gershom.png "#image_title") ## Rebecca Gratz 1745-1816 ***Jewish American Educator and Philanthropist*** Rebecca Gratz helped build American Jewish life through education, philanthropy, and charitable leadership in Philadelphia. Her founding role in the first Hebrew Sunday school in America shows that building the nation also meant building schools, social support networks, and enduring community institutions. **Think about it:** What kinds of institutions help a democracy last beyond its founding generation? ![Gold-toned square plaque featuring a stylized portrait of a woman with a heart-shaped hat, curled hair, and a signature on the right.](https://www.vaholocaust.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Rebecca-1.png "#image_title") ## Mordecai Manuel Noah 1785–1851 ***American Jewish journalist, diplomat, and politician who made Jewish identity visible in early U.S. public life*** Mordecai Manuel Noah was an American journalist, diplomat, playwright, and politician who made Jewish life visible in the young republic. Born in Philadelphia and active in New York, he argued by example that in the United States a Jew could be fully Jewish and fully American—participating in public debate, holding office, and shaping early national conversations about identity and belonging. **Think about it:** What does Mordecai Manuel Noah’s public career suggest about when—and how—Jews began to be seen as fully part of American public life? ## Uriah P. Levy 1792-1862 ***Naval hero who abolished flogging and rescued Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello from ruin.*** Uriah P. Levy became the first Jewish commodore in the United States Navy and served as a strong example of Jewish patriotism in national service. His life connected Jewish American identity to military service, civic responsibility, and the preservation of American memory. **Think about it:** How do service and remembrance shape who is included in the American story? ![Gold-toned commemorative medal with a raised portrait of a naval officer in uniform and edge inscriptions, honoring a historical figure.](https://www.vaholocaust.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Levy-1.png "#image_title") --- ### [Support the Museum Today: A Case For Giving](https://www.vaholocaust.org/support-holocaust-education/) **Published:** July 17, 2015 **Author:** jlindsey **Content:** # Support The Virginia Holocaust Museum Your gift helps the Virginia Holocaust Museum preserve Holocaust history, safeguard survivor stories and artifacts, and provide meaningful educational experiences for students, teachers, families, and visitors across the Commonwealth. As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, we rely on donors, members, volunteers, and community partners to keep this work strong and accessible. Because of supporters like you, the Museum can offer free admission for students and children, provide educator workshops, care for its collections, and create exhibits and programs that help new generations understand the consequences of hatred and indifference. Every gift strengthens our ability to teach, preserve, and inspire. **Your support makes possible:** - Free admission for students, children, and active military personnel. - Docent-led tours and field trips that help students encounter history in a lasting way. - Preservation of more than 4,800 Holocaust-related artifacts and survivor stories. - Professional development and scholarship support for teachers across Virginia. - New and renewed exhibits that keep Holocaust education relevant and engaging. - Public programs and outreach that extend the Museum’s mission beyond its walls. ## Ways to give **General Donations** Help preserve survivor stories, care for the Museum’s collections, and sustain the educational programs that reach students, teachers, families, and visitors across Virginia. [Give Now](https://www.vaholocaust.org/donations/general-donation-form/) **Museum Membership** When you become a member, you invest in the Museum’s future and help sustain its work for generations to come. Membership is a meaningful way to stand with the Virginia Holocaust Museum and support its mission all year long. [Learn More](https://www.vaholocaust.org/membership-page/) **Tribute Gifts** Honor a loved one, celebrate a meaningful occasion, or remember someone special while supporting the Museum’s mission. A tribute gift allows you to recognize someone important to you while making a lasting difference. [Give Now](https://www.vaholocaust.org/tribute-gifts-form/) **Planned Giving: The Remembrance Circle** The Remembrance Circle honors individuals whose foresight helps ensure that the history and lessons of the Holocaust are never forgotten. By including the Virginia Holocaust Museum in your estate plans, you help preserve priceless artifacts, safeguard survivor stories, and sustain educational programs for future generations. [Learn More](https://www.vaholocaust.org/planned-giving/) **Bus Scholarship Program** Bus Scholarships open the doors for students who might never otherwise visit the Virginia Holocaust Museum. By funding transportation, you help teachers turn lessons into lived experiences, where students connect with survivor stories, explore artifacts, and see history through human eyes. Your support gets them here. [Give Now](https://www.vaholocaust.org/donations/bus-scholarship-program/) **Exhibit Renovations Campaign** Your gift helps renew and improve exhibits so the Museum can continue teaching the history of the Holocaust with clarity, relevance, and impact. Support this work and help ensure that the Museum’s exhibitions remain meaningful for today’s visitors and future generations. [Give Now](https://www.vaholocaust.org/donations/exhibit-renovation-fund/) ## Other ways to support **Donating Artifacts** The Virginia Holocaust Museum is actively seeking materials from survivors, liberators, and eyewitnesses to help preserve the memory of the Holocaust. Donations to the collection help ensure that these stories and objects are protected and shared for generations to come. [Learn More](https://www.vaholocaust.org/donating-artifacts/) **Become a Docent** Are you passionate about history, human rights, and meaningful dialogue? Become a volunteer docent and help bring history to life through tours that inspire reflection, spark conversation, and deepen understanding. [Learn More](https://www.vaholocaust.org/become-a-docent/) --- ### [Past Special Exhibits at the Virginia Holocaust Museum](https://www.vaholocaust.org/past-special-exhibits/) **Published:** July 8, 2026 **Author:** Laurie Simpson Crouch **Content:** - Black-and-white portrait of Holocaust survivor Nina Will raising her tattooed forearm across her face. # Past Special Exhibits at the Virginia Holocaust Museum Past Special Exhibits is a recap of the many of the Past Special Exhibits we have showcased here at Virginia Holocaust Museum since 2005. Here one can can revisit some of our most popular exhibits like *Deadly Medicine* (2016), *State of Deception* (2019), and [*Violins of Hope*](https://www.violins-of-hope.com/) (2021). 1. [ ](#) [ ](#) Since 2005, the Virginia Holocaust Museum has presented temporary and special exhibitions exploring Holocaust history, remembrance, human rights, art, and personal stories of survival. This archive highlights many of the exhibitions that have been featured at the Museum, including *Deadly Medicine*, *State of Deception*, and *Violins of Hope*. Explore our [**current special exhibit**](https://www.vaholocaust.org/special-exhibits/) or learn more about our [**permanent exhibits**](https://www.vaholocaust.org/permanent-exhibits/) during your visit. ## **HALT! REMEMBERING THE HOLOCAUST** By [G. Roy Levin](https://www.vaholocaust.org/artwork-artists/g-roy-levin/) **April – October 2023** While teaching at Goddard College in 1980, G. Roy Levin received a fellowship from the National Endowment for the Humanities to interview documentary filmmakers. During that research, he encountered *Shoah*, Claude Lanzmann's landmark documentary, which inspired a body of work exploring Holocaust memory. Levin first created colorful paintings on discarded fruit and vegetable crates, wire, and unframed canvases. He later shifted to black-and-white images painted on wooden crates, evoking the railroad cars that transported victims to Nazi concentration and extermination camps. Rather than depicting the Holocaust directly, Levin sought to spark the viewer's imagination and invite reflection. The shimmering quality of light in his work encourages remembrance as an act of empathy and compassion for those who endured unimaginable suffering. ![Black-and-white photograph of an artwork painted on a wooden crate by G. Roy Levin.](https://www.vaholocaust.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Art-by-G-Roy-Levin.png) ## PICTURES OF RESISTANCE: THE WARTIME PHOTOGRAPHS OF JEWISH PARTISAN FAYE SCHULMAN [**By the Jewish Partisan Educational Foundation (JPEF)**](https://www.jewishpartisans.org/) **January 9 – March 31, 2023** Born in Poland in 1924, Faye Schulman received her first camera from her brother at age 13. That camera ultimately saved her life and enabled her to document the lives of Jewish partisans during World War II, making her one of the only known Jewish partisan photographers. Schulman’s extraordinary photographs capture the courage, resilience, loss, and camaraderie of the Jewish and non-Jewish partisans who resisted the Nazis and their collaborators. Produced by the Jewish Partisan Educational Foundation (JPEF) and curated by Jill Vexler, Ph.D., this traveling exhibition offers visitors a rare and deeply personal perspective on resistance, survival, and the power of documenting history. ![Black-and-white photograph of Jewish partisan Faye Schulman surrounded by her fellow partisan comrades.](https://www.vaholocaust.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Partisan-Faye-Schulman.png) ## THERE’S JUST US [**By Alec R. Hosterman**](https://www.longwood.edu/directory/profile/hostermanarlongwoodedu/) **July 18 – December 30, 2022** Created to coincide with the fifth anniversary of the Unite the Right rally in Charlottesville, Virginia, *There’s Just Us* features photographs by Alec R. Hosterman, who documented the events of August 11 and 12, 2017. Hosterman’s powerful images capture the courage of individuals and communities who stood together against hate and bigotry. The exhibition explores the importance of speaking out against intolerance while honoring those whose voices were silenced, reminding us that the work of building a more just, inclusive, and compassionate society belongs to all of us. ![Color photograph of a woman wearing a peace T-shirt and flowers in her hair, surrounded by armed guards during the 2017 Unite the Right rally in Charlottesville, Virginia.](https://www.vaholocaust.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Alec-Hosterman-Photo.png) ## ALL THAT REMAINS: A HOLOCAUST EXHIBIT IN FIBER **April – June 2022** Created by award-winning mixed media and textile artist [Leslie J. Klein](http://www.lesliejklein.com/), *All That Remains* featured conceptual art clothing, wall hangings, drawings, soft sculptures, and immersive installations. Through layered symbolism and the expressive use of fabric, texture, and design, the exhibition invited visitors to reflect on the Holocaust and its enduring legacy. ![Artists Leslie J. Klein and Sam Asher, whose mixed media and textile exhibition All That Remains explored Holocaust history through fabric, design, and imagery.](https://www.vaholocaust.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Fiber-Exhibit.png) ## HUMILITY: WORKS BY MOLLY ROBINSON **By Molly Robinson** **November 2021 – March 2022** As a high school student, artist Molly Robinson was encouraged by her art teacher to create work rooted in personal reflection. After witnessing the effects of social conflict during travels to Kenya, Tanzania, and Togo, she was inspired to explore how human rights violations shape personal identity. The result was *Humility*, a vibrant collection of mixed-media works examining themes of human rights, social justice, conflict, and the resilience of the human spirit. ![Color image of artwork by Molly Robinson depicting a woman, featured in the Humanity Works exhibition.](https://www.vaholocaust.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Humility-Works-by-Molly-Robinson-1.png) ## VIOLINS OF HOPE **By Amnon & Avshalom Weinstein** **August 4 – October 24, 2021** *Violins of Hope* is a traveling exhibition featuring restored Holocaust-era instruments that inspire meaningful conversations about remembrance, resilience, and hope. During its first appearance in the Mid-Atlantic region, the Virginia Holocaust Museum displayed seven instruments from a collection of more than 60 restored by master violin makers Amnon Weinstein and his son, Avshalom, in Tel Aviv. After losing more than 400 family members in the Holocaust, Amnon Weinstein dedicated his life to locating and restoring violins once played by Jewish musicians. Through these remarkable instruments, *Violins of Hope* preserves their stories, ensuring that their music—and the legacy of those who played them—continue to be heard. ![A historic violin exhibited in a glass display case as part of the Violins of Hope exhibition at the Virginia Holocaust Museum.](https://www.vaholocaust.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Violins-of-Hope-1.png) ## STATE OF DECEPTION **May 1 – December 30, 2019** *State of Deception* explored how the Nazi Party transformed from a small extremist movement into the largest political party in democratic Germany following World War I. Through propaganda, intimidation, and carefully crafted visual symbols, Adolf Hitler built mass support and consolidated power. By adapting the ancient swastika and combining it with the colors red, black, and white, Hitler created a powerful visual identity that became synonymous with the Nazi regime. The exhibition revealed how propaganda and symbolism manipulated public opinion and advanced one of history's most destructive ideologies. ![Historic Nazi propaganda poster depicting a young man in a brown shirt wearing a swastika armband and carrying a Nazi flag.](https://www.vaholocaust.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/State-of-Deception.png "State of Deception") ## FACES OF SURVIVAL [**By Dean Whitbeck**](https://www.deanwhitbeck.com/) **June 1 – July 29, 2018** This moving photography exhibition featured portraits and personal stories of Holocaust survivors living in Virginia's Hampton Roads region. Through Dean Whitbeck's striking portraits and storytelling, the exhibition honored the survivors' resilience, preserved their experiences, and inspired visitors to remember their stories and carry their legacies forward. ![Gallery of black-and-white portraits of Holocaust survivors photographed by Dean Whitbeck.](https://www.vaholocaust.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Screenshot-2026-07-09-at-92432-AM.png) [![Japense - Virginia Holocaust Museum](https://www.vaholocaust.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Japense.png)](https://www.vaholocaust.org/artwork/tragedy-of-war-japanese-american-internment/) ### [TRAGEDY OF WAR: JAPANESE AMERICAN INTERNMENT](https://www.vaholocaust.org/artwork/tragedy-of-war-japanese-american-internment/) [2019](https://www.vaholocaust.org/?artwork-category=2019) [![Blood is the same - Virginia Holocaust Museum](https://www.vaholocaust.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Blood-is-the-same.png)](https://www.vaholocaust.org/artwork/blood-is-the-same/) ### [BLOOD IS THE SAME](https://www.vaholocaust.org/artwork/blood-is-the-same/) [2018-2019](https://www.vaholocaust.org/?artwork-category=2018-2019) [![Screenshot 2024-03-18 at 11.17.45 AM - Virginia Holocaust Museum](https://www.vaholocaust.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Screenshot-2024-03-18-at-11.17.45-AM-600x400.png)](https://www.vaholocaust.org/artwork/break-glass-the-art-of-v-l-cox-a-conversation-to-end-hate/) ### [BREAK GLASS: THE ART OF V.L. COX – A CONVERSATION TO END HATE](https://www.vaholocaust.org/artwork/break-glass-the-art-of-v-l-cox-a-conversation-to-end-hate/) By [V.L. Cox](https://www.vaholocaust.org/artwork-artists/v-l-cox/) [2018-2019](https://www.vaholocaust.org/?artwork-category=2018-2019) [![Screenshot 2024-03-18 at 11.27.18 AM - Virginia Holocaust Museum](https://www.vaholocaust.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Screenshot-2024-03-18-at-11.27.18-AM-600x400.png)](https://www.vaholocaust.org/artwork/the-last-swiss-holocaust-survivors/) ### [THE LAST SWISS HOLOCAUST SURVIVORS](https://www.vaholocaust.org/artwork/the-last-swiss-holocaust-survivors/) [2018](https://www.vaholocaust.org/?artwork-category=2018) [![Screenshot 2024-03-18 at 11.29.41 AM - Virginia Holocaust Museum](https://www.vaholocaust.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Screenshot-2024-03-18-at-11.29.41-AM-600x400.png)](https://www.vaholocaust.org/artwork/margot-blank-painting/) ### [MARGOT BLANK PAINTING](https://www.vaholocaust.org/artwork/margot-blank-painting/) By [Margot Blank](https://www.vaholocaust.org/artwork-artists/margot-blank/) [2017](https://www.vaholocaust.org/?artwork-category=2017) [![Screenshot 2024-03-18 at 11.33.33 AM - Virginia Holocaust Museum](https://www.vaholocaust.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Screenshot-2024-03-18-at-11.33.33-AM-600x400.png)](https://www.vaholocaust.org/artwork/deadly-medicine/) ### [DEADLY MEDICINE](https://www.vaholocaust.org/artwork/deadly-medicine/) [2016](https://www.vaholocaust.org/?artwork-category=2016) [![Screenshot 2024-03-18 at 11.41.20 AM - Virginia Holocaust Museum](https://www.vaholocaust.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Screenshot-2024-03-18-at-11.41.20-AM-600x400.png)](https://www.vaholocaust.org/artwork/survivor-portraits/) ### [SURVIVOR PORTRAITS](https://www.vaholocaust.org/artwork/survivor-portraits/) By [Dean Whitback](https://www.vaholocaust.org/artwork-artists/dean-whitback/) [2015](https://www.vaholocaust.org/?artwork-category=2015) [![Screenshot 2024-03-18 at 11.37.41 AM - Virginia Holocaust Museum](https://www.vaholocaust.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Screenshot-2024-03-18-at-11.37.41-AM-600x400.png)](https://www.vaholocaust.org/artwork/auschwitz-oswiecim/) ### [AUSCHWITZ/OSWIECIM](https://www.vaholocaust.org/artwork/auschwitz-oswiecim/) [2015-2016](https://www.vaholocaust.org/?artwork-category=2015-2016) [![Screenshot 2024-03-18 at 11.48.59 AM - Virginia Holocaust Museum](https://www.vaholocaust.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Screenshot-2024-03-18-at-11.48.59-AM-600x400.png)](https://www.vaholocaust.org/artwork/perpetrators/) ### [PERPETRATORS](https://www.vaholocaust.org/artwork/perpetrators/) By [Sid Chafetz](https://www.vaholocaust.org/artwork-artists/sid-chafetz/) [2014](https://www.vaholocaust.org/?artwork-category=2014) ### [THE TRIAL OF ADOLF EICHMANN](https://www.vaholocaust.org/artwork/the-trial-of-adolf-eichmann/) [2014](https://www.vaholocaust.org/?artwork-category=2014) [![Screenshot 2024-03-18 at 11.29.41 AM - Virginia Holocaust Museum](https://www.vaholocaust.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Screenshot-2024-03-18-at-11.29.41-AM-600x400.png)](https://www.vaholocaust.org/artwork/paintings-of-margot-dreyfuss-blank/) ### [PAINTINGS OF MARGOT DREYFUSS BLANK](https://www.vaholocaust.org/artwork/paintings-of-margot-dreyfuss-blank/) By [Margot Dreyfuss Blank](https://www.vaholocaust.org/artwork-artists/margot-dreyfuss-blank/) [2014](https://www.vaholocaust.org/?artwork-category=2014) [![G.Roy Levin - Virginia Holocaust Museum](https://www.vaholocaust.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/G.Roy-Levin.png)](https://www.vaholocaust.org/artwork/2249/) ### [G. ROY LEVIN](https://www.vaholocaust.org/artwork/2249/) By [G. Roy Levin](https://www.vaholocaust.org/artwork-artists/g-roy-levin/) [2013](https://www.vaholocaust.org/?artwork-category=2013) [![Screenshot 2024-03-18 at 12.15.10 PM - Virginia Holocaust Museum](https://www.vaholocaust.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Screenshot-2024-03-18-at-12.15.10-PM-600x400.png)](https://www.vaholocaust.org/artwork/illuminations-the-art-of-samuel-bak/) ### [ILLUMINATIONS: THE ART OF SAMUEL BAK](https://www.vaholocaust.org/artwork/illuminations-the-art-of-samuel-bak/) [2013](https://www.vaholocaust.org/?artwork-category=2013) ### [DAS GESICHHT DES GETTOS (THE FACE OF THE GHETTO)](https://www.vaholocaust.org/artwork/das-gesichht-des-gettos-the-face-of-the-ghetto/) [2012](https://www.vaholocaust.org/?artwork-category=2012) ### [LESSONS FROM RWANDA TRAVELING EXHIBIT](https://www.vaholocaust.org/artwork/lessons-from-rwanda-traveling-exhibit/) [2012](https://www.vaholocaust.org/?artwork-category=2012) ### [LIVES REMEMBERED](https://www.vaholocaust.org/artwork/lives-remembered/) [2011](https://www.vaholocaust.org/?artwork-category=2011) ### [THE ONGOING ARMENIAN GENOCIDE](https://www.vaholocaust.org/artwork/the-ongoing-armenian-genocide/) [2011](https://www.vaholocaust.org/?artwork-category=2011) ### [A PORTAIT OF PANZI](https://www.vaholocaust.org/artwork/a-portait-of-panzi/) [2011](https://www.vaholocaust.org/?artwork-category=2011) ### [DIPLOMATS OF MERCY](https://www.vaholocaust.org/artwork/diplomats-of-mercy/) [2010](https://www.vaholocaust.org/?artwork-category=2010) ### [PORTRAITS OF WAR: THE DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO OPENING](https://www.vaholocaust.org/artwork/portraits-of-war-the-democratic-republic-of-the-congo-opening/) [2010](https://www.vaholocaust.org/?artwork-category=2010) ### [STORY OF GROSS BREESEN](https://www.vaholocaust.org/artwork/story-of-gross-breesen/) [2008](https://www.vaholocaust.org/?artwork-category=2008) ### [ART AND PROPGANDA IN NAZI-OCCUPIED HOLLAND](https://www.vaholocaust.org/artwork/art-and-propganda-in-nazi-occupied-holland-2/) [2008](https://www.vaholocaust.org/?artwork-category=2008) ### [ART AND PROPGANDA IN NAZI-OCCUPIED HOLLAND](https://www.vaholocaust.org/artwork/art-and-propganda-in-nazi-occupied-holland/) [2008](https://www.vaholocaust.org/?artwork-category=2008) ### [TORCHBEARER OF FREEDOM](https://www.vaholocaust.org/artwork/torchbearer-of-freedom-2/) [2006](https://www.vaholocaust.org/?artwork-category=2006) ### [TORCHBEARER OF FREEDOM-1](https://www.vaholocaust.org/artwork/torchbearer-of-freedom/) [2006](https://www.vaholocaust.org/?artwork-category=2006) ### [G. ROY LEVIN TEMPORARY ART EXHIBIT](https://www.vaholocaust.org/artwork/g-roy-levin-temporary-art-exhibit/) By [G. Roy Levin](https://www.vaholocaust.org/artwork-artists/g-roy-levin/) [2005](https://www.vaholocaust.org/?artwork-category=2005) ## Frequently Asked Questions ### What are past special exhibits at the Virginia Holocaust Museum? Past special exhibits are temporary exhibitions previously presented by the Virginia Holocaust Museum exploring Holocaust history, remembrance, art, human rights, and related topics. ### How far back do the museum's past exhibits go? The Virginia Holocaust Museum has showcased special exhibitions since 2005. ### Can I still visit past special exhibits? Past special exhibits are no longer on display, but this archive provides an overview of previous exhibitions and the stories they shared. ### How often does the Virginia Holocaust Museum create new special exhibits? The Museum strives to present new special exhibitions throughout the year, depending on availability, partnerships, and scheduling. --- ### [Teacher Resources: A Complete Guide](https://www.vaholocaust.org/teacher-resources/) **Published:** March 12, 2024 **Author:** Laurie Simpson Crouch **Content:** # Teacher Resources The Virginia Holocaust Museum provides students and teachers opportunities to learn about the Holocaust through workshops, programming, and resources. We look to inspire students to think critically, understanding the power of self-responsibility, decision making and individual choice. Teachers will receive a 15% discount on purchases made in our Museum Bookstore & Shop! --- [![Widget image](https://www.vaholocaust.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Screenshot-2024-03-12-at-12.22.49-PM-1.png)](https://www.vaholocaust.org/professional-development/) ### Professional Development Professional development opportunities for school systems, school staff and other community professionals, are ongoing and can be tailored to the needs of your educational community. [ Learn More ](https://www.vaholocaust.org/professional-development) --- [![Widget image](https://www.vaholocaust.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Screenshot-2024-03-12-at-12.22.13-PM.png)](https://www.vaholocaust.org/about-tei/) ### The Alexander Lebenstein Teacher Education Institute (TEI) The Alexander Lebenstein Teacher Education Institute (TEI) is recommended for middle and high school educators who would like to or currently teach the Holocaust in their classrooms. Longwood University’s Professional Studies Office utilizes the descriptions for Renewal Options in the Virginia Licensure Renewal Manual to suggest appropriate professional development points but advises all participants earning those points to work with their educational employing agency to verify and classify each course offered. [ Learn More ](https://www.vaholocaust.org/about-tei/) --- [![Blue butterfly with sky-blue wings resting on a large green leaf.](https://www.vaholocaust.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/g19192afd4a07075b333767f209d91530974e8d0f76b4004172119ea95e492a5242f7b2004762a4dcf8c00096725012eb_1920.jpg)](https://www.vaholocaust.org/the-butterfly-project-for-students/) ### The Butterfly Project Combating hatred and bigotry by educating people about the Holocaust through education, art and memorial making. Be part of this meaningful installation at the Virginia Holocaust Museum. [ Learn More ](https://www.vaholocaust.org/the-butterfly-project-for-students/) --- [![Student lookinmg at a computer screen](https://www.vaholocaust.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Student-Visual-Arts-Contest-1.png)](https://www.vaholocaust.org/student-art-contest/) ### Student Visual Art Contest An annual student opportunity for students in grades 6-12. [ Learn More ](https://www.vaholocaust.org/student-art-contest/) --- [![Widget image](https://www.vaholocaust.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Screenshot-2024-03-12-at-12.21.58-PM.png)](https://www.vaholocaust.org/acceptance-suitcases/) ### Acceptance Suitcases Through a generous contribution from the Memorial Foundation for Children and Mr. Morton Thalheimer in memory of his cousin Lisa Thalheimer the Virginia Holocaust Museum offers the Acceptance Suitcase Book Loaner Program. Available to classroom teachers at no charge, the Acceptance Suitcases provide classroom sets of books which focus on the history of the Holocaust, Genocide and Civil Rights. [ Learn More ](https://www.vaholocaust.org/acceptance-suitcases/) --- [![Widget image](https://www.vaholocaust.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Screenshot-2024-03-12-at-12.21.49-PM.png)](https://www.vaholocaust.org/lesson-plans/) ### Lesson Plans Our lesson plans are designed for secondary students and focus on historical themes of the Holocaust. [ Learn More ](https://www.vaholocaust.org/lesson-plans/) --- [![Widget image](https://www.vaholocaust.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Screenshot-2024-03-12-at-12.22.06-PM.png)](https://www.vaholocaust.org/suggested-reading/) ### Suggested Reading All of ther books are available for purchase in our newly renovated Museum Bookstore & Shop. Please let the staff know you are an educator so that you can receive a 15% discount! [ Learn More ](https://www.vaholocaust.org/suggested-reading/) --- [](https://www.vaholocaust.org/teacher_newsletter-signup/) ![Icon](https://www.vaholocaust.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/gc3163b8894089754858a8b358e8508c0c57969a274eaf00a416d6d6eb1e09f9a0e0a37c856c2c526210611e8cde0ddc2_1920-150x150.png) Newsletter Sign-up --- ### [Suggested Reading: A Complete Guide](https://www.vaholocaust.org/suggested-reading/) **Published:** March 13, 2024 **Author:** Laurie Simpson Crouch **Content:** ### Suggested Reading These books are available for purchase in our newly renovated Museum Bookstore & Shop. Contact the Shop if you're interested in your own copy. **Educators receive a 15% discount.** --- ### Historical Background ![](https://www.vaholocaust.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Screenshot-2024-03-13-at-1.07.24-PM.png "Screenshot 2024-03-13 at 1.07.24 PM") Auschwitz: A History by Sybille Steinbacher ![](https://www.vaholocaust.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Screenshot-2024-03-13-at-1.07.35-PM.png "Screenshot 2024-03-13 at 1.07.35 PM") War and Genocide: A Concise History of the Holocaust (Critical Issues in World and International History) by Doris L. Bergen --- ### Historical Reference ![](https://www.vaholocaust.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Screenshot-2024-03-13-at-1.19.03-PM.png "Screenshot 2024-03-13 at 1.19.03 PM") The Columbia Guide to the Holocaust by Professor Donald L. Niewyk & Professor Francis R. Nicosia ![](https://www.vaholocaust.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Screenshot-2024-03-13-at-1.21.39-PM.png "Screenshot 2024-03-13 at 1.21.39 PM") A History of the Holocaust by Rita Steinhardt Botwinick --- ### Memoirs and First-Hand Accounts ![](https://www.vaholocaust.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Screenshot-2024-03-13-at-1.27.56-PM.png "Screenshot 2024-03-13 at 1.27.56 PM") Izzy's Fire: Finding Humanity In The Holocaust by Nancy Wright Beasley ![](https://www.vaholocaust.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Screenshot-2024-03-13-at-1.34.38-PM.png "Screenshot 2024-03-13 at 1.34.38 PM") The Gazebo by Alexander Lebenstein ![](https://www.vaholocaust.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Screenshot-2024-03-13-at-1.19.03-PM.png "Screenshot 2024-03-13 at 1.19.03 PM") The Columbia Guide to the Holocaust by Professor Donald L. Niewyk & Professor Francis R. Nicosia ![](https://www.vaholocaust.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Screenshot-2024-03-13-at-1.38.07-PM.png "Screenshot 2024-03-13 at 1.38.07 PM") Hank Brodt Holocaust Memoirs: A Candle and a Promise by Deborah Donnelly ![](https://www.vaholocaust.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Screenshot-2024-03-13-at-1.39.29-PM.png "Screenshot 2024-03-13 at 1.39.29 PM") Izzy's Fire: Finding Humanity In The Holocaust by Nancy Wright Beasley ![](https://www.vaholocaust.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Screenshot-2024-03-13-at-1.41.39-PM.png "Screenshot 2024-03-13 at 1.41.39 PM") Destined to Witness: Growing Up Black In Nazi Germany Kindle Edition by Hans Massaquoi ![](https://www.vaholocaust.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Screenshot-2024-03-13-at-1.44.40-PM.png "Screenshot 2024-03-13 at 1.44.40 PM") Adventures Against Their Will by Joanie Holtzer Shirm ![](https://www.vaholocaust.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Screenshot-2024-03-13-at-1.46.45-PM.png "Screenshot 2024-03-13 at 1.46.45 PM") All But My Life: A Memoir Paperback by Gerda Weissmann Klein ![](https://www.vaholocaust.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Screenshot-2024-03-13-at-1.48.15-PM.png "Screenshot 2024-03-13 at 1.48.15 PM") Night by Elie Wiesel ![](https://www.vaholocaust.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Screenshot-2024-03-13-at-1.50.16-PM.png "Screenshot 2024-03-13 at 1.50.16 PM") On Both Sides of the Wall: Memoirs from the Warsaw Ghetto by Vladka Meed ![](https://www.vaholocaust.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Screenshot-2024-03-13-at-1.52.08-PM.png "Screenshot 2024-03-13 at 1.52.08 PM") Remembering: Voices of the Holocaust: A New History in the Words of the Men and Women Who Survived by Lyn Smith ![](https://www.vaholocaust.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Screenshot-2024-03-13-at-1.55.03-PM.png "Screenshot 2024-03-13 at 1.55.03 PM") The Diary of Dawid Sierakowiak: Five Notebooks from the Lodz Ghetto by Dawid Sierakowiak --- ### Perpetrators and Collaborators ![](https://www.vaholocaust.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Screenshot-2024-03-13-at-2.06.55-PM.png "Screenshot 2024-03-13 at 2.06.55 PM") Ordinary Men: Reserve Police Battalion 101 and the Final Solution in Poland by Christopher R. Browning ![](https://www.vaholocaust.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Screenshot-2024-03-13-at-2.09.19-PM.png "Screenshot 2024-03-13 at 2.09.19 PM") Into That Darkness: An Examination of Conscience by Gitta Sereny ![](https://www.vaholocaust.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Screenshot-2024-03-13-at-2.13.36-PM.png "Screenshot 2024-03-13 at 2.13.36 PM") Hitler's Furies: German Women in the Nazi Killing Fields by Wendy Lower --- ### History of Genocide Titles ![](https://www.vaholocaust.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Screenshot-2024-03-13-at-2.19.01-PM.png "Screenshot 2024-03-13 at 2.19.01 PM") Genocide: A World History (New Oxford World History) 1st Edition by Norman M. Naimark ![](https://www.vaholocaust.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Screenshot-2024-03-13-at-2.20.28-PM.png "Screenshot 2024-03-13 at 2.20.28 PM") Genocide: A Comprehensive Introduction 3rd Edition by Adam Jones ![](https://www.vaholocaust.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Screenshot-2024-03-13-at-2.22.04-PM.png "Screenshot 2024-03-13 at 2.22.04 PM") Centuries of Genocide 4th Edition by Samuel Totten & William S. Parsons --- ### Pedagogical Reference ![](https://www.vaholocaust.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Screenshot-2024-03-13-at-2.26.07-PM.png "Screenshot 2024-03-13 at 2.26.07 PM") Essentials of Holocaust Education: Fundamental Issues and Approaches by Samuel Totten & Stephen Feinberg ![](https://www.vaholocaust.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Screenshot-2024-03-13-at-2.19.01-PM.png "Screenshot 2024-03-13 at 2.19.01 PM") Genocide: A World History (New Oxford World History) 1st Edition by Norman M. Naimark --- ### Short Stories ![](https://www.vaholocaust.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Screenshot-2024-03-13-at-2.29.51-PM.png "Screenshot 2024-03-13 at 2.29.51 PM") This Way for the Gas, Ladies and Gentlemen by Tadeusz Borowski ![](https://www.vaholocaust.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Screenshot-2024-03-13-at-2.28.04-PM.png "Screenshot 2024-03-13 at 2.28.04 PM") A Scrap of Time and Other Stories by Ida Fink --- ### OTHER RECOMMENDED RESOURCES [**What We Carry**](http://jewishva.org/holocaust-what-we-carry) *(The Holocaust Commission of the UJFT)* [**Why is it Important to Teach the Holocaust?**](http://www.ushmm.org/educators/teaching-about-the-holocaust/why-teach-about-the-holocaust) *(USHMM)* [**Guidelines for Teaching the Holocaust**](http://www.ushmm.org/educators/teaching-about-the-holocaust/general-teaching-guidelines) *(USHMM)* [**What Grade Level is Appropriate to Start Teaching the Holocaust**](http://www.ushmm.org/educators/teaching-about-the-holocaust/age-appropriateness) *(USHMM)* [**What Topics Should You Teach?**](http://www.ushmm.org/wlc/en/article.php?ModuleId=10007262) *(USHMM)* [**Teaching Materials Using Books and Literature**](https://www.ushmm.org/teach/teaching-materials/books-literature) *(USHMM)* --- ### [Virtual Museum Tour at the Virginia Holocaust Museum | Richmond, Virginia](https://www.vaholocaust.org/virtual-museum-tour/) **Published:** July 3, 2026 **Author:** Laurie Simpson Crouch **Content:** - Museum entrance designed to resemble a historic German train station. Above the doorway, a sign reads "Bahnhof" (German for "train station"), while the station name "Friedrich Street Train Station" is displayed, referencing the historic Berlin railway station. The themed entrance serves as the gateway to the museum's permanent exhibitions, evoking the architecture and atmosphere of an early 20th-century German train Museum entrance styled as a historic German train station, featuring the word "Bahnhof" above the doorway leading into the permanent exhibits. # **Take A Virtual Tour** Now you can visit the Virginia Holocaust Museum located in the Shockoe Bottom area of Richmond, Virginia, 24/7. 1. [ ](#) [ ](#) The Virginia Holocaust Museum offers a free virtual tour of its permanent exhibits, available online 24/7. More than 25,000 people visit the museum in person each year at 2000 East Cary Street in Richmond, Virginia — but for those unable to visit, this 58-minute tour brings the museum to you. The tour opens with President and Executive Director Samuel Asher sharing why the museum's mission is personal to him and his family, then Director of Guest Services Matthew Simpson guides you through all of the museum's permanent exhibits as if you were walking beside him. The virtual tour was created in response to the COVID-19 pandemic to keep the museum accessible to everyone. Content Warning: This film contains difficult subject matter and graphic imagery. Please consider this before watching with young children or sensitive individuals. Running Time: 58 minutes ## Virtual Tour Video ## Video Time Stamp [**0:00**](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PSJTZYG4tIY&t=0s)**​ Introduction** [**03:41**](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PSJTZYG4tIY&t=221s)**​ Box Car** [**07:42**](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PSJTZYG4tIY&t=462s)**​ Museum Entrance** [**09:12**](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PSJTZYG4tIY&t=552s)**​ Holocaust Memorial Wall** [**09:39**](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PSJTZYG4tIY&t=579s)**​ The Train Station** [**10:46**](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PSJTZYG4tIY&t=646s)**​ Rise of the Nazis** [**12:46**](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PSJTZYG4tIY&t=766s)**​ Concentration Camps** [**15:48**](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PSJTZYG4tIY&t=948s)**​ Hyde Farmland** [**18:43**](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PSJTZYG4tIY&t=1123s)**​ Kristallnacht** [**25:06**](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PSJTZYG4tIY&t=1506s)**​ MS St. Louis** [**26:52**](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PSJTZYG4tIY&t=1612s)**​ The Ipson Family** [**34:29**](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PSJTZYG4tIY&t=2069s)**​ Righteous Among the Nations** [**36:52**](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PSJTZYG4tIY&t=2212s)**​ Partisans** [**39:42**](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PSJTZYG4tIY&t=2382s)**​ Children During the Holocaust** [**40:49**](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PSJTZYG4tIY&t=2449s)**​ Deportation, Selection, and Processing** [**46:58**](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PSJTZYG4tIY&t=2818s)**​ Gas Chamber/Crematorium** [**49:02**](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PSJTZYG4tIY&t=2942s)**​ Death Marches and Liberation** [**52:33**](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PSJTZYG4tIY&t=3153s)**​ Displaced Persons Camp** [**54:13**](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PSJTZYG4tIY&t=3253s)**​ Post War Justice** [**55:57**](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PSJTZYG4tIY&t=3357s)**​ Chore Shul** [**56:38**](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PSJTZYG4tIY&t=3398s)**​ Tower of Remembrance** ## Frequently Asked Questions ### **Is the virtual tour free?** Yes, the virtual tour of the Virginia Holocaust Museum is free to watch online, available 24/7. ### **How long is the virtual tour?** The tour runs approximately 58 minutes and is broken into timestamped chapters so you can jump to specific sections. ### **Who leads the tour?** President and Executive Director Samuel Asher opens the tour by sharing why the museum's mission is personal to him and his family. Director of Guest Services Matthew Simpson then guides viewers through all of the museum's permanent exhibits. ### **Can I watch the tour on my phone or tablet?** Yes, the tour is viewable on any device with an internet connection. ### **Is the content appropriate for children?** The tour contains difficult subject matter and graphic imagery. Please consider this before watching with young children or sensitive individuals. ### **Do I need to register or sign up to watch?** No sign-up is necessary. Just click and enjoy. ## Additional Resources [Survivors in Virginia](https://vaholocaust.pastperfectonline.com/Archive?search_criteria=&onlyimages=false) [Search the Museum's Archives](https://vaholocaust.pastperfectonline.com/) [Listen to Survivor Testimony](https://www.vaholocaust.org/oral-histories/) [Virginia Holocaust Museum Educational Resources](https://www.vaholocaust.org/educational-resources/) ![Historical exhibit with life-size cutouts behind a wooden fence and wire mesh, displaying banners about Palestine and injustice.](https://www.vaholocaust.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/dp-camps-2.png "DP Camp Exhibit") --- ### [Virginia Holocaust Museum | Plan Your Visit to Richmond, VA](https://www.vaholocaust.org/plan-your-visit-old/) **Published:** March 25, 2024 **Author:** Laurie Simpson Crouch **Content:** # Plan Your Visit to the Virginia Holocaust Museum ## Hours, Admission, Parking & Visitor Information \| Richmond, VA Plan your visit to the Virginia Holocaust Museum and discover a powerful, educational experience that brings Holocaust history and memory into focus. Located in Richmond’s historic Shockoe Bottom district, the Museum offers self-guided and group visits that help visitors of all ages reflect on the past and consider its relevance today. On this page, you’ll find everything you need to plan a meaningful visit—including current hours, admission, parking, accessibility information, and options for group tours—so your time at the Museum is as smooth and impactful as possible. ### Location and Directions Virginia Holocaust Museum 2000 East Cary Street Richmond, VA 23223 Located in Richmond’s historic Shockoe Bottom district, the Museum is easily accessible from downtown and major highways. ### Parking Free visitor parking is available in the Museum’s lot directly across Cary Street ### Museum Hours - - Monday–Friday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM - Saturday–Sunday: 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM ### Holiday Closing Schedule Easter \| Rosh Hashanah (first day) \| Yom Kippur \| Thanksgiving (closes at 1:00 PM Wednesday; closed Thursday) \| Christmas Eve & Christmas Day \| New Year’s Eve & New Year’s Day ### Admission Fees and Tickets - Adults (18+): $10 - Members: Free - Children and Students: Free - Active Military: Free - Tickets are available at the Museum. No advance purchase is required for general admission. ### Group Tours Visiting with a group of 10 or more? Guided group tours provide a more in-depth, facilitated experience. [Learn more or schedule a tour: https://www.vaholocaust.org/group-tours/](https://www.vaholocaust.org/group-tours/) ### Nearby Attractions [Enhance your visit by exploring nearby restaurants, historic sites, and cultural attractions in downtown Richmond.](https://www.visitrichmondva.com/things-to-do/) The Museum’s central location makes it easy to plan a full day of meaningful exploration. ### Frequently Asked Questions Where is the Virginia Holocaust Museum located? The Virginia Holocaust Museum is located at 2000 East Cary Street, Richmond, VA 23223, in the Shockoe Bottom area. Is parking available at the museum? Yes. Free, off‑street parking is available directly across from the museum on East Cary Street. What are the museum’s hours? The museum is open Monday through Friday from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, and Saturday and Sunday from 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM. We recommend checking our website or calling ahead for any special holiday or event schedule changes. Is the museum open on holidays? The museum is closed on New Year’s Day, Easter, the first day of Rosh Hashanah, the first day of Yom Kippur, Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Eve. On the day before Thanksgiving, the museum closes at 1:00 PM. How much does admission cost? Admission is $10 for adults ages 18 and older. Members, children and students, and active military receive free admission. Do I need a reservation, or can I walk in? Individual visitors and families are welcome to walk in during open hours. School groups and large groups are encouraged to make reservations in advance so we can best accommodate their visit. How long should I plan for my visit? Most visitors spend about 1½ to 2 hours at the museum, though some choose to stay longer to explore exhibits and reflection spaces at their own pace. Is the museum accessible to visitors with disabilities? The museum is committed to accessibility. Visitors will find accessible parking nearby as well as accessible routes and facilities inside the building. For specific accessibility questions, please contact us before your visit. --- ### [Become A Member](https://www.vaholocaust.org/become-a-member/) **Published:** January 30, 2025 **Author:** Laurie Simpson Crouch **Content:** # Become A Member Becoming a member is more than a donation – it is a way to help us share the history and lessons of the Holocaust, inspire visitors to become better citizens, and encourage all who visit the museum to speak out on issues that are important to them and their communities. Members enjoy unlimited Museum admission and free and lots of other perks. When you become a member, you become a part of the VHM family and ensure that our critical work will continue for generations to come. ### Benefits and Levels ![](https://www.vaholocaust.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Screenshot-2025-01-30-at-9.41.57-AM.png "Screenshot 2025-01-30 at 9.41.57 AM") ### [Purchase or Renew a Membership Online By Clicking HERE!](https://www.vaholocaust.org/membership-levels-2/) --- ### [Staff: A Complete Directory](https://www.vaholocaust.org/staff/) **Published:** April 2, 2024 **Author:** Laurie Simpson Crouch **Content:** # Complete Staff Directory The staff of the Virginia Holocaust Museum is dedicated to preserving Holocaust history, honoring survivors and victims, and educating future generations. Our team includes educators, historians, curators, and administrative professionals who work together to support exhibitions, educational programming, community outreach, and daily museum operations. Each staff member plays an important role in advancing our mission to ensure that Holocaust history is preserved accurately and shared meaningfully with all visitors. This directory provides an introduction to the individuals who help bring our work to life every day. ## What Our Staff Supports - [Educational programs for students and teachers](https://www.vaholocaust.org/educational-resources/) - [Museum exhibits and survivor testimony preservation](https://www.vaholocaust.org/dimensions-in-testimony/) - Community outreach and public programming - [Research, curation, and archival work](https://www.vaholocaust.org/search-our-collections) - Operations, [development](https://www.vaholocaust.org/support/), and [visitor services](https://www.vaholocaust.org/plan-your-visit-today/) ### Staff Directory - ### Logan Pritchett Guest Services / Security - [](mailto:lprichett@vaholocaust.org) [ 101 / 102](tel:101%20/%20102) - ### Charles Leipertz Maintenance Supervisor - [](mailto:cleipertz@vaholocaust.org) [ (804) 257-5400 ext. 110](tel:(804)%20257-5400%20ext.%20110) - ### Perry Barber Director of Security - [](mailto:pbarber@vaholocaust.org) [ (804) 257-5400 ext. 102](tel:(804)%20257-5400%20ext.%20102) - ### Samuel Asher President & Executive Director - [](mailto:sasher@vaholocaust.org) [ (804) 257-5400 ext. 103](tel:(804)%20257-5400%20ext.%20103) - ### Laurie Simpson Crouch Director of Marketing & Communications - [](mailto:lsimpsoncrouch@vaholocaust.org) [ (804) 257-5400 ext. 107](tel:(804)%20257-5400%20ext.%20107) - ### Megan Ferenzcy Director of Education - [](mailto:mferenczy@vaholocaust.org) [ (804) 257-5400 ext. 108](tel:(804)%20257-5400%20ext.%20108) - ### Timothy Hensley Director of Collections - [](mailto:thensley@vaholocaust.org) [ (804) 257-5400 ext. 104](tel:(804)%20257-5400%20ext.%20104) - ### Smoolie Moore Museum Bookstore & Shop Manager - [](mailto:smoore@vaholocaust.org) [ (804) 257-5400 ext. 101](tel:(804)%20257-5400%20ext.%20101) - ### Brett Schrader Development Manager - [](mailto:bschrader@vaholocaust.org) [ (804) 257-5400 ext. 106](tel:(804)%20257-5400%20ext.%20106) - ### Matt Simpson Director of Guest Services - [](mailto:msimpson@vaholocaust.org) [ (804) 257-5400 ext. 105](tel:(804)%20257-5400%20ext.%20105) The work of our staff is guided by the museum’s mission to preserve Holocaust history and promote understanding, remembrance, and respect. Through their dedication, the Virginia Holocaust Museum continues to serve as a place of learning, reflection, and engagement for visitors of all ages. The Virginia Holocaust Museum is part of a broader community of Holocaust education and remembrance institutions, and we actively engage in professional collaboration and knowledge-sharing with peer organizations around the world. This includes ongoing dialogue and exchange of ideas with institutions such as the [United States Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington,](https://www.ushmm.org/information/visit-the-museum/plan-your-visit) D.C., Yad Vashem in Jerusalem, and other leading museums and educational centers dedicated to Holocaust history. Through conferences, research, and shared best practices, we work alongside these organizations to strengthen Holocaust education, preserve survivor testimony, and ensure that these histories are taught with accuracy, dignity, and impact. --- ### [Action 14f13: The Secret Message Sent to the Concentration Camps](https://www.vaholocaust.org/action-14f13/) **Published:** March 21, 2024 **Author:** Laurie Simpson Crouch **Content:** # Action 14f13 in the Concentration Camps ## **1943** Main Bureau for SS Economic Administration Bureau Group Chief D -- Concentration Camp -- DI/l/Az: 14 f 13/L/S Secret order of the day -- No. 612/43 Subject: Action 14 f 13 in the concentration camps. Reference: Local directive DI/l/Az: 14 f 13/0T/S -- Secret order of the day No. 34/43 of S.1.43 ### **STATE SECRET** To the Camp Commanders of the Concentration Camps Da; Sah., Bn., Man., Flo., Neu., Au., Gr.-Ro., Natz., Stu., Rav., Ri., Herz., Lubl., and Bergen-Berlsen. Copy to: Chief of Bureau D 11, III in the house The Reich Fuehrer-SS and Chief of German Police has decided, after consultation, that in the future only mentally sick \[geisteskranke\] prisoners may be selected for action 14 F 13 by the medical commissions appointed for this purpose. All other prisoners incapable of working (tubercular cases, bed- ridden cripples, etc.) are to be basically excepted from this action. Bed-ridden prisoners are to be drafted for suitable work which they can perform in bed. The order of the Reich Fuehrer SS is to be obeyed strictly in the future. Requests for fuel for this purpose therefore do not take place. \[signature illegible\] SS-Brigadefuehrer and Major General of the Waffen-SS Additional Information About Source Source: Nazi Conspiracy and Aggression, Vol. 4. Washington, DC: Government Printing Office, 1947. 1933-PS [](https://www.vaholocaust.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Action14f13KZ.pdf) ![Icon](https://www.vaholocaust.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/g243fbfc71df10c7c619d02149b895bf52318d20cc4f010c3d66bd614836f823823b698b876c12f2df6d7c1fb7529631b_1920-150x150.png) Click HERE to Download Printer-Friendly PDF --- ### [All You Need To Know About Our Free Acceptance Suitcase Program](https://www.vaholocaust.org/acceptance-suitcases/) **Published:** March 12, 2024 **Author:** Laurie Simpson Crouch **Content:** # Learn About The Acceptance Suitcase Program at VHM Through a generous contribution from the Memorial Foundation for Children and Mr. Morton Thalheimer in memory of his cousin Lisa Thalheimer the Virginia Holocaust Museum offers the Acceptance Suitcase Book Loaner Program. Available to classroom teachers at no charge, the Acceptance Suitcases provide classroom sets of books which focus on the history of the Holocaust, Genocide and Civil Rights. Please contact [Megan Ferenczy](mailto:mferenczy@vaholocaust.org), Director of Education, to request an Acceptance Suitcase. --- ### ### Books available to reserve include: - [Grades 6–8 Holocaust Acceptance Suitcases](#sampletab_40) - [Grades 9–12 Holocaust Acceptance Suitcases](#sampletab_41) - [Grades 6–8 Civil Rights Acceptance Suitcases](#sampletab_42) - Grade 6–8 ##### *Black Radishes* by Susan Lynn Meyer Inspired by her father’s experiences as a Jewish child living in France during World War II, Susan Lynn Meyer tells the story of a family’s day-to-day struggles in a country that may not be able to keep its promise of “Liberty, Equality, and Fraternity.” - Grade 6–8 ##### *Friedrich* by Hans Peter Richter Fritz, the adult German narrator of Friedrich, describes the experiences he shared with his Jewish best friend and upstairs neighbor, Friedrich Schneider, from 1925 until 1942. 'He remembers events of the Nazi regime from the innocent and nonjudgmental viewpoint of his youth. - Grade 6–8 ##### *Number the Stars* by Lois Lowry A work of historical fiction by American author Lois Lowry, about the escape of a Jewish family from Copenhagen during World War II. The story centers on ten-year-old Annemarie Johansen, who lives with her family in Copenhagen in 1943. She becomes a part of the events related to the rescue of the Danish Jews, when thousands of Jews were helped to reach neutral ground in Sweden in order to avoid being deported to concentration camps. - Grade 9–12 ##### *Salvaged Pages: Young Writer’s Diaries of the Holocaust* by Alexandra Zapruder During the Holocaust, from one end of Europe to the other, from before the outbreak of war until the liberation, young people kept journals and diaries. They carried their journals with them from their homes to hiding places, from transit camps to ghettos. Despite fear and repression, despite hunger, cold, exhaustion, and despair, young people documented their experiences and their impressions of their lives, and in so doing marked their places in the world. - Grade 9–12 ##### *Survival in Auschwitz* by Primo Levi A work by the Italian Jewish writer Primo Levi, it describes his arrest as a member of the Italian anti-fascist resistance during the Second World War, and his incarceration in the Auschwitz concentration camp from February 1944 until the camp was liberated on January 27, 1945. - Grade 9–12 ##### *X-Men: Magneto Testament* by Greg Pak The definitive origin story of one of Marvel's greatest icons begins with a silver chain and a crush on a girl - and quickly turns into a harrowing struggle for survival against the inexorable machinery of Hitler's Final Solution. - Grade 6–8 ##### *Students on Strike: Jim Crow, Civil Rights, Brown, and Me* by John A. Stokes and Lois Wolfe, Ph.D. John Stokes has waited more than 50 years to give his eyewitness account of "The Manhattan Project." This was the name he and a group of fellow students gave their strike at R.R. Moton High School that helped to end separate schooling for blacks and whites, not only in his home state of Virginia, but throughout America. #### OTHER RECOMMENDED RESOURCES [**What We Carry**](http://jewishva.org/holocaust-what-we-carry) *(The Holocaust Commission of the UJFT)* [**Why is it Important to Teach the Holocaust?**](http://www.ushmm.org/educators/teaching-about-the-holocaust/why-teach-about-the-holocaust) *(USHMM)* [**Guidelines for Teaching the Holocaust**](http://www.ushmm.org/educators/teaching-about-the-holocaust/general-teaching-guidelines) *(USHMM)* [**What Grade Level is Appropriate to Start Teaching the Holocaust**](http://www.ushmm.org/educators/teaching-about-the-holocaust/age-appropriateness) *(USHMM)* [**What Topics Should You Teach?**](http://www.ushmm.org/wlc/en/article.php?ModuleId=10007262) *(USHMM)* --- ### [TEI: What You Need To Know About the Alexander Lebenstein Teacher Education Institute](https://www.vaholocaust.org/about-tei/) **Published:** March 12, 2024 **Author:** Laurie Simpson Crouch **Content:** ![](https://www.vaholocaust.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Screenshot-2026-02-11-at-1.36.17-PM-scaled.png "Screenshot 2026-02-11 at 1.36.17 PM") # The Alexander Lebenstein Teacher Education Institute (TEI) The Alexander Lebenstein Teacher Education Institute is designed for middle and high school educators who teach or plan to teach the Holocaust. Longwood University’s Professional Studies Office provides suggested professional development points based on the Virginia Licensure Renewal Manual, but participants should confirm point eligibility with their school or district. ![](https://www.vaholocaust.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Screenshot-2026-02-11-at-3.02.17-PM-e1770927737249-258x300.png "Screenshot 2026-02-11 at 3.02.17 PM") Alexander Lebenstein, Holocaust Survivor. ### From Context to Classroom Part I **June 2026 From Context to Classroom Part I June 15-17 \| 2.5 Day Workshop First two days: 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM Last Day: 8:30 AM to 1:30 PM Location: Virginia Holocaust Museum** [**To Learn More, Click HERE.**](https://www.vaholocaust.org/from-context-to-classroom-part-i/) **[To Register, Click HERE.](https://studentaccounts.longwood.edu/C20122_ustores/web/store_cat.jsp?STOREID=85&SINGLESTORE=true&CATID=77)** ### From Context to Classroom Part I **July 2026 From Context to Classroom Part I July 22-24 \| 2.5 Day Workshop First two days: 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM Last Day: 8:30 AM to 1:30 PM Location:** Birthplace of Country Music Museum, Bristol, Virginia [**To Learn More, Click HERE.**](https://www.vaholocaust.org/july2026-context-to-classroom/) **[To Register, Click HERE.](https://studentaccounts.longwood.edu/C20122_ustores/web/store_cat.jsp?STOREID=85&SINGLESTORE=true&CATID=77)** --- ### Learn More [To learn more about visiting the Virginia Holocaust Museum click HERE. ](https://www.vaholocaust.org) --- ### [News: An Overview of Stories Important to the Museum](https://www.vaholocaust.org/news/) **Published:** March 27, 2024 **Author:** Laurie Simpson Crouch **Content:** # In the News ### [The Passing of Elly Ipson](https://www.vaholocaust.org/14771-2/) October 6, 2026 [News](https://www.vaholocaust.org/category/news/) The Museum is deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Elly Ipson (OBM). Elly was the wife of museum co-Founder, Jay Ipson, and was [Read more](https://www.vaholocaust.org/14771-2/) ### [Remembering James “Jim” Ukrop](https://www.vaholocaust.org/remembering-james-jim-ukrop/) September 27, 2026 [News](https://www.vaholocaust.org/category/news/) The Virginia Holocaust Museum is deeply saddened by the passing of James “Jim” Ukrop — a dear friend, generous supporter, and someone who cared deeply [Read more](https://www.vaholocaust.org/remembering-james-jim-ukrop/) August 21, 2026 [News](https://www.vaholocaust.org/category/news/), [Obituary](https://www.vaholocaust.org/category/obituary/) The Virginia Holocaust Museum mourns the passing of Rabbi Dennis Beck-Berman, Ha-Rav David Avraham ben Yisrael Ephraim Yitzchak v'Feygel, who died on Sunday, August 16, [Read more](https://www.vaholocaust.org/rabbi-beck-berman/) ### [Bernard ‘Bernie’ L. Henderson](https://www.vaholocaust.org/bernie-henderson/) June 12, 2026 [Obituary](https://www.vaholocaust.org/category/obituary/) Bernard “Bernie” L. Henderson, Jr., age 75, died on Monday, June 8, 2026, in Richmond, Va. Bernie is survived by his wife of 51 years, [Read more](https://www.vaholocaust.org/bernie-henderson/) ### [The Passing of Bill Martin](https://www.vaholocaust.org/bill-martin/) December 29, 2025 [News](https://www.vaholocaust.org/category/news/) What a loss. What a profound loss. When I began my work at the Virginia Holocaust Museum a few years ago, I was already familiar [Read more](https://www.vaholocaust.org/bill-martin/) ### [The Passing of Charles (Charlie) Sydnor](https://www.vaholocaust.org/charles-sydnor/) December 3, 2025 [News](https://www.vaholocaust.org/category/news/) It is with heavy hearts; we share that our dear friend and colleague Dr. Charles (Charlie) Sydnor has passed away. Charlie was an integral part [Read more](https://www.vaholocaust.org/charles-sydnor/) ### [Local Perspectives on Ceasefire: Relief and Reservation in Richmond](https://www.vaholocaust.org/local-perspectives-on-ceasefire-relief-and-reservation-in-richmond/) October 14, 2025 [News](https://www.vaholocaust.org/category/news/) By Cherisse Hoffman Published: Oct. 13, 2025 at 6:53 PM EDT\|Updated: 15 hours ago RICHMOND, Va. (WWBT) - A significant step in the ongoing conflict between Israel and [Read more](https://www.vaholocaust.org/local-perspectives-on-ceasefire-relief-and-reservation-in-richmond/) ### [The Jewish Motorcyclists Alliance (JMA) Visit VHM](https://www.vaholocaust.org/jewish-motorcyclists-alliance/) July 30, 2025 [News](https://www.vaholocaust.org/category/news/) Cross-country ride places spotlight on Holocaust history. Click HERE to read the full story. https://richmond.com/life-entertainment/local/faith-values/article\_ea206d4f-2a79-4206-88b6-6546b40c5d2e.html [Read more](https://www.vaholocaust.org/jewish-motorcyclists-alliance/) ### [Ann Reinhardt Richmon Obituary](https://www.vaholocaust.org/ann-reinhardt-richmon-obituary/) July 21, 2025 [News](https://www.vaholocaust.org/category/news/) Ann Reinhardt Richmon, of Richmond Virginia, age 93, passed away peacefully with her family by her side on July 17, 2025. She is preceded in [Read more](https://www.vaholocaust.org/ann-reinhardt-richmon-obituary/) ### [CCMS project honors children killed in Holocaust](https://www.vaholocaust.org/ccms-project-honors-children-killed-in-holocaust/) June 6, 2025 [News](https://www.vaholocaust.org/category/news/) By: David Broyles Jun 5, 2025 The Carroll News It is said children are caterpillars and adults are butterflies. Students in Carroll Middle School’s U.S. [Read more](https://www.vaholocaust.org/ccms-project-honors-children-killed-in-holocaust/) --- ### [Visitor Policy: Everything You Need To Know About Visiting the Museum](https://www.vaholocaust.org/visitor-policy/) **Published:** April 10, 2024 **Author:** Laurie Simpson Crouch **Content:** # Museum & Visitor Policy Welcome you to the Virginia Holocaust Museum (VHM). To make sure you have a meaningful experience, we ask that our guests follow our Museum & Visitor Policies while visiting. Our friendly staff and guides are here to answer any questions. **PROHIBITED ITEMS** Under no circumstances are the following permitted inside the Museum or on Museum grounds: - Firearms - Ammunition - Pepper Spray and Mace - Flammable Liquids - Explosives Including Fireworks - Knives - Clubs - Hammers - Martial Arts Devices - Cigarettes or E-Cigarettes - Controlled Substances - Alcoholic Beverages - Large Bags or Backpacks - Umbrellas - Drones - Gum - Open Containers of Food or Beverages - Masks ( Excluding medical masks) - Paint & Related Marking Materials - Spray cans and Aerosols. **BAG INSPECTION POLICY** Bags larger than 16 x 16 x 8 are prohibited inside the Museum. Any and all bags are subject to inspection. Guests who refuse inspection of parcels will be restricted from entering the Museum. We have lockers available to check your backpack, umbrellas, or bags in our lobby, free of charge. Free coat check is available in our lobby. **PHOTO, FILM AND AUDIO POLICY** Photos for personal use are permitted and encouraged at the VHM. Don’t forget to tag us on social media! Professional photography or videography is not permitted without prior authorization. Video or audio recording of live programming or tours is not permitted without prior authorization. **SMOKING** The VHM is smoke-free. Smoking or the use of electronic cigarettes are not permitted anywhere on the museum campus including the garden and parking lot. **UNWELCOME CONDUCT** To secure a safe and healthy environment that fosters inclusion, diversity, equality and respect, we encourage our visitors to demonstrate courtesy to all. Inappropriate treatment, including threatening and unwelcome conduct, of guests or any VHM staffer, whether physical, verbal, or visual, is not permitted. Use or display of obscene or abusive language is not permitted. Engaging in disorderly conduct or participating in unauthorized assemblies or protests (including the use of flags or banners) is not permitted. Displaying signs or distributing solicitations, advertisements, or other materials without prior authorization is not permitted. **FOOD AND BEVERAGES** Eating and drinking in the VHM is only permitted in designated areas. Chewing gum or sucking on candy or lozenges is discouraged. **FAMILY SERVICES** For breastfeeding mothers, we have a private space so that one can nurse privately away from the other Museum guests. Just let the front desk staff know so that they can lead you there. **WATER FOUNTAINS** Water fountains are located outside of the bathrooms on both the upper and lower levels of the Museum. **DOG VISITATION** No dogs are allowed inside the Museum unless they are a Service Animal. Pet owners must stay with their leashed pets at all times. Pet owners must pick up and properly dispose of any waste. Pet owners are asked to be respectful of other guests, maintain a safe and comfortable distance from others, and discourage excessive barking. Other animals are not permitted. **MUSEUM PHOTOGRAPHY** Museum staff often takes photographs of museum events and programs for the museum’s archives, for social media and the museum’s website as well as for promoting future programs. Please let the photographer know if you would not like your photo taken. **PARKING LOT RULES AND REGULATIONS** Free parking for Museum visitors and members is intended as a benefit when visiting the Museum and is not to be used for daily/regular parking for purposes other than participating in VHM guest activities. The VHM upper lot is intended for passenger vehicles (no more than 2 axles and not more than 19 feet in length) only and should not be utilized by commercial or mass transit vehicles, buses, or recreational vehicles. The VHM lower lot can accommodate school and tour buses. Guest vehicles should not be parked in a way that results in the occupation of more than one designated parking space. Children and animals may not be left unattended for any amount of time in vehicles parked in the VHM parking lot. The VHM parking lot is intended for short-term parking only and should not be used for car repairs or washing, tailgating, picnicking, sporting activity, or habitation. Vehicles parked for more than 24 hours without prior VHM permission may be towed at the owner’s expense (period). Boisterous, insulting, or indecent language and loud music are not permitted in the parking lot. Food trucks are not permitted to operate in the parking lot unless prior authorization has been specifically provided by the VHM. Vehicles should be locked and the VHM is not responsible for fire, theft, damage or loss of vehicles or the property left inside them. Violation of these policies may result in the removal of vehicles from the parking lot by our towing service. Information on towed vehicles can be found by calling 804-233-5757. **SOCIAL MEDIA** The VHM encourages people to engage with us on social media. Any opinions expressed by users on our social media platforms do not reflect the views of the museum, its trustees, employees or volunteers. Social media users should be respectful. Any posts that contain abusive, offensive, defamatory, discriminatory or unlawful language or images will be removed, and the user may be blocked. Spam and posts that advertise or promote goods or services may be removed. We appreciate your cooperation. Failure to observe our Museum and Visitor Policies may result in the denial of access. Please let us know if you have any questions by contacting Matt Simpson by email (msimpson@vaholocaust.org). **TERMS & CONDITIONS Terms of Use:** By visiting or shopping at this website, you accept the following terms and conditions. Please read them carefully. Copyright: All content included on this site, such as text, graphics, logos, button icons, images, audio clips, digital downloads, data compilations, and software, is the property of this site’s owner or its content suppliers and protected by United States and international copyright laws. The compilation of all content on this site is the exclusive property of this site’s owner and is protected by U.S. and international copyright laws. All software used on this site is the property of this site’s owner or its software suppliers and is protected by United States and international copyright laws. **Disclaimer of Warranties and Limitation of Liability:** THIS SITE IS PROVIDED ON AN “AS IS” AND “AS AVAILABLE” BASIS. NO REPRESENTATIONS OR WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND ARE MADE, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, AS TO THE OPERATION OF THIS SITE OR THE INFORMATION, CONTENT, MATERIALS, OR PRODUCTS INCLUDED ON THIS SITE. YOU EXPRESSLY AGREE THAT YOUR USE OF THIS SITE IS AT YOUR SOLE RISK. TO THE FULL EXTENT PERMISSIBLE BY APPLICABLE LAW, THIS SITE’S OWNER DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. THIS SITE’S OWNER DOES NOT WARRANT THAT THIS SITE, ITS SERVERS, OR E-MAIL SENT FROM THIS SITE ARE FREE OF VIRUSES OR OTHER HARMFUL COMPONENTS. THIS SITE’S OWNER WILL NOT BE LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES OF ANY KIND ARISING FROM THE USE OF THIS SITE, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, PUNITIVE, AND CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES. CERTAIN STATE LAWS DO NOT ALLOW LIMITATIONS ON IMPLIED WARRANTIES OR THE EXCLUSION OR LIMITATION OF CERTAIN DAMAGES. IF THESE LAWS APPLY TO YOU, SOME OR ALL OF THE ABOVE DISCLAIMERS, EXCLUSIONS, OR LIMITATIONS MAY NOT APPLY TO YOU, AND YOU MIGHT HAVE ADDITIONAL RIGHTS [ Click HERE to Download Museum & Visitor Policy ](https://www.vaholocaust.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Museum-Visitor-Policy.pdf) --- ### [Events Calendar – Virginia Holocaust Museum](https://www.vaholocaust.org/events-calendar/) **Published:** September 4, 2015 **Author:** Laurie Simpson Crouch **Content:** # Upcoming Events at the Museum - [](https://www.vaholocaust.org/wp-cron.php/?doing_wp_cron=1791584914.3138730525970458984375 "First") - [](https://www.vaholocaust.org/wp-cron.php/?doing_wp_cron=1791584914.3138730525970458984375 "Last") --- ### [Student Resources: All You Need To Know](https://www.vaholocaust.org/student-resources/) **Published:** March 25, 2024 **Author:** Laurie Simpson Crouch **Content:** # Student Resources [ ![](https://www.vaholocaust.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Screenshot-2024-03-25-at-1.03.55-PM.png "Screenshot 2024-03-25 at 1.03.55 PM") ](https://www.vaholocaust.org/frequently-asked-questions/) ### Fequently Asked Questions Click below for a list of the questions and answers students most commonly want to know. [ Learn More ](https://www.vaholocaust.org/frequently-asked-questions/) --- [ ![](https://www.vaholocaust.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Screenshot-2024-03-25-at-1.04.05-PM.png "Screenshot 2024-03-25 at 1.04.05 PM") ](https://www.vaholocaust.org/student-suggested-reading/) ### Student's Suggested Reading List These books are available for purchase in our new Museum Bookstore. [ Learn More ](https://www.vaholocaust.org/student-suggested-reading/) --- [ ![Student lookinmg at a computer screen](https://www.vaholocaust.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Student-Visual-Arts-Contest-1.png "Student Visual Arts Contest (1)") ](https://www.vaholocaust.org/student-art-contest/) ### Student Visual Arts Contest An annual opportunity for students in grades 6-12. [ Learn More ](https://www.vaholocaust.org/student-art-contest/) --- --- ### [Student Suggested Reading List: Your Complete Guide](https://www.vaholocaust.org/student-suggested-reading/) **Published:** March 25, 2024 **Author:** Laurie Simpson Crouch **Content:** # Student's Suggested Reading List ### Historical Nonfiction The World Must Know by Michael Berenbaum ![](https://www.vaholocaust.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Screenshot-2024-03-25-at-1.22.01-PM-150x150.png "Screenshot 2024-03-25 at 1.22.01 PM") Ten Thousand Children by Anne Fox ![](https://www.vaholocaust.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Screenshot-2024-03-25-at-1.30.53-PM-150x150.png "Screenshot 2024-03-25 at 1.30.53 PM") Survivors: True Stories of Children in the Holocaust by Allan Zullo ![](https://www.vaholocaust.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Screenshot-2024-03-25-at-1.33.12-PM-150x150.png "Screenshot 2024-03-25 at 1.33.12 PM") Parallel Journeys by Eleanor H. Ayer ![](https://www.vaholocaust.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Screenshot-2024-03-25-at-1.35.08-PM-150x150.png "Screenshot 2024-03-25 at 1.35.08 PM") Heroes of the Holocaust: True Stories of Rescues by Teens by and Mara Bovsun & Allan Zullo ![](https://www.vaholocaust.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Screenshot-2024-03-25-at-1.42.46-PM-150x150.png "Screenshot 2024-03-25 at 1.42.46 PM") Irena Sendler and the Children of the Warsaw Ghetto Hardcover by Susan Goldman Rubin ![](https://www.vaholocaust.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Screenshot-2024-03-25-at-1.44.28-PM-150x150.png "Screenshot 2024-03-25 at 1.44.28 PM") I Never Saw Another Butterfly: Children's Drawings and Poems from the Terezin Concentration Camp, 1942-1944 ![](https://www.vaholocaust.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Screenshot-2024-03-25-at-1.46.26-PM-150x150.png "Screenshot 2024-03-25 at 1.46.26 PM") Hana's Suitcase: The Quest to Solve a Holocaust Mystery by Karen Levine ![](https://www.vaholocaust.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Screenshot-2024-03-25-at-1.48.11-PM-150x150.png "Screenshot 2024-03-25 at 1.48.11 PM") Salvaged Pages: Young Writers' Diaries of the Holocaust by Alexandra Zapruder ![](https://www.vaholocaust.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Screenshot-2024-03-25-at-1.49.53-PM-150x150.png "Screenshot 2024-03-25 at 1.49.53 PM") Beyond Courage: The Untold Story of Jewish Resistance During the Holocaust by Doreen Rappaport --- ### Historical Novels ![](https://www.vaholocaust.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Screenshot-2024-03-25-at-2.39.08-PM-150x150.png "Screenshot 2024-03-25 at 2.39.08 PM") Yellow Star by Jennifer Roy ![](https://www.vaholocaust.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Screenshot-2024-03-25-at-2.46.46-PM-150x150.png "Screenshot 2024-03-25 at 2.46.46 PM") Anne Frank's Diary: The Graphic Adaptation by Anne Frank ![](https://www.vaholocaust.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Screenshot-2024-03-25-at-2.48.54-PM-150x150.png "Screenshot 2024-03-25 at 2.48.54 PM") Hidden: A Child's Story of the Holocaust by Loic Dauvillier ![](https://www.vaholocaust.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Screenshot-2024-03-25-at-2.52.39-PM-150x150.png "Screenshot 2024-03-25 at 2.52.39 PM") Emil and Karl: A Novel by Yankev Glatshteyn ![](https://www.vaholocaust.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Screenshot-2024-03-25-at-2.46.46-PM-150x150.png "Screenshot 2024-03-25 at 2.46.46 PM") Black Radishes Paperback by Susan Lynn Meyer ![](https://www.vaholocaust.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Screenshot-2024-03-25-at-2.56.04-PM-150x150.png "Screenshot 2024-03-25 at 2.56.04 PM") Broken Memory: A Novel of Rwanda by Élisabeth Combres ![](https://www.vaholocaust.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Screenshot-2024-03-25-at-2.57.58-PM-150x150.png "Screenshot 2024-03-25 at 2.57.58 PM") Friedrich by Hans Peter Richter ![](https://www.vaholocaust.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Screenshot-2024-03-25-at-3.02.04-PM-150x150.png "Screenshot 2024-03-25 at 3.02.04 PM") Number the Stars: A Newbery Award Winner by Lois Lowry ![](https://www.vaholocaust.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Screenshot-2024-03-25-at-3.07.24-PM-150x150.png "Screenshot 2024-03-25 at 3.07.24 PM") X-Men: Magneto - Testament by Greg Pak --- ### [Become a Docent](https://www.vaholocaust.org/become-a-docent/) **Published:** February 27, 2025 **Author:** Laurie Simpson Crouch **Content:** # Become A Docent at the Virginia Holocaust Museum Become a docent at the Virginia Holocaust Museum and play a vital role in preserving history and inspiring future generations. Our dedicated volunteer docents guide visitors through the Museum’s exhibits, share the stories of Holocaust survivors, and help foster understanding, empathy, and respect. Whether you have a passion for history, education, or community service, becoming a docent offers a rewarding opportunity to make a lasting impact. Are you passionate about history, human rights, and engaging with others? Join our dedicated team of volunteer docents and help bring history to life for visitors of all ages and backgrounds. As a docent, you'll lead interactive tours that encourage thoughtful discussion and exploration of our exhibitions. This unique volunteer opportunity allows you to educate and inspire others while deepening your own understanding of the Holocaust, genocide, and human rights. We welcome applicants who are: ✔️ At least 18 years old ✔️ Passionate about history and education ✔️ Strong communicators who enjoy engaging with diverse audiences ✔️ Comfortable standing and walking for extended periods ✔️ Able to commit 2–3 hours each week No prior teaching experience is required. Comprehensive training is provided, and our staff will support you every step of the way. Make an impact. Share powerful stories. Help shape a more informed and compassionate world. [**Apply today to become a Museum docent by clicking HERE!**](https://www.vaholocaust.org/7437-2/) --- ### [25 Points of NSDAP: Hilter's Plan To Weaken The Jews](https://www.vaholocaust.org/25-points-of-the-nsdap/) **Published:** March 14, 2024 **Author:** Laurie Simpson Crouch **Content:** # 25 Points of NSDAP In February of 1920, Hitler presented the 25-point Program (the Nazi Party Platform) at a Nazi Party meeting. This program aimed to segregate Jews from "Aryan" society and strip Jews of their political, legal, and civil rights. For example, point 4 stated that only those of German blood could be citizens, effectively excluding Jews. Although the 25 points remained the party's official goals, many points were ignored in later years. --- ### **The program of the NSDAP** The program is the political foundation of the NSDAP and accordingly the primary political law of the State. It has been made brief and clear intentionally. All legal precepts must be applied in the spirit of the party program. Since the taking over of control, the Fuehrer has succeeded in the realization of essential portions of the Party program from the fundamentals to the detail. The Party Program of the NSDAP was proclaimed on the 24 February 1920 by Adolf Hitler at the first large Party gathering in Munich and since that day has remained unaltered. Within the national socialist philosophy is summarized in 25 points: 1. We demand the unification of all Germans in the Greater Germany on the basis of the right of self-determination of peoples. 2. We demand equality of rights for the German people in respect to the other nations; abrogation of the peace treaties of Versailles and St. Germain. 3. We demand land and territory (colonies) for the sustenance of our people, and colonization for our surplus population. 4. Only a member of the race can be a citizen. A member of the race can only be one who is of German blood, without consideration of creed. Consequently no Jew can be a member of the race. 5. Whoever has no citizenship is to be able to live in Germany only as a guest, and must be under the authority of legislation for foreigners. 6. The right to determine matters concerning administration and law belongs only to the citizen. Therefore we demand that every public office, of any sort whatsoever, whether in the Reich, the county or municipality, be filled only by citizens. We combat the corrupting parliamentary economy, officeholding only according to party inclinations without consideration of character or abilities. 7. We demand that the state be charged first with providing the opportunity for a livelihood and way of life for the citizens. If it is impossible to sustain the total population of the State, then the members of foreign nations (non-citizens) are to be expelled from the Reich. 8. Any further immigration of non-citizens is to be prevented. We demand that all non-Germans, who have immigrated to Germany since the 2 August 1914, be forced immediately to leave the Reich. 9. All citizens must have equal rights and obligations. 10. The first obligation of every citizen must be to work both spiritually and physically. The activity of individuals is not to counteract the interests of the universality, but must have its result within the framework of the whole for the benefit of all Consequently we demand: 11. Abolition of unearned (work and labour) incomes. Breaking of rent-slavery. 12. In consideration of the monstrous sacrifice in property and blood that each war demands of the people personal enrichment through a war must be designated as a crime against the people. Therefore we demand the total confiscation of all war profits. 13. We demand the nationalization of all (previous) associated industries (trusts). 14. We demand a division of profits of all heavy industries. 15. We demand an expansion on a large scale of old age welfare. 16. We demand the creation of a healthy middle class and its conservation, immediate communalization of the great warehouses and their being leased at low cost to small firms, the utmost consideration of all small firms in contracts with the State, county or municipality. 17. We demand a land reform suitable to our needs, provision of a law for the free expropriation of land for the purposes of public utility, abolition of taxes on land and prevention of all speculation in land. 18. We demand struggle without consideration against those whose activity is injurious to the general interest. Common national criminals, usurers, Schieber1 and so forth are to be punished with death, without consideration of confession or race. 19. We demand substitution of a German common law in place of the Roman Law serving a materialistic world-order. 20. The state is to be responsible for a fundamental reconstruction of our whole national education program, to enable every capable and industrious German to obtain higher education and subsequently introduction into leading positions. The plans of instruction of all educational institutions are to conform with the experiences of practical life. The comprehension of the concept of the State must be striven for by the school \[Staatsbuergerkunde\] as early as the beginning of understanding. We demand the education at the expense of the State of outstanding intellectually gifted children of poor parents without consideration of position or profession. 21. The State is to care for the elevating national health by protecting the mother and child, by outlawing child-labor, by the encouragement of physical fitness, by means of the legal establishment of a gymnastic and sport obligation, by the utmost support of all organizations concerned with the physical instruction of the young. 22. We demand abolition of the mercenary troops and formation of a national army. 23. We demand legal opposition to known lies and their promulgation through the press. In order to enable the provision of a German press, we demand, that a: All writers and employees of the newspapers appearing in the German language be members of the race b: Non-German newspapers be required to have the express permission of the State to be published. They may not be printed in the German language c: Non-Germans are forbidden by law any financial interest in German publications or any influence on them and as punishment for violations the closing of such a publication as well as the immediate expulsion from the Reich of the non-German concerned. Publications which are counter to the general good are to be forbidden. We demand legal prosecution of artistic and literary forms which exert a destructive influence on our national life, and the closure of organizations opposing the above made demands. 24. We demand freedom of religion for all religious denominations within the state so long as they do not endanger its existence or oppose the moral senses of the Germanic race. The Party as such advocates the standpoint of a positive Christianity without binding itself confessionally to any one denomination. It combats the Jewish-materialistic spirit within and around us, and is convinced that a lasting recovery of our nation can only succeed from within on the framework: common utility precedes individual utility. 25. For the execution of all of this we demand the formation of a strong central power in the Reich. Unlimited authority of the central parliament over the whole Reich and its organizations in general. The forming of state and profession chambers for the execution of the laws made by the Reich within the various states of the confederation. The leaders of the Party promise, if necessary by sacrificing their own lives, to support by the execution of the points set forth above without consideration. Adolf Hitler proclaimed the following explanation for this program on the 13 April 1928: Explanation Regarding the false interpretations of Point 17 of the program of the NSDAP on the part of our opponents, the following definition is necessary: "Since the NSDAP stands on the platform of private ownership it happens that the passage "gratuitous expropriation concerns only the creation of legal opportunities to expropriate if necessary, land which has been illegally acquired or is not administered from the viewpoint of the national welfare. This is directed primarily against the Jewish land-speculation companies.” **Additional Source Info:** [Source: Nazi Conspiracy and Aggression, Vol. 4. Washington, DC: Government Printing Office, 1947. 1708-PS.](https://avalon.law.yale.edu/imt/1708-ps.asp) [National Socialistic Yearbook 1941 Edited by: Dr. Robert Ley Published by: Central Publishing House of the N.S.D.A.P. Franz Eher, successor Munich](https://nuremberg.law.harvard.edu/documents/755-program-of-the-nazi?mode=text) [](https://www.vaholocaust.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/25Points.pdf) ![Icon](https://www.vaholocaust.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/g243fbfc71df10c7c619d02149b895bf52318d20cc4f010c3d66bd614836f823823b698b876c12f2df6d7c1fb7529631b_1920-150x150.png) Click HERE To Download Printer-Friendly PDF --- ### [Membership Levels Chart](https://www.vaholocaust.org/membership-levels-2/) **Published:** January 30, 2025 **Author:** Laurie Simpson Crouch **Content:** # Museum Membership Levels ## Individual ## $50 [ Click HERE! ](https://www.vaholocaust.org/donations/membership-levels-2/) ## Friend ## $175 [ Click HERE! ](https://www.vaholocaust.org/donations/membership-levels-2-2-2/) ## Partner ## $500 [ Click HERE! ](https://www.vaholocaust.org/donations/membership-levels-2-2-2-2-2/) ## Family ## $100 [ Click HERE! ](https://www.vaholocaust.org/donations/membership-levels-2-2/) ## Supporter ## $250 [ Click HERE! ](https://www.vaholocaust.org/donations/membership-levels-2-2-2-2) ## Sponsor ## $1000 [ Click HERE! ](https://www.vaholocaust.org/donations/membership-levels-2-2-2-2-2-2) --- ### [Request A Research Appointment](https://www.vaholocaust.org/request-a-research-appointment/) **Published:** June 23, 2026 **Author:** Laurie Simpson Crouch **Content:** # Request A Research Appointment Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form. Name \*First Last Phone / Requesting Phone Number Email \* Preferred Date / TimeClear Date Date Time Number of Researchers Requesting An Appointment Selected Value: 0 Submit![Loading](https://www.vaholocaust.org/wp-content/plugins/wpforms/assets/images/submit-spin.svg) [ Back to Search Our Collections ](https://www.vaholocaust.org/search-our-collections/) --- ### [Jewish-American Hall of Fame](https://www.vaholocaust.org/jewish-american-hall-of-fame/) **Published:** June 10, 2026 **Author:** Laurie Simpson Crouch **Content:** # **Jewish-American Hall of Fame at the Virginia Holocaust Museum** As Richmond marks America’s 250th anniversary, the Virginia Holocaust Museum is highlighting the Jewish-American Hall of Fame exhibit as a powerful way to explore Jewish American contributions to the nation’s history. Located at the Virginia Holocaust Museum in Shockoe Bottom, this distinctive collection connects directly to the themes of Richmond 250 by showing how Jewish Americans contributed to the American story from the founding era forward. The plaques honor individuals from many fields, including public service, culture, science, law, and civic leadership, helping visitors see American history through a broader and more inclusive lens. Among the figures represented is Haym Salomon, whose support for the American Revolution makes his story especially resonant during the 250th anniversary commemoration of the nation’s founding. Together, the plaques offer a meaningful way to reflect on liberty, responsibility, and the many people whose contributions shaped the United States. Visit the Virginia Holocaust Museum at 2000 East Cary Street in Richmond to experience the Jewish-American Hall of Fame plaques as part of your [Richmond 250](https://www.va250.org/) journey. [ Discover the Founding Era Jews Who Built America ](https://www.vaholocaust.org/founding-era-jews/) ![Silhouetted crowd watches colorful fireworks light up the night sky during a celebration.](https://www.vaholocaust.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/arthur-chauvineau-Dn7P1U26ZkE-unsplash-scaled.jpg "Fireworks in Sky") ## **Explore Richmond 250 at the Virginia Holocaust Museum** Discover Jewish American contributions to the nation’s story through the Jewish-American Hall of Fame exhibit, featuring 50 plaques honoring history makers who helped build our country. Visit the Museum in Shockoe Bottom today and experience a richer, more inclusive view of American history as part of your Richmond 250 journey. [ Plan Your Visit ](https://www.vaholocaust.org/plan-your-visit-today/) --- ### [Field Trip Satisfaction Survey](https://www.vaholocaust.org/field-trip-satisfaction-survey/) **Published:** September 9, 2025 **Author:** Laurie Simpson Crouch **Content:** ### Field Trip Satisfaction Survey Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form. Thank you for bringing your students to the Virginia Holocaust Museum for a field trip. Your feedback about your experience is essential in helping us strengthen our field trip programs and educator resources. This survey will take just 1-2 minutes to complete. You may choose to share your name and contact information, or remain completely anonymous—whichever you prefer. Either way, we truly value your input and appreciate your time. Please answer each question to the best of your ability. Overall, how would you rate your filed trip experience to the Museum? | | Excellent | Good | Fair | Poor | |---|---|---|---|---| | Experience Rating | ExcellentExperience Rating Excellent | GoodExperience Rating Good | FairExperience Rating Fair | PoorExperience Rating Poor | What aspects of the visit did you and your students find most valuable? Were the exhibits and educational materials age-appropriate and aligned with your curriculum needs? - Yes - Somewhat - Not Really - Does Not Apply Was it easy for you to book your field trip with us? - Yes - No - Not Really - Does Not Apply Were our communications with you timely and professional? - Yes - No - Not Really - Does Not Apply Do you feel that your tour guide was polite, responsive and well prepared? - Yes - No - Not Really - Does Not Apply Would you you like to receive pre- or post-visit resources/lesson plans from us? - Yes, please! - No, thank you. - Neutral What could we improve to make the field trip experience better for you and your students? Would you recommend a field trip to the Virginia Holocaust Museum to other educators? - Yes - No - Undecided visit to that Are there any other thoughts or comments you would like to share with us? ### Optional Contact Info: NameFirst Last School Name Email ### Section Divider Submit![Loading](https://www.vaholocaust.org/wp-content/plugins/wpforms/assets/images/submit-spin.svg) --- ### [Planned Giving](https://www.vaholocaust.org/planned-giving/) **Published:** November 11, 2025 **Author:** Laurie Simpson Crouch **Content:** ## Planned Giving ### Becoming a Member of the Remembrance Circle The **Remembrance Circle** honors individuals whose foresight ensures that the history and lessons of the Holocaust are never forgotten. By including the Virginia Holocaust Museum in your estate plans, you help safeguard priceless artifacts, preserve survivor stories, and sustain the educational programs that inspire future generations to stand against hate and antisemitism. ### Ways to Make a Lasting Impact **Give Through Your Will** A bequest is one of the most meaningful ways to make a lasting contribution. You can designate a specific amount, percentage, or asset in your will to support the Museum’s mission for generations to come. **Retirement Accounts** Naming the Museum as a beneficiary of your IRA, 401(k), or other retirement plan allows you to make a tax-wise gift that may avoid certain state and federal taxes—maximizing your impact on Holocaust education. **Life Insurance** You can name the Virginia Holocaust Museum as a beneficiary or owner of a life insurance policy, transforming a modest investment today into a significant legacy tomorrow. **Charitable Gift Annuities** A charitable gift annuity allows you to support the Museum while receiving reliable income for life—creating a gift that sustains you and future generations. **Gifts of Real Estate or Artwork** Donating appreciated real estate or artwork can provide lasting value to the Museum while offering potential tax advantages. These gifts may be made outright or through a charitable remainder trust. **Gifts of Appreciated Securities** Donations of stocks, bonds, or mutual funds may allow you to avoid capital gains taxes while advancing the Museum’s mission of remembrance and education. ### Let’s Talk About Your Legacy To learn more about joining **The Remembrance Circle**, please contact **Samuel H. Asher, President & Executive Director**, for a confidential conversation. 📞 **804-257-5400** 📧 **sasher@vaholocaust.org** Your legacy ensures that remembrance continues to inspire understanding—and that understanding inspires action—for generations to come. --- ### [Impact Report: An Important Snapshot Of Our Accomplishments](https://www.vaholocaust.org/impact-report/) **Published:** April 9, 2024 **Author:** Laurie Simpson Crouch **Content:** # Impact Report and Financials ### Impact Report [Impact Report 2024-2025](https://www.vaholocaust.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/2024-25-IMPACT-Report-WEB.pdf) [Impact Report 2023-2024](https://www.vaholocaust.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/2023-24-IMPACT-Report.pdf) [Impact Report 2022-2023](https://www.vaholocaust.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/2022-23-IMPACT-Report-11.pdf) [Impact Report 2021-2022](https://www.vaholocaust.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/2021-22-IMPACT-Report-FINAL-16-single-pages-lo-res.pdf) --- ### Financial 990s [2024 Form 990](https://www.vaholocaust.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/2024-990-Public-Copy.pdf) [2023 Form 990](https://www.vaholocaust.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/990-2023.pdf) [2022 Form 990](https://www.vaholocaust.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Financials-2022-1.pdf) [2021 Form 990](https://www.vaholocaust.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/2021-990-1.pdf) [2020 Form 990](https://www.vaholocaust.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/990-2020-Public-Copy.pdf) [2019 Form 990](https://www.vaholocaust.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/990-2019-1.pdf) [2018 Form 990](https://www.vaholocaust.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/990-2018-Virginia-Holocaust-Museum1.pdf) --- ### [Tribute Gifts](https://www.vaholocaust.org/tribute-gifts-form/) **Published:** June 18, 2026 **Author:** Laurie Simpson Crouch **Content:** # Tribute Gifts $ Donation Amount: - $25.00 - $50.00 - $100.00 - $250.00 - $500.00 - Custom Amount Make this donation every dayweekmonthquarteryear Type of Tribute\- select - In Honor Of In Memory Of Recipient Name Letter to Gift Recipient Letter to Gift Recipient Gift recipient does not require an acknowledgement letter. Recipient Address Tribute Notes Select Payment Method - Stripe - Credit Card - Offline Donation Personal Info First Name \* Last Name Email Address \* Make this an anonymous donation. Comment Credit Card Info This is a secure SSL encrypted payment. Card Number \* CVC \* Cardholder Name \* Expiration \* Billing Details Country \* United StatesCanadaUnited KingdomAfghanistanAlbaniaAlgeriaAmerican SamoaAndorraAngolaAnguillaAntarcticaAntigua and BarbudaArgentinaArmeniaArubaAustraliaAustriaAzerbaijanBahamasBahrainBangladeshBarbadosBelarusBelgiumBelizeBeninBermudaBhutanBoliviaBosnia and HerzegovinaBotswanaBouvet IslandBrazilBritish Indian Ocean TerritoryBrunei DarrussalamBulgariaBurkina FasoBurundiCambodiaCameroonCape VerdeCayman IslandsCentral African RepublicChadChileChinaChristmas IslandCocos IslandsColombiaComorosCongo, Democratic People's RepublicCongo, Republic ofCook IslandsCosta RicaCote d'IvoireCroatia/HrvatskaCubaCuraçaoCyprus IslandCzech RepublicDenmarkDjiboutiDominicaDominican RepublicEast TimorEcuadorEgyptEquatorial GuineaEl SalvadorEritreaEstoniaEthiopiaFalkland IslandsFaroe IslandsFijiFinlandFranceFrench GuianaFrench PolynesiaFrench Southern TerritoriesGabonGambiaGeorgiaGermanyGreeceGhanaGibraltarGreenlandGrenadaGuadeloupeGuamGuatemalaGuernseyGuineaGuinea-BissauGuyanaHaitiHeard and McDonald IslandsHoly See (City Vatican State)HondurasHong KongHungaryIcelandIndiaIndonesiaIranIraqIrelandIsle of ManIsraelItalyJamaicaJapanJerseyJordanKazakhstanKenyaKiribatiKuwaitKyrgyzstanLao People's Democratic RepublicLatviaLebanonLesothoLiberiaLibyan Arab JamahiriyaLiechtensteinLithuaniaLuxembourgMacauMacedoniaMadagascarMalawiMalaysiaMaldivesMaliMaltaMarshall IslandsMartiniqueMauritaniaMauritiusMayotteMexicoMicronesiaMoldova, Republic ofMonacoMongoliaMontenegroMontserratMoroccoMozambiqueMyanmarNamibiaNauruNepalNetherlandsNew CaledoniaNew ZealandNicaraguaNigerNigeriaNiueNorfolk IslandNorth KoreaNorthern Mariana IslandsNorwayOmanPakistanPalauPalestinian TerritoriesPanamaPapua New GuineaParaguayPeruPhilippinesPitcairn IslandPolandPortugalPuerto RicoQatarReunion IslandRomaniaRussian FederationRwandaSaint HelenaSaint Kitts and NevisSaint LuciaSaint Pierre and MiquelonSaint Vincent and the GrenadinesSan MarinoSao Tome and PrincipeSaudi ArabiaSenegalSerbiaSeychellesSierra LeoneSingaporeSlovak RepublicSloveniaSolomon IslandsSomaliaSouth AfricaSouth GeorgiaSouth KoreaSpainSri LankaSudanSurinameSvalbard and Jan Mayen IslandsEswatiniSwedenSwitzerlandSyrian Arab RepublicTaiwanTajikistanTanzaniaTogoTokelauTongaThailandTrinidad and TobagoTunisiaTurkeyTurkmenistanTurks and Caicos IslandsTuvaluUgandaUkraineUnited Arab EmiratesUruguayUS Minor Outlying IslandsUzbekistanVanuatuVenezuelaVietnamVirgin Islands (British)Virgin Islands (USA)Wallis and Futuna IslandsWestern SaharaWestern SamoaYemenYugoslaviaZambiaZimbabwe Address 1 \* Address 2 City \* State \* AlabamaAlaskaArizonaArkansasCaliforniaColoradoConnecticutDelawareDistrict of ColumbiaFloridaGeorgiaHawaiiIdahoIllinoisIndianaIowaKansasKentuckyLouisianaMaineMarylandMassachusettsMichiganMinnesotaMississippiMissouriMontanaNebraskaNevadaNew HampshireNew JerseyNew MexicoNew YorkNorth CarolinaNorth DakotaOhioOklahomaOregonPennsylvaniaRhode IslandSouth CarolinaSouth DakotaTennesseeTexasUtahVermontVirginiaWashingtonWest VirginiaWisconsinWyomingAmerican SamoaCanal ZoneCommonwealth of the Northern Mariana IslandsFederated States of MicronesiaGuamMarshall IslandsNorthern Mariana IslandsPalauPhilippine IslandsPuerto RicoTrust Territory of the Pacific IslandsVirgin IslandsArmed Forces - AmericasArmed Forces - Europe, Canada, Middle East, AfricaArmed Forces - Pacific Zip / Postal Code \* Donation Total: $50.00 One Time --- ### [The Legacy Lives On Portrait Project](https://www.vaholocaust.org/the-legacy-lives-on-portrait-project/) **Published:** March 3, 2026 **Author:** Laurie Simpson Crouch **Content:** ![The Legacy Lives On Program Banner](https://www.vaholocaust.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Screenshot-2026-03-03-at-10.01.46-AM.png "Screenshot 2026-03-03 at 10.01.46 AM") **THE PROJECT** The Virginia Holocaust Museum is photographing Holocaust survivors and their family members in contemporary black-and-white portraits that explore how survivor experiences continue to shape families today. **WHO CAN PARTICIPATE** • Holocaust survivors and/or their family members • Family members welcome even if survivor relative has passed • Individuals, pairs, or family groups **PORTRAIT SESSIONS** Spring, Summer and Fall of 2026 (Dates TBD) Richmond • Hampton Roads • Roanoke **EXHIBITION** Debuts Spring 2027 **WHY THE PROJECT MATTERS** These portraits will serve as a teaching tool for the Museum — connecting past to present, honoring legacies, and fostering dialogue across generations. **INTERESTED?** Click HERE! **THE PHOTOGRAPHER** Portraits by award-winning portrait photographer [Dean Whitbeck.](https://www.deanwhitbeck.com/work) ![](https://www.vaholocaust.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Screenshot-2026-03-03-at-10.01.59-AM.png "Screenshot 2026-03-03 at 10.01.59 AM") --- ### [Teacher Newsletter Sign-Up Form](https://www.vaholocaust.org/teacher_newsletter-signup/) **Published:** November 11, 2024 **Author:** Laurie Simpson Crouch **Content:** ### Teacher Newsletter Sign-Up Form Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form. Name \*First Last Email Name Email \* Submit![Loading](https://www.vaholocaust.org/wp-content/plugins/wpforms/assets/images/submit-spin.svg) --- ### [Student Bus Scholarship Application](https://www.vaholocaust.org/student-bus-scholarship-application/) **Published:** July 23, 2024 **Author:** Laurie Simpson Crouch **Content:** Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form. **Program Overview** The Virginia Holocaust Museum Bus Scholarship Program provides financial assistance to reduce transportation barriers and expand access to Museum field trips for students across the Commonwealth. Funding is intended to support schools and school divisions where transportation costs, geographic distance, or limited access to educational resources create barriers to participation. Priority will be given to schools located in geographically distant and historically underserved regions of Virginia, schools with demonstrated financial need, schools with limited access to Holocaust education opportunities, and schools or school divisions that have not previously participated in Museum field trips. Submission of an application does not guarantee funding. Applications are reviewed based on eligibility requirements, program priorities, demonstrated need, available funding, and the goal of expanding access to Museum field trips for students across Virginia. Please complete all fields below. If a question does not apply to you, please enter “N/A.” #### School Information School Name: \* School Division \* School Address: \*Address Line 1 Address Line 2 City — Select state —AlabamaAlaskaArizonaArkansasCaliforniaColoradoConnecticutDelawareDistrict of ColumbiaFloridaGeorgiaHawaiiIdahoIllinoisIndianaIowaKansasKentuckyLouisianaMaineMarylandMassachusettsMichiganMinnesotaMississippiMissouriMontanaNebraskaNevadaNew HampshireNew JerseyNew MexicoNew YorkNorth CarolinaNorth DakotaOhioOklahomaOregonPennsylvaniaRhode IslandSouth CarolinaSouth DakotaTennesseeTexasUtahVermontVirginiaWashingtonWest VirginiaWisconsinWyomingState Zip Code School Contact Name: \*First Last Title/Position \* Email: \* Phone: \* #### **School Location and Access Information** Please select the region where your school is located: \* - Western Virginia - Southwestern Virginia - Southside Virginia - Eastern Shore - Northern Neck - Central Virginia - Hampton Roads - Northern Virginia - Other Please share the name of your “Other” region here: \* Approximately how far is your school from the Virginia Holocaust Museum? \* - Less than 50 miles - 50–100 miles - 101–150 miles - More than 150 miles Estimated one-way travel time to the Virginia Holocaust Museum: \* - Less than 1 hour - 1–2 hours - 2–3 hours - More than 3 hours #### **Museum Visit Information** Date of scheduled Museum field trip: \*Clear Date Grade level(s) attending: \* Number of students attending: \* Museum your in Number of teachers/chaperones attending: \* Is this transportation request supporting a full-grade-level field trip? \* - Yes - No Has your school previously participated in a Virginia Holocaust Museum field trip? \* - Yes - No If yes, please provide the year of your most recent visit: \* #### **Transportation Request** Transportation provider: \* Estimated transportation cost: \* Amount requested from the Virginia Holocaust Museum Bus Scholarship Program: \* Please upload or provide a copy of the transportation estimate or invoice. \* Drag & Drop Files, Choose Files to Upload #### Additional Funding Sources The Virginia Holocaust Museum encourages schools to combine Bus Scholarship funding with other available resources. Please identify any additional funding sources supporting transportation costs: Please identify any additional funding sources supporting transportation costs: \* - School division funds - School activity funds - PTA/PTO funds - Grant funding - Community partners - Other: Please share the name of the “Other” funding source here: \* Amount of additional funding secured or anticipated: \* #### **Transportation Need and Impact** Please describe how transportation costs impact your school's ability to participate in a Virginia Holocaust Museum field trip. (Consider distance from the Museum, charter bus costs, available school funding, and other transportation barriers.) \* #### **Educational Access and Need** Please describe your school's interest in participating in a Museum field trip and how this experience will support student learning: \* #### **Certification** By submitting this application, the school agrees that: - The information provided is accurate and complete. - The school has a scheduled or planned Museum field trip. - Transportation arrangements and contracts remain the responsibility of the school. - Funding requests are subject to available funds and program priorities. - Submission of an application does not guarantee funding. - Approved funds will be provided according to Virginia Holocaust Museum scholarship procedures. #### **Authorized School Representative** Name \*First Last Title \* Signature \* Clear Signature Date \* #### **Application Review Criteria** Applications will be reviewed based on: - Geographic distance from the Virginia Holocaust Museum. - Transportation costs and demonstrated financial barriers. - School division access to Holocaust education resources. - Whether the school or division has previously participated in Museum field trips. - The number of students impacted. - Available scholarship funding. Our scholarship program is made possible through the generous support of the Carole and Marcus Weinstein Foundation, the Barbara and Fred Kort Foundation and the Windsor Foundation Trust. Submit![Loading](https://www.vaholocaust.org/wp-content/plugins/wpforms/assets/images/submit-spin.svg) --- ### [Shop Online](https://www.vaholocaust.org/shop/) **Published:** November 4, 2025 **Author:** Laurie Simpson Crouch **Content:** --- ### [Mission, Vision and the Museum's History: What You Need To Know](https://www.vaholocaust.org/mission-and-vision-statements/) **Published:** July 17, 2015 **Author:** jlindsey **Content:** # About the Virginia Holocaust Museum: Mission, Vision, and History The Virginia Holocaust Museum (VHM) is dedicated to Holocaust remembrance, preservation, and education in Richmond, Virginia. Located at 2000 East Cary Street, the Museum preserves the history of the Holocaust and honors its victims, survivors, and upstanders through immersive exhibits, educational programming, and community outreach. Visitors encounter powerful survivor stories and experiences that connect the past to the present and inspire moral responsibility today. ## Mission of the Virginia Holocaust Museum The Virginia Holocaust Museum preserves the history of the Holocaust and honors its victims, survivors, and upstanders through innovative exhibits, educational programming, and community outreach. By engaging students, educators, and the public, the Museum fosters understanding of the Holocaust and encourages visitors to confront antisemitism, prejudice, and hatred in their communities. ## **Vision Statement** We strive for a world without antisemitism, prejudice, or genocide, inspired by the history and memory of the Holocaust and the enduring story of the Jewish people. Through remembrance and education, the Museum seeks to empower individuals to recognize the consequences of indifference and to stand up against injustice in all its forms. ## **Virginia Holocaust Museum History** The Virginia Holocaust Museum was founded in 1997 by Mark Fetter, Jay Ipson, and Al Rosenbaum, who shared a commitment to ensuring that the Holocaust is never forgotten and never repeated. The Museum first opened in a repurposed building at Temple Beth-El in Richmond, where growing attendance quickly exceeded the available space. In 2000, the Virginia General Assembly offered the Museum a transformative opportunity: the 120,000-square-foot American Tobacco Company Warehouse, built in 1899 and located at 2000 East Cary Street. Following a major renovation, the Museum reopened in its expanded home in 2003, with a dedication ceremony held on Yom HaShoah (Holocaust Remembrance Day). Today, the Virginia Holocaust Museum welcomes more than 25,000 visitors annually from across the United States and around the world. More than 100 middle and high schools visit each year, making VHM a vital educational resource for students and educators across Virginia. The Museum also supports educators through professional development workshops and seminars focused on Holocaust history, antisemitism, and classroom strategies aligned with Virginia’s Standards of Learning. As antisemitism rises globally, the Museum’s mission—to educate, remember, and inspire moral responsibility—remains as urgent as ever. We invite visitors of all backgrounds to explore, reflect, and consider their own role in standing up against hatred and injustice. --- --- ### [Legacy Portrait Project Interest form](https://www.vaholocaust.org/legacy-interest-form/) **Published:** April 24, 2026 **Author:** Laurie Simpson Crouch **Content:** # Legacy Portrait Project Interest Form Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form. ### Project Overview **Thank you for your interest in the *Legacy Lives On: Intergenerational Portrait Project*.** The Virginia Holocaust Museum invites Holocaust survivors — along with their children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and extended family members — to participate in this meaningful photographic initiative honoring legacy, identity, and remembrance. We look forward to learning more about you and your family’s story. Portrait sessions for this project are anticipated to take place between August and December, with scheduling coordinated in advance to accommodate family availability. Our team will begin reaching out in July to coordinate and schedule portrait sessions. ### I. Your Contact Information Full Name \*First Last Email Address \*Email Confirm Email Phone Number town? and of AddressAddress Line 1 Address Line 2 City --- Select state ---AlabamaAlaskaArizonaArkansasCaliforniaColoradoConnecticutDelawareDistrict of ColumbiaFloridaGeorgiaHawaiiIdahoIllinoisIndianaIowaKansasKentuckyLouisianaMaineMarylandMassachusettsMichiganMinnesotaMississippiMissouriMontanaNebraskaNevadaNew HampshireNew JerseyNew MexicoNew YorkNorth CarolinaNorth DakotaOhioOklahomaOregonPennsylvaniaRhode IslandSouth CarolinaSouth DakotaTennesseeTexasUtahVermontVirginiaWashingtonWest VirginiaWisconsinWyomingState Zip Code How do you identify? - I am a Holocaust survivor. - 2G, I am a child of a Holocaust survivor. - 3G, I am a grand child of a Holocaust survivor. - 4G, I am a great-grandchild of a Holocaust survior. - Other Family Member. If you feel comfortable, please share the name of your Holocaust survivor relative: Name of survivor relative (optional): Would you like to share anything brief about them or their story? (optional) What draws you and your family to participate in the Legacy Portrait Project? Portrait sessions for this project are anticipated to take place between August and December, with scheduling coordinated in advance to accommodate family availability. Are there specific months that work best for your family? (Check all that apply) - August - September - October - December Do you anticipate needing to coordinate travel or gather family members from out of town? - Yes - No - Not sure Would you be interested in reserving a session date in advance for a planned family gathering (e.g., holidays or reunions)? - Yes - No - Not Sure Questions for us: Is there anything you would like our team to answer or help you plan for (including scheduling, travel, or coordinating family members)? #### **Privacy & Consent Statement** *We understand the deeply personal nature of the information shared here. All details provided will be handled with the utmost respect and confidentiality. By submitting this form, you express interest in the project; a team member will follow up with you to discuss further details and formal consent for the use of images in museum archives or educational exhibits.* Submit registration![Loading](https://www.vaholocaust.org/wp-content/plugins/wpforms/assets/images/submit-spin.svg) --- ### [Generational Survey Form](https://www.vaholocaust.org/generational-survey-form/) **Published:** February 19, 2026 **Author:** Laurie Simpson Crouch **Content:** ### Generational Survey Form Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form. ### Follow-Up Survey Questions to Better Understand the Generational Landscape of Holocaust Survivors with Ties to the Commonwealth of Virginia We are deeply grateful for your willingness to share your story and help us honor the generations connected to the Shoah. All questions in this survey are voluntary. Any information you choose to provide will be treated with care and confidentiality. Our goal is not to be intrusive, but to serve as thoughtful stewards of survivors’ legacies — ensuring they are represented with accuracy, dignity, and respect. You may notice a few questions repeat information you have previously shared. We appreciate your answering them again so that our records remain complete and consistent. --- ### Historical Definitions Guiding This Project For the purposes of this project, the Virginia Holocaust Museum follows the definition established by the USC Shoah Foundation. A Holocaust survivor is defined as: > Any person — including Jews, Roma, Jehovah’s Witnesses, homosexuals, and political prisoners — who suffered targeted persecution, discrimination, or displacement under Nazi or Axis control between January 1933 and May 1945. To help document family connections, we use the commonly accepted generational terms below: - **1G (First Generation):** Holocaust survivors - **2G (Second Generation):** Children of survivors - **3G (Third Generation):** Grandchildren of survivors - **4G (Fourth Generation):** Great-grandchildren of survivors We recognize that generational identity is deeply personal. These terms are used only for historical clarity, and you are welcome to describe your relationship in your own words if you prefer. ### I. Your Contact Information Full Name \*First Last Email Address \*Email Confirm Email ### II. Family Lineage, Generational Identification & Brief Holocaust History Please reshare the name(s) of the Holocaust Survivor(s) in your family. \* Are any of the survivors in your family still living? (Yes / No) - Yes - No Your relationship to them (child, grandchild, great-grandchild, etc.) \* Do you identify as a: - 2G (Second Generation): Children of survivors - 3G (Third Generation): Grandchildren of survivors - 4G (Fourth Generation): Great-grandchildren of survivors - Other, I do not identify as a generational survivor. - I prefer not to answer. Please list the country or countries of origin for your ancestor(s). If known, please list the names of any camps or ghettos in which your ancestor(s) spent time. Did your ancestor(s) survive the Holocaust? - Yes - No - I don't know. If they survived the war, did they spend time in a Displaced Persons Camp? - Yes - No - I don't know. they a member If they spent time in a Displaced Persons Camp, could you share where that camp was located: Did your ancestor(s) immigrate to the United States? - Yes - No - I don't know. - I would prefer not to answer. If your ancestor(s) immigrated to the United States, please share the year they arrived and where they settled: ### III. Understanding the Generational Landscape of Your Family Do you have any living siblings? - Yes - No - I don't know. - I would prefer not to answer. If you have siblings, would you be kind enough to share their names and contact information: Do you have children? - Yes - No - I would prefer not to answer. If you have children, would you share their names, ages and the best way to contact them if they are older than 18 years of age. Do you have grandchildren children? (copy) - Yes - No - I would prefer not to answer. If you have grand children, would you share their names, ages and the best way to contact them if they are older than 18 years of age: ### III. Museum Affiliation Are you currently a member of the Virginia Holocaust Museum? - Yes - No - Not currently, but I am interetsed in membership. Are you a member of any other Holocaust Museum in the US or abroad? - Yes - No If you are a member of another Holocuast Museum would you share their name with us below: ### IV. OPEN DIALOGUE Questions for us: Is there anything you would like our team to answer or address at this time? #### **Privacy & Consent Statement** *We understand the deeply personal nature of the information shared here. All details provided will be handled with the utmost respect and confidentiality.* Submit registration![Loading](https://www.vaholocaust.org/wp-content/plugins/wpforms/assets/images/submit-spin.svg) --- ### [Henri Maizels Butterfly Garden](https://www.vaholocaust.org/henri-maizels-butterfly-garden/) **Published:** September 19, 2025 **Author:** Laurie Simpson Crouch **Content:** # Henri Maizels Butterfly Garden On April 3, 2025, the Museum dedicated the [Henri Maizels](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ydVImCdtm4) Butterfly Garden, honoring Holocaust survivor Henri Isadore Maizels (1939–2023). Family members joined Great Bridge High School art students to install the first 300 hand-painted butterflies on the vibrant mural and surrounding glass cases in the lobby, creating a living memorial. Henri Maizels Butterfly Garden was made possible through the generosity of Doris Chance, Morris Willner, Max Maizels, Sherri Thatxon, Judith Levine-Maizels, Danielle Maizels, Nathan Maizels and Neena Maizels. It embodies the mission of The Butterfly Project: to inspire hope, foster remembrance, and let the stories of children lost to hatred take flight for generations to come. Born in Paris on December 4, 1939, Henri Isadore Maizels endured profound loss early in life, losing both of his parents by the age of three. Safeguarded first by a Catholic family and later by a Catholic orphanage, he survived the war while his Jewish identity remained protected. In 1947, Henri was reunited with relatives in the United States and began a new chapter in Richmond, Virginia. He went on to excel as an international hairstylist and a gifted musician. Known for his warmth and kindness, Henri transformed adversity into inspiration, leaving behind a legacy of resilience, artistry, and love. The Henri Maizels Butterfly Garden is located in the museum's lobby. ![](https://www.vaholocaust.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/HenriMaizels-150x150.jpg "A black-and-white portrait of Holocaust survivor Henri Maizels taken by photographer Dean Whitbeck.") Henri Isadore Maizels 1939-2023 ## The Butterfly Project The Butterfly Project is a global initiative aimed at combating hatred and bigotry by educating people about the Holocaust through education, art, and memorial-making. Suitable for school settings and community groups, the program was started in 2006 in San Diego, California, by educator Jan Landau and artist Cheryl Rattner Price, as a gentle yet effective way to teach children about the Holocaust and to remember the 1.5 million Jewish children who were murdered. The program is built around ceramic butterflies that participants paint while learning about a child who was murdered during the Holocaust. These butterflies are then glazed and installed in permanent displays to serve as reminders of courage, justice, remembrance, and hope. The idea was inspired by the poem "The Butterfly," written by a young prisoner at the Terezin concentration camp. In 2023, the Virginia Holocaust Museum joined the initiative, becoming one of more than 200 organizations worldwide participating in this meaningful project. --- ### [From Context to Classroom Part I - July 2026](https://www.vaholocaust.org/july2026-context-to-classroom/) **Published:** November 21, 2024 **Author:** Laurie Simpson Crouch **Content:** **July 2026 From Context to Classroom Part I July 22-24 \| 2.5 Day Workshop First two days: 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM Last Day: 8:30 AM to 1:30 PM Location: Birthplace of Country Music Museum, Bristol, Virginia** **Explore the history of the Holocaust and discover practical ways to bring these lessons into your classroom. This 2½-day, in-person workshop combines historian-led lectures, hands-on activities, and access to Museum resources to help you teach this important topic with confidence. Sessions are connected to the Virginia Standards of Learning, giving you tools that meet curriculum requirements while engaging your students.** Who’s the class for:** Teachers who haven’t yet attended the Alexander Lebenstein Teacher Education Institute Part I. **What you’ll do:** - Participate in interactive lectures and discussions - Explore Museum resources you can use in your classroom - Complete pre-reading, use Canvas online, and create a final project **What You’ll Receive**: - Up to 45 recertification points - $200 stipend - $30 registration fee reimbursed - Classroom Resources - Certificate of completion **Join us to build your knowledge, strengthen your teaching, and bring meaningful Holocaust education to your students.** $500 Scholarships are available for teachers, 50 miles outside of Richmond (June class) and 50 miles outside of Bristol (July class). Scholarships are to help cover travel, housing, and meals. Please contact Megan Ferenczy mferenczy@vaholocaust.org** to apply. ***The Alexander Lebenstein Teacher Education Institute is designed for middle and high school educators who teach or plan to teach the Holocaust. Longwood University’s Professional Studies Office provides suggested professional development points based on the Virginia Licensure Renewal Manual, but participants should confirm point eligibility with their school or district.*** **[To Register, Click HERE.](https://studentaccounts.longwood.edu/C20122_ustores/web/store_cat.jsp?STOREID=85&SINGLESTORE=true&CATID=77)** --- ### [Donor Dashboard](https://www.vaholocaust.org/donor-dashboard/) **Published:** July 23, 2024 **Author:** Laurie Simpson Crouch **Content:** --- ### [Donation Failed](https://www.vaholocaust.org/donation-failed/) **Published:** July 22, 2024 **Author:** jlindsey **Content:** We are sorry, there was an error processing your donation. Please call us at 804.257.5400. --- ### [Donation Confirmed](https://www.vaholocaust.org/donation-confirmed/) **Published:** July 22, 2024 **Author:** jlindsey **Content:** Thank you for your donation to the Virginia Holocaust Museum. --- ### [Membership Levels: What You Need To Know](https://www.vaholocaust.org/membership-levels/) **Published:** April 2, 2024 **Author:** Laurie Simpson Crouch **Content:** ### Become A Member $ Donation Amount: - Individual Membership - Family Membership - Friends Membership - Sponsor Membership - Partner Membership - Supporter Membership - Custom Amount Make this donation every dayweekmonthquarteryear Select Payment Method - Stripe - Credit Card - Offline Donation Personal Info First Name \* Last Name Email Address \* Make this an anonymous donation. Comment Credit Card Info This is a secure SSL encrypted payment. 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This 3-hour program is ideal for law enforcement at the local, state and federal level and includes: - A guided Museum tour - Presentation and discussion of the role of law enforcement during the Holocaust - An examination of the role of law enforcement in contemporary society [ Schedule The Workshop Here ](https://www.vaholocaust.org/?page_id=5442) --- ### [Request A Speaker: How To Get Started](https://www.vaholocaust.org/request-a-speaker/) **Published:** March 26, 2024 **Author:** Laurie Simpson Crouch **Content:** ### Request A Speaker **About VHM's Speakers Bureau** The Virginia Holocaust Museum's Speakers Bureau is comprised of individuals that survived genocide and includes speakers from Belgium (The Holocaust), Cambodia (Cambodian Genocide) and Rwanda (Rwandan Genocide). It is the goal of the Speaker's Bureau to educate through the experiences of survivors and to personalize history. **Important Notes** - Speaker availability is not guaranteed - Groups must include a minimum of 20 students - Students must be in grades six and up - It is the responsibility of the teacher to set up the meeting for the presentation if the presentation is on Zoom or Google Meet - Students are required to have a historical background knowledge of the specific genocide they will be hearing about (i.e., If you request Holocaust survivor Dr. Loria to speak to your students, they must have a historical context of the Holocaust before the presentation) - We require that survivors are given 90 minutes to give their presentation (60 minutes for the survivor presentation and 30 minutes for questions and answers) ### Available Speakers [ ![](https://www.vaholocaust.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Rojer-1.png "Rojer (1)") ](https://www.vaholocaust.org/dr-roger-loria/) ### DR. ROGER LORIA: HOLOCAUST SURVIVOR Roger Loria, was born in Antwerp on April 19, 1940 to Wolf and Margot Loria. After the Third Reich invaded Belgium in 1940, Wolf and Margot decided to flee the country for Dunkirk, France. They were caught while traveling and forced to return to Antwerp. Because Poland was also occupied, Wolf, still a Polish citizen, worried that his now stateless status would put his wife and child at risk. He decided to leave for France on his own with the hopes that Margot and Roger would follow at a later date. Wolf was caught in France and deported to the Drancy camp. From there he was transferred to Auschwitz in September 1942. [ Learn More About Roger ](https://www.vaholocaust.org/roger-loria/) [ Request A Speaker ](https://www.vaholocaust.org/8883-2/) --- [ ![Holocaust Survivor Pinchas Gutter](https://www.vaholocaust.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Pinchas-G-150x150.png "Pinchas G") ](https://www.vaholocaust.org/pinchas-gutter-bio/) ### PINCHAS GUTTER: HOLOCAUST SURVIVOR Pinchas Gutter was born to a Hasidic family in Lodz, Poland on July 21, 1932. Alongside his twin sister Sabina, he grew up in a religious Jewish community. Within a month of the Nazis’ 1939 invasion of Poland, the Gutter family, under false Christian identity, moved to Warsaw to avoid danger in their hometown. The family was interned in the Warsaw Ghetto, where they hid in a bunker during the April 1943 Warsaw Ghetto Uprising. [ Learn More About Pinchas ](https://www.vaholocaust.org/pinchas-gutter/) [ Request A Speaker ](https://www.vaholocaust.org/8883-2/) --- ![](https://www.vaholocaust.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Erika-Full-150x150.png "Erika Full") ### ERIKA SCHWARTZ: HOLOCAUST SURVIVOR Erika Schwartz is one of the youngest Holocaust Survivors in the US. She was born in Nyíregyháza, Hungary in April 1944, just a month after the German invasion. Believing that Hungary was not going to be safe for Jews under the new regime, Erika’s father went to the authorities and begged them to allow his wife and daughter to move to Budapest. To keep them safe in Budapest, false Christian identity papers were obtained that allowed the pair to live undetected. When the war ended in 1945, Erika’s mother discovered that they were the only two survivors from their entire family. [ Learn More About Erika ](https://www.vaholocaust.org/erika-schwartz/) [ Request A Speaker ](https://www.vaholocaust.org/8883-2/) --- [ ![](https://www.vaholocaust.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Halina.png) ](https://www.vaholocaust.org/halina-drexler-zimm/) ### HALINA ZIMM: HOLOCAUST SURVIVOR Halina Drexler (later Zimm) grew up in Lodz, Poland, with her parents and two sisters, Helen and Nana. In Poland, life was pleasant until Nazis invaded the country in 1939. The invasion closed schools and Jews were forced to wear the Yellow Star. Recognizing the eminent danger to his family, Halina’s father Solomon Drexler and his family evacuated Lodz and made their way to Zarnow. En route Nazis stopped the Drexler family, stealing almost everything that they had with them. In Zarnow, rumors circulated about the existence of concentration camps. Few people believed the stories; however Halina’s father did. He obtained two forged birth certificates for Halina and Helen. In November, 1940, Halina said goodbye to her parents, fearing then she would never see them again. Two weeks later, the Nazis arrived and deported the Jews of Zarnow. [ Learn More About Halina ](https://www.vaholocaust.org/halina-zimm/) [ Request A Speaker ](https://www.vaholocaust.org/8883-2/) --- [ ![](https://www.vaholocaust.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Screenshot-2024-03-26-at-9.53.40-AM-150x150.png "Screenshot 2024-03-26 at 9.53.40 AM") ](https://www.vaholocaust.org/amanda-sam/) ### AMANDA SAM: CAMBODIAN SURVIVOR In July 1979, Amanda and her family had to flee their hometown in Cambodia to avoid the Khmer Rouge genocide where 2.5 million people out of the population of 8 million, were killed or died from starvation and disease. Their journey through the jungle was filled with danger. They drank water with human bodies floating in it, ate food that was spoiled, and walked through rice paddies and grassy land infested with land mines and booby traps. Amanda and her family were separated from each other and it was not until they reached Thailand that her family was reunited in a refugee camp. However, during the journey, Amanda lost 2 siblings to starvation and one brother was imprisoned for 7 years. [ Learn More About Amanda ](https://www.vaholocaust.org/a-survivors-journey/) [ Request A Speaker ](https://www.vaholocaust.org/8883-2/) --- [ ![JASON H. NSHIMYE Survivor](https://www.vaholocaust.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/JASON-H.-NSHIMYE-Full-150x150.png "JASON H. NSHIMYE Full") ](https://www.vaholocaust.org/jason-nshimye/) ### JASON NSHIMYE: RWANDAN SURVIVOR Jason Nshimye was born and raised in Rwanda. He is the Founder and President of the Human Rights and Justice Foundation. He has been an activist for human rights and crime prevention. Jason, at the age of 15, and his wife Francoise, at the age of 8, survived the 1994 genocide against the Tutsis in Bisesero, Rwanda. As public speakers, they share their experiences as survivors because they believe it is in everyone’s best interest to support victims and strive for forgiveness, peace, and reconciliation. [ Learn More About Jason ](https://www.vaholocaust.org/jason-nshimye/) [ Request A Speaker ](https://www.vaholocaust.org/8883-2/) --- ### CHANTAL INGABIRE: RWANDAN SURVIVOR Chantal Ingabire is a Pastor, and a speaker. She is a mother of two daughters and leads the Eastwind Church with her husband Leon Kayogera in Richmond, Virginia. Chantal is a survivor of genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda that took place in 1994. Some of her siblings, uncles, and cousins mostly on her father's side were killed during the genocide, and it was a miracle that she survived though she experienced, dehumanization, beatings and torture. [ Learn More About Chantal ](https://www.vaholocaust.org/from-rwanda-to-va/) [ Request A Speaker ](https://www.vaholocaust.org/8883-2/) --- [](https://www.vaholocaust.org/8883-2/) ![Icon](https://www.vaholocaust.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/gaacef1a9e23e07342bb8dc7663b9d1f93c42ac903302f779fa417211cd7267c7a7ee66619dc23929c178cc96c921e784_1920-150x150.png) Click HERE to Request A Speaker! --- ### [Teacher's Suggested Reading: A Complete Guide](https://www.vaholocaust.org/teachers-suggested-reading/) **Published:** March 12, 2024 **Author:** Laurie Simpson Crouch **Content:** ### Historical Background ### OTHER RECOMMENDED RESOURCES [**What We Carry**](http://jewishva.org/holocaust-what-we-carry) *(The Holocaust Commission of the UJFT)* [**Why is it Important to Teach the Holocaust?**](http://www.ushmm.org/educators/teaching-about-the-holocaust/why-teach-about-the-holocaust) *(USHMM)* [**Guidelines for Teaching the Holocaust**](http://www.ushmm.org/educators/teaching-about-the-holocaust/general-teaching-guidelines) *(USHMM)* [**What Grade Level is Appropriate to Start Teaching the Holocaust**](http://www.ushmm.org/educators/teaching-about-the-holocaust/age-appropriateness) *(USHMM)* [**What Topics Should You Teach?**](http://www.ushmm.org/wlc/en/article.php?ModuleId=10007262) *(USHMM)* [**Teaching Materials Using Books and Literature**](https://www.ushmm.org/teach/teaching-materials/books-literature) *(USHMM)* --- ### [All You Need To Know About The Decree Relating to the Payment of a Fine by the Jews of German Nationality](https://www.vaholocaust.org/decree-relating-to-the-payment/) **Published:** March 21, 2024 **Author:** Laurie Simpson Crouch **Content:** ### Decree Relating to the Payment of a Fine by the Jews of German Nationality **12 November 1938** The hostile attitude of the Jewry towards the German people and Reich, which does not even shrink back from committing cowardly murder, makes a decisive defense and a harsh punishment (expiation) necessary. I order, therefore, by virtue of the decree concerning the execution of the 4-year Plan of 18 Oct. 1936 (RGB1. I, page 887) as follows: Section 1 On the Jews of German nationality as a whole has been imposed the payment of a contribution of 1,000,000,000 Reichsmark to the German Reich. Section 2 Provisions for the implementation are issued by the Reich-Minister of Finance in agreement with the Reich-Ministers concerned. Berlin, 12 November 1938. The Commissioner for the Four Year Plan Goering General Field-Marshal --- ### Additional Information Source: Nazi Conspiracy and Aggression, Vol. 4. Washington, DC: Government Printing Office, 1947. 1412-PS. --- [](https://www.vaholocaust.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/PaymentFineJewsGermanNationality.pdf) ![Icon](https://www.vaholocaust.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/g243fbfc71df10c7c619d02149b895bf52318d20cc4f010c3d66bd614836f823823b698b876c12f2df6d7c1fb7529631b_1920-150x150.png) Click HERE to Printer-Friendly PDF --- ### [Schmidt Testimony on the Euthanasia Program](https://www.vaholocaust.org/schmidt-testimony/) **Published:** March 21, 2024 **Author:** Laurie Simpson Crouch **Content:** ### Schmidt Testimony on the Euthanasia Program **1946** **AFFIDAVIT** I, Gerhard Schmidt, Director of Haar-Eglfing Insane Asylum, after having been duly sworn, do hereby make the following statement: I was licensed as M. D. by the University of Berlin (1930). In 1935, I became an assistant at the Instftute for Legal Medicine in Berlin. I worked in Bavaria since 1937 at the ,Public Hospital, MunichSchwabing, and also at the Research Institute for psychiatry in Munich. Since 1935, I have been familiar with the system of public asylums, mental hospitals, and similar institutions in Germany. I know that public institutions of this kind were under the supervision and control of the provisional administration of the Laender at the district level. All these public institutions were under the supervision and control of the Reich Ministry of the, Interior in Berlin at the highest level. The Reich Minister of the Interior was, as I know, Dr. Wilhelm Frick. As Reich Minister of the Interior, he was chief of the Medical Department of the Reich Ministry of the Interior from 1933 until August 1942 when he became Reich Protector of Bohemia and Moravia. After the beginning of the war in 1939, I learned from a colleague, Dr. Lemberger, who was in charge of an asylum in occupied Poland, that it was planned that the inmates of his asylum should be killed. About 1940, I became acquainted for the first time with the fact that inmates of asylums in Germany itself were being killed. I became acquainted with this fact first through an industrialist. A short time later, I learned it from my colleagues and from many other people it was a so-called open secret at such killings were not only planned, but were actually being carried out. I was advised about these happenings not only by my colleagues, but also by relatives of people who had been killed. It is typical, that despite the fact that this whole affair was an open secret, a psychiatrist who was in the Institution of Haar-Eglfing, where such things happened, said he could not give any official answer. The organization of mass-killings was as follows: First, the physicians of mental and similar asylums had to fill out questionnaires which were sent to a central agency in Berlin. Then the order came back from the central agency in Berlin, that the persons listed should be taken out from one asylum and sent to another asylum where they were killed. The killing was done frequently by injections. For these organized mass-killings, the authorities used different administrative procedures. I can give the following example for the killing of children: The names of newly born children who were deformed or partly paralyzed, or mentally deficient, were submitted to the health abthorities and finally to a Reich agency in Berlin-W.9 P. 0. B. 101. A short time after the reports were filed, the County Health authorities of the respective districts, received an order that these children should be sent to a special institution for special modern therapy. I know from hundreds of cases, that this "special modern therapy" was nothing less than the killing of these children, for instance, in the institution of Haar-Eglfing and others. I read dozens of such orders which said that this procedure of assignment of such children to institutions was "in agreement with the Herrn Reich Minister des Innern (Hr. Reich Minister of the Interior) ." Another method of killing so-called "useless eaters" was to starve them. This was done particularly in a period, when for reasons I do not know, the killing itself was not possible, because possibly of transportation difficulties from one institution to another. At the end of 1942 a conference took place in the Bavarian Ministry of the Interior which is under the direct supervision of the Reich Ministry of the Interior about the procedure for starving such people to death. In this conference, the directors of the asylums were instructed that "useless eaters" who could not work very much, should be killed by slow starvation.. This method apparently was considered very good, because the victims would appear to have died a "natural death". This was a way of camouflaging the killing procedure. I know from the files of the institution where I am now director, that several hundred people were starved to death. In analyzing the whole system of these mass-killings, I can state as a psychiatrist, familiar with such cases, that hundreds of the people killed would have been absolutely able to perform a certain amount of simple work under supervision -- among them, according to my knowledge, some people who had brain injuries from the First World War. Among the people who were killed were also aged people who were a little feeble-minded. So far as the children were concerned, they had mainly brain diseases, but not hereditary diseases, except in a very few cases. In any normal society, such children, mentally deficient, and aged people would have been treated and cared for in the proper way and not killed as "useless eaters". Signed : Dr. Gerhard Schmidt Dr. Gerhard Schmidt Subscribed and sworn to before me this 28th day of March 1946. Dr. Robert M. W. Kempner, Office of the U. S. Chief Counsel Additional Information About Source Source: Nazi Conspiracy and Aggression, Vol. Suppl. A. Washington, DC: Government Printing Office, 1946. 3816- PS. [](https://www.vaholocaust.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/SchmidtTestimony.pdf) ![Icon](https://www.vaholocaust.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/g243fbfc71df10c7c619d02149b895bf52318d20cc4f010c3d66bd614836f823823b698b876c12f2df6d7c1fb7529631b_1920-150x150.png) Please Click HERE for Printer-Friendly PDF --- ### [DIRECTIVE ON THE TREATMENT OF JEWS IN OSTLAND](https://www.vaholocaust.org/directive-on-the-treatment-ostland/) **Published:** March 19, 2024 **Author:** Laurie Simpson Crouch **Content:** # Directive on the Treatment of Jews in Ostland ## **13 August 1941** **SECRET** (I1 1d 3000) THE REICH COMMISSAR FOR EASTLAND Riga, 13 August 1941 TO: The Reich Minister for Occupied Eastern Territories, Berlin W 35. I beg to enclose an account of planned provisional directives for treatment of Jews in the Reichskommissariat Ostland. \[Translator's note: Baltic States and White Russia.\] \[Signed\] BANSE \[?\] To Department \[Hauptabteilung\] II with request for opinion. (By order) (Habs, 24 August) (Gauleiter has taken cognizance) (return to Dr. Runte) (19 August 1941) Enclosure : (I11 a/13/ ei Grh) \[Translator's note: All lines enclosed in parentheses were added to the original typewritten document in pencil or ink. There is also a slip attached to the document, initialed by Dr. Runte, Gauleiter M. and R.\] Reich commissar for Eastland --- Kommissariat Ostland, 13 Aug. 41 Habs 4 Sept. **SECRET!** Provisional directives on the treatment of Jews in the area of the Reichs-Kommissariat Ostland. My instructions in my address of 27 July 1941 in Kowno determine the final settlement of the Jewish question in the area of the Reichskommissariat Ostland. Insofar as further measures are taken, especially by the Security Police (SIPO), to carry out my oral instructions, they will not be affected by the following *preliminary directives*. It is merely the job of these preliminary directives to assure these, and for such length of time, minimum measures by the General or Regional Commissars, where and for as long as further measures are not possible in the direction of the final solution of the Jewish question. Provisional directives on the treatment of Jews in the area of the Reichs-Kommissariat Ostland. My instructions in my address of 27 July 1941 in Kowno determine the final settlement of the Jewish question in the area of the Reichskommissariat Ostland. Insofar as further measures are taken, especially by the Security Police (SIPO), to carry out my oral instructions, they will not be affected by the following preliminary directives. It is merely the job of these preliminary directives to assure these, and for such length of time, minimum measures by the General or Regional Commissars, where and for as long as further measures are not possible in the direction of the final solution of the Jewish question. 1. 1. For the time being only those Jews will be subject to these directives who are citizens of the German Reich, the Protectorate of Bohemia and Moravia, of the former Republics of Poland, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, of the USSR or of its component states, or stateless Jews. 2. Other Jews of foreign nationality, others of mixed blood and spouses of Jews who are not ready toshare the fate of their Jewish spouses are to be denied permission to leave the area of the Reichskommissariat Ostland because it is a military area. They are to be watched. In addition they can be subjected to the following measures, among others: obligation to report daily, prohibition of moving, or assignment to specific dwelling, prohibition of leaving the municipal area limitations on circulation. In case of necessity they are to be taken into police custody until further decisions can be made. 2. A Jew is, whoever descends from at least 3 grandparents who were full Jews by race. A Jew's also whoever descends from one or two grandparents who were full Jews by race, if he 1. belongs or belonged to the Jewish denomination, or 2. on 20 June 1941 or later was married to, or living in common-law marriage with, a person who is Jewish within the purview of these directives, or who now or in future enters into such a relationship. 3. In cases of doubt, the district (or municipal) Commissar decides, according to his best judgment, who is a Jew within the purview of these directives. 4. General Commissars will immediately order the following measures, as soon as or insofar as civil administration has been introduced in their areas : 1. The Jews are to be listed, through imposition of the duty to report, by name, sex, age, and address. Furthermore the rosters of Jewish congregations, and the statements of trustworthy natives, will serve as bases for their listing. 2. It will be decreed that Jews distinctively mark themselves by prominently visible yellow hexagonal stars of at least 10 cm. in diameter worn on the left side of the, breast and in the center of the back. 3. Jews are prohibited from: 1. Changing of their home town and their homes without permission of the area (municipal) Commissar. 2. Use of sidewalks, public means of transportation (i.e., railroad, streetcars, bus, steamer, horse-drawn taxis) and automobiles 3. Use of public facilities and institutions serving the population (resorts and bathing facilities, parks, meadows, playgrounds, and athletic fields). 4. Attendance at theatres, movies, libraries, museums. 5. Attendance at schools of any type. 6. The possession of automobiles and radio sets. 7. Kosher slaughtering. 4. Jewish doctors and dentists may treat or advise only Jewish patients. If Ghettos or camps are erected, they are to be distributed among them for the care of their inmates. Jewish druggists are to be permitted practice of their profession according to need, but only in Ghettos or camps. Drug stores previously managed by Jews are to be transferred to trusteeship of Aryan druggists. Practice of their profession is prohibited to Jewish veterinarians. 5. Jews are to be forbidden exercise of the professions and activities designated below : 1. Activity as attorney, notary-public or legal adviser. 2. Operation of banks, money-changing offices and pawn shops. 3. Activity as representative, agent, and intermediary. 4. Trade in real estate. 5. Migratory trade. 6. The following will be decreed for the handling of Jewish property : 1. *General.* The property of the Jewish population is to be confiscated and secured. The previous Jewish legal owner, from the moment of confiscation, is no longer authorized to dispose of his property. Legal transactions which violate this prohibition are null and void. 2. *Duty to report.* The entire property of the Jewish population is to be reported. The deadline for reporting is determined by the General or area Commissars. It is mandatory for anyone who owns or stores Jewish property and anyone who, without being owner, proprietor or custodian, legally or actually disposes of, or can dispose of, Jewish property, to report it. The duty to report not only applies to the legal Jewish owner, but also to anyone who, for example, administers Jewish property, who has taken it into safe-keeping or obtained it in any other manner. The reporting must be done on a form according to the attached model. The General Commissars regulate reporting procedure with regard to local conditions and determine the officials to whom the reports are to be submitted. The reports should be submitted, if possible, to the area commissars. The area commissars are, however, empowered also to be in charge of the giving out and the receiving of forms ;this applies also to government offices which are not supplied or equipped by the civil administration. These offices are to forward the forms handed in to the area Commissars. 3. *The duty of delivery.* Jewish property is to be delivered on special demand. The demand can take place by general proclamation or by order to definite individuals. The General Commissars order through proclamation immediate delivery of the following articles: 1. Domestic and foreign currency. 2. Securities and financial records of every sort, (i.e., stocks, promissory notes, exchange, debt records, bank and savings-bank books) 3. All articles of value (coined and uncoined gold and silver, other precious metals, jewelry, precious stones, etc.) Articles turned in are to be entered in a serially numbered receipt book in two copies (carbon) according to the attached model. The entries are to be signed for by the person delivering the article and by the receiving office. The carbon copy of the entry is to be transmitted immediately by the receiving office to the area Commissar. The delivered articles are to be transmitted to the fund of the area Commissar and to be safeguarded by the latter. A special order will be issued on their utilization. 4. 4. On the Question of Subsistence: The Jewish population is left with the following : 1. That portion of their household articles necessary for scanty subsistence (furniture, clothing and linen) 2. A daily amount of money 0.20 RNI (2 Rubles) for each Jewish member of the household, the amount of money for a month to be released in advance. 5. The following further measures are to be emphatically striven for, with due consideration forlocal and especially economic conditions : 1. Jews are to be cleaned out from the countryside. 2. The Jews are to be removed from all trade, especially from trade with agricultural products and other foodstuffs. 3. The Jews are to be forbidden residence in resorts and spas, and in localities that are economically, militarily, or spiritually of importance. 4. Jews are to be concentrated, as much as feasible, in cities or in sections of large cities,whose population is already predominantly Jewish. Ghettos are to be established there, and the Jews are to be prohibited from leaving these Ghettos. In the Ghettos they are to be given only as much food as the rest of the population can do without, but no more than suffices for scanty nourishment of the Ghetto inmates. The same applies to supply with other consumer goods. The inmates of the Ghetto regulate their internal conditions by self-administration which is supervised respectively by the city, area Commissar or his deputy. Jews can be assigned as police for internal order. They are to be equipped with rubber truncheons or sticks at most and are to be distinguished by the wearing of the white arm bands, with the yellow Jewish Star on the right upper arm. For the external hermetic sealing of the Ghettos, auxiliary police from among the natives are to be used as much as is feasible. Permission from the area Commissar must be obtained before anyone may enter the Ghetto. 5. Jews, capable of working, are to be drafted for forced labor according to the need for work. The economic interests of natives worthy of assistance must not be interfered with by Jewish forced labor. Forced labor can be performed in working parties outside the Ghettos or in the Ghettos, or, where Ghettos are not yet established; also individually outside (i.e., in the workshop of the Jew). Pay need not correspond to work done; it need only correspond to the need for scanty subsistence for the forced laborer and the non-employable members of his family, taking due consideration to his present cash holdings. (cf. IV f 4 b) Those private establishments and persons, for whose account the forced labor done, pay an appropriate fee to the pay office of the area Commissar which, in turn, disburses pay to the forced laborers. A special order will be issued for the accounting on amounts of money received. 6. It is left up to the General Commissars to order measures mentioned in par. 5 uniformly for their area or to turn over their promulgation in detail to the Area Commissars. Likewise the General Commissars are authorized to issue more detailed orders within the framework of this policy or to authorize their area Commissars to do it. DISTRIBUTION: Reichskommissariat 12 Higher SS and Police leaders 20 General Commissar : Estonia 10 Lithuania 10 Latvia 10 White Ruthenia 60 Additional Information for Source: Source: Nazi Conspiracy and Aggression, Vol. 3. Washington, DC: United States Government Printing Office, 1946. 1138-PS. [](https://www.vaholocaust.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/DirectiveJewsOstland.pdf) ![Icon](https://www.vaholocaust.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/g243fbfc71df10c7c619d02149b895bf52318d20cc4f010c3d66bd614836f823823b698b876c12f2df6d7c1fb7529631b_1920-150x150.png) Click HERE to Download Printer-Friendly PDF --- ### [Race Science: An Overview Of Key Documents](https://www.vaholocaust.org/race-science/) **Published:** March 21, 2024 **Author:** Laurie Simpson Crouch **Content:** ### Outline - Schmidt Testimony on the Euthanasia Program - Order Extending Euthanasia to Insane Eastern Workers - Aktion 14 f 13 in the Concentration Camps - Letter from Bishop of Limburg to the Reich Minister of Justice - Letter from Dr. Conti to the Mental Hospital in Kaufbeuren - Letter from Hitler to Karl Brandt - Law for the Prevention of Offspring with Hereditary Diseases ### SCHMIDT TESTIMONY ON THE EUTHANASIA PROGRAM **1946** **AFFIDAVIT** I, Gerhard Schmidt, Director of Haar-Eglfing Insane Asylum, after having been duly sworn, do hereby make the following statement:I was licensed as M. D. by the University of Berlin (1930). In 1935, I became an assistant at the Instftute for Legal Medicine in Berlin. I worked in Bavaria since 1937 at the ,Public Hospital, MunichSchwabing, and also at the Research Institute for psychiatry in Munich. Since 1935, I have been familiar with the system of public asylums, mental hospitals, and similar institutions in Germany. I know that public institutions of this kind were under the supervision and control of the provisional administration of the Laender at the district level. All these public institutions were under the supervision and control of the Reich Ministry of the, Interior in Berlin at the highest level. The Reich Minister of the Interior was, as I know, Dr. Wilhelm Frick. As Reich Minister of the Interior, he was chief of the Medical Department of the Reich Ministry of the Interior from 1933 until August 1942 when he became Reich Protector of Bohemia and Moravia. [ READ MORE ](https://www.vaholocaust.org/schmidt-euthanasia-program/) --- ### Order Extending Euthanasia to Insane Eastern Workers **6 September 1944** Reich Minister of the Interior Berlin, 6 September 1944 9255/44 To : a. The Reich Governor \[Reichsstatthalter\] (State government) [ READ MORE ](https://www.vaholocaust.org/orde-extend-euthanasia/) --- ### Action 14 f 13 in the Concentration Camps **1943** Main Bureau for SS Economic Administration Bureau Group Chief D -- Concentration Camp -- DI/l/Az: 14 f 13/L/S Secret order of the day -- No. 612/43 Subject: Action 14 f 13 in the concentration camps. Reference: Local directive DI/l/Az: 14 f 13/0T/S -- Secret order of the day No. 34/43 of S.1.43 [ READ MORE ](https://www.vaholocaust.org/aktion-camps/) --- ### Letter from Bishop of Limburg to the Reich Minister of Justice **1946** **AFFIDAVIT** I, Gerhard Schmidt, Director of Haar-Eglfing Insane Asylum, after having been duly sworn, do hereby make the following statement:I was licensed as M. D. by the University of Berlin (1930). In 1935, I became an assistant at the Instftute for Legal Medicine in Berlin. I worked in Bavaria since 1937 at the ,Public Hospital, MunichSchwabing, and also at the Research Institute for psychiatry in Munich. Since 1935, I have been familiar with the system of public asylums, mental hospitals, and similar institutions in Germany. I know that public institutions of this kind were under the supervision and control of the provisional administration of the Laender at the district level. All these public institutions were under the supervision and control of the Reich Ministry of the, Interior in Berlin at the highest level. The Reich Minister of the Interior was, as I know, Dr. Wilhelm Frick. As Reich Minister of the Interior, he was chief of the Medical Department of the Reich Ministry of the Interior from 1933 until August 1942 when he became Reich Protector of Bohemia and Moravia. --- ### Letter from Dr. Conti to the Mental Hospital in Kaufbeuren **1946** **AFFIDAVIT** I, Gerhard Schmidt, Director of Haar-Eglfing Insane Asylum, after having been duly sworn, do hereby make the following statement:I was licensed as M. D. by the University of Berlin (1930). In 1935, I became an assistant at the Instftute for Legal Medicine in Berlin. I worked in Bavaria since 1937 at the ,Public Hospital, MunichSchwabing, and also at the Research Institute for psychiatry in Munich. Since 1935, I have been familiar with the system of public asylums, mental hospitals, and similar institutions in Germany. I know that public institutions of this kind were under the supervision and control of the provisional administration of the Laender at the district level. All these public institutions were under the supervision and control of the Reich Ministry of the, Interior in Berlin at the highest level. The Reich Minister of the Interior was, as I know, Dr. Wilhelm Frick. As Reich Minister of the Interior, he was chief of the Medical Department of the Reich Ministry of the Interior from 1933 until August 1942 when he became Reich Protector of Bohemia and Moravia. --- ### Letter from Hitler to Karl Brandt **1946** **AFFIDAVIT** I, Gerhard Schmidt, Director of Haar-Eglfing Insane Asylum, after having been duly sworn, do hereby make the following statement:I was licensed as M. D. by the University of Berlin (1930). In 1935, I became an assistant at the Instftute for Legal Medicine in Berlin. I worked in Bavaria since 1937 at the ,Public Hospital, MunichSchwabing, and also at the Research Institute for psychiatry in Munich. Since 1935, I have been familiar with the system of public asylums, mental hospitals, and similar institutions in Germany. I know that public institutions of this kind were under the supervision and control of the provisional administration of the Laender at the district level. All these public institutions were under the supervision and control of the Reich Ministry of the, Interior in Berlin at the highest level. The Reich Minister of the Interior was, as I know, Dr. Wilhelm Frick. As Reich Minister of the Interior, he was chief of the Medical Department of the Reich Ministry of the Interior from 1933 until August 1942 when he became Reich Protector of Bohemia and Moravia. --- ### Law for the Prevention of Offspring with Hereditary Diseases **1946** **AFFIDAVIT** I, Gerhard Schmidt, Director of Haar-Eglfing Insane Asylum, after having been duly sworn, do hereby make the following statement:I was licensed as M. D. by the University of Berlin (1930). In 1935, I became an assistant at the Instftute for Legal Medicine in Berlin. I worked in Bavaria since 1937 at the ,Public Hospital, MunichSchwabing, and also at the Research Institute for psychiatry in Munich. Since 1935, I have been familiar with the system of public asylums, mental hospitals, and similar institutions in Germany. I know that public institutions of this kind were under the supervision and control of the provisional administration of the Laender at the district level. All these public institutions were under the supervision and control of the Reich Ministry of the, Interior in Berlin at the highest level. The Reich Minister of the Interior was, as I know, Dr. Wilhelm Frick. As Reich Minister of the Interior, he was chief of the Medical Department of the Reich Ministry of the Interior from 1933 until August 1942 when he became Reich Protector of Bohemia and Moravia. --- [ ](https://www.vaholocaust.org/action-14f13/) --- ### [Order Extending Euthanasia to Insane Workers: An Original Document](https://www.vaholocaust.org/order-extending-euthanasia/) **Published:** March 21, 2024 **Author:** Laurie Simpson Crouch **Content:** ### Order Extending Euthanasia to Insane Eastern Workers **6 September 1944** Reich Minister of the Interior Berlin, 6 September 1944 9255/44 To : a. The Reich Governor \[Reichsstatthalter\] (State government) b. The Oberpraesidenten (administration of the provincial association) c. The County Presidents d. The Police President in Berlin e. The Lord Mayor \[Oberbuergermeister\] of the Reich capital Berlin. Re: Mentally insane Eastern workers and Poles--Circular decrees of the Reich Minister of the Interior of - - A g 9255/&-5100 --. 1\. Due to the considerable number of Eastern workers and Poles brought into the German Reich for employment, the assignment of mental cases among them to German asylums is constantly increasing. The purpose of such assignments must be in any case the speediest possible recovery to working ability. Thus every means of modern therapy must also be applied to those mentally insane people. But due to lack of space in German institutions there can be no justification for patients who are considered incurable and, therefore, unable to work again in a reasonably short time to remain permanently or for a long time in German institutions. In order to avoid this, the following is ordered: 2\. In the following list I have established for each district in the Reich a collective list for incurable mentally insane Eastern workers and Poles. They should be assigned to those institutions immediately if possible. If this is impossible due to urgency or to transportation difficulties, the institution in question should deliver their Eastern or Polish patients to the collecting institution in their respective district within one month at the most. It is not necessary to carry out the removal if the patient is considered able to leave the institution within 6 weeks at the latest. 3\. It is the task of the collecting institution to decide whether the restoration of working ability might be considered within a reasonable period of time. 4\. The expenses from the date of registration in the collecting institution are to be taken over by the head of the Central Financial Clearing Office of the sanatorium in Linz/Upper Danube, P. 0.Box 324, which has to be informed immediately of such assignments. The fixed rate for patients of the general class will be paid to the institutions. The Eastern workers and Poles already assembled in collecting institutions are to be reported on a list immediately to the Central Financial Clearing O5ce. The expenses for those patient are transferred as from 1October 1944 to the Central Accounts Office. 5\. After 4 weeks, at the latest, of the registration in the collecting institution a short report on the prognosis of the case and on the question of working ability has to be sent to the head of the Central Financial Clearing Office. It is the task of that office to direct the transportation of patients from the collecting institutions to nearby special asylums in their home district. 6\. Only those people are to be considered as Poles who were brought into the Reich for employment. This decree does not apply to the local Polish population. 7\. The leaders of mental institutions in the districts, etc., are to be informed by their superior officials, and the leaders of welfare and private institutions by their competent higher administrative authorities. The required copies are enclosed herewith. List of the collecting institutions 1. For East Prussia, Danzig, and West Prussia and Wartheland: Mental Institution Tiegenhof. 2. For Upper and Lower Silesia and the Sudetengau :Mental Institution Lueben. 3. For Pomerania, Mecklenburg, Kurmark, and Berlin: Mental Institution Landsberg-Warthe. 4. For Schleswig-Holstein and Hamburg: Mental Institution Schleswig. 5. For Bremen, Weser-Ems, Hanover-East, Hanover-South, and Brunswick: Mental Institution Lueneburg. 6. For the Rhine province, Westphalia, and Lippe :Mental Institution Bonn. 7. For Baden, Westmark, Wuerttemberg, and Hohenzollern: Mental Institution Schussenried. 8. For Bavaria: Mental Institution Kaufbeuren. 9. For Kurhesse, Nassau, and Land .Hess : Mental Institution Hadamar. 10. For Thuringia-Land and Province Saxony, Anhalt: Mental Institution Pfaffenrode. 11. For the Alps \[Alpen\] and Danube districts: Mental Institution Mauer-Oehling. BY ORDER : Wiesbaden, 11 September 1944 Landeshaus 11a One copy to the County Mental Institution, Eichberg. With the request to acknowledge and to take further steps. BY ORDER: Landesrat Additional Information About Source: Source: Trials of War Criminals Before the Nuernberg Military Tribunals, Vol. 1. Washington, DC: United States Government Printing Office, 1949. 891-PS. [](https://www.vaholocaust.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/OrderExtendingEuthanasiaEastern.pdf) ![Icon](https://www.vaholocaust.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/g243fbfc71df10c7c619d02149b895bf52318d20cc4f010c3d66bd614836f823823b698b876c12f2df6d7c1fb7529631b_1920-150x150.png) Click HERE to Download Printer-Friendly PDF --- ### [LAW FOR THE PREVENTION OF OFFSPRING WITH HEREDITARY DISEASES](https://www.vaholocaust.org/law-prevention-hereditary/) **Published:** March 21, 2024 **Author:** Laurie Simpson Crouch **Content:** ### Law for the Prevention of Offspring with Hereditary Diseases **14 July 1933** The Reich Government has passed the following law, which is announced herewith : Par. 1 (1)Anyone who is suffering from a hereditary disease can be sterilized by a surgical operation if, according to the experiences of medical science, it is to be expected with great probability that his offspring will suffer from serious hereditary physical or mental defects. (2) Those who suffer from any of the following diseases are considered to be suffering from a hereditary disease within the, meaning of this law: 1. Mental deficiency from birth 2. Schizophrenia 3. Circular (manic-depressive) lunacy 4. Hereditary epilepsy 5. Hereditary St. Vitus' Dance (Huntington's Chorea) 6. Hereditary blindness 7. Hereditary deafness 8. Serious hereditary physical malformation. (3) Furthermore, persons suffering badly from alcoholism can be sterilized. Par. 2 (1) The person to be sterilized has the right to make an application. If this person is incapacitated or under tutelage because of mental deficiency or is not yet 18, the legal representative has the right to make an application but needs the consent of the court of guardians to do so. In other cases of limited capacity the application needs the consent of the legal representative. If someone who has attained his or her majority has received someone to look after his or her person, the consent of the latter is necessary. (2) A certificate from a doctor approved for the German Reich is to be attached to the application, to the effect that the person to be sterilized has been informed of the nature and results of sterilization. (3) The application can be withdrawn. Par. 3 Sterilization can also be applied for by the following: 1. The civil service doctor 2. For the inmates of a sanatorium or nursing home, by the head thereof. Par. 4 The application is to be made to the office of the Eugenics Court; it can either be in writing or can be dictated to it. The facts forming the basis of the application are to be attested to by a medical opinion or in some other way. The office must inform the civil service doctor of the application. Par. 5 Competent to decide is the Eugenics Court to whose sphere of jurisdiction the person to be sterilized normally belongs. Par. 6 (1) The Eugenics Court is to be attached to a Lower Court. It consists of a Lower Court Judge as President, a civil service doctor and another doctor approved for the German Reich who is an expert on eugenics. A representative is to be appointed for each member. (2) Anyone who has judged an application to the court of guardians for permission, in accordance with par. 2, subpar. (I), is excluded as President. If a civil service doctor has made the application, he cannot take part in the decision. Par. 7 (1) The proceedings before the Eugenics Court are not public. (2) The Eugenics Court must institute the necessary investigations; it can hear witnesses and experts, and can order the personal appearance and medical examination of the person to be sterilized, and can cause him to be brought before them if he absents himself without excuse. For the crossexamination and swearing-in of witnesses and experts and for the exclusion and refusal of persons connected with the law, the regulations for the conduct of civil trials are applicable mutatis mutandis. Doctors heard as witnesses or experts are bound to speak, without consideration for professional secrecy. Legal and administrative authorities, as well as institutions for the care of the sick have to give information to the Eugenics Court on demand. Par. 8 The Court has to decide according to its free conviction, taking into account the whole result of the case and of the hearing of witnesses. The decision is to be reached by a majority vote after verbal discussion. The decision is to be put down in writing and to be signed by the members taking part in reaching the decision. It must give the reasons for deciding on or rejecting the sterilization. The decision is to be communicated to the person who made the application, to the civil service doctor as well as to the person whose sterilization has been applied for, or, if the latter has not the right to make an application, to his or her legal representative. Par. 9 The persons designated in par. 8, sentence 5, can within one month after its communication, file an objection to the decision with the office of the Eugenics Court; this objection can either be in writing or can be dictated to it. The objection has a postponing effect. The Eugenics High Court decides on the objection. Against the failure to observe the time limit for objections it is permissible to put things back to their previous state, making use of the regulations for the conduct of civil trials where applicable. Par. 10 \[This institutes a Eugenics High Court, made up in the same way as the ordinary Eugenics Court and having the power of making a final decision.\] Par. 11 (1) The surgical operation necessary for sterilization may only be carried out in an institute for the sick, by a doctor approved by the German Reich. He may undertake the operation only when the decision ordering the sterilization has been finally confirmed. The supreme authority of the province prescribes the hospitals and doctors entrusted with the process of sterilization. The operation may not be carried out by a doctor who has made the application or who has taken part in the trial as a judge. (2) \[The doctor carrying out the operation must send a written report to the civil service doctor.\] Par. 12 (1) Once the Court has finally decided on sterilization it must be carried out even against the will of the person to be sterilized. The civil service doctor has to request the necessary measures from the police authorities. Where other measures are insufficient, direct force may be used. (2) If facts which necessitate a renewed investigation of the case come out, the Eugenics Court must reopen the proceedings and suspend the sterilization. If the application was refused, it is only permissible to take it up again if new facts have arisen which justify the sterilization. Par. 13 \[Deals with costs\] Par. 14 Sterilization which does not take place in accordance with this law can only be carried out if done by a doctor according to the rules of medicine to avert a serious danger to the life or health of the person affected, and can only be done with the latter's consent. Par. 15 (1) Those concerned in the court case or in the carrying out of the surgical operation are bound to secrecy. (2) \[Punishments for breach of secrecy\]. Par. 16 \[Administrative details\] Par. 17 The Reich Minister of the Interior will lay down the legal and administrative regulations necessary for the execution of this law in collaboration with the Reich Minister of Justice. Par. 18 This law comes into force on the 1st January 1934. Berlin, 14th July 1933. The Reich Chancellor ADOLF HITLER The Reich Minister of the Interior FRICK The Reich Minister of Justice Dr. GURTNER Additional Information About Source Source: Nazi Conspiracy and Aggression, Vol. 5. Washington, DC: Government Printing Office, 1947. 3067-PS. [](https://www.vaholocaust.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/LawPreventionOffspringHereditaryDiseases-1.pdf) ![Icon](https://www.vaholocaust.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/g243fbfc71df10c7c619d02149b895bf52318d20cc4f010c3d66bd614836f823823b698b876c12f2df6d7c1fb7529631b_1920-150x150.png) Click HERE to Download Printer-Friendly PDF --- ### [LAW FOR THE REESTABLISHMENT OF THE PROFESSIONAL CIVIL SERVICE](https://www.vaholocaust.org/law-for-the-reestablishment/) **Published:** March 20, 2024 **Author:** Laurie Simpson Crouch **Content:** ### Law for the Reestablishment of the Professional Civil Service **7 April 1933** The Reich's government has enacted the following law, which is hereby proclaimed:Art. 1 1. For the reestablishment of a national professional civil service and for the simplification of administration, officials may be discharged from office according to the following regulations, even when the necessary conditions according to the appropriate law do not exist. 2. Officials, as used in this law, means immediate \[unmittelbare\] and mediate \[mittlebare\] officials of the Reich, immediate and mediate officials of the federal states \[Laender\], officials of communes \[Gemeinde\] and communal associations, officials of public legal corporations as well as institutions and undertakings placed upon the same status as these public legal corporations (Third decree of the Reichspresident for the safeguarding of business and finance of 6 October 1931 -- RGB1. I P. 537, 3rd part, Chapter V, Section I, Art. 15, subparagraph 1). The stipulations apply also to employees of agencies supplying social insurance, who have the rights and duties of officials. 3. Officials as used in this law also includes officials in temporary retirement. 4. The Reichsbank and the German State Railway Co. are empowered to make corresponding regulations. Art. 2 1. Officials who since 9 November 1918 have attained the status of officials without possessing the required or usual preparation or other qualifications are to be dismissed from service. Their former salaries will be accorded them for a period of 3 months after their dismissal. 2. A right to waiting allowances, pensions, or survivor’s pension and to the continuance of the official designation, the title, the official uniform and the official insignia is not possessed by them. 3. In case of need a pension, revocable at any time, equivalent to a third of the usual base Pay of the last position held by them may be granted them, especially when they are caring for dependent relatives; reinsurance according to the provisions of the Reich9s social insurance law will not take place. 4. The stipulations of Section 2 and 3 will receive corresponding application in the case of persons of the type designated in Sec. 1, who already before this law became effective had been retired. Art. 3 1. Officials, who are of non-aryan descent, are to be retired; insofar as honorary officials are concerned, they are to be removed from official status. 2. Section 1 is not in effect for officials who were already officials since 1 August 1914, or who fought during the World War at the front for the German Reichs or who fought for its allies or whose fathers or sons were killed in the World War. The Reichsminister of the Interior can permit further exceptions in understanding with the appropriate special minister or the highest authorities of the federal states in the case of officials abroad. Art. 4 1. Officials, whose former political activity does not offer a guarantee that they at all times without reservation act in the interest of the national state can be dismissed from service. For a period of 3 months after dismissal they are accorded their former salary. From this time on they receive 3/4 of their pension and corresponding survivor's benefits. Art. 5 1. Every official must allow himself to be transferred to another office of the same or equivalent career, even into such a one having less rank or regular salary-reimbursement for the prescribed costs of transfer taking place, if the needs of the service require it. In case of transferment to an office of lower rank and regular salary the official retains his previous official title and the official income of his former position. 2. The official can, in place of transfer to an office of lesser rank and regular income (section 11) demand to be retired. Art. 6For the simplification of administration officials can be retired, even if they are not yet unfit for service. If officials are retired for this reason, their places may not be filled again.Art. 7 1. Dismissal from office, transfer to another office and retirement will be ordered by the highest Reichs or federal state agency which will render final decision without right of appeal. 2. The dispositions according to Art 2 to 6 must be made known at the latest by 30 Sept 1933 to those affected. The time can be shortened by agreement with the Reichsminister of the Interior, if the appropriate Reichs or federal state agency declares that the measures authorized in 'this law have been carried out. Art. 8A pension will not be granted to the officials dismissed or retired in accordance with Art 3 and 4, if they have not completed a term of service of at least 10 years; this applies also in the cases in which according to the existing stipulation a pension is already accorded after a shorter term of service. Articles 36, 47 and 49 of the Reichs officials' law, the law of 4 July 1921 on increased computation of time in service accomplished during the war (RGB1 p. 825) and the corresponding provisions of federal state laws remained unchanged.Art. 9 1. In the calculation of length of service valid for pension purposes, excepting time of service accrued in their last employment, only a term served in the Reichs, Federal State, or communal service according to the existing regulations may be credited to officials dismissed or retired according to Articles 3 and 4. Also accrediting of this length of service is only permissible, if it bears some relationship in preparation or career to the position last held; such a relationship of lower career to a higher one is to be regarded as an orderly promotion. If the official would have obtained a higher pension by the addition of later years of service to time served in an earlier position regularly obtained by qualifications and preparation, the ruling more favorable to him takes precedence. 2. The implementative regulations govern the calculation of time served with public corporations and with institutions and undertakings placed upon the same basis as these public corporations. 3. Accreditation and certification of time served valid for pension purposes, which conflict with the carrying out of the provisions of Section 1,are nullified. 4. In the case of officials of the Reich and of public corporations, institutions, and agencies under the supervision of the Reich, the Reichsminister of the Interior in agreement with the Reichsminister of Finance can mitigate hardships; the highest . federal state authorities can do the same in the case of other officials. 5. Sections 1 to 4 as well as Article 8 will also be applied to such officials who already, before this law came into effect, were retired either permanently or temporarily upon whom Articles 2 to 4 would have been applied if the officials had been still in service at the time this law came into effect. The new accrediting of time of service valid in the calculation of pensions and the accrediting of pensions and of waiting allowances must, at the latest, take place on 30 Sept 1933 with effect as of 1 Oct 1933. Art. 10 1. Guiding principles, which are established for the amount of pay for officials will be based upon the calculation of service remunerations and pension. In case decisions by the competent authorities on the applying of the guiding principles do not yet exist, they are to be issued without delay. 2. After decisions by the competent authorities concerning the application of the guiding principle have been made, if officials are found to have received higher remunerations than are due them according to the decisions, they then have to reimburse the surplus amounts received since 1April 1932 at the pay office where the payments were given out. The argument of no longer existing enrichment (Articles 812vBGB and subs) is excluded. 3. Subsections 1 and 2 are valid also for persons who have been retired inside of one year before this law became effective. Art. 11. 1. If, in the accrediting of pay-seniority of officials who leave the service on account of Articles 3 and 4, employment outside of the Reichs, Federal State, or communal service has been calculated, then the pay-seniority is to be newly calculated. Therein only an employment in the Reichs, Federal State, or communal service, or according to the implementative regulations, in the service of public corporations and institutions and undertakings equivalent to the former may be accredited. Exceptions can be permitted by the Reichsminister of the Interior in agreement with the Reichsminister of Finance for Reichs officials; for other officials, by the highest federal state authorities. 2. If a new accrediting of pay-seniority according to Section 1 comes into consideration, then in the case of officials retired or dismissed according to Articles 3 and 4, the new determination of pay-seniority will be carried out in conjunction with the determination of the pension amount. 3. The same is valid for the persons named in Article 9, Section 5. Art. 12. 1. The salaries of Reichsministers appointed since 9 Nov 1918, which are not calculated according to the provisions of Articles 16 to 24 of the Reichsminister law of 27 March 1930 (RGB1 I P. 96) are to be newly calculated. In the new calculation, the above-mentioned provisions of the Reichsminister law are to be applied as if they had been already in effect at the time of the Reichsminister's dismissal from office. According to this law, excess payments received since 1 April 1933 are to be paid back. The argument of no longer existing enrichment (Article 812 and subs BGB) is inadmissible. 2. Section 1 will receive application upon the members of the federal state government appointed since 9 Nov 1918 with the provision that in place of the Reichsminister law the corresponding provisions of the federal state law will be in effect; however, payments may only be made to the amount which results from the application of the fundamental principles of Articles 16 to 24 of the Reichsminister law. 3. The new calculation of payments must take place before 31 December 1933. 4. Retroactive payments will not take place. Art. 13.The survivors payments will be calculated with corresponding application of Articles 8 to 12.Art. 14. 1. Against the officials who have been dismissed or transferred upon the authority of this law, the institution of civil service punishment proceedings on account of misdemeanors committed while in office with the object of cancellation of pension, survivors benefits, designation of office, title, official uniform and insignia. The institution of the proceedings must take place on 31 December 1933 at the latest. 2. Section 1 is also valid for persons who within one year of the date that this law becomes effective have been retired and upon whom the Articles 2 and 4 would have been applied, if these persons had still been in service when this law came into effect. Art. 15The provisions concerning officials will be applied in an appropriate manner to employees and workers. The implementative regulations govern detailed application.Art. 16If unreasonable hardships occur in the carrying out of this law, then higher payments or transition money may be granted in accordance with the general regulations. The decisions in this matter will be made by the Reichsminister of the Interior in agreement with the Reichsminister of Finance in the case of Reichsofficials, in other cases by the highest federal state authorities.Art. 17 1. The Reichsminister of the interior will issue in agreement with the Reichsminister of Finance, the necessary regulations for the execution and carrying through of this law and the general administrative provisions. 2. If necessary the highest federal state authorities will issue supplementary regulations. In this matter they must confine themselves to the framework of the Reichs regulations. Art. 18With the expiration of the periods established in this law, the general provisions valid for the professional civil services will be again completely valid, without prejudice to the measures taken on the basis of this law.Berlin, 7 April 1933The Reichschancellor Adolf HitlerThe Reichsminister of the Interior FrickThe Reichsminister of Finance Count Schwerin von Krosigk Additional Info about Source Source: Nazi Conspiracy and Aggression, Vol. 4. Washington, DC: United States Government Printing Office, 1946. 1397-PS. [](https://www.vaholocaust.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Civilservices.pdf) ![Icon](https://www.vaholocaust.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/g243fbfc71df10c7c619d02149b895bf52318d20cc4f010c3d66bd614836f823823b698b876c12f2df6d7c1fb7529631b_1920-150x150.png) Click HERE to Download Printer-Friendly PDF --- ### [Law for the Protection of German Blood and German Honor](https://www.vaholocaust.org/law-for-the-protection-of-german/) **Published:** March 20, 2024 **Author:** Laurie Simpson Crouch **Content:** ### Law for the Protection of German Blood and German Honor **15 September 1935** Thoroughly convinced by the knowledge that the purity of German blood is essential for the further existence of the German people and animated by the inflexible will to safeguard the German nation for the entire future, the Reichstag has resolved upon the following law unanimously, which is promulgated herewith : Section 1 1. Marriages between Jews and nationals of German or kindred blood are forbidden. Marriages concluded in defiance of this law are void, even if, for the purpose of evading this law, they are concluded abroad. 2. Proceedings for annulment may be initiated only by the Public Prosecutor. Section 2 Relation outside marriage between Jews and nationals of German or kindred blood are forbidden. Section 3 Jews will not be permitted to employ female nationals of German or kindred blood in their household. Section 4 1. Jews are forbidden to hoist the Reichs and national flag and to present the colors of the Reich. 2. On the other hand they are permitted to present the Jewish colors. The exercise of this authority is protected by the State. Section 5 1. A person who acts contrary to the prohibition of section 1 will be punished with hard labor. 2. A person who acts contrary to the prohibition of section 2 will be punished with imprisonment or with hard labor. 3. A person who acts contrary to the provisions of sections 3 or 4 will be punished with imprisonment up to a year and with a fine or with one of these penalties. Section 6 The Reich Minister of the Interior in agreement with the Deputy of the Fuehrer and the Reich Minister of Justice will issue the legal and administrative regulations which are required for the implementation and supplementation of this law. Section 7 The law will become effective on the day after the promulgation, section 3 however only on 1 January 1936. Nurnberg, the 15 September 1935 at the Reich Party Rally of freedom. The Fuehrer and Reich Chancellor Adolf Hitler The Reich Minister of Interior Frick The Reich Minister of Justice Dr. Guertner The Deputy of the Fuehrer R. Hess Reich Minister without portfolio Additional Information for Source Source: Nazi Conspiracy and Aggression, Vol. 4. Washington, DC: Government Printing Office, 1947. 2000-PS [](https://www.vaholocaust.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/ProtectionGermanBloodHonor.pdf) ![Icon](https://www.vaholocaust.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/g243fbfc71df10c7c619d02149b895bf52318d20cc4f010c3d66bd614836f823823b698b876c12f2df6d7c1fb7529631b_1920-150x150.png) Click HERE to Download Printer-Friendly PDF --- ### [The Second Decree for the Execution on the Law Regarding the Change of the Surnames and Forenames](https://www.vaholocaust.org/the-second-decree/) **Published:** March 21, 2024 **Author:** Laurie Simpson Crouch **Content:** ### The Second Decree for the Execution on the Law Regarding the Change of the Surnames and Forenames **17 August 1938** On the basis of Article 13, of the law of 5 January 1938 (Reichsgesetzblatt I.S.9) concerning the change of the surnames and given-names, the following is ordered: Art. 1 1. Jews may be given only such given-names as are cited in the directives issued by the Ministry of Interior concerning the utilization of given-names. 2. Para. (1) is not applicable to Jews who are foreign citizens. Art. 2 1. In so far as the Jews are still using some other given-names different from those which are at their disposal according to Art. 1, they are obliged to assume by the 1st January 1939, a second, additional given-name as follows; for males, the given-name Israel and for females the given-name Sara. 2. The person having to assume an additional forename according to para (1) is obliged to give a written notification in this matter to the registration office at which his birth, and marriage are registered. The same notification is to be given to the proper police-official in the registerer's place of residence or customary habitat. The notifications are to be reported within a month from the date requiring him to assume an additional given-name. 3. In so far as the birth or marriage of the person who must register has been verified by a German diplomatic representative of a Consul, or has been verified in a German protectorate, the notification, which must be made, is to be forwarded to the Register-Office I, Berlin. If the place of residence or customary habitat of the person registering is abroad, the notification in question, mentioned in Para (21, sentence (1) is to be forwarded to the competent German Consul instead of to the competent police-official. 4. register rests upon the legal representative. 5. Art. 3 As far as is customary in juridicial and business procedure to indicate the given-names, the Jews are obliged always to indicate at least one of their given-names. In so far as they are required to assume an additional given-name as mentioned in Art. 2, this additional given-name is to be indicated also. The present directives regarding the management of a business are not hereby altered. Art. 4 1. Whoever deliberately disobeys the directives of Art. 3 is to be punished by imprisonment of up to six months. Cases of negligent disobedience will be punished by imprisonment of no more than one month. 2. Whoever deliberately or carelessly neglects to give the proper notification according to Art. 2 is to be fined or punished by imprisonment of no more than one month. Berlin, 17th, August 1938. Reichs Minister of the Interior: Representative, Dr. Stuckart Reichs Minister of Justice: Dr. Guertner Additional Information for Source Source: Nazi Conspiracy and Aggression, Vol. 4. Washington, DC: Government Printing Office, 1947. 1674-PS. [](https://www.vaholocaust.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/SecondChangeNames.pdf) ![Icon](https://www.vaholocaust.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/g243fbfc71df10c7c619d02149b895bf52318d20cc4f010c3d66bd614836f823823b698b876c12f2df6d7c1fb7529631b_1920-150x150.png) Click HERE to Download Printer-Friendly PDF --- ### [The Reich Citizenship Law: Stripped Jews of their German Citizenship](https://www.vaholocaust.org/reich-citizenship-law/) **Published:** March 21, 2024 **Author:** Laurie Simpson Crouch **Content:** ### The Reich Citizenship Law **15 Sept 1935** The Reichstag has adopted unanimously, the following law, which is herewith promulgated. Article 1 1. A subject of the State is a person, who belongs to the protective union of the German Reich, and who, therefore, has particular obligations towards the Reich. 2. The status of the subject is acquired in accordance with the provisions of the Reich and State Law of Citizenship. Article 2 1. A citizen of the Reich is only that subject, who is of German or kindred blood and who, through his conduct, shows that he is both desirous and fit to serve faithfully: the German people and Reich. 2. The right to citizenship is acquired by the granting of Reich citizenship papers. 3. Only the citizen of the Reich enjoys full political rights in accordance with the provision of the laws. Article 3 The Reich Minister of the Interior in conjunction with the Deputy of the Fuehrer will issue the necessary legal and administrative decrees for the carrying out and supplementing of this law. Nurnberg, 15 Sept 1935 at the Reichsparteitag of Liberty. The Fuehrer and Reichs Chancellor Adolf Hitler The Reichs Minister of the Interior Frick Additional Information for Source Source: Nazi Conspiracy and Aggression, Vol. 4. Washington, DC: Government Printing Office, 1947. 1416-PS. [](https://www.vaholocaust.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/ReichCitizenshipLaw.pdf) ![Icon](https://www.vaholocaust.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/g243fbfc71df10c7c619d02149b895bf52318d20cc4f010c3d66bd614836f823823b698b876c12f2df6d7c1fb7529631b_1920-150x150.png) Click HERE to Download Printer-Friendly PDF --- ### [Letter from Bishop of Limburg to the Reich Minisiter of Justice](https://www.vaholocaust.org/letter-from-bishop/) **Published:** March 21, 2024 **Author:** Laurie Simpson Crouch **Content:** # **Letter from Bishop of Limburg to the Reich Minister of Justice** ## **13 August 1941** The Bishop of Limburg Limburg/fiahm, 13August 1941 To the Reich Minister of Justice Berlin Regarding the report submitted on July 16 (sub. ZV,pp.6-7) by the Chairman of the Fulda Bishops' Conference, Cardinal Dr. Bertram, I consider it my duty to present the following as a concrete illustration of destruction of so-called "useless life". About 8 kilometers from Limburg in the little town of Hadamar, on a hill overlooking the town, there is an institution which had formerly served various purposes and of late had been used as a nursing home. This institution was renovated and furnished as a place in which, by consensus of opinion, the above-mentioned euthanasia has been systematically practiced for months -- approximately since February 1941. The fact is, of course, known beyond the administrative district of Wiesbaden because death certificates from the Hadamar-Moenchberg Registry are sent to the home communities. (Moenchberg is the name of this institution because it was a \*Franciscan monastery prior to its secularization in 1803.) Several times a week busses arrive in Hadamar with a considerable number of such victims. School children of the vicinity know this vehicle and say: "There comes the murder-box again." After the arrival of the vehicle, the citizens of Hadamar watch the smoke rise out of the chimney and are tortured with the ever-present thought of depending on the direction of the wind. The effect of the principles at work here are that children call each other names and say, "You're crazy; you'll be sent to the baking oven in Hadamar." Those who do not want to marry, or find no opportunity, say, "Marry, never! Bring children into the world so they can be put into the bottling machine!" You hear old folks say, "Don't send me to a state hospital! When the feeble-minded have been finished off, the next useless eaters whose turn will come are the old people." All God-fearing men consider this destruction of helpless beings a crass injustice. And if anybody says that Germany cannot win the war, if there is yet a just God, these expressions are not the result of a lack of love for the Fatherland but of a deep concern for our people. The population cannot grasp the fact that systematic actions are carried out which in accordance with paragraph 211 of the German Penal Code are punishable with death. High authority as a moral concept has suffered a severe shock as a result of these happenings. The official notice that N. N. died of a contagious disease and, therefore, his body had to be burned, no longer finds credence, and official notices of this kind which are no longer believed have further undermined the ethical value of the concept of authority. Officials of the Secret State Police, it is said, are trying to suppress discussion of the Hadamar occurrences by means of severe threats. In the interest of public peace, this may be well intended. But the knowledge, and the conviction, and the indignation of the population, cannot be changed by it; the conviction will be increased with the bitter realization that discussion is prohibited by threats, but that the actions themselves are not prosecuted under penal law. I beg you most humbly, Herr Reich Minister, in the sense of the report of the Episcopate of 16 July of this year, to prevent further transgressions of the Fifth Commandment of God. \[Signed\] DR.HTLFBICH I am submitting copies of this letter to the Reich Minister of the Interior and to the Reich Minister for Church Affairs. \[Initialed by the above\] Additional Information About Source [Source: Trials of War Criminals Before the Nuernberg Military Tribunals, Vol. 1. Washington, DC: United States Government Printing Office, 1949. 615-PS.](https://www.gutenberg.org/files/70342/70342-h/70342-h.htm) [](https://www.vaholocaust.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/LetterBishopMinisterJustice.pdf) ![Icon](https://www.vaholocaust.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/g243fbfc71df10c7c619d02149b895bf52318d20cc4f010c3d66bd614836f823823b698b876c12f2df6d7c1fb7529631b_1920-150x150.png) Click Here fro Printer-Friendly PDF --- ### [Measures Against Jews Tonight: Secrets About Kristallnact](https://www.vaholocaust.org/measures-against-jews/) **Published:** March 21, 2024 **Author:** Laurie Simpson Crouch **Content:** # **Measures Against Jews Tonight: A Top Secret Communication** ## **10 November 1938** Teletype Message Munich 47 767 10 November 1938 -0120- To all State Police Main Offices and Field Offices To all SD-Main Sectors and to SD-Sub-sectors **SECRET** Flash Urgent to be submitted at once. Urgent to be submitted immediately to the Chief or his deputy. Regards: Measures against Jews tonight. Because of the attempt on the life of von Rath, Legation Secretary in Paris, demonstrations against the Jews are to be expected in the entire Reich in the course of this night -- from the 9th to the 10th of November 1938. For the handling of these actions the following directions are issued: 1. The chiefs of the State Police Offices or their deputies will immediately after receipt of this teletype message establish telephone contact with the political leadership offices -- Gau Directorate or Kreis Directorate -- within their region and arrange a conference about the handling of the demonstrations. The respective inspectors and commanders of the Order Police are to participate in the conference. In this conference the political leadership offices are to be informed that the German police have received the following directives from the Reichsfuehrer of the SS and Chief of the German Police, which directives are to be conformed to by the political leadership offices in an appropriate manner: 1. Only such measures may be taken which do not jeopardize German life or property (for instance, burning of synagogues only if there is no danger of fires for the neighborhood). 2. Business establishments and homes of Jews may be destroyed but not looted. The police have been instructed to supervise the execution of these directives and to arrest looters. 3. In business streets special case is to be taken that non-Jewish establishments will be safeguarded at all cost against damage. 4. Subjects of foreign countries may not be molested even if they are Jews. 2. Under the provision that the directives given under No. 1 are being complied with, the demonstrations are not to be prevented but merely supervised regarding compliance with the directives. 3. Immediately after receipt of this teletype the archives of the Jewish communities are to be confiscated by the police, so that they will not be destroyed in the course of the demonstrations. Important in this respect is historically valuable material, not recent tax lists, etc. The archives are to be delivered to the respective SD Office. 4. The direction of the measures of the Safety Police regarding the demonstrations against Jews is in the hands of the State Police Offices, in as much as the inspectors of the Safety Police do not issue different directives. For the performance of the measures of the Safety Police, officers of the criminal police as well as members of the SD, the special troops and the SS, may be used. 5. As soon as the events of this night permit the use of the designated officers, as many Jews, particularly wealthy ones, as the local jails will hold, are to be arrested in all districts. Initially only healthy male Jews, not too old, are to be arrested. After the arrests have been carried out the appropriate concentration camp is to be contacted immediately with a view to a quick transfer of the Jews to the camps. Special care is to be taken that Jews arrested on the basis of this directive will not be mistreated. 6. The content of this order is to be communicated to the respective inspectors and commanders of the Order Police and to the SD Chief Sectors and the SD Sub-sectors with the notification that these police measures have been issued by the Reichsfuehrer of the SS and the Chief of the German Police. The Chief of the Order Police issues appropriate orders to the Fire Department Police. The Safety Police and the Order Police are to work in closest coordination in the execution of these measures. The receipt of this teletype is to be confirmed by the State Police Director or a deputy via teletype to the Secret State Police Office into the hands of SS Colonel \[Standartenfuehrer\] Muller. Signed : HEYDRICH SS General \[Gruppenfuehrer\] Additional Information About Source [Source: Nazi Conspiracy and Aggression, Vol. 3. Washington, DC: United States Government Printing Office, 1946. 30151-PS.](https://avalon.law.yale.edu/imt/064-ps.asp) ![Icon](https://www.vaholocaust.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/g243fbfc71df10c7c619d02149b895bf52318d20cc4f010c3d66bd614836f823823b698b876c12f2df6d7c1fb7529631b_1920-150x150.png) Click HERE for a Printer-Friendly PDF --- ### [Solution to the Jewish Problem](https://www.vaholocaust.org/solution-to-the-jewish/) **Published:** March 19, 2024 **Author:** Laurie Simpson Crouch **Content:** # Solution to the Jewish Problem ## **31 July 1941** The Reich Marshal of the Greater German Reich Commissioner for the Four Year Plan Chairman of the Ministerial Council for National Defense Berlin, 31 July 1941 To: The Chief of the Security Police and the Security Service; SS-Gruppenfuehrer Heydrich Complementing the task that was assigned to you on 24 January 1939, which dealt with the carrying out of emigration and evacuation, a solution of the Jewish problem, as advantageous as possible, I hereby charge you with making all necessary preparations in regard to organizational and financial matters for bringing about a complete solution of the Jewish question in the German sphere of influence in Europe. Wherever other governmental agencies are involved, these are to cooperate with you. I charge you furthermore to send me, before long, an overall plan concerning the organizational, factual and material measures necessary for the accomplishment of the desired solution of the Jewish question. signed : GOERING Additional Information about Source: [Source: Nazi Conspiracy and Aggression, Vol. 3. Washington, DC: United States Government Printing Office, 1946. 710-PS.](https://avalon.law.yale.edu/imt/064-ps.asp) [](https://www.vaholocaust.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/SolutionJewishProblem.pdf) ![Icon](https://www.vaholocaust.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/g243fbfc71df10c7c619d02149b895bf52318d20cc4f010c3d66bd614836f823823b698b876c12f2df6d7c1fb7529631b_1920-150x150.png) Click HERE to Download Printer-Friendly PDF --- ### [Letter from Dr Conti to the Mental Hospital in Kaufbeuren](https://www.vaholocaust.org/letter-from-dr-conti/) **Published:** March 21, 2024 **Author:** Laurie Simpson Crouch **Content:** ## Letter from Dr Conti to the Mental Hospital in Kaufbeuren ## **16 November 1939** The Reich Minister of the Interior Berlin, NW 40, Koenigsplatz 6,16 November 1939 IV g 4178 /39-5100 Telephone: Dept. Z, I,11,V, VIII 1100 27 Dept. 11,IV, VI (Unter den Linden 72) ;12 00 34 Tel. Address : Reichsinnenminister To the Head of the Hospital for Mental Cases Kaufbeuren or his deputy in Kaufbeuren. With regard to the necessity for a systemized economic plan for hospitals and nursing institutions, I request you to complete the attached registration forms immediately in accordance with the attached instruction leaflet and to return them to me. If you yourself are not a doctor, the registration forms for the individual patients are to be completed by the supervising doctor. The completion of the questionnaires is, if possible, to be done on a typewriter. In the column "Diagnosis" I request a statement as exact as possible, as well as a short description of the condition, if feasible. In order to expedite the work, the registration forms for the individual patients can be dispatched here in several parts. The last consignment, however, must arrive in any case at this Ministry at the latest by 1 January 1940. I reserve for myself the right, should occasion arise, to institute further official inquiries on the spot through my representative. per proxi: DR. CONTI Certified : (Sd.) \[Illegible\] Administrative Secretary. --- To be Typewritten **Registration Form 1** Current No\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ Name of the Institution\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ At:\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ Surname and Christian name of the patient:\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ At birth\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ Date of birth:\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_Place:\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_District:\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ Last place of residence:\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_District:\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ Unmarried, married, widow, widower, divorced:\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ Religion:\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_Race\*:\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ Previous profession:\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_Nationality:\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ Army service when? 1914–1918 or from 1–9–39\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ War injury (even if no connection with mental disorder) Yes/No\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ How does war injury show itself and of what does it consist?\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ Address of next of kin:\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ Regular visits and by whom (address):\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ Guardian or nurse (name,address):\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ Responsible for payment:\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ Since when in Institution:\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ Whence and when handed over:\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ Since when ill:\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ If has been in other institutions, where and how long:\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ Twin? Yes/No:\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_Blood Relations of unsound mind:\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ Diagnosis:\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ Clinical description (previous history, course, condition; in any case ample data regarding mental condition\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ Very restless? Yes/No\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_Bedridden? Yes/No\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ Incurable physical illness: Yes/No (which)\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ Schizophrenia: Fresh Attack\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_Final Condition\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_Good Recovery\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ Mental debility: Weak\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_Imbecile\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_Idiot\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ Epilepsy: Psychological alteration\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_Average frequency of the attacks\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ Therapeutics (insulin, cadiazol, malaria, permanent result:\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ Salvarsan, etc. when?)\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_Yes/No\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ Admitted by reason par. 51. par. 42b German Penal Code, etc. through\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ Crime:\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_Former punishable offenses:\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ Manner of employment (detailed description of work):\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ Permanent /Temporary employment, independent worker? Yes/No\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ Value of work (if possible compared with average performance of healthy person)\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ This space to be left blank. \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_Place, Date\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ Signature of the head doctor or his representative (doctors who are not phychiatrist or neurologists, please state name) \*German or of similar blood (of German blood), Jew, Jewish mixed breed Grades I or II, Negro (mixed breed) [Additional Information About Source](https://nuremberg.law.harvard.edu/documents/2566-letters-and-administrative-documents?q=%2A) [](https://www.vaholocaust.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Letter-From-Dr-Conti.pdf) ![Icon](https://www.vaholocaust.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/g243fbfc71df10c7c619d02149b895bf52318d20cc4f010c3d66bd614836f823823b698b876c12f2df6d7c1fb7529631b_1920-150x150.png) Click HERE to Download Printer-Friendly PDF --- ### [Law Regarding the Sovereign Head of the German Reich](https://www.vaholocaust.org/law-regarding-the-sovereign/) **Published:** March 20, 2024 **Author:** Laurie Simpson Crouch **Content:** # Law Regarding the Sovereign Head of the German Reich ## 1 August 1934 The Reich Government has enacted the following law which is hereby promulgated: Section 1 The office of the Reichspraesident will be consolidated with that of the Reich Chancellor. The existing authority of the Reichspraesident shall consequently be transferred to the Fuehrer and Reich Chancellor, Adolph Hitler. He shall select his representative. Section 2 This law is effective as of the time of the death of Reichspraesident von Hindenburg. The Reich Chancellor Adolf Hitler The Reich Deputy Chancellor von Papen The Reich Minister of Foreign Affairs Freiherr von Neurath The Reich Minister of Interior Frick The Reich Minister of Finance Graf Schwerin von Krosigk The Reich Minister of Labor Franz Seldte The Reich Minister of Justice Dr. Guertner The Reich Minister for Defense von Blomberg The Reich Postal Minister and Transportation Minister Freiherr von Eltz The Reich Minister for Nutrition and Agriculture R. Walther Darre The Reich Minister for Enlightenment and Propaganda Dr. Goebbels The Reich Minister for Air Travel Hermann Goering The Reich Minister for Science, Training and Education Bernhard Rust The Reich Minister without Portfolio Rudolf Hess The Reich Minister without Portfolio Hanns Kerrl Additional Info About the Source [Source: Nazi Conspiracy and Aggression, Vol. 4. Washington, DC: Government Printing Office, 1947. 2003-PS.](https://avalon.law.yale.edu/imt/1759-ps.asp) [](https://www.vaholocaust.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/SovereignHeadGermanReich.pdf) ![Icon](https://www.vaholocaust.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/g243fbfc71df10c7c619d02149b895bf52318d20cc4f010c3d66bd614836f823823b698b876c12f2df6d7c1fb7529631b_1920-150x150.png) Click HERE to Download a Printer-Friendly PDF --- ### [LAW TO REMOVE DISTRESS OF PEOPLE AND STATE](https://www.vaholocaust.org/law-to-remove-distress/) **Published:** March 20, 2024 **Author:** Laurie Simpson Crouch **Content:** # Law to Remove Distress of People and State ## 24 March 1933 The Reichstag has resolved upon the following law which is promulgated herewith with approval of the Reichsrat after it has been established that all the requirements of the legislation for changing the constitution have been complied with. Section 1 Laws for the Reich can be resolved upon also by the Reich Cabinet besides the procedure provided by the constitution of the Reich. This also applies to the laws pursuant to sections 85 subsection 2 and 87 of the Reich-Constitution. Section 2 The laws for the Reich resolved upon by the Reich Cabinet may deviate from the Reich-Constitution so far as they do not deal with the institution of the Reichstag or the Reichsrat as such. The powers of the Reich-President will remain intact. Section 3 The laws for the Reich resolved upon by the Reich-Cabinet are issued by the Reich-Chancellor and promulgated in the Reichsgesetzblatt. They will become effective, so far as they do not determine otherwise on the day following their promulgation. Section 68 to 77 of the Reich-Constitution are not applicable to the laws resolved upon by the Reich-Cabinet. Section 4 Treaties of the Reich with foreign countries relating to matters of the legislation of the Reich do not. require the approval of the bodies participating in the legislation. The Reich-Cabinet issues the rules necessary for the execution of such treaties. Section 5 This law will become effective on the day of its promulgation. It becomes ineffective on 1 April 1937. Moreover it becomes ineffective if the present Reich-Cabinet should be replaced by another. Berlin, 24 March 1933 The Reich-President von Hindenburg The Reich-Chancellor Adolf Hitler The Reich-Minister for the Interior Frick The Reich-Minister for Foreign Affairs Freiherr von Neurath The Reich-Minister for Finances Count Schwerin von Krosigk **Additional Source Info** [Source: Nazi Conspiracy and Aggression, Vol. 4. Washington, DC: United States Government Printing Office, 1946. 1397-PS.](https://encyclopedia.ushmm.org/content/en/article/the-enabling-act) [](https://www.vaholocaust.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/LawRemoveDistressPeopleState.pdf) ![Icon](https://www.vaholocaust.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/g243fbfc71df10c7c619d02149b895bf52318d20cc4f010c3d66bd614836f823823b698b876c12f2df6d7c1fb7529631b_1920-150x150.png) Click HERE to Download Printer-Friendly PDF --- ### [Order of Protective Custody: An Original Document](https://www.vaholocaust.org/order-of-protective-custody/) **Published:** March 21, 2024 **Author:** Laurie Simpson Crouch **Content:** # **Order of Protective Custody** **This primary source, the Order of Protective Custody issued on 29 August 1935 in Nuremberg, documents how Nazi authorities used “protective custody” to detain political opponents without trial. It records the arrest and continued persecution of Josef Simon, a German trade unionist and Socialist Party leader. 29 August 1935** ## Nurnberg August 29, 1935 Police Headquarters; Nurnberg-Fuerth Re: Protective Custody. Order for Protective Custody On the basis of Article 1of the VI of the Reich President for the protection of people and state, of 28 Feb. 1933 (RGBI. I P. 83) the ministerial decree of May 2, 1934, No. 2186 a 39, herewith is taken into protective custody: Effective as of 3 August 35: First and last name: Josef Simon Place and date of birth: May 23, 1865 in Schneppenbach, B. A. Alzenan. Marital Status and Profession: Widowed, former Trade Union Secretary. Citizenship: Subject of the German Reich. Religion: Free thinker. Place of residence: Nurnberg-N. Ziegelsteinstr. 106 The arrestee has no right to appeal against the decreed protective custody. Reasons: Simon was for many years a member of the Socialist Party and temporarily a member of the Union Socialiste Populaire. From 1907 to 1918 he was Landtag deputy of the Socialist Party; from 1908 to 1930 Social Democratic City Counsellor \[Stadtrat\] in Nurnberg. In view of the decisive role which Simon played in the international trade unions and in regard to his connection with international Marxist leaders and central agencies, which he continued after the national recovery, he was placed under protective custody on 3 May, 1933, and was kept, until 25 January 1934, in the Dachau Concentration Camp. Simon is under the urgent suspicion that even after this date he played an active part in the illegal continuation of the Socialist Party. He took part in meetings which aimed at the illegal continuation of the Socialist Party and propagation of illegal marxist printed matter in Germany. Through this radical attitude which is hostile to the State, Simon directly endangers public security and order. Additional Information About Source [Source: Nazi Conspiracy and Aggression, Vol. 4. Washington, DC: Government Printing Office, 1947. 2330-PS](https://avalon.law.yale.edu/imt/2330-ps.asp) [](https://www.vaholocaust.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/OrderProtectiveCustody.pdf) ![Icon](https://www.vaholocaust.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/g243fbfc71df10c7c619d02149b895bf52318d20cc4f010c3d66bd614836f823823b698b876c12f2df6d7c1fb7529631b_1920-150x150.png) Click HERE to Download a Printer-Friendly PDF --- ### [Police Decree on Identification of Jews: A Dark and Sinister Plan](https://www.vaholocaust.org/police-decree-on/) **Published:** March 14, 2024 **Author:** Laurie Simpson Crouch **Content:** # Police Decree on Identification of Jews – 1941 Primary Source # This primary source document, issued in September 1941, outlines Nazi police regulations that forced Jews in Bohemia and Moravia to wear a yellow star and restricted their movement and rights. ## **September 1941** In agreement with the Reichs-Protector for Bohemia and Moravia the following law based on the regulations regarding the Police decrees of the Ministers of the Reich from 14 November 1938 (Reichsgesetzblatt I, page 1582) and on the decree regarding the right of establishing of law \[Rechtsetzungsrecht\] in the protectorate Bohemia and Moravia from 7 June 1939 (Reichsgesetzblatt I, page 1039) is herewith published: Article 1 (1) Jews (article 5 of the first decree regarding the law on German citizenship of 14 November 1935 -- Reichsgesetzblatt I, page 1333) who have completed their sixth year of life shall be prohibited to appear in public without wearing a Jewish star. (2) The Jewish star is a yellow piece of cloth with a black border, in the form of a six pointed star of the size of a hand with the inscription "Jew". It shall be worn visible, sewed on the left side of the chest of the garment. Article 2 Jews are prohibited to: a. leave the area of the community in which they live without written permission of the local police; b. to wear medals, ribbons and other insignia. Article 3 Article 1& 2 shall not apply to: a. husband living in a Jewish mixed marriage if children, born from this marriage who are not considered as Jews exist. This also applies if the marriage is dissolved or if the only son was killed in the present war. b. to a Jewish wife in a childless mixed marriage, for the duration of the marriage. Article 4 (1) He who violates articles 1& 2 willingly or carelessly shall be punished with a fine up to 150 Reichsmark or with imprisonment not to exceed 6 weeks. (2) Further protective measures on the part of the police as well as rules according to which a more severe punishment is permitted remain unaffected. Article 5 This decree shall also be valid within the borders of the protectorate of Bohemia and Moravia with the specifications that the Reichs-Protector in Bohemia and Moravia shall adopt the rules of article 2 a, to the local situation in the protectorate of Bohemia and Moravia. Article 6 This Police-law shall be valid two weeks after publication. Berlin, 1September 1941. For the Reich Minister of the Interior. Heydrich **Additional Information About Source:** [Source: Nazi Conspiracy and Aggression, Vol. 4. Washington, DC: Government Printing Office, 1947. 2118-PS](https://avalon.law.yale.edu/imt/1759-ps.asp) [View more Holocaust primary resources from the Virginia Holocaust Museum](https://www.vaholocaust.org/primary-resources/) [](https://www.vaholocaust.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/PoliceDecreeIdentification-2.pdf) ![Icon](https://www.vaholocaust.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/g243fbfc71df10c7c619d02149b895bf52318d20cc4f010c3d66bd614836f823823b698b876c12f2df6d7c1fb7529631b_1920-150x150.png) Download a printer-friendly PDF of the Police Decree on Identification of Jews (primary source document) --- ### [General Group Tours Request Form](https://www.vaholocaust.org/general-group-tour-form/) **Published:** June 12, 2024 **Author:** Laurie Simpson Crouch **Content:** # General Group Tour Request Form Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form. **General Group Tour Request Form** Thank you for your interest in visiting the Virginia Holocaust Museum. Our guided group tours provide a meaningful and engaging experience for community organizations, faith-based groups, civic and cultural groups, professional associations, travel programs, and other non-school groups interested in Holocaust history, remembrance, and human rights. Because availability is limited, requests are processed in the order they are received; please submit your request at least three weeks before your preferred visit date. Once we receive your form, our team will review availability and create a tentative reservation, and a staff member will contact you within **5 business days** to confirm your visit and discuss any details. If you do not hear from us within that timeframe, please contact [**Matt Simpson, Director of Guest Services.**](mailto:msimpson@vaholocaust.org) Name \*First Last Group Name Email \* Phone Preferred Date / Time (Times between 9AM and 3PM. 3PM is the last time slot each day.)Clear Date Date Time Alternate Date / Time Date Time Number of Adults up to 120 Selected Value: **10** Number of Children Ages 11-18 (Please Note: Children must be a minimun of 11 years old.) Selected Value: 0 Do any members of your group need special accommodations?\* - Yes - No If you checked yes in the previous question, please provide any additional information that could help us prepare for your visit. / Date fewer Would you like to add on a 30-45 minute session in our Dimensions in Testimony Theater? Due to limited seating, this option is only available for groups of 46 or fewer individuals. - Yes - No Submit![Loading](https://www.vaholocaust.org/wp-content/plugins/wpforms/assets/images/submit-spin.svg) --- ### [School Field Trip Request Form: How To Get Started](https://www.vaholocaust.org/school-field-trip-request/) **Published:** June 12, 2024 **Author:** Laurie Simpson Crouch **Content:** Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form. # **School Field Trip Request** **School Field Trip Request for the Virginia Holocaust Museum.** We love students and are thrilled that you are interested in bringing your class to the Virginia Holocaust Museum. Guided student tours are available for grades 6 and above and are designed to support meaningful, age-appropriate learning. **New this year:** If your schedule allows an additional 30–45 minutes, you may wish to include a visit to our [Dimensions in Testimony℠](https://www.vaholocaust.org/dimensions-in-testimony/) theater, where students can engage with recorded survivor testimony in an immersive, interactive setting. Learn more about the [USC Shoah Foundation.](https://sfi.usc.edu/dit?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=714082074&gbraid=0AAAAAD7BiwwPiYOTCGhBon18meBbtZC3d&gclid=Cj0KCQjwz9_QBhD_ARIsADnSCfDFdTtV6svJ6NHaDj7aVRCYCO8UfoLzu8jzcxbYXX2R57pCccEXHLUaAuWQEALw_wcB) Please note that all tour requests are processed in the order they are received and are subject to availability. Requests must be submitted **at least three weeks prior** to your desired visit date. Once we receive your request form, we will verify availability and create a tentative reservation. Within **5 business days**, a member of our team will contact you to confirm details. If you do not hear from us within that timeframe, please feel free to contact [**Matt Simpson, Director of Guest Services**.](mailto:msimpson@vaholocaust.org) Name \*First Last School Name help like could Email \* Phone Preferred Date / Time (Times between 9AM and 3PM. 3PM is the last time slot each day.)Clear Date Date Time Alternate Date / Time Date Time Number of Students up to 120 Selected Value: **100** Number of Chaperones up to 30 Selected Value: 0 Do any members of your group need special accommodations?\* - Yes - No If you checked yes in the previous question, please provide any additional information that could help us prepare for your visit. Would you like to add on a 30-45 minute session in our Dimensions in Testimony Theater? Due to limited seating, this option is only available for groups of 46 or fewer students/adults total. - Yes - No Additional Comments (copy) Submit![Loading](https://www.vaholocaust.org/wp-content/plugins/wpforms/assets/images/submit-spin.svg) --- ### [Student Art Contest: All You Need To Know](https://www.vaholocaust.org/student-art-contest/) **Published:** March 13, 2024 **Author:** Laurie Simpson Crouch **Content:** ### Student Visual Arts Contest ### [**OPEN TO STUDENTS IN GRADES 6-12!**](https://www.vaholocaust.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/2026-ART-CONTEST-PACKET-2.pdf) ### [**Submission Deadline 2027: TBD**](https://www.vaholocaust.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/2026-ART-CONTEST-PACKET-2.pdf) ### **CONTEST AWARDS FOR JUNIOR AND SENIOR DIVISIONS:** **1st Place:** $500 **2nd Place:** $250 **3rd Place:** $150 **Honorable Mention:** $100 ### **Questions:** Please email Kate Adams, Director of Public and Student Programs at: <kadams@vaholocaust.org> [](https://www.vaholocaust.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/2026-ART-CONTEST-PACKET-2.pdf) ![Icon](https://www.vaholocaust.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Screenshot-2024-10-15-at-2.04.36-PM-150x150.png) Click HERE to Download 2026 Contest Materials --- ### 2026 JUNIOR DIVISION (GRADES 6-8) WINNERS ![](https://www.vaholocaust.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Junior-Division-1st-Place-Katelyn-Johansen.png "Junior Division 1st Place Katelyn Johansen") 1st Place ***A Bonding Strength*** by **Katelyn Johansen** *Inspired by Holocaust survivors Halina Zimm and Helen Zimm.* Colored pencils, watercolor and acrylic on paper. ![](https://www.vaholocaust.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Junior-Division-2nd-Place-Sylvie-Knott.png "Junior Division 2nd Place Sylvie Knott") 2nd Place ***The Light at the Other End of the Tracks*** by Sylvie Knott *Inspired by Holocaust survivors Esther and Leo Kutner.* Graphite on paper. ![](https://www.vaholocaust.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Junior-Division-3rd-Place-Eli-Tillery-scaled.jpg "Junior Division 3rd Place Eli Tillery") 3rd ***Impossible Escape*** by Eli Tillery *Inspired by Holocaust survivor Henri Maizels.* Acrylic markers and ink on paper. ![](https://www.vaholocaust.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Junior-Division-Honorable-Mention-Noah-Arton-scaled.jpg "Junior Division Honorable Mention Noah Arton") Honorable Mention ***Kutner Wedding*** by Noah Arton *Inspired by Holocaust survivors Esther and Leo Kutner.* Fused glass. ### 2026 SENIOR DIVISION (GRADES 9-12) WINNERS ![](https://www.vaholocaust.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Senior-Division-1st-Place-Alyssa-Powell-scaled.jpeg "Senior Division 1st Place Alyssa Powell") 1st Place ****Portrait of Halina Zimm**** by Alyssa Powell *Inspired by Holocaust survivor Halina Zimm.* Mixed media on canvas. ![](https://www.vaholocaust.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Senior-Division-2nd-Place-Keturah-Shewcraft.png "Senior Division 2nd Place Keturah Shewcraft") 2nd Place ****Resilience**** by Keturah Shewcraft *Inspired by Holocaust survivor Solomon Zimm.* Charcoal on paper. ![](https://www.vaholocaust.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Senior-Division-3rd-Place-Levi-Cornelius.png "Senior Division 3rd Place Levi Cornelius") 3rd Place ***Tainted Purity*** by Levi Cornelius *Inspired by Holocaust survivor Rosalia Kaplan.* Graphite and colored pencil on paper. ![](https://www.vaholocaust.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Senior-Division-Honorable-Mention-Isabelle-Lee-scaled.jpeg "Senior Division Honorable Mention Isabelle Lee") Honorable Mention ****A Mother’s Love Transcends All**** by Isabelle Lee *Inspired by Holocaust survivors Edna and Jay Ipson.* Graphite on paper. --- --- ### [General Donations: Learn How You Can Support The Museum](https://www.vaholocaust.org/general-donations/) **Published:** April 2, 2024 **Author:** Laurie Simpson Crouch **Content:** ### General Donation Form $ Donation Amount: - $25.00 - $50.00 - $100.00 - $250.00 - $500.00 - $1,000.00 - $1.00 - Custom Amount Make this donation every dayweekmonthquarteryear Select Payment Method - Stripe - Credit Card - Offline Donation Personal Info First Name \* Last Name Email Address \* Make this an anonymous donation. Comment Credit Card Info This is a secure SSL encrypted payment. Card Number \* CVC \* Cardholder Name \* Expiration \* Billing Details Country \* United StatesCanadaUnited KingdomAfghanistanAlbaniaAlgeriaAmerican SamoaAndorraAngolaAnguillaAntarcticaAntigua and BarbudaArgentinaArmeniaArubaAustraliaAustriaAzerbaijanBahamasBahrainBangladeshBarbadosBelarusBelgiumBelizeBeninBermudaBhutanBoliviaBosnia and HerzegovinaBotswanaBouvet IslandBrazilBritish Indian Ocean TerritoryBrunei DarrussalamBulgariaBurkina FasoBurundiCambodiaCameroonCape VerdeCayman IslandsCentral African RepublicChadChileChinaChristmas IslandCocos IslandsColombiaComorosCongo, Democratic People's RepublicCongo, Republic ofCook IslandsCosta RicaCote d'IvoireCroatia/HrvatskaCubaCuraçaoCyprus IslandCzech RepublicDenmarkDjiboutiDominicaDominican RepublicEast TimorEcuadorEgyptEquatorial GuineaEl SalvadorEritreaEstoniaEthiopiaFalkland IslandsFaroe IslandsFijiFinlandFranceFrench GuianaFrench PolynesiaFrench Southern TerritoriesGabonGambiaGeorgiaGermanyGreeceGhanaGibraltarGreenlandGrenadaGuadeloupeGuamGuatemalaGuernseyGuineaGuinea-BissauGuyanaHaitiHeard and McDonald IslandsHoly See (City Vatican State)HondurasHong KongHungaryIcelandIndiaIndonesiaIranIraqIrelandIsle of ManIsraelItalyJamaicaJapanJerseyJordanKazakhstanKenyaKiribatiKuwaitKyrgyzstanLao People's Democratic RepublicLatviaLebanonLesothoLiberiaLibyan Arab JamahiriyaLiechtensteinLithuaniaLuxembourgMacauMacedoniaMadagascarMalawiMalaysiaMaldivesMaliMaltaMarshall IslandsMartiniqueMauritaniaMauritiusMayotteMexicoMicronesiaMoldova, Republic ofMonacoMongoliaMontenegroMontserratMoroccoMozambiqueMyanmarNamibiaNauruNepalNetherlandsNew CaledoniaNew ZealandNicaraguaNigerNigeriaNiueNorfolk IslandNorth KoreaNorthern Mariana IslandsNorwayOmanPakistanPalauPalestinian TerritoriesPanamaPapua New GuineaParaguayPeruPhilippinesPitcairn IslandPolandPortugalPuerto RicoQatarReunion IslandRomaniaRussian FederationRwandaSaint HelenaSaint Kitts and NevisSaint LuciaSaint Pierre and MiquelonSaint Vincent and the GrenadinesSan MarinoSao Tome and PrincipeSaudi ArabiaSenegalSerbiaSeychellesSierra LeoneSingaporeSlovak RepublicSloveniaSolomon IslandsSomaliaSouth AfricaSouth GeorgiaSouth KoreaSpainSri LankaSudanSurinameSvalbard and Jan Mayen IslandsEswatiniSwedenSwitzerlandSyrian Arab RepublicTaiwanTajikistanTanzaniaTogoTokelauTongaThailandTrinidad and TobagoTunisiaTurkeyTurkmenistanTurks and Caicos IslandsTuvaluUgandaUkraineUnited Arab EmiratesUruguayUS Minor Outlying IslandsUzbekistanVanuatuVenezuelaVietnamVirgin Islands (British)Virgin Islands (USA)Wallis and Futuna IslandsWestern SaharaWestern SamoaYemenYugoslaviaZambiaZimbabwe Address 1 \* Address 2 City \* State \* AlabamaAlaskaArizonaArkansasCaliforniaColoradoConnecticutDelawareDistrict of ColumbiaFloridaGeorgiaHawaiiIdahoIllinoisIndianaIowaKansasKentuckyLouisianaMaineMarylandMassachusettsMichiganMinnesotaMississippiMissouriMontanaNebraskaNevadaNew HampshireNew JerseyNew MexicoNew YorkNorth CarolinaNorth DakotaOhioOklahomaOregonPennsylvaniaRhode IslandSouth CarolinaSouth DakotaTennesseeTexasUtahVermontVirginiaWashingtonWest VirginiaWisconsinWyomingAmerican SamoaCanal ZoneCommonwealth of the Northern Mariana IslandsFederated States of MicronesiaGuamMarshall IslandsNorthern Mariana IslandsPalauPhilippine IslandsPuerto RicoTrust Territory of the Pacific IslandsVirgin IslandsArmed Forces - AmericasArmed Forces - Europe, Canada, Middle East, AfricaArmed Forces - Pacific Zip / Postal Code \* Donation Total: $100.00 One Time --- ### [Lesson Plans: Free Guides For Your Classroom](https://www.vaholocaust.org/lesson-plans/) **Published:** March 12, 2024 **Author:** Laurie Simpson Crouch **Content:** ### About our Lesson Plans Lesson plans are created for secondary students and focus on the historical themes of the Holocaust --- ### RESCUE This lesson will examine individuals who were rescuers during the Holocaust as well as individual decision-making and the factors for choosing to act or not to act during a difficult time in history. By examining decision-making during the Holocaust, students will be able to reflect on decision making in their own lives. SOLs Covered : USII.1, USII.1, WHII.1, WHII.12, VUS.1, VUS.11 [VIEW PLAN](https://www.vaholocaust.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Rescue-lesson-plan-1.pdf) ### RESISTANCE This lesson will allow students to define and explore that resistance took on many different forms during the Holocaust, armed and unarmed, Jewish and non Jewish. SOLs Covered : USII.1, WHII.1, WHII.12, VUS.1, VUS.11 [VIEW PLAN](https://www.vaholocaust.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Resistance-Lesson-Plan.pdf) ### The Butterfly Project "The Power of One" is appropriate for students in Grades 7th-9th and 45 minutes long. The goal of this lesson is to help students understand that terrible things can happen when people stand by and do nothing. The positive action of one person can change the outcome for many. [VIEW PLAN](https://www.vaholocaust.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/TBP-Lesson-Plan-7th-9th-v288.pdf) ### Other Recommended Resources [**Charlottesville and Onward: A Discussion Guide**](https://www.vaholocaust.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Charlottesville-and-Onward.pdf) *(The Virginia Holocaust Museum)* [**What We Carry**](http://jewishva.org/holocaust-what-we-carry) *(The Holocaust Commission of the UJFT)* [**Why is it Important to Teach the Holocaust?**](http://www.ushmm.org/educators/teaching-about-the-holocaust/why-teach-about-the-holocaust) *(USHMM)* [**Guidelines for Teaching the Holocaust**](http://www.ushmm.org/educators/teaching-about-the-holocaust/general-teaching-guidelines) *(USHMM)* [**What Grade Level is Appropriate to Start Teaching the Holocaust**](http://www.ushmm.org/educators/teaching-about-the-holocaust/age-appropriateness) *(USHMM)* [**What Topics Should You Teach?**](http://www.ushmm.org/wlc/en/article.php?ModuleId=10007262) *(USHMM)* [**Teaching Materials Using Books and Literature**](https://www.ushmm.org/teach/teaching-materials/books-literature) *(USHMM)* --- ### [Rental Spaces: Your Guide To Getting Started](https://www.vaholocaust.org/rental-spaces/) **Published:** April 10, 2024 **Author:** Laurie Simpson Crouch **Content:** ### RENT OUR FACILITIES The Museum has three rental spaces, a 5600 square foot auditorium/synagogue, a 5300 square foot classroom, and a spacious second-floor balcony overlooking the Choral Synagogue below. For a seated, lecture-style event, the auditorium has a maximum capacity of 300 (225 for seated dinners/banquets), while the classroom has a maximum capacity of 100. Food and beverage service is allowed in all three locations, provided the proper insurance and licenses have been secured. The museum does not provide catering. Both the auditorium/synagogue and the classroom are fully AV-equipped. Use of the equipment can be included in any rental for a nominal charge. ### HOW TO GET STARTED Please fill out our facility inquiry form located below so we may better understand your needs and be prepared when we contact you about your event. For questions and to schedule a meeting contact Matt Simpson at <msimpson@vaholocaust.org> or Call at 804-257-5400, etx.246. ![](https://www.vaholocaust.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/159_Uhle-MorganD-copy-scaled-e1712781603699.jpeg "159_Uhle-MorganD copy") ### REQUIREMENTS TO BOOK A SPACE - Complete an online facility inquiry form - Meet with our Rental Coordinator to discuss timing and space options - Sign a rental application a minimum of 60 days before your event - Sign a rental contract and provide a deposit of $500 plus an insurance payment to reserve a date [ Inquiry Form ](https://www.vaholocaust.org/rental-inquiry-form) ![Floral centerpiece and white candle](https://www.vaholocaust.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Flowers-Rental.png "Flowers – Rental") ![an empty TEI classroom](https://www.vaholocaust.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/TEI-Rental-Space.png "TEI Rental Space") --- ### [Tribute Gift Donation Form: What You Need To Get Started](https://www.vaholocaust.org/tribute-gift-donation-form/) **Published:** April 2, 2024 **Author:** Laurie Simpson Crouch **Content:** ### Tribute Gift Donation Form $ Donation Amount: - One Teacher - Two Teachers - Three Teachers - Four Teachers - Five Teachers - Custom Amount Make this donation every dayweekmonthquarteryear Select Payment Method - Stripe - Credit Card - Offline Donation Personal Info First Name \* Last Name Email Address \* Make this an anonymous donation. Comment Credit Card Info This is a secure SSL encrypted payment. Card Number \* CVC \* Cardholder Name \* Expiration \* Billing Details Country \* United StatesCanadaUnited KingdomAfghanistanAlbaniaAlgeriaAmerican SamoaAndorraAngolaAnguillaAntarcticaAntigua and BarbudaArgentinaArmeniaArubaAustraliaAustriaAzerbaijanBahamasBahrainBangladeshBarbadosBelarusBelgiumBelizeBeninBermudaBhutanBoliviaBosnia and HerzegovinaBotswanaBouvet IslandBrazilBritish Indian Ocean TerritoryBrunei DarrussalamBulgariaBurkina FasoBurundiCambodiaCameroonCape VerdeCayman IslandsCentral African RepublicChadChileChinaChristmas IslandCocos IslandsColombiaComorosCongo, Democratic People's RepublicCongo, Republic ofCook IslandsCosta RicaCote d'IvoireCroatia/HrvatskaCubaCuraçaoCyprus IslandCzech RepublicDenmarkDjiboutiDominicaDominican RepublicEast TimorEcuadorEgyptEquatorial GuineaEl SalvadorEritreaEstoniaEthiopiaFalkland IslandsFaroe IslandsFijiFinlandFranceFrench GuianaFrench PolynesiaFrench Southern TerritoriesGabonGambiaGeorgiaGermanyGreeceGhanaGibraltarGreenlandGrenadaGuadeloupeGuamGuatemalaGuernseyGuineaGuinea-BissauGuyanaHaitiHeard and McDonald IslandsHoly See (City Vatican State)HondurasHong KongHungaryIcelandIndiaIndonesiaIranIraqIrelandIsle of ManIsraelItalyJamaicaJapanJerseyJordanKazakhstanKenyaKiribatiKuwaitKyrgyzstanLao People's Democratic RepublicLatviaLebanonLesothoLiberiaLibyan Arab JamahiriyaLiechtensteinLithuaniaLuxembourgMacauMacedoniaMadagascarMalawiMalaysiaMaldivesMaliMaltaMarshall IslandsMartiniqueMauritaniaMauritiusMayotteMexicoMicronesiaMoldova, Republic ofMonacoMongoliaMontenegroMontserratMoroccoMozambiqueMyanmarNamibiaNauruNepalNetherlandsNew CaledoniaNew ZealandNicaraguaNigerNigeriaNiueNorfolk IslandNorth KoreaNorthern Mariana IslandsNorwayOmanPakistanPalauPalestinian TerritoriesPanamaPapua New GuineaParaguayPeruPhilippinesPitcairn IslandPolandPortugalPuerto RicoQatarReunion IslandRomaniaRussian FederationRwandaSaint HelenaSaint Kitts and NevisSaint LuciaSaint Pierre and MiquelonSaint Vincent and the GrenadinesSan MarinoSao Tome and PrincipeSaudi ArabiaSenegalSerbiaSeychellesSierra LeoneSingaporeSlovak RepublicSloveniaSolomon IslandsSomaliaSouth AfricaSouth GeorgiaSouth KoreaSpainSri LankaSudanSurinameSvalbard and Jan Mayen IslandsEswatiniSwedenSwitzerlandSyrian Arab RepublicTaiwanTajikistanTanzaniaTogoTokelauTongaThailandTrinidad and TobagoTunisiaTurkeyTurkmenistanTurks and Caicos IslandsTuvaluUgandaUkraineUnited Arab EmiratesUruguayUS Minor Outlying IslandsUzbekistanVanuatuVenezuelaVietnamVirgin Islands (British)Virgin Islands (USA)Wallis and Futuna IslandsWestern SaharaWestern SamoaYemenYugoslaviaZambiaZimbabwe Address 1 \* Address 2 City \* State \* AlabamaAlaskaArizonaArkansasCaliforniaColoradoConnecticutDelawareDistrict of ColumbiaFloridaGeorgiaHawaiiIdahoIllinoisIndianaIowaKansasKentuckyLouisianaMaineMarylandMassachusettsMichiganMinnesotaMississippiMissouriMontanaNebraskaNevadaNew HampshireNew JerseyNew MexicoNew YorkNorth CarolinaNorth DakotaOhioOklahomaOregonPennsylvaniaRhode IslandSouth CarolinaSouth DakotaTennesseeTexasUtahVermontVirginiaWashingtonWest VirginiaWisconsinWyomingAmerican SamoaCanal ZoneCommonwealth of the Northern Mariana IslandsFederated States of MicronesiaGuamMarshall IslandsNorthern Mariana IslandsPalauPhilippine IslandsPuerto RicoTrust Territory of the Pacific IslandsVirgin IslandsArmed Forces - AmericasArmed Forces - Europe, Canada, Middle East, AfricaArmed Forces - Pacific Zip / Postal Code \* Donation Total: $1,000.00 One Time --- ### [Theodore Brenig: From the Holocaust To Virginia](https://www.vaholocaust.org/theodore-brenig/) **Published:** March 12, 2024 **Author:** Laurie Simpson Crouch **Content:** ![](https://www.vaholocaust.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Screenshot-2024-03-12-at-1.26.18-PM.png "Screenshot 2024-03-12 at 1.26.18 PM") Theodore and Joe in 1931 Theodore Brenig was born on July 17, 1927 to Baruch and Gittel Brenig. In 1938, after Kristallnacht, Baruch was arrested and taken to Dachau where he was released after three months. In 1942, the family was taken to Camp des Milles and in August, Baruch and Gittel were deported to Auschwitz. Theodore's parents had authorized the OSE to take him out of the camp, and his brother, Joseph, hid on one of the OSE buses to escape as well. Theodore was taken to the Hotel Bompard Internment camp and then on to a children's home. When they began to deport children, Theodore was taken to Chambery in the Italian zone of occupation, and then smuggled into Switzerland after the Italians capitulated. He became an engineer in Switzerland after the war and was eventually offered a job by General Electric after which he moved to Lynchburg, Virginia. Joseph, who was too old to be taken in by the OSE, obtained false papers and worked on a farm. He joined the Free French Forces in 1944. --- ### [The Museums Exhibit Rennovations Campaign](https://www.vaholocaust.org/exhibit-rennovations-campaign/) **Published:** April 2, 2024 **Author:** Laurie Simpson Crouch **Content:** ### Exhibit Rennovations Campaign $ Donation Amount: - $25.00 - $50.00 - $100.00 - $250.00 - $500.00 - Custom Amount Make this donation every dayweekmonthquarteryear Type of Tribute\- select - In Honor Of In Memory Of Recipient Name Letter to Gift Recipient Letter to Gift Recipient Gift recipient does not require an acknowledgement letter. Recipient Address Tribute Notes Select Payment Method - Stripe - Credit Card - Offline Donation Personal Info First Name \* Last Name Email Address \* Make this an anonymous donation. Comment Credit Card Info This is a secure SSL encrypted payment. Card Number \* CVC \* Cardholder Name \* Expiration \* Billing Details Country \* United StatesCanadaUnited KingdomAfghanistanAlbaniaAlgeriaAmerican SamoaAndorraAngolaAnguillaAntarcticaAntigua and BarbudaArgentinaArmeniaArubaAustraliaAustriaAzerbaijanBahamasBahrainBangladeshBarbadosBelarusBelgiumBelizeBeninBermudaBhutanBoliviaBosnia and HerzegovinaBotswanaBouvet IslandBrazilBritish Indian Ocean TerritoryBrunei DarrussalamBulgariaBurkina FasoBurundiCambodiaCameroonCape VerdeCayman IslandsCentral African RepublicChadChileChinaChristmas IslandCocos IslandsColombiaComorosCongo, Democratic People's RepublicCongo, Republic ofCook IslandsCosta RicaCote d'IvoireCroatia/HrvatskaCubaCuraçaoCyprus IslandCzech RepublicDenmarkDjiboutiDominicaDominican RepublicEast TimorEcuadorEgyptEquatorial GuineaEl SalvadorEritreaEstoniaEthiopiaFalkland IslandsFaroe IslandsFijiFinlandFranceFrench GuianaFrench PolynesiaFrench Southern TerritoriesGabonGambiaGeorgiaGermanyGreeceGhanaGibraltarGreenlandGrenadaGuadeloupeGuamGuatemalaGuernseyGuineaGuinea-BissauGuyanaHaitiHeard and McDonald IslandsHoly See (City Vatican State)HondurasHong KongHungaryIcelandIndiaIndonesiaIranIraqIrelandIsle of ManIsraelItalyJamaicaJapanJerseyJordanKazakhstanKenyaKiribatiKuwaitKyrgyzstanLao People's Democratic RepublicLatviaLebanonLesothoLiberiaLibyan Arab JamahiriyaLiechtensteinLithuaniaLuxembourgMacauMacedoniaMadagascarMalawiMalaysiaMaldivesMaliMaltaMarshall IslandsMartiniqueMauritaniaMauritiusMayotteMexicoMicronesiaMoldova, Republic ofMonacoMongoliaMontenegroMontserratMoroccoMozambiqueMyanmarNamibiaNauruNepalNetherlandsNew CaledoniaNew ZealandNicaraguaNigerNigeriaNiueNorfolk IslandNorth KoreaNorthern Mariana IslandsNorwayOmanPakistanPalauPalestinian TerritoriesPanamaPapua New GuineaParaguayPeruPhilippinesPitcairn IslandPolandPortugalPuerto RicoQatarReunion IslandRomaniaRussian FederationRwandaSaint HelenaSaint Kitts and NevisSaint LuciaSaint Pierre and MiquelonSaint Vincent and the GrenadinesSan MarinoSao Tome and PrincipeSaudi ArabiaSenegalSerbiaSeychellesSierra LeoneSingaporeSlovak RepublicSloveniaSolomon IslandsSomaliaSouth AfricaSouth GeorgiaSouth KoreaSpainSri LankaSudanSurinameSvalbard and Jan Mayen IslandsEswatiniSwedenSwitzerlandSyrian Arab RepublicTaiwanTajikistanTanzaniaTogoTokelauTongaThailandTrinidad and TobagoTunisiaTurkeyTurkmenistanTurks and Caicos IslandsTuvaluUgandaUkraineUnited Arab EmiratesUruguayUS Minor Outlying IslandsUzbekistanVanuatuVenezuelaVietnamVirgin Islands (British)Virgin Islands (USA)Wallis and Futuna IslandsWestern SaharaWestern SamoaYemenYugoslaviaZambiaZimbabwe Address 1 \* Address 2 City \* State \* AlabamaAlaskaArizonaArkansasCaliforniaColoradoConnecticutDelawareDistrict of ColumbiaFloridaGeorgiaHawaiiIdahoIllinoisIndianaIowaKansasKentuckyLouisianaMaineMarylandMassachusettsMichiganMinnesotaMississippiMissouriMontanaNebraskaNevadaNew HampshireNew JerseyNew MexicoNew YorkNorth CarolinaNorth DakotaOhioOklahomaOregonPennsylvaniaRhode IslandSouth CarolinaSouth DakotaTennesseeTexasUtahVermontVirginiaWashingtonWest VirginiaWisconsinWyomingAmerican SamoaCanal ZoneCommonwealth of the Northern Mariana IslandsFederated States of MicronesiaGuamMarshall IslandsNorthern Mariana IslandsPalauPhilippine IslandsPuerto RicoTrust Territory of the Pacific IslandsVirgin IslandsArmed Forces - AmericasArmed Forces - Europe, Canada, Middle East, AfricaArmed Forces - Pacific Zip / Postal Code \* Donation Total: $50.00 One Time --- ### [Request A Speaker Form Page: How To Get Started](https://www.vaholocaust.org/request-a-speaker-form-page/) **Published:** March 26, 2024 **Author:** Laurie Simpson Crouch **Content:** ### Request A Speaker Form Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form. Name \*First Last Email \* Phone School Name School County Grade Level - Middle - High School Mode of Presentaion - In-Person - Zoom/Google Meet Preferred Speaker - Dr. Roger Loria (Holocaust Survivor - In Person & Remote) - Pinchas Gutter (Holocuast Survivor - Remote Only) - Erika Schwartz (Holocaust Survivor - Remote Only) - Halina Zimm (Holocaust Survivor - In Person) - Amanda Sam (Cambodian Survivor - In Person & Remote) - Jason Nshimye (Rwanda Survivor - In Person & Remote) - Chantel Ingabire (Rwanda Survivor - In Person & Remote) How Preferred Time How many students will be in attendance? Preferred Date / TimeClear Date Date Time Do students have historical knowledge background pertinet to the survivor's background? - Yes - No Is there anything else you would like to share with us at this time? Submit![Loading](https://www.vaholocaust.org/wp-content/plugins/wpforms/assets/images/submit-spin.svg) --- ### [Rental Inquiry Form: How To Request A Venue](https://www.vaholocaust.org/rental-inquiry-form/) **Published:** April 11, 2024 **Author:** Laurie Simpson Crouch **Content:** ### Rental Inquiry Form Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form. Name \*First Last Email \* Phone \* What type of event are you planning? The name of your event? Example: Smith's wedding, Burn's Luncheon, etc. Preferred Date and TimeClear Date Date Time you Date space Alternate Date and Time Date Time Which space are you interested in? - Choral Synagogue - TEI Classrooms - Second Floor Balcony Is there anything else you would like to share with us at this time? Submit![Loading](https://www.vaholocaust.org/wp-content/plugins/wpforms/assets/images/submit-spin.svg) --- ### [Our Exhibit Renovations Campaign: Make A Lasting Difference](https://www.vaholocaust.org/exhibit-renovations-campaign/) **Published:** March 27, 2024 **Author:** Laurie Simpson Crouch **Content:** # Our Exhibit Renovations Campaign: Learn How You Can Make A Meaningful Difference ### About The Exhibit Renovations Campaign $ Donation Amount: - $25.00 - $50.00 - $100.00 - $250.00 - $500.00 - Custom Amount Make this donation every dayweekmonthquarteryear Type of Tribute\- select - In Honor Of In Memory Of Recipient Name Letter to Gift Recipient Letter to Gift Recipient Gift recipient does not require an acknowledgement letter. Recipient Address Tribute Notes Select Payment Method - Stripe - Credit Card - Offline Donation Personal Info First Name \* Last Name Email Address \* Make this an anonymous donation. Comment Credit Card Info This is a secure SSL encrypted payment. Card Number \* CVC \* Cardholder Name \* Expiration \* Billing Details Country \* United StatesCanadaUnited KingdomAfghanistanAlbaniaAlgeriaAmerican SamoaAndorraAngolaAnguillaAntarcticaAntigua and BarbudaArgentinaArmeniaArubaAustraliaAustriaAzerbaijanBahamasBahrainBangladeshBarbadosBelarusBelgiumBelizeBeninBermudaBhutanBoliviaBosnia and HerzegovinaBotswanaBouvet IslandBrazilBritish Indian Ocean TerritoryBrunei DarrussalamBulgariaBurkina FasoBurundiCambodiaCameroonCape VerdeCayman IslandsCentral African RepublicChadChileChinaChristmas IslandCocos IslandsColombiaComorosCongo, Democratic People's RepublicCongo, Republic ofCook IslandsCosta RicaCote d'IvoireCroatia/HrvatskaCubaCuraçaoCyprus IslandCzech RepublicDenmarkDjiboutiDominicaDominican RepublicEast TimorEcuadorEgyptEquatorial GuineaEl SalvadorEritreaEstoniaEthiopiaFalkland IslandsFaroe IslandsFijiFinlandFranceFrench GuianaFrench PolynesiaFrench Southern TerritoriesGabonGambiaGeorgiaGermanyGreeceGhanaGibraltarGreenlandGrenadaGuadeloupeGuamGuatemalaGuernseyGuineaGuinea-BissauGuyanaHaitiHeard and McDonald IslandsHoly See (City Vatican State)HondurasHong KongHungaryIcelandIndiaIndonesiaIranIraqIrelandIsle of ManIsraelItalyJamaicaJapanJerseyJordanKazakhstanKenyaKiribatiKuwaitKyrgyzstanLao People's Democratic RepublicLatviaLebanonLesothoLiberiaLibyan Arab JamahiriyaLiechtensteinLithuaniaLuxembourgMacauMacedoniaMadagascarMalawiMalaysiaMaldivesMaliMaltaMarshall IslandsMartiniqueMauritaniaMauritiusMayotteMexicoMicronesiaMoldova, Republic ofMonacoMongoliaMontenegroMontserratMoroccoMozambiqueMyanmarNamibiaNauruNepalNetherlandsNew CaledoniaNew ZealandNicaraguaNigerNigeriaNiueNorfolk IslandNorth KoreaNorthern Mariana IslandsNorwayOmanPakistanPalauPalestinian TerritoriesPanamaPapua New GuineaParaguayPeruPhilippinesPitcairn IslandPolandPortugalPuerto RicoQatarReunion IslandRomaniaRussian FederationRwandaSaint HelenaSaint Kitts and NevisSaint LuciaSaint Pierre and MiquelonSaint Vincent and the GrenadinesSan MarinoSao Tome and PrincipeSaudi ArabiaSenegalSerbiaSeychellesSierra LeoneSingaporeSlovak RepublicSloveniaSolomon IslandsSomaliaSouth AfricaSouth GeorgiaSouth KoreaSpainSri LankaSudanSurinameSvalbard and Jan Mayen IslandsEswatiniSwedenSwitzerlandSyrian Arab RepublicTaiwanTajikistanTanzaniaTogoTokelauTongaThailandTrinidad and TobagoTunisiaTurkeyTurkmenistanTurks and Caicos IslandsTuvaluUgandaUkraineUnited Arab EmiratesUruguayUS Minor Outlying IslandsUzbekistanVanuatuVenezuelaVietnamVirgin Islands (British)Virgin Islands (USA)Wallis and Futuna IslandsWestern SaharaWestern SamoaYemenYugoslaviaZambiaZimbabwe Address 1 \* Address 2 City \* State \* AlabamaAlaskaArizonaArkansasCaliforniaColoradoConnecticutDelawareDistrict of ColumbiaFloridaGeorgiaHawaiiIdahoIllinoisIndianaIowaKansasKentuckyLouisianaMaineMarylandMassachusettsMichiganMinnesotaMississippiMissouriMontanaNebraskaNevadaNew HampshireNew JerseyNew MexicoNew YorkNorth CarolinaNorth DakotaOhioOklahomaOregonPennsylvaniaRhode IslandSouth CarolinaSouth DakotaTennesseeTexasUtahVermontVirginiaWashingtonWest VirginiaWisconsinWyomingAmerican SamoaCanal ZoneCommonwealth of the Northern Mariana IslandsFederated States of MicronesiaGuamMarshall IslandsNorthern Mariana IslandsPalauPhilippine IslandsPuerto RicoTrust Territory of the Pacific IslandsVirgin IslandsArmed Forces - AmericasArmed Forces - Europe, Canada, Middle East, AfricaArmed Forces - Pacific Zip / Postal Code \* Donation Total: $50.00 One Time --- ### [Erika Schwartz: One Of The World's Youngest Holocaust Survivors](https://www.vaholocaust.org/erika-schwartz/) **Published:** April 19, 2024 **Author:** Laurie Simpson Crouch **Content:** # Erika Schwartz: One Of The World's Youngest Holocaust Survivors ### Her Story Erika Schwartz is one of the youngest Holocaust Survivors in the US. She was born in Nyíregyháza, Hungary in April 1944, just a month after the German invasion. Believing that Hungary was not going to be safe for Jews under the new regime, Erika’s father went to the authorities and begged them to allow his wife and daughter to move to Budapest. To keep them safe in Budapest, false Christian identity papers were obtained that allowed the pair to live undetected. When the war ended in 1945, Erika’s mother, Jolan Hornstein, discovered that they were the only two survivors from their entire family. As the child of a survivor, she felt her life revolved around trying to be the caregiver to a mother who had been totally destroyed by the war. It wasn't until Erika was in her forties that she had a shift in thinking away from all that she had lost in life to all that she could be grateful for. Erika's story is one of overcoming tremendous adversity and finding peace, gratitude and healing on the other side of her journey. --- ### [Pinchas Gutter: A Survivor's Story From The Holocaust to A New Life](https://www.vaholocaust.org/pinchas-gutter/) **Published:** April 18, 2024 **Author:** Laurie Simpson Crouch **Content:** ### Pinchas Gutter: Holocaust Survivor Pinchas Gutter was born to a Hasidic family in Lodz, Poland on July 21, 1932. Alongside his twin sister Sabina, he grew up in a religious Jewish community. Within a month of the Nazis’ 1939 invasion of Poland, the Gutter family, under false Christian identity, moved to Warsaw to avoid danger in their hometown. The family was interned in the Warsaw Ghetto, where they hid in a bunker during the April 1943 Warsaw Ghetto Uprising. They were eventually discovered and deported to the Majdanek concentration camp, where Pinchas’ parents and sister were murdered. Pinchas was then transferred to forced labor camps in Poland and later to the Buchenwald and Colditz concentration camps in Germany. From Colditz, he was sent on a death march to the Theresienstadt ghetto in Czechoslovakia. Pinchas was liberated from Theresienstadt by the Red Army in May 1945. After the war, Pinchas lived briefly in the United Kingdom, where he married his wife Dorothy, and then in Israel, before settling in South Africa for many years. He then immigrated to Canada in 1985 where he served as a lay chaplain at the Baycrest Jewish Home for the Aged in Toronto and as an honorary cantor at his local congregation. Pinchas and his wife had three children and three grandchildren. --- ### [Roger Loria: From The Holocaust to Virginia](https://www.vaholocaust.org/roger-loria/) **Published:** June 12, 2024 **Author:** Laurie Simpson Crouch **Content:** ### Roger's Story Roger Loria was born in Antwerp on April 19, 1940, to Wolf and Margot Loria. Roger’s father Wolf was born on January 12, 1912, in Oswiecim, Poland. He immigrated to Belgium as a young man to work as a diamond trader. While in Belgium he met and married Belgium citizen, Margot Loria (née Maisel). After the Third Reich invaded Belgium in 1940, Wolf and Margot decided to flee the country for Dunkirk, France. They were caught while traveling and forced to return to Antwerp. Because Poland was also occupied, Wolf, still a Polish citizen, worried that his now stateless status would put his wife and child at risk. He decided to leave for France on his own with the hopes that Margot and Roger would follow later. Wolf was caught in France and deported to the Drancy camp. From there he was transferred to Auschwitz in September 1942. He survived until a month before the end of the war when he perished during a death march. In 1942 Margot and Roger made their way to France to find Wolf. The pair was detained in the country with other mothers and children. Margot escaped with Roger after German forces came to deport the detainees but was caught once again and deported to Rivesaltes. Margot and Roger managed to escape again and headed towards Switzerland. They were caught at the border by Swiss police and sent to a refugee camp within Switzerland. They remained there until the end of the war when they were repatriated back to Belgium. In 1949 Margot and Roger moved to Israel. From Israel, Roger eventually moved to the States to continue his education as a Rockefeller Foundation scholar. He came to learn and stayed to help, with an academic career spanning 52 years, thousands of medical and graduate students, and a vast number of contributions to the field of medicine and basic science. Roger is an internationally recognized expert in virology and immunology and an emeritus professor at VCU’s Medical College. He has many patents in immune therapies and travels widely to lecture on his scientific discoveries. Roger lives in Richmond with his wife Win, they have two daughters. --- ### [Programming: An Overview Of Up-Coming Events](https://www.vaholocaust.org/programming/) **Published:** April 16, 2024 **Author:** Laurie Simpson Crouch **Content:** ### Annual Meeting Each fall we host our Annual Meeting. The next one is on October 30, 2024, at 5:30 PM ### Yom HaShoah 2025 **Yom HaShoah 2025** **Time/Date: TBD** Yom HaShoah, also known as Holocaust Remembrance Day, commemorates the six million Jews who were murdered in the Holocaust and honors the lives of those who survived. We invite you to join us as we reflect upon the tragedy of the Holocaust, remember those who perished, and honor our Virginia area survivors during this meaningful and inspirational service. The commemoration is FREE to attend. Registration details for 2025 will be posted soon. --- ### [From Rwanda to Virginia: Chantal Ingabire's Inspiring Story of Survival and Resilience](https://www.vaholocaust.org/from-rwanda-to-va/) **Published:** March 26, 2024 **Author:** Laurie Simpson Crouch **Content:** # From Rwanda to Virginia: Chantal Ingabire's Inspiring Story of Survival and Resilience ### Her Story Chantal Ingabire is a Pastor, and a speaker. She is a mother of two daughters and leads the Eastwind Church with her husband Leon Kayogera in Richmond, Virginia. Chantal is a survivor of genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda that took place in 1994. Some of her siblings, uncles, and cousins mostly on her father's side were killed during the genocide, and it was a miracle that she survived though she experienced, dehumanization, beatings and torture. Chantal worked in United Nations Peace Keeping Missions in Rwanda, Croatia, Haiti, and in the United Republic of Tanzania where she also served as a missionary. She shares her testimony as a survivor of genocide and encourages people with a message of restoration and forgiveness. --- ### [A Survivor's Journey: Jason Nshimye's Escape from Genocide in Rwanda to a New Life in Virginia](https://www.vaholocaust.org/jason-nshimye-rwanda-survivor/) **Published:** April 18, 2024 **Author:** Laurie Simpson Crouch **Content:** ### His Story Jason Nshimye was born and raised in [Rwanda](https://www.history.com/topics/africa/rwandan-genocide). He is the Founder and President of the Human Rights and Justice Foundation. He has been an activist for human rights and crime prevention. Jason, at the age of 15, and his wife Francoise, at the age of 8, survived the 1994 genocide against the Tutsis in Bisesero, Rwanda. As public speakers, they share their experiences as survivors because they believe it is in everyone’s best interest to support victims and strive for forgiveness, peace, and reconciliation. Jason is a former President of The Richmond Rwandan Community. He was named as Correspondent of the year by Richmond Times-Dispatch in 2011. For this project, he provided survivor testimony to help illuminate his experiences before, during, and after the genocide. --- ### [Membership at the Museum: A Look At Options](https://www.vaholocaust.org/membership/) **Published:** March 28, 2024 **Author:** Laurie Simpson Crouch **Content:** ### Why Become A Member Memberships help fund: - Free admission for 40,000+ visitors a year - Docent-led tours for 120 different public and private schools a year - The maintenance and renovations of the Museum's permanent exhibits and Memorial Gardens - The preservation of over 4,800 Holocaust-related artifacts - And So Much More! Each level of membership has other advantages as well! Check them out: ### Membership Levels Individual Membership: $35 **Benefits** - Memberships are 100% tax-deductible and include unlimited free admission to the Museum - 15% Discount at the Museum Shop & Bookstore - Special Invitations to Members-Only Events Couples Membership: $65 **Benefits** - Memberships are 100% tax-deductible and include unlimited free admission to the Museum - $5 Savings over two Individual Memberships - 15% Discount at the Museum Shop & Bookstore - Special Invitations to Members-Only Events Family Membership: $90 **Benefits** - Memberships are 100% tax-deductible and include unlimited free admission to the Museum - Minimum $15 Savings for a family of three or more vs Individual Memberships - 15% Discount to the Museum Shop & Bookstore - Special Invitations to Members-Only Events Friend Membership: $150 **Benefits** - Memberships are 100% tax-deductible and include unlimited free admission to the Museum - 20% Discount in the Museum Shop & Bookstore - Special Invitations to Members-Only Events Supporter Membership: $250 **Benefits** - Memberships are 100% tax-deductible and include unlimited free admission to the Museum - 20% Discount in the Museum Shop & Bookstore - Special Invitations to Members-Only Events Partner Membership: $500 **Benefits** - Memberships are 100% tax-deductible and include unlimited free admission to the Museum - - 25% Museum Shop & Bookstore Discount - Invites to Members-Only Events Sponsor Membership: $1000 **Benefits** - Memberships are 100% tax-deductible and include unlimited free admission to the Museum - 25% Discount to the Museum Shop & Bookstore - Special Invitations to Members-Only Events [ Become A Member Now! ](https://www.vaholocaust.org/membership-levels/) --- --- ### [Letter from Hitler to Karl Brandt: Authorizing Euthanasia](https://www.vaholocaust.org/letter-from-hitler-to-karl-brandt/) **Published:** March 21, 2024 **Author:** Laurie Simpson Crouch **Content:** ### Letter from Hitler to Karl Brandt **1 September 1939** \[Letterhead :A. HITLER\] Berlin, 1 September 1939 Reichsleiter Bouhler and Dr. Brandt, M. D., are charged with the responsibility of enlarging the authority of certain physicians to be designated by name in such a manner that persons who, according to human judgment, are incurable can, upon a most careful diagnosis of their condition of sickness, be accorded a mercy death. \[Signed\] A. HITLER\[Handwritten note\] Given to me by Bouhler on 27 August 1940 \[Signed\] DR. GUERTNER [Additional Information About Source](https://www.vaholocaust.org/letter-from-hitler-to-karl-brandt/#Area_0) Source: Trials of War Criminals Before the Nuernberg Military Tribunals, Vol. 1. Washington, DC: United States Government Printing Office, 1949. 630-PS. [](https://www.vaholocaust.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/LetterHitlerBrandt.pdf) ![Icon](https://www.vaholocaust.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/g243fbfc71df10c7c619d02149b895bf52318d20cc4f010c3d66bd614836f823823b698b876c12f2df6d7c1fb7529631b_1920-150x150.png) Click to Download Printer-Friendly PDF --- ### [Law on Passports of Jews: New “J” Denotation](https://www.vaholocaust.org/law-on-passports-of-jews/) **Published:** March 21, 2024 **Author:** Laurie Simpson Crouch **Content:** ### Law on Passports of Jews **5 October 1938** Based on the law on passport, alien police and registration affairs as well as on identification affairs of 11 May 1934 (Reichsgesetzblatt I, Page 589) the following is ordered in agreement with the Reich Minister of Justice:Article 1 1. All German passports of Jews (Article 5 of the first law to the Reich citizenship of 14 November 1935 - - Reichsgesetzblatt I Page 1333), who reside in the Reich area, become invalid. 2. The holders of the passports, mentioned in Section (1), are obliged to hand in these passports to the passport authority within Germany, in whose district the holder of the passport has his permanent residence or in lieu of such sojourns temporarily, within 2 weeks after this law becomes effective. For Jews who are staying abroad at the time of publication of this law, this period of two weeks begins with the day of their re-entry into the Reich area. 3. The passports, made out to be valid abroad, will become valid again if they are marked with a sign designated by the Reich Minister of the Interior, which will mark the holder as a Jew. Article 2Whoever carelessly or willfully does not comply with the obligation described in article 1, section 2 will be punished with prison and fined up to 150 marks or with either one of them.Article 3The law becomes effective with its promulgation.Berlin, 5 October 1938.The Reich Minister of the Interior By order Dr. Best [Additional Information on Source](https://www.vaholocaust.org/law-on-passports-of-jews/#Area_0) Source: Nazi Conspiracy and Aggression, Vol. 4. Washington, DC: Government Printing Office, 1947. 2120-PS. [](https://www.vaholocaust.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/PassportsofJews.pdf) ![Icon](https://www.vaholocaust.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/g243fbfc71df10c7c619d02149b895bf52318d20cc4f010c3d66bd614836f823823b698b876c12f2df6d7c1fb7529631b_1920-150x150.png) Click HERE to Download Printer-Friendly PDF --- ### [Finding Hope: Halina Zimm's Story of Survival and Resilience from Holocaust to Virginia](https://www.vaholocaust.org/halina-zimm/) **Published:** March 26, 2024 **Author:** Laurie Simpson Crouch **Content:** # Finding Hope: Halina Zimm's Story of Survival and Resilience from Holocaust to Virginia ### Her Story Halina Drexler (later Zimm) grew up in Lodz, Poland, with her parents and two sisters, Helen and Nana. In Poland life was pleasant until Nazis invaded the country in 1939. The invasion closed schools and Jews were forced to wear the Yellow Star. Recognizing the eminent danger to his family, Halina’s father Solomon Drexler and his family evacuated Lodz and made their way to Zarnow. En route Nazis stopped the Drexler family, stealing almost everything that they had with them. In Zarnow, rumors circulated about the existence of concentration camps. Few people believed the stories; however Halina’s father did. He obtained two forged birth certificates for Halina and Helen. In November, 1940, Halina said goodbye to her parents, fearing then she would never see them again. Two weeks later, the Nazis arrived and deported the Jews of Zarnow. Halina escaped to Warsaw where, in a train station, searched for someone to help her. Halina met a woman who took her in but neighbors began asking questions, so Halina knew she needed to leave. Eventually, Halina found employment as a housekeeper for a young couple who lived directly across the street from the Warsaw Ghetto. Halina lived many terrifying moments. On one visit to a market, she saw a woman she had known in Lodz. That woman denounced her to the police. Shortly thereafter, two Nazis arrived at the apartment and accused Halina of being a Jew. Halina also is able to recall the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising. Standing outside, she could hear people weeping and crying as the Nazis dynamited buildings where Jews were hiding. Eventually liberated by the Russians, she met her future husband Alan Zimm in 1945. With marriage came immigration to the United States where Halina and Alan established new lives, raised a family and became active members in the community. Halina often speaks to groups of students and teachers inspiring all who hear her. --- ### [Frequently Asked Questions: Answers To The Questions We Get the Most](https://www.vaholocaust.org/frequently-asked-questions/) **Published:** March 22, 2024 **Author:** Laurie Simpson Crouch **Content:** ### Frequently Asked Questions: Answers To The Questions We Are Asked The Most What was the Holocaust? The Holocaust was the systematic, bureaucratic, state-sponsored persecution and murder of approximately six million Jews by the Nazi regime and its collaborators. During the era of the Holocaust, German authorities also targeted other groups because of their perceived “racial inferiority”: Roma (Gypsies), the disabled, and some of the Slavic peoples (Poles, Russians, and others). Other groups were persecuted on political, ideological, and behavioral grounds, among them Communists, Socialists, Jehovah’s Witnesses, and homosexuals. What is antisemitism? Hostility and prejudice directed against Jewish people. Who were the victims of the Nazis? Jews, Political Opponents such as Communists, Socialists, Social Democrats and Trade Union Leaders, Roma (gypsies), Poles and other Slavic people, the Disabled, Homosexuals, Jehovah Witnesses, Free Masons, Afro-Germans and prisoners of war, particularly Russian. How many Jews were murdered in the Holocaust? 6 Million How many children where murdered in the Holocaust? 1.5 Million Why didn't the Jews just leave Europe when the Nazis came into power? During the early years of the Holocaust, Jewish emigration was supported by the Nazi Party, as the Nazis were trying to rid Germany of Jews. However countries in the 1930s had quotas for the number of immigrants that they would allow through their borders, and this included the United States. Other obstacles to immigration included financial (the cost of leaving the country), cultural (having to learn a new language, culture and customs) as well as the difficulty of trying to obtain the legal documents to leave Germany and enter a new country. Did the Jews fight back? Yes, Jews did fight back against the Nazis and their collaborators. Resistance took on many forms during the Holocaust, both armed and unarmed, adult men, women and even teenagers fought back against the Nazi regime. Although there was resistance during the Holocaust, the percentage of people that were able to resist was very small. Factors such as disease, starvation and availability of weapons all contributed to the small percentage of resisters. How did the Nazis know who was Jewish? Nazi officials used census records and synagogue lists, non-Jews were also encouraged to turn on their Jewish neighbors, reporting where they were living/hiding. Eastern European Jews were recognizable by their distinctive orthodox dress, and men were recognizable by their large beards and peyot (long, curled sideburns). Additionally, the Nazis took steps to ensure that Jews were easily identifiable, this included stamping ID cards with a red J, forcing Jewish men to take the middle name “Israel,” and Jewish women the middle name “Sara,” and forcing Jews to wear badges bearing the Star of David. How many Holocaust survivors live in Richmond today? Although there is not an exact number on record, there are about ten Holocaust survivors currently living in Richmond. --- ### [Order Eliminating Jews from German Economic Life](https://www.vaholocaust.org/order-eliminating-jews/) **Published:** March 21, 2024 **Author:** Laurie Simpson Crouch **Content:** ### Order Eliminating Jews from German Economic Life **12 November 1938** On the basis of the Decree of 18 October 1936 for the execution of the Four Year Plan (RGBI I, p. 887), the following is ordered: Article 1 1. From January 1, 1938, operation of retail shops, mail order houses, independent exercise of handicrafts is forbidden to Jews. (Article 5 of the First Decree to Reich citizenship law \[Reichsbuergergesetz\] of 14 Nov 1935-RGB1 I, 1933). 2. Moreover it is forbidden to Jews from the same date to offer goods or services in the markets of all kinds, fairs, or exhibitions or to advertise such or accept orders therefore. 3. Jewish shops operated in violation of this order will be closed by police. (Third Decree to Reich citizenship law of 14 June 1938-RGB1 I, 627). Article 2 1. No Jew can manage a firm according to the interpretation of the term "manager" under the law for national labor of 20 Jan 1934. (RGBI I, 45). 2. If a Jew is a leading employee in a business concern he may be dismissed with notice of six weeks. At expiration of this period all claims resulting from the employee's contract, especially claims of compensation or pensions, become null. Article 3 1. No Jew can be a member of a cooperative society. 2. Jewish members of cooperatives lose membership from 21 Dec 1938. No notice is necessary. Article 4 Competent Reich Ministers are empowered to issue rules required by this decree. They may permit exceptions so far as this is necessary for transfer of Jewish firms into non-Jewish hands or for liquidation of Jewish concerns and in special cases in order to insure supplies. Berlin, 12 November 1938 The Commissioner for the Four Year Plan Goering General Field Marshal [](https://www.vaholocaust.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/EliminatingJewsEconomicLife-1.pdf) ![Icon](https://www.vaholocaust.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/g243fbfc71df10c7c619d02149b895bf52318d20cc4f010c3d66bd614836f823823b698b876c12f2df6d7c1fb7529631b_1920-150x150.png) Click HERE for Printer-Friendly PDF --- ### [Law Regarding Admission to the Bar](https://www.vaholocaust.org/law-regarding-admission/) **Published:** March 20, 2024 **Author:** Laurie Simpson Crouch **Content:** ### Law Regarding Admission to the Bar **7 April 1933** The Reich Government has enacted the following law that is promulgated herewith : Art. 1. The admission of lawyers who, according to the Law for the Restoration of the Professional Civil Service, of April 7, 1933 (RGBI, I 175), are of non-Aryan descent, may be cancelled till September 30, 1933. The provision of clause 1 does not apply to lawyers already admitted before August 1, 1914, or, who, during the World War fought at the front for Germany, or her allies, or who lost their fathers or sons in the World War. Art. 2. Persons who, according to the Law for the Restoration of the Professional Civil Service of April 7, 1933 (RGBI. I, p. 175) are of non-Aryan descent, may be refused permission to practice law, even if there exists none of the reasons enumerated in the Regulations for Lawyers. The same rule applies in cases, as where a lawyer described in Section 1, clause 2, wishes to be admitted to another court. Art. 3. Persons, who were active in the communistic sense are excluded from the admission to the Bar. Admissions already given have to be revoked. Art. 4. The Justice-Administration can issue an injunction against a lawyer until it is decided, if use will be made of the right to revoke the admission in accordance with Art 1/1, or Art 3. The prescriptions of Art 9/b/2-4 of the Bar regulation (Reichs-Law Publication 1933, I, page 120) apply accordingly to the injunction against representation. Against lawyers of that type as described in Art. 1/2 the injunction against representation is only then permissible when the use of Art. 3 is concerned. Art. 5. To revoke the admission to the Bar is considered an important reason for the cancelling of employment contracts, which were concluded by the lawyer as employer. Art. 6. In case the admission of a lawyer is revoked in accordance with this law, then for the cancelling of leases of rooms, which were rented by the lawyer for himself or his family, the regulations of the law about the cancelling right of persons concerned by the law for the renovation of professional bureaucracy, 7 April 1933, (RGB1. Part I, page 187) will accordingly be used. The same will apply to employees of lawyers, who lost their job owing to the fact that the admission of the lawyer was revoked or an injunction against representation against him was issued in conformity with Art. 4. Berlin, 7 April 1933 The Reichs-Chancellor Adolf Hitler The Reichs-Minister for Justice Dr. Guertner [](https://www.vaholocaust.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/LawAdmissionBar.pdf) ![Icon](https://www.vaholocaust.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/g243fbfc71df10c7c619d02149b895bf52318d20cc4f010c3d66bd614836f823823b698b876c12f2df6d7c1fb7529631b_1920-150x150.png) Click HERE to Download Printer-Friendly PDF --- ## Donation Forms ### [Tribute Gifts](https://www.vaholocaust.org/donations/tribute-gifts-form/) **Published:** April 2, 2024 **Author:** Laurie Simpson Crouch --- ### [Tribute Gifts](https://www.vaholocaust.org/donations/tribute_gifts-2/) **Published:** February 11, 2026 **Author:** Laurie Simpson Crouch --- ### [General Donations](https://www.vaholocaust.org/donations/general-donation-form/) **Published:** March 27, 2024 **Author:** Laurie Simpson Crouch --- ### [Bus Scholarship Program](https://www.vaholocaust.org/donations/bus-scholarship-program/) **Published:** October 9, 2025 **Author:** Laurie Simpson Crouch --- ### [Sponsor A Teacher](https://www.vaholocaust.org/donations/sponsor-a-teacher-2/) **Published:** October 9, 2025 **Author:** Laurie Simpson Crouch --- ### [Exhibit Renovations Campaign](https://www.vaholocaust.org/donations/exhibit-renovation-fund/) **Published:** April 25, 2024 **Author:** Laurie Simpson Crouch --- ### [Pardon Our Dust Campaign 2025](https://www.vaholocaust.org/donations/pardon-our-dust-campaign-2025/) **Published:** September 10, 2025 **Author:** Laurie Simpson Crouch **Content:** \[\] --- ### [Sponsor Membership](https://www.vaholocaust.org/donations/membership-levels-2-2-2-2-2-2/) **Published:** January 30, 2025 **Author:** Laurie Simpson Crouch --- ### [Partner Membership](https://www.vaholocaust.org/donations/membership-levels-2-2-2-2-2/) **Published:** January 30, 2025 **Author:** Laurie Simpson Crouch --- ### [Supporter Membership](https://www.vaholocaust.org/donations/membership-levels-2-2-2-2/) **Published:** January 30, 2025 **Author:** Laurie Simpson Crouch --- ### [Friend Membership](https://www.vaholocaust.org/donations/membership-levels-2-2-2/) **Published:** January 30, 2025 **Author:** Laurie Simpson Crouch --- ### [Family Membership](https://www.vaholocaust.org/donations/membership-levels-2-2/) **Published:** January 30, 2025 **Author:** Laurie Simpson Crouch --- ### [Individual Membership](https://www.vaholocaust.org/donations/membership-levels-2/) **Published:** January 30, 2025 **Author:** Laurie Simpson Crouch --- ### [Membership](https://www.vaholocaust.org/donations/membership-levels/) **Published:** April 2, 2024 **Author:** Laurie Simpson Crouch --- ### [Sponsor A Teacher](https://www.vaholocaust.org/donations/sponsor-a-teacher/) **Published:** April 2, 2024 **Author:** Laurie Simpson Crouch --- ## Testimonials ### [Bloomfield, MI](https://www.vaholocaust.org/testimonial/ruth-lawson/) **Published:** July 18, 2015 **Author:** jlindsey **Content:** Surprised to find a Holocaust memorial this large in Richmond – I hope it serves as an effective and long-lasting educational and memorial center in the community. **Testimonial Categories:** General --- ### [County Durham, England](https://www.vaholocaust.org/testimonial/hannah-hunter/) **Published:** July 18, 2015 **Author:** jlindsey **Content:** Very moving and informative tour. **Testimonial Categories:** General --- ### [Visitor 2025](https://www.vaholocaust.org/testimonial/visitor-2025/) **Published:** May 8, 2025 **Author:** Laurie Simpson Crouch **Content:** Wonderful addition to the museum. **Testimonial Categories:** DIT Testimonials --- ### [Patron 2025](https://www.vaholocaust.org/testimonial/patron-2025/) **Published:** May 8, 2025 **Author:** Laurie Simpson Crouch **Content:** AI at its best. Wonderful way to understand what happened to survivors during the Holocaust. **Testimonial Categories:** DIT Testimonials --- ### [Museum Visitor 2025](https://www.vaholocaust.org/testimonial/musuem-visitor-2025/) **Published:** May 8, 2025 **Author:** Laurie Simpson Crouch **Content:** Absolutely phenomenal! **Testimonial Categories:** DIT Testimonials --- ## Gallery ### [Behind The Scene Photos](https://www.vaholocaust.org/gallery/behind-the-scene-photos/) **Published:** September 5, 2024 **Author:** Laurie Simpson Crouch --- ### [Slider/Gallery Format](https://www.vaholocaust.org/gallery/slidergallery-format/) **Published:** July 20, 2015 **Author:** jlindsey **Gallery Categories:** Slider --- ### [](https://www.vaholocaust.org/gallery/823/) **Published:** February 7, 2023 **Author:** Laurie Simpson Crouch **Content:** ![Exterior Shot of Virginia Holocaust Museum](https://www.vaholocaust.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/VHM-building-2-web-274x300.jpg) --- ### [Link Format](https://www.vaholocaust.org/gallery/audio-format/) **Published:** July 20, 2015 **Author:** jlindsey **Gallery Categories:** Link --- ### [Link Format](https://www.vaholocaust.org/gallery/link-format-2/) **Published:** July 20, 2015 **Author:** jlindsey **Gallery Categories:** Link --- ### [Link Format](https://www.vaholocaust.org/gallery/link-format/) **Published:** July 20, 2015 **Author:** jlindsey **Gallery Categories:** Link --- ### [Video Format](https://www.vaholocaust.org/gallery/video-format/) **Published:** July 20, 2015 **Author:** jlindsey **Gallery Categories:** Video --- ### [Image Format](https://www.vaholocaust.org/gallery/image-format/) **Published:** July 20, 2015 **Author:** jlindsey **Gallery Categories:** Image --- ## Exhibitions ### [HALT! REMEMBERING THE HOLOCAUST ARTWORK BY G. ROY LEVIN](https://www.vaholocaust.org/exhibition/halt-remembering-the-holocaust-artwork-by-g-roy-levin/) **Published:** October 30, 2023 **Author:** Laurie Simpson Crouch **Content:** ### April – October 2023 While serving on the faculty of Goddard College in 1980, G. Roy Levin received a fellowship from the National Endowment for the Humanities which resulted in a book containing interviews with documentary filmmakers. Through this research, he came upon the documentary Shoah directed by Claude Lanzmann. He began to create artwork based on images from the film using various mediums. Levin started with paintings in color using discarded fruit and vegetable crates with wire and unframed canvases. He eventually switched to black and white photographs on boxes, reminiscent of the railroad cars that carried passengers to the concentration camps. The light in his paintings has a shimmering quality so that remembering becomes an “act of empathy and compassion for the unspeakable pain that was endured by so many.” Levin wanted his paintings to not necessarily show what the Holocaust was like, but to stimulate the viewer’s imagination to think about what it was like. **Exhibition Categories:** Past --- ### [Memorial Without Witness](https://www.vaholocaust.org/exhibition/memorial-without-witness/) **Published:** April 16, 2024 **Author:** Laurie Simpson Crouch **Content:** On Display Now Through November 2024 In July 1987, Dr. Charles W. Sydnor, Jr., VHM’s Senior Historian, walked among the ruins of the infamous Auschwitz-Birkenau death camp by himself. With only his camera and the ruins to keep him company, he took hundreds of black and white photos. Memorial Without Witness features a curated collection of Sydnor’s images, enlarged to wall-size panels so that the visitor can see and feel what it is like to walk alone among the rubble and decay of the Nazi’s most notorious death camp, Auschwitz. **Exhibition Categories:** Featured --- ## Events ### [The Richmond International Film Festival (RIFF) is this week Sept. 22 - 27th.](https://www.vaholocaust.org/event/the-richmond-international-film-festival-riff-is-this-week-sept-22-27th/) **Published:** September 22, 2026 **Author:** Laurie Simpson Crouch **Content:** The Richmond International Film Festival (RIFF) is this week Sept. 22 – 27th. Scan the QR code to learn more! ![QR code for RIFF](https://www.vaholocaust.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/RIFF-QR-Code.webp) **Event Categories:** Future Events --- ### [From Context to Classroom Part I - Bristol, VA](https://www.vaholocaust.org/event/from-context-to-classroom-part-i-bristol-va/) **Published:** May 1, 2026 **Author:** Laurie Simpson Crouch **Content:** July 2026 From Context to Classroom Part I July 22-24 \| 2.5 Day Workshop First two days: 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM Last Day: 8:30 AM to 1:30 PM Location: Birthplace of Country Music Museum, Bristol, Virginia Explore the history of the Holocaust and discover practical ways to bring these lessons into your classroom. This 2½-day, in-person workshop combines historian-led lectures, hands-on activities, and access to Museum resources to help you teach this important topic with confidence. Sessions are connected to the Virginia Standards of Learning, giving you tools that meet curriculum requirements while engaging your students. Who’s the class for: Teachers who haven’t yet attended the Alexander Lebenstein Teacher Education Institute Part I. What you’ll do: Participate in interactive lectures and discussions Explore Museum resources you can use in your classroom Complete pre-reading, use Canvas online, and create a final project What You’ll Receive: Up to 45 recertification points $200 stipend $30 registration fee reimbursed Classroom Resources Certificate of completion Join us to build your knowledge, strengthen your teaching, and bring meaningful Holocaust education to your students. $500 Scholarships are available for teachers, 50 miles outside of Richmond (June class) and 50 miles outside of Bristol (July class). Scholarships are to help cover travel, housing, and meals. Please contact Megan Ferenczy mferenczy@vaholocaust.org to apply. The Alexander Lebenstein Teacher Education Institute is designed for middle and high school educators who teach or plan to teach the Holocaust. Longwood University’s Professional Studies Office provides suggested professional development points based on the Virginia Licensure Renewal Manual, but participants should confirm point eligibility with their school or district. [To Register:](https://studentaccounts.longwood.edu/C20122_ustores/web/product_detail.jsp?PRODUCTID=1044&SINGLESTORE=true) **Event Categories:** TEI --- ### [History of European Antisemitism: Online Educator Workshop](https://www.vaholocaust.org/event/historyofeuropeanantisemitism/) **Published:** September 8, 2025 **Author:** Laurie Simpson Crouch **Content:** Join the Virginia Holocaust Museum and the Institute for Curriculum Services for an online workshop focused on examining the history of European antisemitism. Where does antisemitism come from? This is a question that students frequently ask when learning about the Holocaust. Antisemitism (anti-Judaism before the modern era) is over 2,000 years old, but courses that cover the Holocaust often do not consider pre-20th century history. This session outlines the larger context of antisemitism throughout Europe and offers the content teachers need to help students understand the origins and history of the “longest hatred”. The session will examine the four intersecting historical forms of antisemitism – religious, economic, socio-political, and racial. This workshop is free for educators, and a certificate of attendance is emailed upon completion. Register here: Deadline for Registration is October 9th, 2025. **Questions? Please contact Megan Ferenczy** [**mferenczy@vaholocaust.org**](mailto:mferenczy@vaholocaust.org) **Event Categories:** Professional Development --- ### [The Mischlinge Exposé by Carolyn Enger](https://www.vaholocaust.org/event/themischlingeexpose/) **Published:** June 27, 2025 **Author:** Laurie Simpson Crouch **Content:** Internationally celebrated American pianist Carolyn Enger will present her powerful live documentary, The Mischlinge Exposé, at 5:00 p.m. on Sunday, September 14, in the Virginia Holocaust Museum’s historic Choral Synagogue. The date is significant because on September 15, 1935, the Nazi regime enacted two pivotal race laws—the Reich Citizenship Law and the Law for the Protection of German Blood and German Honor. These laws formally defined and discriminated against individuals known as Mischlinge—a derogatory term for those with one or two Jewish grandparents, considered neither fully Jewish nor fully German under Nazi ideology. The Mischlinge Exposé explores this little-known aspect of Holocaust history through a compelling blend of live piano performance, video, and audio testimony. Enger shares the stories of her father and godmother, both of whom were labeled Mischling by the Nazis. Their testimonies are interwoven with Enger’s performance of works by salon-era composers who converted to Christianity in the years before the war, as well as pieces that grapple with identity in the postwar era. Through this deeply personal lens, Enger examines what it meant to exist between worlds in early 20th-century Germany—and invites audiences to reflect on universal themes of identity, inclusion, and empathy. Event Details: 📅 Sunday, September 14 🕔 5:00 p.m. 📍 Choral Synagogue, Virginia Holocaust Museum 🎟️ Free and open to the public 🪑 Seating is first-come, first-served 📌 [Advance registration is required and must be completed at least 24 hours in advance. No walk-ins will be admitted.](https://www.vaholocaust.org/themischlingeexpose/) Enger maintains an active performance schedule across two continents, with recent appearances at the National Gallery in Oslo, Baruch College in New York, the Museum of Jewish Heritage, and the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C. **Event Categories:** Future Events --- ### [TEI: From Context to Classroom Part II](https://www.vaholocaust.org/event/tei-from-context-to-classroom-part-ii/) **Published:** June 13, 2024 **Author:** Laurie Simpson Crouch **Content:** July 15 – July 17 From Context to Classroom Part II VHM 2000 East Cary St, Richmond, VA, United States Application Deadline: July 1st, 2024 Stipend: $200 (plus the registration fee reimbursement) Registration Fee: $30, reimbursed with successful completion of all class requirements Earn up to 45 points towards recertification With the successful completion of this 2 1/2 day in person class and its requirements, your school division may allow you to apply for up to 45 recertification points. Sessions focus on the Holocaust’s historical background and pedagogy – building upon From Context to Classroom Part I, allowing for a closer examination and a deeper understanding of this history. You will hear historian-led lectures and learn about best practices and resources that you can use in the classroom. Educators will have opportunities to explore and interact with Museum resources. For More Details **Event Categories:** Professional Development --- ### [TEI: From Context to Classroom Part I](https://www.vaholocaust.org/event/tei-from-context-to-classroom-part-i/) **Published:** June 13, 2024 **Author:** Laurie Simpson Crouch **Content:** June 24 – June 26 From Context to Classroom Part I VHM 2000 East Cary St, Richmond, VA, United States Application Deadline: May 31st, 2024 Stipend: $200 (plus the registration fee reimbursement) Registration Fee: $30, reimbursed with successful completion of all class requirements Earn up to 45 points towards recertification With the successful completion of this 2 1/2 day in person class and its requirements, your school division may allow you to apply for up to 45 recertification points. Sessions focus on the Holocaust’s historical background and pedagogy which link to the Virginia Standards of Learning requirements. You will hear historian-led lectures and learn about best practices and resources that you can use in the classroom when teaching the Holocaust. Educators will have opportunities to explore and interact with Museum resources. For More Details **Event Categories:** Professional Development --- ### [“Choice, Human Behavior and the Holocaust” Educator Workshop](https://www.vaholocaust.org/event/choice-human-behavior-and-the-holocaust-educator-workshop/) **Published:** February 4, 2025 **Author:** Laurie Simpson Crouch **Content:** **“Choice, Human Behavior and the Holocaust”** **Educator Workshop** **May 6th, 2025** **10am-3pm at the Virginia Holocaust Museum** Join the Virginia Holocaust Museum for a day of professional development focused on examining the events of the Holocaust through the lens of collaboration and complicity. The Nazis could not have carried out the Holocaust alone. Ordinary people played a key role in the persecution and murder of Europe’s Jews. How did individuals respond to the persecution and murder of their Jewish classmates, coworkers, neighbors, and friends? How did relationships and roles shape their decisions? Learn the history, best practices, and resources to use in the classroom to help your students critically examine the choices and behaviors of people during the Holocaust. Decision making, the responsibility of the individual and the effects on victims of the Holocaust are also a central theme of this workshop. Educators will hear from Dr. Kerrie Taber author of “Quarantining Hate.” Dr. Taber will share how to respond to growing threats of hatred and how in learning and confronting her family past; her grandfather was responsible for the deaths of 14,000 Lithuanian Jews during the Holocaust, has influenced her work to speak out against injustice and hate. This workshop is free for educators and includes: - Breakfast, Coffee, and Lunch - Educator resources - A certificate of attendance Register here (registration link needed) Deadline for Registration is April 29th, 2025 **A limited number of scholarships are available for teachers 120+ miles from Richmond. Scholarships are to help cover travel, housing, and meals. Please contact Megan Ferenczy** [**mferenczy@vaholocaust.org**](mailto:mferenczy@vaholocaust.org) **to apply.** **Event Categories:** Future Events, Professional Development --- ### [“Decoding Deception: How to Teach about Nazi Propaganda” Educator Workshop](https://www.vaholocaust.org/event/decoding-deception-how-to-teach-about-nazi-propaganda-educator-workshop/) **Published:** February 26, 2025 **Author:** Laurie Simpson Crouch **Content:** Join us for an engaging professional development workshop designed to equip educators with the tools to analyze and teach the impact of propaganda during the Nazi era. Propaganda surrounds us everywhere, in both past and present. This workshop will explore key terms, definitions, and the historical context of Nazi propaganda, including the role of figures like Joseph Goebbels. Participants will engage in a hands-on lesson plan analyzing primary sources and examining how Nazi propaganda targeted different victim groups. We will also draw connections to American history, demonstrating how to incorporate this theme into a variety of curricula. Educators will discuss how to empower students to recognize and critically analyze propaganda in contemporary contexts. Overall, the workshop will provide insight into how these sensitive topics can be taught and can help leave a lasting impression on your students both inside and outside the classroom. This workshop is free for educators and includes: - Breakfast, Coffee, and Lunch - Educator resources - A certificate of attendance [**Register here!** ](https://www.vaholocaust.org/decoding-deception/) Deadline for Registration is April 4th, 2025 **A limited number of scholarships are available for teachers 120+ miles from Richmond. Scholarships are to help cover travel, housing, and meals. Please contact Megan Ferenczy** [**mferenczy@vaholocaust.org**](mailto:mferenczy@vaholocaust.org) **to apply.** **Event Categories:** Professional Development --- ### [Yom HaHoah 2025](https://www.vaholocaust.org/event/yom-hahoah/) **Published:** February 4, 2025 **Author:** Laurie Simpson Crouch **Content:** **April 27 @ 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm EDT** Yom HaShoah, also known as Holocaust Remembrance Day, commemorates the six million Jews who were murdered in the Holocaust and honors the lives of those who survived. We invite you to join us as we reflect upon the tragedy of the Holocaust, remember those who perished, and honor our Virginia area survivors during this meaningful and inspirational service. The commemoration is FREE to attend, but registration is suggested. [**Click HERE to Register!**](https://www.vaholocaust.org/yom-hashaoh-2025-registration-form/) **Keynote Speaker** **Ambassador Dennis Ross** Ambassador Dennis Ross is the counselor and William Davidson Distinguished Fellow at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy. He also teaches at Georgetown University’s Center for Jewish Civilization. For more than twelve years, Ambassador Ross played a leading role in shaping U.S. involvement in the Middle East peace process, dealing directly with the parties as the U.S. point man on the peace process in both the George H.W. Bush and Bill Clinton administrations. He was instrumental in helping Israelis and Palestinians reach the 1995 Interim Agreement; he also successfully brokered the 1997 Hebron Accord, facilitated the 1994 Israel-Jordan peace treaty, and intensively worked to bring Israel and Syria together. Later, he served two and half years as special assistant to President Obama and as National Security Council senior director for the Central Region, spending the first six months of the administration as the special advisor on Iran to Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton. **Event Categories:** Yom HaShaoh --- ### [Canceled Due To Weather - Educators Challenging Antisemitism Workshop](https://www.vaholocaust.org/event/educators-challenging/) **Published:** October 8, 2024 **Author:** Laurie Simpson Crouch **Content:** **10am-2:30pm at the Virginia Holocaust Museum** Join the Virginia Holocaust Museum (VHM) and the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) for a day of professional development focused on examining and responding to antisemitism. Educators will reflect on the impact of antisemitism in communities, learn to recognize antisemitic ideas in context and respond in a way that maintains or restores a positive school climate for all students. This workshop is free for educators and includes: - Breakfast, Coffee, and Lunch - Educator Resources - A Certificate of Attendance Register here (registration link needed) Deadline for Registration is February 5th, 2025 For questions about the workshop please contact <mferenczy@vaholocaust.org> **Event Categories:** Professional Development --- ### [Book Talk: Ilse Seger: An Ordinary Woman's Story of Imprisonment and Resistance in Nazi Germany with Melissa Kravetz](https://www.vaholocaust.org/event/ilse-seger-an-ordinary-womans-story-of-imprisonment-and-resistance-in-nazi-germany/) **Published:** January 3, 2025 **Author:** Laurie Simpson Crouch **Content:** Location: The Weinstein JCC JCC 5400 Club 5403 Monument Ave Richmond, VA 23226 *The Memoir of Ilse Seger: Wife, Mother, Hostage, Nazi Resister* edited by Melissa Kravetz, tells the story of an ordinary woman who resisted authoritarianism in Nazi Germany well before anyone knew what would unfold, and for that reason, Ilse was quite extraordinary and can serve as a role model for all of us. Melissa will give a presentation about her book at the JCC 5400 Club. She is an Associate Professor of History and Co-Director of Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies at Longwood University, where she has worked since 2013. She also teaches K-12 teachers in the Alexander Lebenstein Teacher Education Institute at the Virginia Holocaust Museum every summer. Her first book, *Women Doctors in Weimar and Nazi Germany: Maternalism, Eugenics, and Professional Identity* was published by the University of Toronto Press in 2019. After Melissa’s presentation, she will take questions from the audience and be available to sign her book. **Registration information:** To register for the live event, please email <kadams@vaholocaust.org>. To register to attend virtually on Zoom, please click this link: https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN\_TbBqonu\_QgWU0b8SW3DxVw You will immediately get a registration page when you click it. The page includes a drop-down box to select the date of the meeting you are joining. Then you enter your first and last name and your email address and click “Register.” You will then receive a page with a link to join the Webinar. **YOU SHOULD KEEP THE PAGE WITH THE LINK TO JOIN BUT DO NOT CLICK THE LINK TO JOIN UNTIL MONDAY at 12:15.** Once you have clicked it your name will go into a “virtual waiting room” and the host (Shari Menlowe-Barck) will admit you to the meeting when the meeting begins. There may be a short delay before you are admitted as the host is admitting several participants. **Event Categories:** Future Events --- ### [Teaching About World War II Using Personal Stories](https://www.vaholocaust.org/event/teaching-about-world-war-ii-using-personal-stories/) **Published:** December 3, 2024 **Author:** Laurie Simpson Crouch **Content:** **Educator Workshop** **9:30am-4pm at the Virginia Holocaust Museum** Members of the World War II Heritage Alliance, The Virginia Holocaust Museum, The Virginia War Memorial, Hampton Roads Naval Museum, The Military Aviation Museum and the National D-Day and MacArthur Memorials present “**Teaching About World War II Using Personal Stories.”** Join us to hear the courageous and untold stories from World War II from our archives. Learn the history, best practices, and resources to use in the classroom. This workshop is free for educators and includes: - Breakfast, Coffee, and Lunch - Class resources - A certificate of attendance [Register HERE!](https://www.vaholocaust.org/teaching/) [Download Flyer HERE!](https://www.vaholocaust.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Teaching-About-WWII-.pdf) Deadline for Registration is February 27th, 2025 **A limited number of scholarships are available for teachers 120+ miles from Richmond. Scholarships are to help cover travel, housing, and meals. Please contact Megan Ferenczy** [**mferenczy@vaholocaust.org**](mailto:mferenczy@vaholocaust.org) **to apply.** **Event Categories:** Professional Development --- ### [Teaching about Kristallnacht and the Kindertransport through Personal Stories](https://www.vaholocaust.org/event/teaching-about-kristallnacht-and-the-kindertransport-through-personal-stories/) **Published:** October 8, 2024 **Author:** Laurie Simpson Crouch **Content:** **Educator Workshop November 8th** **10am-3:30pm at the Virginia Holocaust Museum** Join the Virginia Holocaust Museum and Centropa for a day of professional development focused on Kristallnacht and the Kindertransport**.** On November 9-10, 1938, the Nazi regime directed pogroms against Jews throughout the German Reich (Germany, occupied Austria and Sudetenland in Czechoslovakia). Known as Kristallnacht, local people and SS hunted, kidnapped, and murdered Jews, burned synagogues, and destroyed shops. This was a turning point in the Holocaust, an increase in violence against Jews. The following month, the British government agreed to take Jewish children from these countries. The trains that transported almost 10,000 children from 1938-1940—from everyone and everything they knew to England—were known as Kindertransports. In this workshop, we will share first-hand stories of Kristallnacht and Kindertransport from Centropa interviews, along with photographs, short multimedia films, and podcasts that bring this history to life for your students. This workshop is free for educators and includes: - Breakfast, Coffee, and Lunch - Educator Resources - A certificate of attendance **Event Categories:** Professional Development --- ### [The Rule of Law 2024](https://www.vaholocaust.org/event/law2024/) **Published:** September 17, 2024 **Author:** Laurie Simpson Crouch **Content:** ### Luncheon **October 16, 2024 — 11:30 AM** **Virginia Holocaust Museum** 2000 East Cary Street, Richmond *Complimentary \| **[Registration required](https://secure.qgiv.com/for/virginialawfoundation/event/ruleoflawevent/)*** ### Honorees **Jay M. Weinberg, Esq.** Rule of Law Award Recipient **Frank Overton Brown, Jr., Esq.** Civility in the Law Award Recipient ### Join us! **The Virginia Law Foundation and the Virginia Holocaust Museum invite you to celebrate the Rule of Law and honor two outstanding citizen lawyers who have devoted their careers to advancing it.** A primary lesson of the Holocaust is the centrality of the Rule of Law in the preservation of civil societies. Established by the Virginia Holocaust Museum’s Nuremberg Courtroom Committee and the Virginia Law Foundation, this program honors individuals whose life and work emulate the highest ideals enshrined in the principles of the Nuremberg Military Tribunal and later the International Court of Justice. [**This event is complimentary, but registration is required.** ](https://secure.qgiv.com/for/virginialawfoundation/event/ruleoflawevent/) **Should you wish to make a gift in honor of this year’s recipients, you may do so at the same [registration link.](https://secure.qgiv.com/for/virginialawfoundation/event/ruleoflawevent/)** ***We invite you to honor our special guests*** **Event Categories:** Awards Ceremony, Future Events --- ### [ArtoberVA PWYW | The Butterfly Project & Archives Tour at VHM](https://www.vaholocaust.org/event/artoberva-pwyw-the-butterfly-project-archives-tour-at-vhm/) **Published:** August 28, 2024 **Author:** Laurie Simpson Crouch **Content:** Join the Virginia Holocaust Museum for a behind-the-scenes archives tour and participate in The Butterfly Project! The Butterfly Project is a call to action through education, the arts and memorial-making. By painting ceramic butterflies, which are displayed as symbols of resilience and hope, participants remember the 1.5 million children killed during the Holocaust. After learning about artifacts from our collections, each participant will learn about a child who perished during the Holocaust and paint a ceramic butterfly in their memory. All butterflies painted will then be fired on behalf of the Museum and eventually used for a display here at VHM! We recommend this event for adults and students 6th grade and up. While this event is free and open to the public, space is limited. Please register HERE! **Event Categories:** Family Programs, Future Events --- ### [Giado: Directed by Golan Rise & Sharon Yaish](https://www.vaholocaust.org/event/giado/) **Published:** August 13, 2024 **Author:** Laurie Simpson Crouch **Content:** **Co-presented by the Embassy of Israel** **Moderated by Efrat Hochstetler, Counselor for Public Diplomacy** ***Hosted by the Holocaust Museum & Weinstein Jewish Community Center at the JCC*** At the young age of 20, Yosef Dadosh was among 3,000 Jews sent from their homes in Benghazi to the Giado concentration camp nestled in the heart of the Libyan desert. Amidst extreme conditions, he bravely chronicled life within the camp through a secret diary. For seven decades, his diary remained locked away in a closet, concealed from the world, until after his passing. Yosef’s diary provides an extraordinary and rare window into the harrowing routine at Giado. It captures the atrocities endured by its inhabitants in real-time, offering an intimate and chilling account of their suffering. Despite his dedication to raising awareness about the Holocaust of Libyan Jews and fighting for its recognition by the State of Israel, Yosef chose to keep his ordeal hidden from his children. In an endeavor to bring this compelling story to life on the screen, a unique model of the camp was constructed and photographed. Through the use of animations, this model serves as a visual bridge, connecting the haunting texts of the diary with the stark reality of the camp. The resulting film merges historical accuracy with a distinctive cinematic language, offering a powerful and immersive exploration of Yosef’s profound journey and the dark legacy he left behind. [To learn more or to register, click HERE!](https://riff.eventive.org/schedule/66a230b76a7a9c006c428838) --- ### [JCRC Richmond Mayoral Forum](https://www.vaholocaust.org/event/jcrc-richmond-mayoral-forum/) **Published:** August 13, 2024 **Author:** Laurie Simpson Crouch **Content:** **Presented by the Jewish Community Relations Committee of the Jewish Community Federation, The Rotary Club of Richmond, and Fellow Rotarians. Moderated by Jeff Schapiro from the Richmond, Times-Dispatch and Michael Phillips, from The Richmonder.** --- ### [Intersecting History Museum Crawl – US: A Belonging Beyond Borders](https://www.vaholocaust.org/event/intersecting-history-museum-crawl-us-a-belonging-beyond-borders/) **Published:** August 13, 2024 **Author:** Laurie Simpson Crouch **Content:** Initiates of Change’s International Peace Week celebration concludes with a special 4th annual Interesting History Museum Crawl based on the theme “US: A Belonging Beyond Borders.” Attendees will be able to visit 9 area museums free of charge **(including VHM!)** while exploring exhibitions and gaining a more inclusive, peace-focused understanding of our city’s history. [To Learn More or Register, click HERE!](https://www.eventbrite.com/e/international-peace-week-multi-day-celebration-tickets-940429137867?aff=oddtdtcreator) --- ### [Teacher Workshop: Exploring Black & Jewish Civil Rights Partnerships](https://www.vaholocaust.org/event/exploring-black-jewish-civil-rights-partnerships/) **Published:** August 6, 2024 **Author:** Laurie Simpson Crouch **Content:** Join the **Virginia Museum of History & Culture** and the **Virginia Holocaust Museum** to dive into a closer look at partnerships between the Jewish & Black Communities during the 20th century. This educator workshop will feature a tour of VMHC’s newest exhibition, “A Better Life for Their Children: Julius Rosenwald, Booker T. Rosenwald, and the 4,978 Schools That Changed America,” and guided source analysis of paired documents. In addition, the Virginia Holocaust Museum will discuss the experiences, common ground and support found between Jewish refugees fleeing Nazi Germany and Black Americans that were subjected to oppression and discrimination in the United States. This workshop will last from 10:00-1:00 and is free to attend. Lunch and certificates of completion will be provided. This program is free, but registration is required. [**Click HERE to Register!**](https://secure.virginiahistory.org/2924/3122) **Event Categories:** Professional Development --- ### [Lecture & Book Signing: A Better Life for Their Children: A Rosenwald Schools Journey](https://www.vaholocaust.org/event/a-better-life-for-their-children-a-rosenwald-schools-journey/) **Published:** July 23, 2024 **Author:** Laurie Simpson Crouch **Content:** Thursday, September 5, 2024 6:00PM Name A Better Life for Their Children: A Rosenwald Schools Journey ,LectureDescription Co-hosted by Virginia Holocaust Museum logo Book cover: A Better Life for Their Children – a black and white photo of the interior of a school room Born to Jewish immigrants, Julius Rosenwald rose to lead Sears, Roebuck & Company and turn it into the world’s largest retailer. Born into slavery, Booker T. Washington became the founding principal of Tuskegee Institute. In 1912 the two men launched an ambitious program to partner with Black communities across the segregated South to build public schools for Black children. This watershed moment in the history of philanthropy—one of the earliest collaborations between Jews and Black Americans—drove dramatic improvement in African American educational attainment and fostered the generation who became the leaders and foot soldiers of the civil rights movement. Of the original 4,978 Rosenwald schools built between 1912 and 1937 across fifteen southern and border states, only about 500 survive. Though some have been repurposed and a handful remain active schools, many remain unrestored and at risk of collapse. To tell this story visually, Andrew Feiler drove more than 25,000 miles, photographed 105 schools, and interviewed dozens of former students, teachers, preservationists, and community leaders in all fifteen of the program states. The book and exhibition of this work is, A Better Life for Their Children: Julius Rosenwald, Booker T. Washington, and the 4,978 Schools that Changed America. The exhibition is on view at the Virginia Museum of History & Culture through April 20, 2025. Author, photographer, and exhibition curator Andrew Feiler will share images and stories from his extraordinary journey into the history of Rosenwald schools. The lecture will be followed by an author book signing and light refreshments. The content and opinions expressed in these presentations are solely those of the speaker and not necessarily of the Virginia Museum of History & Culture. Ticket Pricing: General Admission – $20 VMHC Members – $10 Program Notes: Tickets are required for in-person admission. Tickets are not needed if you would prefer to join us live on YouTube or Facebook. VMHC Members, please log in above to reserve your tickets. Your member pricing will be visible once your tickets are added to the cart. If you are not currently a member and would like to join, please click here. In-person attendees are invited to meet the speaker immediately following the lecture. Signed copies of the book willl be available at ShopVirginiaHistory.org. [Click HERE to Register!](https://secure.virginiahistory.org/2782/3105) --- ### [The Girls Who Stepped Out of Line: Teaching About Women Who Changed the Course of WWII](https://www.vaholocaust.org/event/april-9-2024/) **Published:** March 13, 2024 **Author:** Laurie Simpson Crouch **Content:** April 9, 2024 10 AM – 4 PM @The National D-Day Memorial in Bedford, VA The National D-Day Memorial and the Virginia Holocaust Museum present “The Girls Who Stepped Out of Line: Teaching About Women Who Changed the Course of WWII.” Join us as author Major General Mari K. Eder shares the courageous and overlooked stories of women from World War II that she highlights in her book. You will also hear the untold stories of Virginia women from Virginia World War II Heritage Alliance member archives. Learn the history, best practices, and resources to use in the classroom. This workshop is in partnership with the MacArthur Memorial and the Military Aviation Museum. This workshop is free for educators and includes: Breakfast, coffee, and lunch Copy of The Girls Who Stepped Out of Line: Untold Stories of Women Who Changed the Course of World War II. Certificate of Attendance Space is limited. Registration deadline March 31, 2024. **Event Categories:** Professional Development **Event Tags:** Professional Development --- ## Team ### [Matt Simpson](https://www.vaholocaust.org/team/matt-simpson/) **Published:** April 1, 2024 **Author:** Laurie Simpson Crouch --- ### [Brett Schrader](https://www.vaholocaust.org/team/brett-schrader/) **Published:** April 1, 2024 **Author:** Laurie Simpson Crouch --- ### [Smoolie Moore](https://www.vaholocaust.org/team/smoolie-moore/) **Published:** April 1, 2024 **Author:** Laurie Simpson Crouch --- ### [Timothy Hensley](https://www.vaholocaust.org/team/timothy-hensley/) **Published:** April 1, 2024 **Author:** Laurie Simpson Crouch --- ### [Megan Ferenzcy](https://www.vaholocaust.org/team/megan-ferenzcy/) **Published:** April 1, 2024 **Author:** Laurie Simpson Crouch --- ### [Logan Pritchett](https://www.vaholocaust.org/team/logan-pritchett/) **Published:** August 18, 2026 **Author:** Laurie Simpson Crouch --- ### [Laurie Simpson Crouch](https://www.vaholocaust.org/team/laurie-simpson-crouch/) **Published:** April 1, 2024 **Author:** Laurie Simpson Crouch --- ### [Samuel Asher](https://www.vaholocaust.org/team/samuel-asher/) **Published:** April 1, 2024 **Author:** jlindsey --- ### [Perry Barber](https://www.vaholocaust.org/team/perry-barber/) **Published:** January 20, 2025 **Author:** Laurie Simpson Crouch --- ### [Charles Leipertz](https://www.vaholocaust.org/team/charles-leipertz/) **Published:** February 10, 2025 **Author:** Laurie Simpson Crouch --- ## Artworks ### [HALT! REMEMBERING THE HOLOCAUST](https://www.vaholocaust.org/artwork/watercolor-image-of-perching-birds/) **Published:** April 25, 2023 **Author:** jlindsey **Content:** ### April – October 2023 While serving on the faculty of Goddard College in 1980, G. Roy Levin received a fellowship from the National Endowment for the Humanities which resulted in a book containing interviews with documentary filmmakers. Through this research, he came upon the documentary Shoah directed by Claude Lanzmann. He began to create artwork based on images from the film using various mediums. Levin started with paintings in color using discarded fruit and vegetable crates with wire and unframed canvases. He eventually switched to black and white photographs on boxes, reminiscent of the railroad cars that carried passengers to the concentration camps. The light in his paintings has a shimmering quality so that remembering becomes an “act of empathy and compassion for the unspeakable pain that was endured by so many.” Levin wanted his paintings to not necessarily show what the Holocaust was like, but to stimulate the viewer’s imagination to think about what it was like. **Artwork Categories:** April-Oct. 2023 **Artwork Tags:** animal, art, artwork, bird, digital, illustration, nature, painting, perch, tree branch, watercolor, wildlife **Artists:** G. Roy Levin --- ### [ART AND PROPGANDA IN NAZI-OCCUPIED HOLLAND](https://www.vaholocaust.org/artwork/art-and-propganda-in-nazi-occupied-holland/) **Published:** March 17, 2008 **Author:** Laurie Simpson Crouch **Content:** March 2008 The Virginia Holocaust Museum hosted the Anee Frank’s Center Traveling Exhibit, Art and Propoganda in Nazi- Occupied Holland. This includes Sketches from Buchenwald, a series of lithographs recounting the camp experience of Dutch artist and concentration camp survivor Henri Pieck. **Artwork Categories:** 2008 --- ### [THERE'S JUST US](https://www.vaholocaust.org/artwork/theres-just-us/) **Published:** July 11, 2022 **Author:** Laurie Simpson Crouch **Content:** July 18 – December 30, 2022 August 11 and 12, 2022, marked the five-year anniversary of the Unite the Right rally that shook the quiet, central Virginia city of Charlottesville. The Virginia Holocaust Museum is honored and privileged to exhibit There’s Just Us, a photo series by Alec R. Hosterman who was there to document the protests over that weekend. There’s Just Us represents the struggle Hosterman saw when communities fight hate and bigotry; of the collective voices that were brave enough to stand up against all odds. It aims to remind us that we are never alone in the struggle for diversity and inclusion. Together, we can remember those voices who were silenced all too soon and make this world a better place to live. **Artwork Categories:** 2022 **Artists:** Alec R. Hosterman --- ### [ALL THAT REMAINS: A HOLOCAUST EXHIBIT IN FIBER](https://www.vaholocaust.org/artwork/all-that-remains-a-holocaust-exhibit-in-fiber/) **Published:** April 11, 2022 **Author:** Laurie Simpson Crouch **Content:** April – June 2022 Created by award-winning mixed media and textile artist Leslie J. Klein, the exhibit consisted of conceptual art clothing, wall hangings, drawings, soft sculptures, and installation pieces. The exhibit addressed the historical events of the Holocaust in layers of meaning and imagery with the juxtaposition of fabric and design. **Artwork Categories:** 2022 --- ### [HUMILITY: WORKS BY MOLLY ROBINSON](https://www.vaholocaust.org/artwork/humility-works-by-molly-robinson/) **Published:** November 15, 2021 **Author:** Laurie Simpson Crouch **Content:** Nov. 2021 – March 2022 As a high school student, Molly Robinson was urged by her art teacher to make art motivated by deep self-reflection. After seeing examples of social conflict during trips to Kenya, Tanzania, and Togo, Robinson was inspired to create pieces that explored the impact of human rights violations on personal identity. The result of this endeavor was Humility, a collection of bright, mixed-media works that reflect her personal inquires on human rights, social justice and conflict. **Artwork Categories:** 2021-2022 **Artists:** Molly Robinson --- ### [Violins of Hope](https://www.vaholocaust.org/artwork/violins-of-hope/) **Published:** August 15, 2021 **Author:** Laurie Simpson Crouch **Content:** August 4 – October 24, 2021 Violins of Hope is a touring exhibition dedicated to initiating deeper, more meaningful conversations about tolerance and social justice while educating people about the horrors of the Holocaust. This is the first time that the exhibit has been in the Mid-Atlantic region of the U.S. As a part of this effort, the VMHC is displaying seven violins from a collection of more than 60 that survived the Holocaust and have been restored by violin maker Amnon Weinstein and his son, Avshalom, in Tel Aviv since the end of World War II. An Israeli violin shop owner and master craftsman, Amnon lost 400 family members in the Holocaust and became determined to reclaim his lost heritage by locating and restoring violins played by Jewish musicians during this period. He calls these instruments the Violins of Hope. **Artwork Categories:** 2021 **Artists:** Amnon & Avshalom Weinstein --- ### [STATE OF DECEPTION](https://www.vaholocaust.org/artwork/state-of-deception/) **Published:** May 15, 2019 **Author:** Laurie Simpson Crouch **Content:** May 1 – December 30, 2019 The exhibition reveals how shortly after World War I, the Nazi Party began to transform itself from an obscure, extremist group into the largest political party in democratic Germany. Hitler early on recognized how propaganda, combined with the use of terror, could help his radical party gain mass support and votes. He personally adapted the ancient symbol of the swastika and the emotive colors of red, black, and white to create the movement’s flag. In doing so, Hitler established a potent visual identity that has branded the Nazi Party ever since. **Artwork Categories:** 2019 --- ### [TRAGEDY OF WAR: JAPANESE AMERICAN INTERNMENT](https://www.vaholocaust.org/artwork/tragedy-of-war-japanese-american-internment/) **Published:** April 15, 2019 **Author:** Laurie Simpson Crouch **Content:** April 2019 During World War II 120,000 ethnic Japanese on the west coast, two-thirds of them American citizens, were forced into a series of camps to live under armed guard. Japanese-American confinement was authorized by President Franklin D. Roosevelt and supported by Congress and the Supreme Court. Authorities feared that Japanese residents were disloyal and might aid in a Japanese invasion of the United States. Japanese Americans contested these charges throughout the war and later sought formal redress. In 1983, a bipartisan congressional committee concluded that confinement was based on war hysteria, failure of government and military leadership, and racism against those of Japanese ancestry. “The Tragedy of War” revisits the injustice of Japanese-American confinement by telling their stories and asking a question that resonates today: At what point should the rights of citizens be limited or denied to ensure our nation is secure? **Artwork Categories:** 2019 --- ### [BLOOD IS THE SAME](https://www.vaholocaust.org/artwork/blood-is-the-same/) **Published:** November 15, 2018 **Author:** Laurie Simpson Crouch **Content:** Nov. 2018 – March 2019 Awer Bul arrived in Virginia as a refugee of the civil war in Sudan. In 2007, he won a grant while studying at Virginia Commonwealth University to return to Kakuma Refugee Camp in Kenya to conduct art workshops for children who lived there. “Blood is the Same” features the work of six different artists who taught alongside Awer. **Artwork Categories:** 2018-2019 --- ### [TORCHBEARER OF FREEDOM](https://www.vaholocaust.org/artwork/torchbearer-of-freedom-2/) **Published:** March 15, 2006 **Author:** Laurie Simpson Crouch **Content:** ### March 9- April 21, 2006 A temporary exhibit that tells the story of Dame Mary Sigillo Barraco, an American Freedom Fighter during World War II; she served in the Belgian and French Resistance and was captured and imprisoned by the Nazis. **Artwork Categories:** 2006 --- ### [PICTURES OF RESISTANCE: THE WARTIME PHOTOGRAPHS OF JEWISH PARTISAN FAYE SCHULMAN](https://www.vaholocaust.org/artwork/ceramic-box/) **Published:** January 16, 2023 **Author:** jlindsey **Content:** Jan. 9 – March 32, 2023 Born in Poland in 1924, Faye Schulman received her first camera from her brother when she was 13. That camera ultimately saved her life and allowed her to document Jewish partisan activity later. As a result, she is one of the only known Jewish partisan photographers. Schulman’s rare collection of images captures the camaraderie, horror, loss, bravery, and triumph of the rag-tag, resilient partisans—some Jewish, some not—who fought the Germans and their collaborators. Pictures of Resistance: The Wartime Photography of Jewish Partisan Faye Schulman, a compelling traveling exhibition produced by the Jewish Partisan Educational Foundation (JPEF) and curated by Jill Vexler, Ph. D, poses probing questions about this incredible woman and the people whose images she documented. **Artwork Categories:** 2023, Past @xhibit **Artwork Tags:** ancient, antique, art, artistic, box, ceramic, classic, clay, gift, isolated, old, white **Artists:** Jewish Partisan Educational Foundation (JPEF) --- ### [BREAK GLASS: THE ART OF V.L. COX – A CONVERSATION TO END HATE](https://www.vaholocaust.org/artwork/break-glass-the-art-of-v-l-cox-a-conversation-to-end-hate/) **Published:** September 18, 2018 **Author:** Laurie Simpson Crouch **Content:** Sept. 28, 2018 – Feb. 24, 2019 Through her art, Cox aspires to spark conversation about civil rights and equality, while also exploring the persistence of hate and injustice in America today. Her work is often born in cathartic response to contemporary events and shaped from her own personal experiences growing up in Arkansas. “Personal conversations, with respect to one another, need to be had before we can move forward together,” Cox said. “There used to be a time when people could agree to disagree with civility, yet still have things in common. We need to find that place again.” Cox creates her work from found objects, appropriating them to make pointed criticisms about some of today’s most troubling topics – often delivering a message that is in direct opposition to the objects’ original message or intended use. Conversely, she shines a light on the misuse and corruption of institutions, offices, and artifacts by those who manipulate them in support of their own greed or hateful personal agendas. --- **About the Artist** Cox received her BFA from Henderson State University in Arkadelphia, Arkansas. She has created large backdrops for organizations including the Dallas Opera, the Dallas Ballet, Los Colinas Film Studios, and the National Civil Rights Museum Humanities Awards in Memphis, Tennessee. Her work can be found in the Morris Museum of Art in Augusta, Georgia, (Julia J. Norrell collection), the Historic Arkansas Museum in Little Rock, Arkansas, President William Jefferson Clinton Collection, as well as numerous private collections. ***This exhibition was organized by the Longwood Center for the Visual Arts at Longwood University. ![](https://www.vaholocaust.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/LCVA-Logo-Black-web-300x126.png)*** **Artwork Categories:** 2018-2019 **Artists:** V.L. Cox --- ### [THE LAST SWISS HOLOCAUST SURVIVORS](https://www.vaholocaust.org/artwork/the-last-swiss-holocaust-survivors/) **Published:** February 18, 2018 **Author:** Laurie Simpson Crouch **Content:** ### February 9–March 27, 2018 In 2017 Switzerland assumed the chairmanship of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance. As part of their chairmanship, they developed a powerful portrait exhibition on the last Swiss Holocaust survivors. These survivors were not often Swiss citizens, but rather came to the country seeking refuge from other countries in Europe. Some arrived during the war, but most came after WWII, having escaped, survived in hiding, or endured concentration camps. *The Last Swiss Holocaust Survivors* tells the stories of these Swiss survivors before, during, and after the Holocaust. **Artwork Categories:** 2018 --- ### [MARGOT BLANK PAINTING](https://www.vaholocaust.org/artwork/margot-blank-painting/) **Published:** February 18, 2017 **Author:** Laurie Simpson Crouch **Content:** February, 1–September 18, 2017 A selection of artwork from artist and Holocaust survivor Margot Blank will be on display at the VHM. Blank, originally from Germany, was deported to two camps in France before escaping with the help of resistance groups. She spent the remainder of the war helping children who had been rescued by the Oeuvre de Secours Aux Enfants, a children’s aid society. After the war, Blank moved to the States where she studied art. She later moved to Richmond with her husband and became involved in the local art scene. Blank’s work—which includes paintings, sketches, photography, and mixed media pieces—uses bright, vibrant colors to depict her life in the States. Her portraits and landscapes reflect everyday moments of her life after the Holocaust. **Artwork Categories:** 2017 **Artists:** Margot Blank --- ### [DEADLY MEDICINE](https://www.vaholocaust.org/artwork/deadly-medicine/) **Published:** June 18, 2016 **Author:** Laurie Simpson Crouch **Content:** June, 6–October 2, 2016 From 1933 to 1945, Nazi Germany carried out a campaign to “cleanse” German society of people viewed as biological threats to the nation’s “health.” Enlisting the help of physicians and medically trained geneticists, psychiatrists, and anthropologists, the Nazis developed racial health policies that started with the mass sterilization of “hereditarily diseased” persons and ended with the near annihilation of European Jewry. *Deadly Medicine: Creating the Master Race* traces this history from the early 20th-century international eugenics movement to the Nazi regime’s “science of race.” It also challenges viewers to reflect on the present-day interest in genetic manipulation that promotes the possibility of human perfection. **Artwork Categories:** 2016 --- ### [AUSCHWITZ/OSWIECIM](https://www.vaholocaust.org/artwork/auschwitz-oswiecim/) **Published:** April 18, 2015 **Author:** Laurie Simpson Crouch **Content:** April 2015–April 2016 Auschwitz/Oswiecim is a temporary exhibit produced by the Virginia Holocaust Museum. Designed as a commemoration to local survivors who endured this notorious camp, it serves to illustrate its significance within Nazi ideology. The three camps that make up the Auschwitz complex represent Nazi policy in a microcosm. Auschwitz I: illustrates the inhumanities developed by the SS and their inmate trustees for the persecution of political and religious prisoners, and the codified sadistic brutalities inflicted on the non-Jewish ethnic and national victims brought to Auschwitz from all over Europe. Auschwitz II: was the extermination camp at the nearby crossroads at Birkenau, which was built in stages of continuous expansion from March 1941 until September 1944 to carry out the rationally planned, systematic mass murder of Jews and other racial enemies on a truly industrialized scale; Auschwitz III: represents the brutalities of exploitation in slave labor and industrial violence in the Nazi cosmos of persecution and murder were nowhere more terrible than at Auschwitz III, or Monowitz, the site of the gigantic synthetic rubber production plant that was the joint venture of I.G. Farben and the SS — at the time to be the largest partnership between German big business and Himmler’s SS empire. As World War II ground on and the Holocaust proceeded relentlessly Auschwitz came to serve the SS as the centralized hub, and the experimental crossroads for each phase and virtually every aspect of the Holocaust. In each of the three main Auschwitz camps virtually every inhumanity inflicted by the SS upon its victims was introduced, refined, and expanded into a lethal calculus that transformed Auschwitz into the single most important site of the European Nazi Holocaust. In its most expanded form, at some point in 1944, the inmate population in the three main camps combined exceeded 200,000, making Auschwitz into a Nazi city of suffering, and a place where, along with the crammed death traps that were the ghettos in Warsaw and Lodz, the Holocaust exacted its greatest toll. **Artwork Categories:** 2015-2016 --- ### [SURVIVOR PORTRAITS](https://www.vaholocaust.org/artwork/survivor-portraits/) **Published:** September 18, 2015 **Author:** Laurie Simpson Crouch **Content:** September 2015–December 2015 The Virginia Holocaust Museum is displaying the Weinstein JCC photographic exhibit “The Holocaust Survivors Photo Project.” The exhibition consists of 26 large-scale portraits by photographer Dean Whitbeck of survivors who are currently living in Richmond, Virginia. **Artwork Categories:** 2015 **Artists:** Dean Whitback --- ### [PERPETRATORS](https://www.vaholocaust.org/artwork/perpetrators/) **Published:** August 18, 2014 **Author:** Laurie Simpson Crouch **Content:** August 2014–October 2014 In his Perpetrators, Sid Chafetz, an artist and master printmaker who has dedicated his professional career to creating works of art of profound social significance, presents a series of portraits of what might be called “ordinary” who executed Hitler’s ghoulish plans. **Artwork Categories:** 2014 **Artists:** Sid Chafetz --- ### [THE TRIAL OF ADOLF EICHMANN](https://www.vaholocaust.org/artwork/the-trial-of-adolf-eichmann/) **Published:** May 18, 2014 **Author:** Laurie Simpson Crouch **Content:** May 2014 A retrospective exhibit on the trial of Adolf Eichmann. **Artwork Categories:** 2014 --- ### [PAINTINGS OF MARGOT DREYFUSS BLANK](https://www.vaholocaust.org/artwork/paintings-of-margot-dreyfuss-blank/) **Published:** January 18, 2014 **Author:** Laurie Simpson Crouch **Content:** ### January 2014–February 2014 The Virginia Holocaust Museum will host a premier exhibition of paintings by the late, local German-American Artist Margot Dreyfuss Blank in the Melvin Weinstein Gallery. **Artwork Categories:** 2014 **Artists:** Margot Dreyfuss Blank --- ### [G. ROY LEVIN](https://www.vaholocaust.org/artwork/2249/) **Published:** August 18, 2013 **Author:** Laurie Simpson Crouch **Content:** ### August 2013 The Virginia Holocaust Museum is pleased to announce the showing of its first traveling exhibit featuring the Holocaust-themed art of G. Roy Levin. **Artwork Categories:** 2013 **Artists:** G. Roy Levin --- ### [ILLUMINATIONS: THE ART OF SAMUEL BAK](https://www.vaholocaust.org/artwork/illuminations-the-art-of-samuel-bak/) **Published:** May 18, 2013 **Author:** Laurie Simpson Crouch **Content:** May 2013–July 2013 Illuminations: The Art of Samuel Bak features twenty original works by renowned artist and Holocaust survivor Samuel Bak. The exhibit includes a recorded audio tour with commentaries by professor Lawrence L. Langer. **Artwork Categories:** 2013 --- ### [DAS GESICHHT DES GETTOS (THE FACE OF THE GHETTO)](https://www.vaholocaust.org/artwork/das-gesichht-des-gettos-the-face-of-the-ghetto/) **Published:** July 18, 2012 **Author:** Laurie Simpson Crouch **Content:** July 1, 2012 The Face of the Ghetto is traveling exhibit containing photos from the Lodz ghetto by Jewish and Nazi photographers. **Artwork Categories:** 2012 --- ### [LESSONS FROM RWANDA TRAVELING EXHIBIT](https://www.vaholocaust.org/artwork/lessons-from-rwanda-traveling-exhibit/) **Published:** April 22, 2012 **Author:** Laurie Simpson Crouch **Content:** April 22, 2012 Lessons from Rwanda is a traveling exhibit detailing the genocide of Rwanda and the issues surrounding the crime of genocide. **Artwork Categories:** 2012 --- ### [THE ONGOING ARMENIAN GENOCIDE](https://www.vaholocaust.org/artwork/the-ongoing-armenian-genocide/) **Published:** November 6, 2011 **Author:** Laurie Simpson Crouch **Content:** November 6, 2011 The Ongoing Armenian Genocide is a traveling exhibit from the Armenian Library and Museum of America which depicts the methodically planned annihilation of Armenians in Turkey during World War I and Turkish denial of said atrocities **Artwork Categories:** 2011 --- ### [LIVES REMEMBERED](https://www.vaholocaust.org/artwork/lives-remembered/) **Published:** November 18, 2011 **Author:** Laurie Simpson Crouch **Content:** November 6–December 30, 2011 Lives Remembered is a temporary exhibit showcasing photographs of ordinary Jewish life in a small town in Poland, from 1897-1939. **Artwork Categories:** 2011 --- ### [A PORTAIT OF PANZI](https://www.vaholocaust.org/artwork/a-portait-of-panzi/) **Published:** April 18, 2011 **Author:** Laurie Simpson Crouch **Content:** April 1–30, 2011 \\As a part of Genocide Prevention Month, The Virginia Holocaust Museum partnered with the Panzi Foundation to present an exhibit called Peace Should Not Be This Fragile—A Portrait of Panzi. It features the work of sculptor Peter Frantz and local area students **Artwork Categories:** 2011 --- ### [DIPLOMATS OF MERCY](https://www.vaholocaust.org/artwork/diplomats-of-mercy/) **Published:** October 18, 2010 **Author:** Laurie Simpson Crouch **Content:** October 3–November 12, 2010 Diplomats of Mercy was a temporary exhibit on the diplomats from various nations who acted selflessly to save Jewish lives during the Holocaust. **Artwork Categories:** 2010 --- ### [PORTRAITS OF WAR: THE DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO OPENING](https://www.vaholocaust.org/artwork/portraits-of-war-the-democratic-republic-of-the-congo-opening/) **Published:** April 18, 2010 **Author:** Laurie Simpson Crouch **Content:** April 18, 2010 A new exhibit of photography was opened. This exhibit featured life size photographs and essays about Congolese women and their experience. **Artwork Categories:** 2010 --- ### [STORY OF GROSS BREESEN](https://www.vaholocaust.org/artwork/story-of-gross-breesen/) **Published:** August 18, 2008 **Author:** Laurie Simpson Crouch **Content:** August 10-October 15, 2008 A temporary photography exhibit as well as a reunion of the Hyde Farmlanders on August 10 **Artwork Categories:** 2008 --- ### [ART AND PROPGANDA IN NAZI-OCCUPIED HOLLAND](https://www.vaholocaust.org/artwork/art-and-propganda-in-nazi-occupied-holland-2/) **Published:** March 17, 2008 **Author:** Laurie Simpson Crouch **Content:** March 2008 The Virginia Holocaust Museum hosted the Anee Frank’s Center Traveling Exhibit, Art and Propoganda in Nazi- Occupied Holland. This includes Sketches from Buchenwald, a series of lithographs recounting the camp experience of Dutch artist and concentration camp survivor Henri Pieck. **Artwork Categories:** 2008 --- ### [TORCHBEARER OF FREEDOM-1](https://www.vaholocaust.org/artwork/torchbearer-of-freedom/) **Published:** March 6, 2006 **Author:** Laurie Simpson Crouch **Content:** March 9- April 21, 2006 A temporary exhibit that tells the story of with Dame Mary Sigillo Barraco, an American Freedom Fighter during World War II; she served in the Belgian and French Resistance and captured imprisonment by the Nazis. **Artwork Categories:** 2006 --- ### [G. ROY LEVIN TEMPORARY ART EXHIBIT](https://www.vaholocaust.org/artwork/g-roy-levin-temporary-art-exhibit/) **Published:** June 18, 2005 **Author:** Laurie Simpson Crouch **Content:** June 6, 2005 A temporary exhibit displaying the Holocaust art of G. Roy Levin was on display at the Virginia Holocaust Museum until December 31, 2005. **Artwork Categories:** 2005 **Artists:** G. Roy Levin --- ### [FACES OF SURVIVAL](https://www.vaholocaust.org/artwork/faces-of-survival/) **Published:** March 18, 2022 **Author:** Laurie Simpson Crouch **Content:** ### June 1–July 29, 2018 Some were hidden children, concealing their Jewish identity. Some were infants and toddlers whose families were forced to flee their homes. They came from all corners of Eastern and Western Europe. All had the normalcy of their childhoods replaced by fear, and often the horror of witnessing death and losing loved ones to senseless brutality. All of them made new homes in the United States. Some came to our shores immediately following the war, with or without surviving parents. They learned a new language and made new starts. Some came later in the century, after further persecution behind the Iron Curtain. Many of these survivors followed or came with their adult children. All are tremendously grateful to and for the United States of America. Meet some of Hampton Roads’ remaining Holocaust survivors. Read their stories. Remember them. Share them. Help continue their legacy. About the photographer: Dean Whitbeck is a photographer, designer, and educator whose work is rooted in making social impact visible. Over the last 15 years, he has been involved in photographing and documenting a range of intimate stories about the dignity and courage found in marginalized communities. A sought-after communicator and storyteller, Dean’s 2017 TED talk, Holding Multiple Truths, focused on ‘seeing’ the truths and stories found in our most vulnerable communities as a form of social change. He has been invited to speak on leadership and social impact at The Martin Agency, Franklin Street, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Art Education, Longwood University’s School of Journalism, Virginia Union University School of Business, and nationally at multiple art and educational conferences. **This exhibit was produced and made possible by:** ![Holocaust-Commission-Logo-long](https://www.vaholocaust.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Holocaust-Commission-Logo-long.png) **Artwork Categories:** 2018 **Artists:** Dean Whitback --- ## Events ### [A More Perfect Union: Jewish Contributions to Expanding Religious Liberty | Webinar](https://www.vaholocaust.org/event/a-more-perfect-union-jewish-contributions-to-expanding-religious-liberty-webinar/) **Published:** September 27, 2026 **Author:** Laurie Simpson Crouch **Content:** A More Perfect Union: Jewish Contributions to Expanding Religious Liberty Webinar October 27th, 2026 \| 4:30pm-5:30pm Join the Virginia Holocaust Museum and the Institute for Curriculum Services (ICS) to explore the gap between America’s founding ideals of liberty and the reality of religious exclusion. Using primary sources, including Jonas Phillips’ 1787 letter to George Washington, educators will examine the difference between religious toleration and religious liberty—and how early Jewish Americans helped expand religious freedom. To register, visit: <https://www.vaholocaust.org/a-more-perfect-union-webinar/> **Event Categories:** Professional Development --- ### [Music As Resistance: Jewish Life, Resilience & Hope During the Holocaust](https://www.vaholocaust.org/event/music-as-resistance-jewish-life-resilience-hope-during-the-holocaust/) **Published:** September 17, 2026 **Author:** Laurie Simpson Crouch **Content:** Join the Virginia Holocaust Museum and acclaimed musicologist Dr. James A. Grymes for a powerful day exploring how music became a source of identity, resilience, resistance, and hope during the Holocaust. To register, please visit: <https://www.vaholocaust.org/music-as-resistance-professional-development-registration-form/> **Event Categories:** Professional Development --- ### [The Richmond International Film Festival (RIFF)](https://www.vaholocaust.org/event/the-richmond-international-film-festival-riff/) **Published:** September 22, 2026 **Author:** Laurie Simpson Crouch **Content:** The Richmond International Film Festival (RIFF) is this week Sept. 22 – 27th. Scan the QR code to learn more! ![QR code for RIFF](https://www.vaholocaust.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/RIFF-QR-Code.webp) **Event Categories:** Upcoming Events --- ### [Teaching about the Holocaust with Centropa Stories](https://www.vaholocaust.org/event/teaching-about-the-holocaust-with-centropa-stories/) **Published:** September 18, 2026 **Author:** Laurie Simpson Crouch **Content:** Discover how to use Centropa’s powerful collection of personal stories, family photographs, and multimedia resources to teach about the Holocaust. Explore stories from Poland, the former Yugoslavia, and Greece, and gain practical strategies to bring these histories to life in your classroom. To register visit: <https://www.vaholocaust.org/centropa-workshop/> **Event Categories:** Professional Development --- ### [Resiliency and Rebuilding Family After the Holocaust](https://www.vaholocaust.org/event/resiliency/) **Published:** February 4, 2026 **Author:** Laurie Simpson Crouch **Content:** **Free Webinar, Open to the Public** Stories of hope and resilience often shape Holocaust film and television. Join the Virginia Holocaust Museum’s Director of Collections, Tim Hensley to explore family histories from the Virginia Holocaust Museum archives to examine the lived realities of survivors after genocide. How did they search for missing family members? What did rebuilding their lives look like? And how can we examine these experiences thoughtfully, with care and historical integrity. Register here For questions about the webinar please contact <mferenczy@vaholocaust.org> **Event Categories:** Professional Development --- ### [Yom HaShoah 2027](https://www.vaholocaust.org/event/yom-hashoah-2027/) **Published:** April 23, 2026 **Author:** Laurie Simpson Crouch **Content:** Save the Date! **Event Categories:** Upcoming Events --- ### [Yom HaShoah 2026  |  Holocaust Remembrance Day](https://www.vaholocaust.org/event/yomhashoah2026/) **Published:** February 9, 2026 **Author:** Laurie Simpson Crouch **Content:** **Due to the unprecedented response to this year’s Yom HaShoah Commemoration featuring Miriam Malnik-Ezagui, registration is now closed.** **Event Categories:** Upcoming Events --- ### [Teaching Auschwitz: Engaging History Through Place, Voices and Primary Sources](https://www.vaholocaust.org/event/teaching-auschwitz-engaging-history-through-place-voices-and-primary-sources/) **Published:** March 26, 2026 **Author:** Laurie Simpson Crouch **Content:** **Educator Workshop** **Location: Virginia Holocaust Museum** Join the Virginia Holocaust Museum for a professional development workshop focused on helping educators build the knowledge and skills needed to teach the history of Auschwitz with accuracy, care, and impact. Participants will deepen their understanding of Auschwitz within the broader context of the Holocaust while exploring best practices for classroom instruction, including best practices, resources and strategies for addressing difficult content. **Educators take part in a guided virtual experience featuring live narration by an educator located at the Auschwitz site. This real-time component allows teachers to experience the site as it exists today while engaging directly with a knowledgeable guide. The session incorporates multimedia materials—including archival photographs, artistic works, documents, and survivor testimonies—and allows for interaction throughout, giving participants the opportunity to ask questions and engage in discussions.** Educators will explore survivor stories from the Virginia Holocaust Museum’s archival collection, offering powerful, human-centered entry points for student learning. They will engage directly with archival materials—including documents, photographs, and testimonies—and examine ways to incorporate these resources into their teaching. After participating in the workshop, educators will gain practical resources, effective strategies, and increased confidence in teaching this complex history. This workshop is free for educators and includes: Breakfast and Lunch A live guided tour of Auschwitz- Birkenau Certificate of attendance [**Register HERE!**](https://www.vaholocaust.org/9983-2/) **Event Categories:** Professional Development --- ### [The Night Sparrow Online Book Talk with Author Shelly Sanders](https://www.vaholocaust.org/event/the-night-sparrow-online/) **Published:** February 12, 2026 **Author:** Laurie Simpson Crouch **Content:** Join the Virginia Holocaust Museum for an online book talk and Q&A with author Shelly Sanders, discussing her novel The Night Sparrow. Sanders will discuss why young women were drawn to join the Red Army, how propaganda shaped their loyalty, and the real snipers who inspired the novel, including the experience of being Jewish in the Red Army. She will also reflect on the moral complexities these women faced, their erasure from history, and why their stories still matter today. The Night Sparrow Synopsis Moscow, 1942. Elena Bruskina joins the Red Army as a sniper to get revenge from the fascists who murdered her family, but when she’s ordered to give up her rifle to become an interpreter, she is entangled in a secret hunt for the most evil Nazi of all. Shelly Sanders is the author of five novels, including the recent Canadian bestseller The Night Sparrow(HarperCollins, 2025). Her earlier novel, Daughters of the Occupation (HarperCollins, 2022), explores her Jewish-Latvian roots and the Holocaust, earning critical acclaim for its haunting portrayal of victims and descendants. Shelly also writes Jewish Young Adult historical fiction (Rachel’s Secret, Rachel’s Promise, Rachel’s Hope), worked as a journalist for Canadian national publications, and teaches creative writing. She is a board member of Artists Against Antisemitism and a member of PEN America, the Women’s Fiction Writers Association, and The Writers’ Union of Canada. Learn more at www.shellysanders.com and follow her on Twitter @shelly\_sanders and Instagram @fictionbyshellysanders **Registration link: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN\_6b4H9SjvQCmCqwVrUW7Mag#/registration** **Event Categories:** Upcoming Events --- ### [Forgotten Fighters: Women on the WWII Front Lines](https://www.vaholocaust.org/event/forgottenfighters/) **Published:** February 10, 2026 **Author:** Laurie Simpson Crouch **Content:** **Educator Workshop** **At the Virginia Holocaust Museum** Join us for an immersive workshop exploring an often-overlooked chapter of World War II history, led by the author of “The Night Sparrow,” Shelly Sanders. Discover the stories of Jewish women who fought against the Nazis in the Soviet Union—the only nation to permit women in combat roles during the war. Serving as snipers, pilots, navigators, gunners, and interpreters, these women faced both the brutality of war and antisemitism within their own ranks, as well as denial from Soviet authorities who refused to acknowledge Jewish persecution. Drawing on her historical novel “The Night Sparrow,” inspired by true events and people—the author will guide participants through this hidden history. The novel follows Elena Bruskina, a Jewish university student who joins the Red Army as a sniper after her family is murdered, only to be ordered to give up her rifle and become an interpreter, pulling her into a secret hunt for a high-ranking Nazi. Participants will develop classroom-ready lesson plans using primary sources, examine how Soviet propaganda mobilized women and manipulated emotion, and make connections to misleading news today. Educators will leave with practical resources to strengthen students’ critical thinking, research, presentation, and writing skills. This workshop is free for educators and includes: - Breakfast, Coffee, and Lunch - Classroom resources and a copy of “The Night Sparrow” - A certificate of attendance [**Register HERE!**](https://www.vaholocaust.org/9479-2/) Deadline for Registration is March 3rd, 2026 **A limited number of scholarships are available for teachers 120+ miles from Richmond. Scholarships are to help cover travel, housing, and meals. Please contact Megan Ferenczy** [**mferenczy@vaholocaust.org**](mailto:mferenczy@vaholocaust.org) **to apply.** **Event Categories:** Professional Development, Upcoming Events --- ### [Standing Up in Uncertain Times: Rescue During the Holocaust | Educator Workshop](https://www.vaholocaust.org/event/standing-up-in-uncertain-times-rescue-during-the-holocaust-educator-workshop/) **Published:** February 5, 2026 **Author:** Laurie Simpson Crouch **Content:** The history of the Holocaust includes powerful stories of individuals who risked everything to protect others; a Polish farmer hid two girls and their mothers for 28 months, a Serbian priest sheltered orphaned sisters, Bulgarian leaders protested Jewish deportations, and a Muslim woman hid her Jewish neighbor in Sarajevo. Using Centropa’s 1,200 interviews and 25,000 digitized photographs from 15 Central and Eastern European countries, this workshop explores acts of moral courage. Educators will leave with resources to teach students about empathy, civic engagement, social justice, and standing up for others. This workshop is free for educators and includes: - Breakfast, Coffee, and Lunch - Classroom resources - A certificate of attendance [**Register HERE!**](https://www.vaholocaust.org/9403-2/) Deadline for Registration is March 11th, 2026 **A limited number of scholarships are available for teachers 120+ miles from Richmond. Scholarships are to help cover travel, housing, and meals. Please contact Megan Ferenczy** [**mferenczy@vaholocaust.org**](mailto:mferenczy@vaholocaust.org) **to apply.** **Event Categories:** Professional Development --- ### [Letters From Brno:  Teaching the Holocaust Through Film, Personal Stories and  Primary Sources ](https://www.vaholocaust.org/event/letters-from-brno-teaching-the-holocaust-through-film-personal-stories-and-primary-sources/) **Published:** December 10, 2025 **Author:** Laurie Simpson Crouch **Content:** ### This workshop is being rescheduled for March 2nd. **Educator Workshop** Join the Virginia Holocaust Museum and Karen Kruger, writer, and producer of the powerful PBS documentary ***Letters from Brno**.* Using the brand new **LFB Teacher Toolkit** we will preview a 6th-12th grade Holocaust curriculum through an immersive workshop that addresses best practices of Holocaust education using film, primary resources and survivor voices. The workshop will also give educators the opportunity to screen the film, ***Letters From Brno*,** and participate in actual lessons using materials from the curriculum and accessing the extensive family archive of primary sources. This workshop is free for educators and includes: Breakfast and Lunch Educator Resources including a lesson for International Holocaust Remembrance Day (January 27th) and access to the educator’s version of ***Letters From Brno***\* A certificate of attendance **[Register HERE!](https://www.vaholocaust.org/9092-2/)** [**To download a flyer, click HERE!**](https://www.vaholocaust.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Letters-Fron-Brno-2026-1.pdf) **About the film: *Letters from Brno*** tells the powerful, personal story of love and sacrifice during the Holocaust. In a 45-year search for clues to her mother’s past, daughter, Karen Kruger, uncovers the tragic fate of her grandparents through their letters written during the Nazi occupation of Czechoslovakia. For questions about the workshop please contact <mferenczy@vaholocaust.org> \* The link to the educator’s cut of ***Letters From Brno*** will be available for one week. **Event Categories:** Professional Development --- ### [Hidden Threads: The Global Story of Black Jews from Africa to Today Educator Workshop](https://www.vaholocaust.org/event/hidden-threads-the-global-story-of-black-jews-from-africa-to-today-educator-workshop/) **Published:** January 16, 2026 **Author:** Laurie Simpson Crouch **Content:** Join the Virginia Holocaust Museum and The Black Judaic Heritage Centre to explore a powerful, often overlooked story of global Jewish history. This workshop the history of Black Jews from ancient African communities through colonization, slavery, the Holocaust, and into the modern era. Communities such as the Beta Israel, Lemba, Akan/Sefwi, Igbo Jews, and African Jews in Bilād al-Sūdān, will be focused on, showing how their experiences intersect with broader themes of identity, diaspora, resilience, and survival. Using interactive lectures, photos, videos, and classroom tools aligned with Virginia SOL standards, educators will gain meaningful resources for teaching diverse Jewish narratives. This workshop is free for educators and includes: -Breakfast and Lunch -Educator Resources -A certificate of attendance **[Register here!](https://www.vaholocaust.org/9233-2/)** [**Download Flyer here!**](https://www.vaholocaust.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Feb-25th-1.pdf) Deadline for Registration is February 18th, 2026 For questions about the workshop please contact <mferenczy@vaholocaust.org> **Event Categories:** Professional Development --- ### [Film Screening: The Ring](https://www.vaholocaust.org/event/the-ring/) **Published:** December 18, 2025 **Author:** Laurie Simpson Crouch **Content:** **Arnon Noble is a deeply religious man with an unbreakable bond to his mother, a Holocaust survivor. When her health begins to decline, he travels to her childhood hometown of Budapest in search of a legendary ring that once saved her life.** This powerful film is presented in partnership with the Weinstein JCC and the Virginia Holocaust Museum. Click **HERE** to visit the Weinstein JCC website and purchase tickets. The film will be shown at the **Virginia Holocaust Museum**, located at **2000 East Cary Street, Richmond, VA.** 120 Minutes in length. Directed by Adir Miller, Doron Paz, Yoav Paz Comedy \| Drama Written by Adir Miller --- ### [Jewish Immigration to the United States 1880-1924 | Online Educator Workshop](https://www.vaholocaust.org/event/jewish-immigration-to-the-united-states-1880-1924-online-educator-workshop/) **Published:** December 2, 2025 **Author:** Laurie Simpson Crouch **Content:** Join the Virginia Holocaust Museum and the Institute for Curriculum Services for an online workshop focused on examining the history of Jewish Immigration to the United States. Immigrants have come to the U.S. throughout history from many different places and for many different reasons. This session will explore a particular group’s immigration story at a significant moment in time—Jews in the early 20th century. Through this interactive session, teachers will receive the context for Jewish immigration between 1880-1924, discuss the various push and pull factors that brought Jewish immigrants to America, explore the cultural pressures and contributions of Jewish Americans, and grapple with the repercussions of the 1924 Immigration Act. Turn-key instructional resources will also be shared. This workshop is free for educators, and a certificate of attendance is emailed upon completion. **[Register HERE!](https://www.vaholocaust.org/jewish-immigration-to-the-united-states-1880-1924-online-educator-workshop-registration-form/) (**Deadline for Registration is January 8th, 2026.) **[Click HERE to download a program flyer.](https://www.vaholocaust.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Jewish-Immigration-to-the-United-States-1880-1924-Online-Educator-Workshop.pdf)** **Questions? Please contact Megan Ferenczy** [**mferenczy@vaholocaust.org**](mailto:mferenczy@vaholocaust.org) **Event Categories:** Professional Development --- ### [Annual Meeting 2025 Cancelled](https://www.vaholocaust.org/event/annual-meeting-2025/) **Published:** October 21, 2025 **Author:** Laurie Simpson Crouch **Content:** *Due to inclement weather, we regret to announce that tonight’s Annual Meeting has been cancelled.* **Event Categories:** Annual Meeting --- ### [How Jews Lived: Life Before the Holocaust: Educator Workshop](https://www.vaholocaust.org/event/how-jews-lived-life-before-the-holocaust-educator-workshop/) **Published:** September 8, 2025 **Author:** Laurie Simpson Crouch **Content:** Join the Virginia Holocaust Museum and Centropa for a day of professional development focused on prewar Jewish life.. When teaching about the Holocaust, it is not enough to teach how Jews were murdered; we must also teach students how Jews lived. Likewise, it’s not enough to teach Nazi stereotypes of Jews; we must educate students about the diversity of Jewish life in Europe before the war and give them an accurate picture of the group most targeted by the Nazis. Using the 1200 interviews and 23,000 digitized photographs of Jewish life in 15 Central and Eastern European countries collected by Centropa ([www.centropa.org](http://www.centropa.org)), we will explore the diversity of prewar European Jewish life (religious, social, economic, geographic), and the historical context from which Jews in Western, Central, and Eastern Europe faced the Nazis and their collaborators. Teachers will return to your students with a variety of resources that will help you teach about how Jews lived. This workshop is free for educators and includes: - Breakfast, Coffee, and Lunch - Educator Resources - A certificate of attendance [**Register here!**](https://www.vaholocaust.org/howjewslivedbeforehol/) Deadline for Registration is November 6th **About Centropa:** Centropa is a non-profit, Jewish historical institute dedicated to preserving 20th century Jewish family stories and photos from Central and Eastern Europe and the Balkans, and disseminating these stories and photos through films, books and exhibitions. Centropa offices are in Budapest, Hamburg and Washington, DC. **Event Categories:** Professional Development --- ### [Building Classroom Community Through Civil Discourse](https://www.vaholocaust.org/event/buildingclassroomcommunity/) **Published:** September 9, 2025 **Author:** Laurie Simpson Crouch **Content:** Join the Virginia Holocaust Museum and Facing History & Ourselves for a day of professional learning focused on building classroom community through civil discourse. During this one-day workshop, educators will explore resources and tools that help students build the knowledge, skills, and dispositions needed to participate in democracy. The program is designed to support ELA and Social Studies teachers in creating caring classroom communities that foster civil discourse while engaging deeply with meaningful content. Whether discussing identity, justice, historical legacies, or contemporary challenges, this workshop will help educators feel more confident guiding students through conversations that build both academic and emotional intelligence. This workshop includes: - Breakfast, Coffee, and Lunch - Educator Resources - A certificate of attendance **[Register HERE!](https://www.vaholocaust.org/buidlingclassroomcommunity/)** **Location:** **The MacArthur Memorial** **198 Bank St, Norfolk, VA 23510** **About Facing History and Ourselves:** Facing History & Ourselves uses lessons of history to challenge teachers and their students to stand up to racism, antisemitism, and other forms of bigotry and hate. **Event Categories:** Professional Development --- ### [The Rule of Law Event](https://www.vaholocaust.org/event/theruleoflawevent/) **Published:** October 10, 2025 **Author:** Laurie Simpson Crouch **Content:** **The Virginia Law Foundation and the Virginia Holocaust Museum are celebrating the Rule of Law and honoring two outstanding citizen lawyers who have devoted their careers to advancing it.** A primary lesson of the Holocaust is the centrality of the Rule of Law in the preservation of civil societies. Established by the Virginia Holocaust Museum’s Nuremberg Courtroom Committee and the Virginia Law Foundation, this program honors individuals whose life and work emulate the highest ideals enshrined in the principles of the Nuremberg Military Tribunal and later the International Court of Justice. This year’s luncheon event will also feature a continuing legal education seminar by Virginia CLE and offer 1.0 MCLE credit. **Professor A.E. Dick Howard**, Warner Booker Distinguished Professor of International Law Emeritus at the University of Virginia School of Law, and **Professor** **Charles Barzun**, Joel B. Piassick Research Professor of Law and Director of the Program on Legal and Constitutional History at UVA, will present an hour-long lecture and serve as the event’s keynote speakers. [**Registration is now open**](https://secure.qgiv.com/for/virginialawfoundation/event/ruleoflawevent2025/), and while the luncheon is complimentary, tax-deductible contributions in celebration of this event and the award recipients are suggested. Attorneys seeking MCLE credit for the program may register to attend either in person or via live webcast for a $75 fee. **Event Categories:** Award Ceremony --- ### ["Unbroken": Film Screening and Q/A with Director, Beth Lane](https://www.vaholocaust.org/event/unbroken/) **Published:** September 19, 2025 **Author:** Laurie Simpson Crouch **Content:** ***At the Virginia War Memorial*** “UnBroken” is the miraculous true story of the seven Weber siblings, ages 6-18, who evaded certain capture and death, and ultimately escaped Nazi Germany relying solely on their youthful bravado and the kindness of strangers, following their mother’s incarceration and murder at Auschwitz. After being hidden in a laundry hut by a benevolent German farmer, the children spent two years on their own in war torn Germany. Emboldened by their father’s mandate that they ‘always stay together,’ the children used their own cunning instincts to fight through hunger, loneliness, rape, bombings and fear. Climactically separated from their father, the siblings are forced to declare themselves as orphans in order to escape to a new life in America. Unbeknownst to them, this salvation would become what would finally tear them apart, not to be reunited for another 40 years. Filmmaker Beth Lane, daughter of the youngest Weber sibling, embarks on a quest to retrace their steps, seeking answers to long-held questions about her family’s survival. The film examines the journey of the Weber family as told through conversations with living siblings – now in their eighties and nineties – while Beth and her crew road trip across Germany, following the courageous, tumultuous, and harrowing path taken by her family over seventy years ago. “UnBroken” is Beth Lane’s feature directorial debut, and it is both a professional milestone and a personal quest to immortalize the incredible story of the Weber siblings’ survival as the only family of seven Jewish siblings living in Nazi Germany known to have survived and emigrated together. This is a free event, but registration is required. Seating is general admission. [**Click HERE to register**](https://www.vaholocaust.org/rsvpforunbroken/)[**.**](https://www.vaholocaust.org/unbroken-film-screeing/) **Event Categories:** Upcoming Events --- ### [14th ANNUAL RICHMOND INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL (RIFF):](https://www.vaholocaust.org/event/14thannualriff/) **Published:** September 22, 2025 **Author:** Laurie Simpson Crouch **Content:** **Join** us on **September 28th** at the Bowtie Cinema for a special day of Israeli film premieres at the Richmond International Film Festival with Special Guests from Israel, Los Angeles, and New York. Co-hosted by the Jewish Community Federation of Richmond. Get single tickets to the films of your choice at the links below, OR purchase the discounted multi-film pass to see all of them, including an opening morning reception. **FILM & GUEST INFO** To purchase only an individual ticket to a select film, visit the link by the appropriate film below, which also contains more info on the films. - FOR THE LIVING: Sunday, Sep 28 @ 12:00pm *with special guest director, Tim Roper* <https://riff.eventive.org/schedule/686570d15e8ba7344b5b285c> - A LETTER TO DAVID: Sunday, Sep 28 @ 2:30pm *special virtual Q & A pending with the director* *Tom Shoval* <https://riff.eventive.org/schedule/68657142b1259bae73396aa5> - SODA: Sunday, Sep 28 @ 4:15pm *with special guest producer, Shemi Shoenfeld visiting from Israel - LOOKING UP: Sunday, Sep 28 @ 4:30pm *with special guest director, Elena Neuman* <https://riff.eventive.org/schedule/689b8393c3dd5872b33c4654> **Note:** The last two films show at approximately the same time, so passholders must choose which of the two they prefer to attend. **OR GET THE MULTI-FILM PASS OPTION:** RIFF has created a Multi-Film Pass specifically for these four films running 12 noon to 5:45pm. The discounted pass is $35 and will grant entry into any or all of the films. Alternatively, the films are also listed individually for $15 (regular price). **The Multi-Film Pass** **includes a reception** at Bowtie Cinemas from 10:30-11:30am prior to the first film with light refreshments and the opportunity to meet festival guests. - To purchase the multi-film pass, visit: <https://riff.eventive.org/passes/buy> \*The multi-pass option is at the bottom of the page. **The reception is from 10:30am – 11:30am** at Bowtie where passholders will have the opportunity to meet each of the special guests over light refreshments. **SPECIAL NOTE:** Finally, the festival asks that after each multi-film pass is purchased, that passholders then log in to their pass and visit each of the film listings above to rsvp to the ones you are attending. This will allow us to know how many are attending each timeslot. You can rsvp once you have purchased your pass through your log in at <https://riff.eventive.org> where the full week’s line-up can also be viewed. See step by step instructions below on how to rsvp after the pass is purchased. **For questions or issues on the above, email RIFF’s Executive Assistant, Catherine Cook at** [**staff@rvafilmfestival.com**](mailto:staff@rvafilmfestival.com) *We look forward to having you with us!* **Event Categories:** Upcoming Events --- ### [Teaching the Holocaust](https://www.vaholocaust.org/event/teaching-the-holocaust/) **Published:** July 23, 2025 **Author:** Laurie Simpson Crouch **Content:** Join the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum, the Northeast Tennessee Holocaust Education Council, and the Virginia Holocaust Museum for a day of professional development focused on the Holocaust; the history, best practices, and resources to use in your social studies or language arts classrooms. Teachers will have the opportunity to hear from educators from the three organizations as well as have hands-on interaction with resources from each organization. This workshop is aimed at secondary educators and above. This workshop is FREE for educators and includes: ·Breakfast, Coffee, and Lunch ·Educator Resources, including a book for each participant ·Certificate of attendance **Space is limited. [Register at www.vaholocaust.org](https://www.vaholocaust.org/8014-2/)** or with **[QR Code](https://www.vaholocaust.org/8014-2/)**. Deadline for Registration is September 10th. [**Click HERE to download program flyer.**](https://www.vaholocaust.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Bristol-Workshop-1.pdf) Location: The Birthplace of Country Music Museum 101 Country Music Way Bristol, VA 24201 Questions? Contact Megan Ferenczy, Virginia Holocaust Museum, Director of Education, mferenczy@vaholocaust.org or Kim Kenneson, Northeast Tennessee Holocaust Council, Organizer, northeasttennesseeholocaust@gmail.com **Event Categories:** Professional Development --- ### [Teaching About Art, Literature and Music During the Holocaust: Educator Workshop](https://www.vaholocaust.org/event/teachingaboutart/) **Published:** September 8, 2025 **Author:** Laurie Simpson Crouch **Content:** Join the Virginia Holocaust Museum for a day of professional development focused on art, literature and music during the Holocaust. Educators will examine the diversity and richness of Jewish culture in Europe before the war, including the importance of the art, literature and music. There will also be a focus on how the arts continued to be a part of Jewish life even during Nazi oppression. Educators will also be encouraged to think broadly about the idea of resistance: while some resisted Nazi tyranny by taking up arms, many others resisted using “weapons of the spirit,” to sustain hope. Working with Museum staff, teachers will go in-depth to explore related curriculum resources for teachers of social studies, English, art, and music. This workshop is free for educators and includes: - Breakfast, Coffee, and Lunch - Educator Resources - A certificate of attendance [**Register HERE!**](https://www.vaholocaust.org/teachingaboutart/) Deadline for Registration is October 21st, 2025 For questions about the workshop please contact <mferenczy@vaholocaust.org> **Event Categories:** Professional Development --- ### [History of European Antisemitism: Online Educator Workshop](https://www.vaholocaust.org/event/historyofeuropeanantisemitism/) **Published:** September 8, 2025 **Author:** Laurie Simpson Crouch **Content:** Join the Virginia Holocaust Museum and the Institute for Curriculum Services for an online workshop focused on examining the history of European antisemitism. Where does antisemitism come from? This is a question that students frequently ask when learning about the Holocaust. Antisemitism (anti-Judaism before the modern era) is over 2,000 years old, but courses that cover the Holocaust often do not consider pre-20th century history. This session outlines the larger context of antisemitism throughout Europe and offers the content teachers need to help students understand the origins and history of the “longest hatred”. The session will examine the four intersecting historical forms of antisemitism – religious, economic, socio-political, and racial. This workshop is free for educators, and a certificate of attendance is emailed upon completion. Register by clicking [**HERE.**](https://www.vaholocaust.org/online-workshop-history-of-european-antisemitism/) Deadline for Registration is October 9th, 2025. **Questions? Please contact Megan Ferenczy** [**mferenczy@vaholocaust.org**](mailto:mferenczy@vaholocaust.org) **Event Categories:** Professional Development --- ### [Virginia Holocaust Museum Presents: Carolyn Enger’s The Mischlinge Exposé](https://www.vaholocaust.org/event/themischlingeexpose/) **Published:** June 27, 2025 **Author:** Laurie Simpson Crouch **Content:** ![](https://www.vaholocaust.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Screenshot-2025-08-01-at-10.54.57-AM-300x199.png) ![](https://www.vaholocaust.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Screenshot-2025-06-27-at-11.09.03-AM-199x300.png)Internationally celebrated American pianist Carolyn Enger will present her powerful live documentary, The Mischlinge Exposé, at 5:00 p.m. on Sunday, September 14, in the Virginia Holocaust Museum’s historic Choral Synagogue. The date is significant because on September 15, 1935, the Nazi regime enacted two pivotal race laws—the Reich Citizenship Law and the Law for the Protection of German Blood and German Honor. These laws formally defined and discriminated against individuals known as Mischlinge—a derogatory term for those with one or two Jewish grandparents, considered neither fully Jewish nor fully German under Nazi ideology. The Mischlinge Exposé explores this little-known aspect of Holocaust history through a compelling blend of live piano performance, video, and audio testimony. Enger shares the stories of her father and godmother, both of whom were labeled Mischling by the Nazis. Their testimonies are interwoven with Enger’s performance of works by salon-era composers who converted to Christianity in the years before the war, as well as pieces that grapple with identity in the postwar era. Through this deeply personal lens, Enger examines what it meant to exist between worlds in early 20th-century Germany—and invites audiences to reflect on universal themes of identity, inclusion, and empathy. Event Details: 📅 Sunday, September 14 🕔 5:00 p.m. 📍 Choral Synagogue, Virginia Holocaust Museum 🎟️ Free and open to the public 🪑 Seating is first-come, first-served 📌 [Advance registration is required and must be completed at least 24 hours in advance. No walk-ins will be admitted.](https://www.vaholocaust.org/themischlingeexpose/) Enger maintains an active performance schedule across two continents, with recent appearances at the National Gallery in Oslo, Baruch College in New York, the Museum of Jewish Heritage, and the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C. **Event Categories:** Upcoming Events --- ### [From Context to Classroom Part I](https://www.vaholocaust.org/event/from-context-to-classroom-part-i/) **Published:** May 20, 2025 **Author:** Laurie Simpson Crouch **Content:** **Summer 2025 On-site at VHM June 16-18 \| 8:30 – 5:00 (45 recertification points)** **[Click HERE to Learn More!](https://www.vaholocaust.org/from-context-to-classroom-part-i/)** **Event Categories:** Upcoming Events --- ### [Educators Challenging Antisemitism Workshop](https://www.vaholocaust.org/event/educators-challenging-antisemitism-workshop/) **Published:** October 8, 2024 **Author:** Laurie Simpson Crouch **Content:** Join the Virginia Holocaust Museum (VHM) and the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) for a day of professional development focused on examining and responding to antisemitism. Educators will reflect on the impact of antisemitism in communities, learn to recognize antisemitic ideas in context and respond in a way that maintains or restores a positive school climate for all students. This workshop is free for educators and includes: - Breakfast, Coffee, and Lunch - Educator Resources - A Certificate of Attendance Deadline for Registration is April 26, 2025 [Register Here!](https://www.vaholocaust.org/educators-challenging-antisemitism-workshop/) For questions about the workshop please contact <mferenczy@vaholocaust.org> **Event Categories:** Upcoming Events --- ### [Educators Challenging Antisemitism Workshop](https://www.vaholocaust.org/event/educators-challenging-antisemitism-workshop-2/) **Published:** March 12, 2025 **Author:** Laurie Simpson Crouch **Content:** Join the Virginia Holocaust Museum (VHM) and the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) for a day of professional development focused on examining and responding to antisemitism. Educators will reflect on the impact of antisemitism in communities, learn to recognize antisemitic ideas in context and respond in a way that maintains or restores a positive school climate for all students. **This workshop is FREE for educators and includes:** ·Breakfast, Coffee, and Lunch ·Educator Resources ·Certificate of attendance **Travel Scholarships:** A limited number of scholarships are available for teachers 120+ miles from Richmond. They are to help cover travel, housing, and meals. Contact Megan Ferenczy mferenczy@vaholocaust.org to apply. [**To Register Click Here!**](https://www.vaholocaust.org/educators-challenging-antisemitism-workshop/) **Questions :** Contact Megan Ferenczy mferenczy@vaholocaust.org **Event Categories:** Upcoming Events --- ### [TEI: From Context to Classroom Part I](https://www.vaholocaust.org/event/tei-from-context-to-classroom-part-i/) **Published:** June 13, 2024 **Author:** Laurie Simpson Crouch **Content:** Dates: June 24-26, 2024, 8:30am to 5pm (the last day of class ends at 1:30pm) Please note: course materials will be accessible from May 24 to October 1, 2024 Location: Virginia Holocaust Museum, Richmond Application Deadline: May 31st, 2024 Stipend: $200 (plus the registration fee reimbursement) Registration Fee: $30, reimbursed with successful completion of all class requirements $500 Scholarships are available for teachers 50 miles outside of Richmond. Scholarships are to help cover travel, lodging, and meals. Please contact Megan Ferenczy (mferenczy@vaholocaust.org) to apply. With the successful completion of this 2 1/2 day in person class and its requirements, your school division may allow you to apply for up to 45 recertification points. Sessions focus on the Holocaust’s historical background and pedagogy which link to the Virginia Standards of Learning requirements. You will hear historian-led lectures and learn about best practices and resources that you can use in the classroom when teaching the Holocaust. Educators will have opportunities to explore and interact with Museum resources. From Context to Classroom Part I is open to teachers who have never completed the Alexander Lebenstein Teacher Education Institute. To complete class requirements, you must fully participate, which includes pre-reading and the use of the online platform Canvas and a final project. A certificate of completion, the $200 stipend and the reimbursement of the $30 registration fee will be sent to you after the class and when all requirements are met. **Event Categories:** Upcoming Events --- ### [“Choice, Human Behavior and the Holocaust” Educator Workshop](https://www.vaholocaust.org/event/choice-human-behavior-and-the-holocaust-educator-workshop/) **Published:** February 4, 2025 **Author:** Laurie Simpson Crouch **Content:** **Location: Virginia Holocaust Museum** Join the Virginia Holocaust Museum for a day of professional development focused on examining the events of the Holocaust through the lens of collaboration and complicity. The Nazis could not have carried out the Holocaust alone. Ordinary people played a key role in the persecution and murder of Europe’s Jews. How did individuals respond to the persecution and murder of their Jewish classmates, coworkers, neighbors, and friends? How did relationships and roles shape their decisions? Learn the history, best practices, and resources to use in the classroom to help your students critically examine the choices and behaviors of people during the Holocaust. Decision-making, the responsibility of the individual and the effects on victims of the Holocaust are also a central theme of this workshop. Educators will hear from Dr. Kerrie Taber author of “Quarantining Hate.” Dr. Taber will share how to respond to growing threats of hatred and how in learning and confronting her family’s past; her grandfather was responsible for the deaths of 14,000 Lithuanian Jews during the Holocaust, which has influenced her work to speak out against injustice and hate. This workshop is free for educators and includes: - Breakfast, Coffee, and Lunch - Educator resources - A certificate of attendance [Register here!](https://www.vaholocaust.org/educator-workshop-choice-human-behavior-and-the-holocaust/) Deadline for Registration is April 29th, 2025 **A limited number of scholarships are available for teachers 120+ miles from Richmond. Scholarships are to help cover travel, housing, and meals. Please contact Megan Ferenczy at** [**mferenczy@vaholocaust.org**](mailto:mferenczy@vaholocaust.org) **to apply.** **Event Categories:** Upcoming Events --- ### [Kerrie Taber, the author of “Quarantining Hate” at the JCC’s 5400 Club](https://www.vaholocaust.org/event/kerrietaber/) **Published:** April 7, 2025 **Author:** Laurie Simpson Crouch **Content:** Kerrie Taber, the author of “Quarantining Hate”, will be speaking at the JCC’s 5400 Club on Monday, May 5th. The program is from 12:30-1:30pm. Registration for the book talk at the JCC is free and open to the public. In addition to in-person attendance, attending the program on Zoom is also an option. After seeing hate grow for a decade, Kerrie Taber wrote Quarantining Hate, which is about how a society needs to push back against hate to prevent it from spreading. Using her personal story about finding out her grandfather was a wanted WWII war criminal directly involved in over 14,000 Jewish people’s deaths in Lithuania and research into society and hate, Taber hopes that readers will see that combating hate requires active resistance to its spread. [The event is free and open to the public, but registration is recommended.](https://www.vaholocaust.org/rsvpkerrietaber/) [In addition to in-person attendance, attending the program on Zoom is also an option.](https://www.vaholocaust.org/rsvpkerrietaber/) **Event Categories:** Upcoming Events --- ### [Yom HaShoah 2025](https://www.vaholocaust.org/event/yom-hashoah/) **Published:** February 4, 2025 **Author:** Laurie Simpson Crouch **Content:** **April 27 @ 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm EDT** Yom HaShoah, also known as Holocaust Remembrance Day, commemorates the six million Jews who were murdered in the Holocaust and honors the lives of those who survived. We invite you to join us as we reflect upon the tragedy of the Holocaust, remember those who perished, and honor our Virginia area survivors during this meaningful and inspirational service. The commemoration is FREE to attend, but registration is suggested. [**Click HERE to Register!**](https://www.vaholocaust.org/yom-hashaoh-2025-registration-form/) **Keynote Speaker** **Ambassador Dennis Ross** Ambassador Dennis Ross is the counselor and William Davidson Distinguished Fellow at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy. He also teaches at Georgetown University’s Center for Jewish Civilization. For more than twelve years, Ambassador Ross played a leading role in shaping U.S. involvement in the Middle East peace process, dealing directly with the parties as the U.S. point man on the peace process in both the George H.W. Bush and Bill Clinton administrations. He was instrumental in helping Israelis and Palestinians reach the 1995 Interim Agreement; he also successfully brokered the 1997 Hebron Accord, facilitated the 1994 Israel-Jordan peace treaty, and intensively worked to bring Israel and Syria together. Later, he served two and half years as special assistant to President Obama and as National Security Council senior director for the Central Region, spending the first six months of the administration as the special advisor on Iran to Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton. ### [**Register Here!**](https://www.vaholocaust.org/yom-hashaoh-2025-registration-form/) **Event Categories:** Upcoming Events --- ### [“Decoding Deception: How to Teach about Nazi Propaganda” Educator Workshop](https://www.vaholocaust.org/event/decoding-deception-how-to-teach-about-nazi-propaganda-educator-workshop/) **Published:** February 26, 2025 **Author:** Laurie Simpson Crouch **Content:** Join us for an engaging professional development workshop designed to equip educators with the tools to analyze and teach the impact of propaganda during the Nazi era. Propaganda surrounds us everywhere, in both past and present. This workshop will explore key terms, definitions, and the historical context of Nazi propaganda, including the role of figures like Joseph Goebbels. Participants will engage in a hands-on lesson plan analyzing primary sources and examining how Nazi propaganda targeted different victim groups. We will also draw connections to American history, demonstrating how to incorporate this theme into a variety of curricula. Educators will discuss how to empower students to recognize and critically analyze propaganda in contemporary contexts. Overall, the workshop will provide insight into how these sensitive topics can be taught and can help leave a lasting impression on your students both inside and outside the classroom. This workshop is free for educators and includes: - Breakfast, Coffee, and Lunch - Educator resources - A certificate of attendance **[Register here!](https://www.vaholocaust.org/decoding-deception/)** Deadline for Registration is April 4th, 2025 **https://www.vaholocaust.org/decoding-decepti…ducator-workshop/A limited number of scholarships are available for teachers 120+ miles from Richmond. Scholarships are to help cover travel, housing, and meals. Please contact Megan Ferenczy** [**mferenczy@vaholocaust.org**](mailto:mferenczy@vaholocaust.org) **to apply.** **Event Categories:** Upcoming Events --- ### [Teaching the Human Story - An Exploration of Dimensions in Testimony](https://www.vaholocaust.org/event/teaching-the-human-story-an-explration-of-dimensions-in-testimony/) **Published:** February 13, 2025 **Author:** Laurie Simpson Crouch **Content:** Join the Virginia Holocaust Museum and Echoes and Reflections for a day of professional development. This workshop is designed to enhance teachers’ knowledge, capacity, and confidence to teach about the Holocaust, with a special focus on the human story. Educators will explore [classroom lessons, visual history testimonies and other resources](https://echoesandreflections.org/teach/?src=glss) that examine aspects of the history and its continued relevance today. Special focus is on using assets related to the Dimensions in Testimony platform both on-site and in your classroom. This workshop is free for educators and includes: - Breakfast, Coffee, and Lunch - Educator resources - A certificate of attendance [Register here!](https://www.vaholocaust.org/7334-2/) Deadline for Registration is April 16th, 2025 **A limited number of scholarships are available for teachers 120+ miles from Richmond. Scholarships are to help cover travel, housing, and meals. Please contact Megan Ferenczy** [**mferenczy@vaholocaust.org**](mailto:mferenczy@vaholocaust.org) **to apply.** **Event Categories:** Upcoming Events --- ### [Book Talk: The Memoir of Ilse Seger: Wife, Mother, Hostage, Nazi Resister with Melissa Kravetz](https://www.vaholocaust.org/event/book-talk-the-memoir-of-ilse-seger-wife-mother-hostage-nazi-resister/) **Published:** January 3, 2025 **Author:** Laurie Simpson Crouch **Content:** Location: The Weinstein JCC JCC 5400 Club 5403 Monument Ave Richmond, VA 23226 *The Memoir of Ilse Seger: Wife, Mother, Hostage, Nazi Resister* edited by Melissa Kravetz, tells the story of an ordinary woman who resisted authoritarianism in Nazi Germany well before anyone knew what would unfold, and for that reason, Ilse was quite extraordinary and can serve as a role model for all of us. Melissa will give a presentation about her book at the JCC 5400 Club. She is an Associate Professor of History and Co-Director of Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies at Longwood University, where she has worked since 2013. She also teaches K-12 teachers in the Alexander Lebenstein Teacher Education Institute at the Virginia Holocaust Museum every summer. Her first book, *Women Doctors in Weimar and Nazi Germany: Maternalism, Eugenics, and Professional Identity* was published by the University of Toronto Press in 2019. After Melissa’s presentation, she will take questions from the audience and be available to sign her book. **Registration information:** To register for the live event, please email <kadams@vaholocaust.org>. To register to attend virtually on Zoom, please click this link: [https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN\_TbBqonu\_QgWU0b8SW3DxVw](https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_TbBqonu_QgWU0b8SW3DxVw) You will immediately get a registration page when you click it. The page includes a drop-down box to select the date of the meeting you are joining. Then you enter your first and last name and your email address and click “Register.” You will then receive a page with a link to join the Webinar. **YOU SHOULD KEEP THE PAGE WITH THE LINK TO JOIN BUT DO NOT CLICK THE LINK TO JOIN UNTIL MONDAY at 12:15.** Once you have clicked it your name will go into a “virtual waiting room” and the host (Shari Menlowe-Barck) will admit you to the meeting when the meeting begins. There may be a short delay before you are admitted as the host is admitting several participants. **Event Categories:** Upcoming Events --- ### [Educator Workshop: Teaching About World War II Using Personal Stories](https://www.vaholocaust.org/event/teaching-about-world-war-ii-using-personal-stories/) **Published:** December 3, 2024 **Author:** Laurie Simpson Crouch **Content:** **@Virginia Holocaust Museum** Members of the World War II Heritage Alliance, The Virginia Holocaust Museum, The Virginia War Memorial, Hampton Roads Naval Museum, The Military Aviation Museum and the National D-Day and MacArthur Memorials present “**Teaching About World War II Using Personal Stories.”** Join us to hear the courageous and untold stories from World War II from our archives. Learn the history, best practices, and resources to use in the classroom. This workshop is free for educators and includes: - Breakfast, Coffee, and Lunch - Class resources - A certificate of attendance [Register HERE!](https://www.vaholocaust.org/teaching/) [Download Flyer HERE!](https://www.vaholocaust.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Teaching-About-WWII-.pdf) Deadline for Registration is February 27th, 2025 **A limited number of scholarships are available for teachers 120+ miles from Richmond. Scholarships are to help cover travel, housing, and meals. Please contact Megan Ferenczy** [**mferenczy@vaholocaust.org**](mailto:mferenczy@vaholocaust.org) **to apply.** **Event Categories:** Upcoming Events --- ### [Teaching About Resistance During the Holocaust](https://www.vaholocaust.org/event/educator-workshop-resistance-to-nazism-during-the-holocaust-through-personal-stories/) **Published:** December 6, 2024 **Author:** Laurie Simpson Crouch **Content:** Join the Virginia Holocaust Museum for a day of professional development focused on examining the events of the Holocaust through the lens of resistance. Dr. Melissa Kravetz will share the firsthand account of IIse Seger, the wife of Gerhart Seger, a German politician who opposed the Nazis and was imprisoned immediately after Hitler took power. She will share how *The Memoir of Ilse Seger: Wife, Mother, Hostage, Nazi Resister* (Indiana University Press, 2024) can be used to teach about resistance to the Nazis, political opposition to Nazism, and gender under the Nazis. Melissa Kravetz is an Associate Professor of History and Co-Director of Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies at Longwood University. She also teaches K-12 teachers at the Alexander Lebenstein Teacher Education Institute at the Virginia Holocaust Museum every summer. Learn the history, best practices, and resources to use in the classroom to help your students critically examine the topic of resistance. Decision making, the responsibility of the individual and the effects on victims of the Holocaust are also a central theme of this workshop. This workshop is free for educators and includes: - Breakfast, Coffee, and Lunch - Educator resources - A certificate of attendance [Register Here!](https://www.vaholocaust.org/resistance-nazism) [Download Flyer Here!](https://www.vaholocaust.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Resistance-to-Nazism-Workshop-2.pdf) Deadline for Registration is January 14th, 2025 **A limited number of scholarships are available for teachers 120+ miles from Richmond. Scholarships are to help cover travel, housing, and meals. Please contact Megan Ferenczy** [**mferenczy@vaholocaust.org**](mailto:mferenczy@vaholocaust.org) **to apply.** **Event Categories:** Upcoming Events --- ### [Challenging Antisemitism Workshop: Winchester, VA](https://www.vaholocaust.org/event/winchester/) **Published:** December 3, 2024 **Author:** Laurie Simpson Crouch **Content:** Location: The Museum of the Shenandoah Valley 901 Amherst Street, Winchester, Virginia 22601 Join the Virginia Holocaust Museum (VHM) and the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) as we bring our resources to Winchester for a day of professional development focused on examining and responding to antisemitism. Educators will reflect on the impact of antisemitism in communities, learn to recognize antisemitic ideas in context and respond in a way that maintains or restores a positive school climate for all students. This workshop is free for educators and includes: - Breakfast, Coffee, and Lunch - Educator Resources - A Certificate of Attendance Deadline for Registration is February 19, 2025 [Register Here!](https://www.vaholocaust.org/challengingwinchesterform/) [Download the Flyer Here!](https://www.vaholocaust.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Winchester-Challenging-Antisemitism-Workshop-1.jpg) For questions about the workshop please contact <mferenczy@vaholocaust.org> **Event Categories:** Upcoming Events --- ### [Collaboration and Complicity:  Teaching About the Role of Science and Medicine During the Holocaust](https://www.vaholocaust.org/event/collaboration-and-complicity/) **Published:** September 12, 2024 **Author:** Laurie Simpson Crouch **Content:** ### **Educator Workshop. (Full – Waitlist Only)** Join the Virginia Holocaust Museum for a day of professional development focused on examining the events of the Holocaust through the lens of science and medicine. Topics that will be focused on include eugenics, the Nazi euthanasia program and Aktion T4, Nazi medical experiments as well as the role of medical professionals. Decision-making, the responsibility of the individual and the effects on victims of the Holocaust are also a central theme of this workshop. Educators will also learn about Holocaust survivor Eva Mozes Kor, from her son Dr. Alex Kor. At 10 years old Eva and her twin sister Miriam were subjected to horrific medical experimentation in Auschwitz under the direction of SS doctor, Josef Mengele. Participants will view a screening of the documentary film *Eva* and have the opportunity to talk with Eva in the Museum’s Dimensions in Testimony Theater. This workshop is free for educators and includes: - Breakfast, Coffee, and Lunch - Educator Resources - A Certificate of Attendance [Click HERE to Register! (Full – Waitlist Only)](https://www.vaholocaust.org/registration-form-collaboration/) [Click HERE to Download Flyer](https://www.vaholocaust.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Collaboration-and-Complicity-Teaching-About-the-Role-of-Science-and-Medicine-During-the-Holocaust.pdf) **Deadline for Registration is December 3rd, 2024** For questions about the workshop please contact <mferenczy@vaholocaust.org> **Event Categories:** Upcoming Events --- ### [Annual Meeting](https://www.vaholocaust.org/event/annual-meeting/) **Published:** November 4, 2024 **Author:** Laurie Simpson Crouch **Content:** **You are invited to the Virginia Holocaust Museum’s Annual Meeting** **Monday, December 9, 2024 \| 6:30 PM** **2000 East Cary Street, Richmond, Virginia 23223** Highlights Include:** - **Executive Director’s Report** - **Keynote Address by Dr. Alex Kor** - **Preview Eva Kor’s Interactive Biography in our Dimensions In Testimony Exhibit** **About Our Keynote Speaker:** Dr. Alex Kor, the son of Holocaust survivors Mickey and Eva Kor, grew up in Indiana, a state with both charm and a history of prejudice. In his book, *A Blessing, Not a Burden: My Parents’ Remarkable Holocaust Story & My Fight to Keep Their Legacy Alive*, Dr. Kor shares his journey from a unique childhood to his mission of preserving his parents’ legacy. He reflects on his mother’s decision to forgive the Nazis, his father’s enduring optimism, and his own views on forgiveness in a world still struggling with discrimination. From Indiana to Auschwitz, Dr. Kor’s journey is one of resilience, echoing his parents’ strength in overcoming adversity. [**Please RSVP by Nov. 25. 2024**](https://www.vaholocaust.org/annual-meeting-rsvp/) **Event Categories:** Annual Meeting, Upcoming Events --- ### [Teaching about Kristallnacht and the Kindertransport through Personal Stories](https://www.vaholocaust.org/event/teaching-about-kristallnacht-and-the-kindertransport-through-personal-stories/) **Published:** October 8, 2024 **Author:** Laurie Simpson Crouch **Content:** **Educator Workshop at the Virginia Holocaust Museum** Join the Virginia Holocaust Museum and Centropa for a day of professional development focused on Kristallnacht and the Kindertransport**.** On November 9-10, 1938, the Nazi regime directed pogroms against Jews throughout the German Reich (Germany, occupied Austria and Sudetenland in Czechoslovakia). Known as Kristallnacht, local people and SS hunted, kidnapped, and murdered Jews, burned synagogues, and destroyed shops. This was a turning point in the Holocaust, an increase in violence against Jews. The following month, the British government agreed to take Jewish children from these countries. The trains that transported almost 10,000 children from 1938-1940—from everyone and everything they knew to England—were known as Kindertransports. In this workshop, we will share first-hand stories of Kristallnacht and Kindertransport from Centropa interviews, along with photographs, short multimedia films, and podcasts that bring this history to life for your students. This workshop is free for educators and includes: - Breakfast, Coffee, and Lunch - Educator Resources - A certificate of attendance [To Register Click HERE](https://www.vaholocaust.org/registration-kristallnacht/)[!](https://www.vaholocaust.org/registration-kristallnacht/) [To Download the Program Flyer click HERE!](https://www.vaholocaust.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Teaching-about-Kristallnacht-and-the-Kindertransport-through-Personal-Stories-1.pdf) **Event Categories:** Upcoming Events --- ### [The Rule of Law 2024](https://www.vaholocaust.org/event/law2024/) **Published:** September 17, 2024 **Author:** Laurie Simpson Crouch **Content:** ### Luncheon **October 16, 2024 — 11:30 AM** **Virginia Holocaust Museum** 2000 East Cary Street, Richmond *Complimentary \| **[Registration required](https://secure.qgiv.com/for/virginialawfoundation/event/ruleoflawevent/)*** ### Honorees **Jay M. Weinberg, Esq.** Rule of Law Award Recipient **Frank Overton Brown, Jr., Esq.** Civility in the Law Award Recipient ### Join us! **The Virginia Law Foundation and the Virginia Holocaust Museum invite you to celebrate the Rule of Law and honor two outstanding citizen lawyers who have devoted their careers to advancing it.** A primary lesson of the Holocaust is the centrality of the Rule of Law in the preservation of civil societies. Established by the Virginia Holocaust Museum’s Nuremberg Courtroom Committee and the Virginia Law Foundation, this program honors individuals whose life and work emulate the highest ideals enshrined in the principles of the Nuremberg Military Tribunal and later the International Court of Justice. **[This event is complimentary, but registration is required. ](https://secure.qgiv.com/for/virginialawfoundation/event/ruleoflawevent/)** **Should you wish to make a gift in honor of this year’s recipients, you may do so at the same [registration link.](https://secure.qgiv.com/for/virginialawfoundation/event/ruleoflawevent/)** ***We invite you to honor our special guests!*** **Event Categories:** Award Ceremony, Upcoming Events --- ### [ArtoberVA PWYW | The Butterfly Project & Archives Tour at VHM](https://www.vaholocaust.org/event/artoberva-pwyw-the-butterfly-project-archives-tour-at-vhm/) **Published:** August 28, 2024 **Author:** Laurie Simpson Crouch **Content:** VHM is thrilled to join dozens of other organizations around the region in hosting an event for the artoberVA All-Access Pay-What-You-Will series presented by @cultureworksrva. On Oct. 26th at 1 PM, join the Virginia Holocaust Museum for a behind-the-scenes archives tour and participate in The Butterfly Project! The Butterfly Project is a call to action through education, the arts and memorial-making. By painting ceramic butterflies, which are displayed as symbols of resilience and hope, participants remember the 1.5 million children killed during the Holocaust. After learning about artifacts from our collections, each participant will learn about a child who perished during the Holocaust and paint a ceramic butterfly in their memory. All butterflies painted will then be fired on behalf of the Museum and eventually used for a display here at VHM! We recommend this event for adults and students 6th grade and up. While this event is free and open to the public, space is limited. [**Register HERE!**](https://www.vaholocaust.org/artoberva/) **Event Categories:** Upcoming Events --- ### [GIADO: Directed by Golan Rise & Sharon Yaish](https://www.vaholocaust.org/event/giado-directed-by-golan-rise-sharon-yaish/) **Published:** August 13, 2024 **Author:** Laurie Simpson Crouch **Content:** **Co-presented by the Embassy of Israel** **Moderated by Efrat Hochstetler, Counselor for Public Diplomacy** ***Hosted by the Holocaust Museum & Weinstein Jewish Community Center at the JCC*** At the young age of 20, Yosef Dadosh was among 3,000 Jews sent from their homes in Benghazi to the Giado concentration camp nestled in the heart of the Libyan desert. Amidst extreme conditions, he bravely chronicled life within the camp through a secret diary. For seven decades, his diary remained locked away in a closet, concealed from the world, until after his passing. Yosef’s diary provides an extraordinary and rare window into the harrowing routine at Giado. It captures the atrocities endured by its inhabitants in real-time, offering an intimate and chilling account of their suffering. Despite his dedication to raising awareness about the Holocaust of Libyan Jews and fighting for its recognition by the State of Israel, Yosef chose to keep his ordeal hidden from his children. In an endeavor to bring this compelling story to life on the screen, a unique model of the camp was constructed and photographed. Through the use of animations, this model serves as a visual bridge, connecting the haunting texts of the diary with the stark reality of the camp. The resulting film merges historical accuracy with a distinctive cinematic language, offering a powerful and immersive exploration of Yosef’s profound journey and the dark legacy he left behind. [To learn more or to register, click HERE!](https://riff.eventive.org/schedule/66a230b76a7a9c006c428838) **Event Categories:** Upcoming Events --- ### [Intersecting History Museum Crawl - US: A Belonging Beyond Borders](https://www.vaholocaust.org/event/intersecting-history-museum-crawl-us-a-belonging-beyond-borders/) **Published:** August 13, 2024 **Author:** Laurie Simpson Crouch **Content:** Initiates of Change’s International Peace Week celebration concludes with a special 4th annual Intersecting History Museum Crawl based on the theme “US: A Belonging Beyond Borders.” Attendees will be able to visit 9 area museums free of charge **(including VHM!)** while exploring exhibitions and gaining a more inclusive, peace-focused understanding of our city’s history. Charter buses will offer rides between museums at no cost to attendees, thanks in part to sponsorship from Richmond Region Tourism. The participants include: the American Civil War Museum-Historic Tredegar Black History Museum and Cultural Center of Virginia The Branch Museum of Architecture and Design Institute for Contemporary Art at VCU The Poe Museum The Valentine Museum, the Virginia Holocaust Museum Virginia Museum of Fine Arts Virginia Museum of History & Culture [To Learn More or Register, click HERE!](https://www.eventbrite.com/e/international-peace-week-multi-day-celebration-tickets-940429137867?aff=oddtdtcreator) - **Event Categories:** Upcoming Events --- ### [Lecture & Book Signing: A Rosenwald Schools Journey - Julius Rosenwald, Booker T. Washington, and the 4,978 Schools That Changed America](https://www.vaholocaust.org/event/a-better-life-for-their-children-a-rosenwald-schools-journey/) **Published:** July 23, 2024 **Author:** Laurie Simpson Crouch **Content:** Thursday, September 5, 2024 6:00PM *A Better Life for Their Children: A Rosenwald Schools Journey*: cohosted by the Virginia Museum of History and Culture and the Virginia Holocaust Museum. A Better Life for Their Children – Born to Jewish immigrants, Julius Rosenwald rose to lead Sears, Roebuck & Company and turn it into the world’s largest retailer. Born into slavery, Booker T. Washington became the founding principal of Tuskegee Institute. In 1912 the two men launched an ambitious program to partner with Black communities across the segregated South to build public schools for Black children. This watershed moment in the history of philanthropy—one of the earliest collaborations between Jews and Black Americans—drove dramatic improvement in African American educational attainment and fostered the generation who became the leaders and foot soldiers of the civil rights movement. Of the original 4,978 Rosenwald schools built between 1912 and 1937 across fifteen southern and border states, only about 500 survive. Though some have been repurposed and a handful remain active schools, many remain unrestored and at risk of collapse. To tell this story visually, Andrew Feiler drove more than 25,000 miles, photographed 105 schools, and interviewed dozens of former students, teachers, preservationists, and community leaders in all fifteen of the program states. The book and exhibition of this work is, A Better Life for Their Children: Julius Rosenwald, Booker T. Washington, and the 4,978 Schools that Changed America. The exhibition is on view at the Virginia Museum of History & Culture through April 20, 2025. Author, photographer, and exhibition curator Andrew Feiler will share images and stories from his extraordinary journey into the history of Rosenwald schools. The lecture will be followed by an author book signing and light refreshments. The content and opinions expressed in these presentations are solely those of the speaker and not necessarily of the Virginia Museum of History & Culture and/or the Virginia Holocaust Museum. Ticket Pricing: General Admission – $20 VMHC Members – $10 Program Notes: Tickets are required for in-person admission. Tickets are not needed if you would prefer to join us live on YouTube or Facebook. VMHC Members, please log in above to reserve your tickets. Your member pricing will be visible once your tickets are added to the cart. If you are not currently a member and would like to join, please click here. In-person attendees are invited to meet the speaker immediately following the lecture. Signed copies of the book willl be available at ShopVirginiaHistory.org. [Click HERE to Register!](https://secure.virginiahistory.org/2782/3105) **Event Categories:** Upcoming Events --- ### [Teacher Workshop: Exploring Black & Jewish Civil Rights Partnerships](https://www.vaholocaust.org/event/exploring-black-jewish-civil-rights-partnerships/) **Published:** August 6, 2024 **Author:** Laurie Simpson Crouch **Content:** Join the **Virginia Museum of History & Culture** and the **Virginia Holocaust Museum** to dive into a closer look at partnerships between the Jewish & Black Communities during the 20th century. This educator workshop will feature a tour of VMHC’s newest exhibition, “A Better Life for Their Children: Julius Rosenwald, Booker T. Rosenwald, and the 4,978 Schools That Changed America,” and guided source analysis of paired documents. In addition, the Virginia Holocaust Museum will discuss the experiences, common ground and support found between Jewish refugees fleeing Nazi Germany and Black Americans that were subjected to oppression and discrimination in the United States. This workshop will last from 10:00-1:00 and is free, **[but participants must register in advance](https://secure.virginiahistory.org/2924/3122)**. Lunch and certificates of completion will be provided. Participants in this program will receive a $50.00 participation stipend. Educators in the following counties (*Amherst, Bedford, Bland, Botetourt, Buchanan, Campbell, Carroll, Craig, Dickenson, Floyd, Franklin, Galax, Giles, Grayson, Henry, Lynchburg, Martinsville, Montgomery, Nelson, Patrick, Pulaski, Radford, Roanoke, Russell, Scott, Smyth, Tazewell, Washington, Wise,* and *Wythe counties)* are also eligible for an additional $200.00 travel stipend. Please email Director of Education Maggie Creech with any questions at mcreech@virginiahistory.org. **[To register, click HERE!](https://secure.virginiahistory.org/2924/3122)** **Event Categories:** Upcoming Events --- ### [TEI: From Context to Classroom Part II](https://www.vaholocaust.org/event/tei-from-context-to-classroom-part-ii/) **Published:** June 13, 2024 **Author:** Laurie Simpson Crouch **Content:** Dates: July 15-17, 2024, 8:30am to 5pm (the last day of class ends at 1:30pm) Please note: course materials will be accessible from June 15 to October 1, 2024 Location: Virginia Holocaust Museum, Richmond Application Deadline: July 1st, 2024 Stipend: $200 (plus the registration fee reimbursement) Registration Fee: $30, reimbursed with successful completion of all class requirements $500 Scholarships are available for teachers 50 miles outside of Richmond. Scholarships are to help cover travel, lodging, and meals. Please contact Megan Ferenczy (mferenczy@vaholocaust.org) to apply. With the successful completion of this 2 1/2 day in person class and its requirements, your school division may allow you to apply for up to 45 recertification points. Sessions focus on the Holocaust’s historical background and pedagogy – building upon From Context to Classroom Part I, allowing for a closer examination and a deeper understanding of this history. You will hear historian-led lectures and learn about best practices and resources that you can use in the classroom. Educators will have opportunities to explore and interact with Museum resources. From Context to Classroom Part II is recommended for teachers who have already completed the first TEI class (From Context to Classroom Part I). To complete class requirements, you must fully participate, which includes pre-reading and the use of the online platform Canvas and a final project. 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Artwork Tags ### [ancient](https://www.vaholocaust.org/artwork-tags/ancient/) --- ### [animal](https://www.vaholocaust.org/artwork-tags/animal/) --- ### [antique](https://www.vaholocaust.org/artwork-tags/antique/) --- ### [art](https://www.vaholocaust.org/artwork-tags/art/) --- ### [artistic](https://www.vaholocaust.org/artwork-tags/artistic/) --- ### [artwork](https://www.vaholocaust.org/artwork-tags/artwork/) --- ### [bird](https://www.vaholocaust.org/artwork-tags/bird/) --- ### [box](https://www.vaholocaust.org/artwork-tags/box/) --- ### [ceramic](https://www.vaholocaust.org/artwork-tags/ceramic/) --- ### [classic](https://www.vaholocaust.org/artwork-tags/classic/) --- ### [clay](https://www.vaholocaust.org/artwork-tags/clay/) --- ### [digital](https://www.vaholocaust.org/artwork-tags/digital/) --- ### [gift](https://www.vaholocaust.org/artwork-tags/gift/) --- ### [illustration](https://www.vaholocaust.org/artwork-tags/illustration/) --- ### [isolated](https://www.vaholocaust.org/artwork-tags/isolated/) --- ### [nature](https://www.vaholocaust.org/artwork-tags/nature/) --- ### [old](https://www.vaholocaust.org/artwork-tags/old/) --- ### [painting](https://www.vaholocaust.org/artwork-tags/painting/) --- ### [perch](https://www.vaholocaust.org/artwork-tags/perch/) --- ### [tree branch](https://www.vaholocaust.org/artwork-tags/tree-branch/) --- ### [watercolor](https://www.vaholocaust.org/artwork-tags/watercolor/) --- ### [white](https://www.vaholocaust.org/artwork-tags/white/) --- ### [wildlife](https://www.vaholocaust.org/artwork-tags/wildlife/) --- ## Artists ### [G. Roy Levin](https://www.vaholocaust.org/artwork-artists/g-roy-levin/) --- ### [Jewish Partisan Educational Foundation (JPEF)](https://www.vaholocaust.org/artwork-artists/jewish-partisan-educational-foundation-jpef/) --- ### [Alec R. Hosterman](https://www.vaholocaust.org/artwork-artists/alec-r-hosterman/) --- ### [Molly Robinson](https://www.vaholocaust.org/artwork-artists/molly-robinson/) --- ### [Amnon & Avshalom Weinstein](https://www.vaholocaust.org/artwork-artists/amnon-avshalom-weinstein/) --- ### [V.L. Cox](https://www.vaholocaust.org/artwork-artists/v-l-cox/) --- ### [Dean Whitback](https://www.vaholocaust.org/artwork-artists/dean-whitback/) --- ### [Margot Blank](https://www.vaholocaust.org/artwork-artists/margot-blank/) --- ### [Sid Chafetz](https://www.vaholocaust.org/artwork-artists/sid-chafetz/) --- ### [Margot Dreyfuss Blank](https://www.vaholocaust.org/artwork-artists/margot-dreyfuss-blank/) --- ## Event Categories ### [Upcoming Events](https://www.vaholocaust.org/events/category/upcoming-events/) --- ### [Award Ceremony](https://www.vaholocaust.org/events/category/award-ceremony/) --- ### [Annual Meeting](https://www.vaholocaust.org/events/category/annual-meeting/) --- ### [Professional Development](https://www.vaholocaust.org/events/category/professional-development/) ---