Holocaust Awareness Museum and Education Center

Holocaust Awareness Museum and Education Center https://trellis.org/hamec2023galadinnerandsilentauction Initially, the museum was housed in the basement of Riz's home.
(34)

The Holocaust Awareness Museum and Education Center, America's first Holocaust museum, was founded in 1961 by survivor Yaakov Riz, who lost 83 members of his family in Hitler's death camps. Riz vowed that if he survived he would dedicate his life to establishing a museum that would memorialize the millions of Jews and Non-Jews who perished at the hands of N**i barbarism. The museum's genesis, its

growth and its struggle against intolerance are the realization of his dream, his courage and his commitment. In the five-county area that we serve, the museum's educational and community outreach is ecumenical and comprises a population that ranges from elementary school school (grade 5) to senior citizens. Many of the students we work with come from disadvantaged homes. Some of our students are newcomers who have fled countries such as Sierra Leone, Liberia, and Serbia. During the last 50 years, tens of thousands of students have visited the museum. We, in turn, have presented thousands of Holocaust programs in schools and to community groups and organizations. Our efforts are designed to emphasize the message that racial, ethnic, and religious hatred are the social poisons that weaken the American democracy.

HAMEC speaker, Ronnie Breslow, was featured in her former town newspaper in Kircheim, Germany. Ronnie spoke to a school...
07/22/2024

HAMEC speaker, Ronnie Breslow, was featured in her former town newspaper in Kircheim, Germany. Ronnie spoke to a school in Kircheim and reconnected with a former elementary school friend after 87 years. The article also shared the stolpersteine project that is throughout Europe. The ‘stumbling stone’ project strives to bring back the names of millions of victims. Ronnie’s family’s stolpersteines are in Kircheim, Germany and was featured in the article.

Incredible reunion for Ronnie Breslow. After 87 years, she was reunited with a childhood friend from Kircheim, Germany....
07/11/2024

Incredible reunion for Ronnie Breslow. After 87 years, she was reunited with a childhood friend from Kircheim, Germany. HAMEC Program Director, Lise Marlowe, wrote Ronnie’s story 20 years ago. In the book, Ronnie talks about how she was suspended from school because she was Jewish. The school children were very cruel to Ronnie when she was asked to leave. Only one friend walked her home, Marianne. Unfortunately when Marianne’s father found out that his daughter was playing with a Jewish girl, he beat Marianne and told her to never talk to Ronnie again. Ronnie, being the only Jewish student, was isolated and alone. The book is used in a school in Kircheim, Germany to teach students what happened to Ronnie who lived in their town. A German reporter recently wrote a story about the 85th commemoration of the St. Louis that Ronnie and her mother was on, and mentioned the part about Marianne from the book. Marianne read the story and said that was her. A teacher in Kircheim was able to bring Ronnie and Marianne together with the students to witness the reunion and ask questions. An amazing experience for all! HAMEC will share the video on our website in the future.

Danny Goldsmith's service is Tuesday the 18th at 9:30 AM at Goldsteins in the Southampton location. Following the servic...
06/16/2024

Danny Goldsmith's service is Tuesday the 18th at 9:30 AM at Goldsteins in the Southampton location. Following the service the Cemetery is Beth Israel 1098 Woodbridge Center Dr Woodbridge, NJ. 

Please check out the QR code and read his story and share if you can. Danny would love that his story will continue to be shared and told.

Thank you.

The Holocaust Awareness Museum and Education Center is deeply saddened to share the news of the passing of Holocaust sur...
06/14/2024

The Holocaust Awareness Museum and Education Center is deeply saddened to share the news of the passing of Holocaust survivor Daniel Goldsmith. Daniel Goldsmith was born in Antwerp, Belgium to an orthodox Jewish family. He was 8 years old when the German army invaded in May 1940. In August 1942 his father was placed in a forced labor camp and his mother was forced to sell some of his tools to buy food for Daniel and his sister, Lillian. After the N**is raided their street one night in September 1942, arresting Jewish families, Daniel’s mother visited a known resistance movement member and within 48 hours Daniel and Lillian were placed in a Catholic convent. Danny ended up in an orphanage when they were raised by the N**is and put in a train to a camp. He escaped the train when a teenager cut a whole in the floor with a sharp object he hid in his boot. Danny would be liberated eventually at the age of 12. Danny was a HAMEC speaker for over 20 years and spoke to thousands of students. Whether it was 10 students or 1,000 students, Danny was always willing to share his story with anyone who would listen. When asked the question from students about if he lived in fear when he was in hiding as a young child, he would answer, “I lived in fear always, I thought when I was caught at the orphanage by the N**is that I was going to die, but at the same time I lived with a very strong word and it’s called, ‘Hope.’ I wanted to survive, I wanted to be reunited with my family. That’s what drove me to stay alive.” A message Danny would tell students at the end of his presentation was, “Don’t hate anybody. No one is born hating. You have to learn how to hate. You have to be taught how to hate.”
May Danny’s memory be a blessing, and may we always remember the words that Danny left off every presentation with, “Don’t bully, never bully and don’t hate.”

HAMEC staff and speakers attended JFCS and Federation’s Holocaust Survivor Day luncheon today. Honoring local survivors...
06/04/2024

HAMEC staff and speakers attended JFCS and Federation’s Holocaust Survivor Day luncheon today. Honoring local survivors with music and love.

HAMEC hosted Montgomery County’s Commissioners Office for a special tour today. Lead Docent, Nicole Faust, gave a power...
05/30/2024

HAMEC hosted Montgomery County’s Commissioners Office for a special tour today. Lead Docent, Nicole Faust, gave a powerful presentation on the consequences of hatred and the stories of our local survivors. Contact HAMEC if you’d like your organization to have a tour.

Thank you Downingtown Area School District for two great programs. Survivor Ruth Hartz spoke to 100 students in the even...
05/22/2024

Thank you Downingtown Area School District for two great programs. Survivor Ruth Hartz spoke to 100 students in the evening following an afternoon program with 7000 kids who spoke with survivor Danny Goldsmith

Please check our these two articles about their programs

https://www.dasd.org/departments/diversity-equity-inclusion/dei-news/dei-details-2/~board/dei-news-board/post/daniel-goldsmith-shares-his-story-of-survival-in-virtual-program-for-dasd-students-in-grades-7-12

https://www.dasd.org/departments/diversity-equity-inclusion/dei-news/dei-details-2/~board/dei-news-board/post/holocaust-survivor-ruth-kapp-hartz-shares-powerful-story-with-dasd-community

85 years ago today, HAMEC speaker Ronnie Breslow, boarded the St. Louis ship from Germany to Cuba. The St. Louis is cons...
05/14/2024

85 years ago today, HAMEC speaker Ronnie Breslow, boarded the St. Louis ship from Germany to Cuba. The St. Louis is considered one of the saddest immigration stories in American history. On May 13, 1939 the St. Louis left N**i Germany with 939 Jewish passengers with legal landing certificates for Cuba. The Cuban government didn’t allow the passengers to leave the ship when they arrived in the harbor in Havana, Cuba. The American government did not help the refugees and sent the ship back to Europe. Many passengers sadly died once the war started.

Come see Holocaust survivor Ruth Hartz speak for A Night of Remembrance on May 20th at 6pm at Downingtown High School We...
05/08/2024

Come see Holocaust survivor Ruth Hartz speak for A Night of Remembrance on May 20th at 6pm at Downingtown High School West.

Join us on May 23rd at 7pm as KI welcomes author Lauren Grodstein talk about her new Holocaust novel.
05/08/2024

Join us on May 23rd at 7pm as KI welcomes author Lauren Grodstein talk about her new Holocaust novel.

HAMEC Directors Lise Marlowe and Fabulous Flores had the honor of meeting renowned Holocaust historian, Dr. Deborah Dwor...
05/07/2024

HAMEC Directors Lise Marlowe and Fabulous Flores had the honor of meeting renowned Holocaust historian, Dr. Deborah Dwork at AJC Murray Friedman Memorial Lecture. HAMEC speaker, Michael Fryd, joined the luncheon after he spoke to 400 students at Penn Charter School in Philadelphia.

Come to the Weitzman, may 8th at 6pm for a screening of the film Code Name: Ayalon and discussion after.Code Name: Ayalo...
05/07/2024

Come to the Weitzman, may 8th at 6pm for a screening of the film Code Name: Ayalon and discussion after.
Code Name: Ayalon is the never-before-told story of 45 teenagers who were recruited to manufacture and smuggle ammunition to the frontlines during Israel’s War of Independence in the late 1940s. The documentary depicts the remarkable bravery and ingenuity shown by these young people who played a major role in Israel’s establishment as an independent state.

HAMEC speaker, George Marcus, spoke to 100 students and adults at Temple Shalom in Broomall’s Yom HaShoah service. Geor...
05/07/2024

HAMEC speaker, George Marcus, spoke to 100 students and adults at Temple Shalom in Broomall’s Yom HaShoah service. George shared how his first birthday was Kristallnacht/November Pogrom and how his father and uncle were arrested and sent to Buchenwald. George’s Uncle Ernest Kaufman came to America as a young teenager and was determined to join the U.S. Army to go back to Europe and find his parents. Ernest became a Ritchie Boy and was instrumental to the Army’s intelligence. Sadly, Ernest parents had a visa to go to Cuba, but Pearl Harbor happened days later and the borders closed. They perished in Belzec concentration camp.

Downingtown School District had a 20th Anniversary Yom HaShoah Ceremony for their Holocaust Memorial Garden today. HAMEC...
05/06/2024

Downingtown School District had a 20th Anniversary Yom HaShoah Ceremony for their Holocaust Memorial Garden today. HAMEC survivor, Ronnie Breslow, was the Keynote Speaker and her name along with many past HAMEC survivors are on the memorial. We appreciate DEI Director, Mr. Justin Brown, and his team of educators for continuing to bring Holocaust survivor stories to their students. Superintendent Dr. Robert O’Donnell and Curriculum Supervisor, Dr. Troy Podell, also gave remarks on the importance of this memorial.

Thank you to our HAMEC speakers, Danny Goldsmith, Ralph Rehboch, Michael Fryd and George Marcus for their meaningful pre...
05/06/2024

Thank you to our HAMEC speakers, Danny Goldsmith, Ralph Rehboch, Michael Fryd and George Marcus for their meaningful presentations today for Yom Hashoah. Look for Michael Fryd’s interview on PHL 17 news.

Please join HAMEC for the 60th Annual Philadelphia Holocaust Remembrance Ceremony this Sunday, May 5th at 4:00 pm. Due ...
05/02/2024

Please join HAMEC for the 60th Annual Philadelphia Holocaust Remembrance Ceremony this Sunday, May 5th at 4:00 pm. Due to the weather, the ceremony will be held at Temple Beth Zion-Beth Israel at 2
300 S. 18th St, Philadelphia. HAMEC Holocaust survivor speaker, Michael Fryd , will share his family’s story. Also, Old York Road Kehillah will host HAMEC Holocaust survivor, George Marcus, for their 24th Annual Yom HaShoah service on Sunday, May 5th at 7:00 pm, at Old York Road Temple Beth Am located at 971 Old York Road in Abington. We hope you can join us for all these Holocaust Remembrance Day events.

The Naval Supply System Command Business Systems Center in Mechanicsburg, PA hosted HAMEC speaker , Pete Stern, for thei...
05/02/2024

The Naval Supply System Command Business Systems Center in Mechanicsburg, PA hosted HAMEC speaker , Pete Stern, for their annual Yom Hashoah observance day. Pete gave an incredible account of how he and his family were deported from Nuremberg, Germany in 1941. Pete and his family were in Riga Ghetto then transferred to a work camp in Russia in 1943. The family would be transported again and Pete’s father ended up in Buchenwald where he died. Pete, his younger brother and mother were deported to Ravensbruck concentration camp and eventually liberated at Bergen Belsen. Pete was 9 years old when he was liberated. If you would like to have Pete speak to your school or organization, contact our office at 215-464-4701.

HAMEC speaker Danny Goldsmith will share his family’s story of survival at Or Hadash’s Yom HaShoah observance on Sunday,...
04/21/2024

HAMEC speaker Danny Goldsmith will share his family’s story of survival at Or Hadash’s Yom HaShoah observance on Sunday, May 5th at 11:00 am. See flyer for details on how to get Zoom link.

HAMEC speaker, Pete Stern, was liberated from Bergen Belsen concentration camp on April 15, 1945. Pete and his brother a...
04/18/2024

HAMEC speaker, Pete Stern, was liberated from Bergen Belsen concentration camp on April 15, 1945. Pete and his brother are featured in this picture when they were liberated. Pete is wearing a cap with his hands on his younger brother’s shoulders in the right corner. Pete is one of the youngest camp survivors. If you would like Pete to speak to your school or organization, please contact HAMEC.

On Monday Abington High School teachers came after school for a HAMEC tour led by our Lead Docent, Nicole. If your group...
04/17/2024

On Monday Abington High School teachers came after school for a HAMEC tour led by our Lead Docent, Nicole. If your group would like a tour, please contact us today! We'd love to set up a tour just for you.

HAMEC and Keneseth Israel are proud to present, for your viewing pleasure: How Saba Kept Singing tomorrow, Tuesday, Apri...
04/15/2024

HAMEC and Keneseth Israel are proud to present, for your viewing pleasure: How Saba Kept Singing tomorrow, Tuesday, April 16th at 6:30 pm at Keneseth Israel: 8339 Old York Road, Elkins Park, PA.

After the film, Rabbi Ben David and Avi Wisnia will hold a discussion. The film is free, open to the public and appropriate for ages 12 and over. Thank you to our partners, Jewish Federation, 3G Philly and Philadelphia Holocaust Remembrance Foundation for supporting this community event. The film was featured on PBS and will move everyone's hearts. Please register today and share with family and friends. 

Registration in bio

HAMEC is spending today doing zoom sessions with Central High School. We're sharing 7 stories of survival to approximate...
04/11/2024

HAMEC is spending today doing zoom sessions with Central High School. We're sharing 7 stories of survival to approximately 1,050 students, in just 1 day. Call HAMEC at 215-464-4701 to get your zoom or in-person program today! Tours available as well as speaker presentations.

Thrilled to announce our partnership with Bucks Community College! Join us as 2G speaker Mary Romney-Schaab shares her f...
04/08/2024

Thrilled to announce our partnership with Bucks Community College! Join us as 2G speaker Mary Romney-Schaab shares her father's incredible journey as an Afro-Caribbean survivor of N**i concentration camps. Don't miss out - join us in person or register online.

Powerful moments at local schools with Holocaust survivors Sarah Meller and George Marcus. Over 300 students were touche...
04/02/2024

Powerful moments at local schools with Holocaust survivors Sarah Meller and George Marcus. Over 300 students were touched by their stories, emphasizing resilience, history, and the importance of remembrance. Together, we're committed to fighting against antisemitism.

HAMEC hosted a museum tour for Sons and Daughters of Holocaust survivors with our Lead Docent, Nicole Faust. The 2G grou...
03/25/2024

HAMEC hosted a museum tour for Sons and Daughters of Holocaust survivors with our Lead Docent, Nicole Faust. The 2G group shared their family's experiences in the Holocaust to enrich everyone's learning.  Please contact HAMEC if you'd like your organization or school group to have a tour. 

Tuesday, Ronnie Breslow moved hearts at Lenape Middle School, sharing her poignant journey as a child passenger on the S...
03/20/2024

Tuesday, Ronnie Breslow moved hearts at Lenape Middle School, sharing her poignant journey as a child passenger on the S.S. St. Louis. This tragic chapter in history saw over 930 Jewish refugees, including 200 children, denied entry to safety. Our survivor’s message to the 9th graders and all we educate: 'You are our voices.' Let's ensure history's lessons are never forgotten.

Address

8339 Old York Road, Suite 203/205
Abington, PA
19027

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm

Telephone

+12154644701

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Holocaust Awareness Museum and Education Center posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Videos

As we head into the new school year, our survivors would like to share why it's important for them to continue speaking with students. Please consider making a donation so we can continue to keep our educational programs free for all students and give them the opportunity to hear from a Holocaust survivor and learn about the ongoing legacy of the Holocaust.

Thank you again for all your generosity during #GivingTuesdayNow! HAMEC has raised $1,902 of our $2500 goal. With your support, we will be able to move forward with providing more quality virtual educational programming, like our recent Yom HaShoah public event with speaker Ruth Hartz:

Rise of Anti-Semitic Acts Hearing
Rise of Anti-Semitic Acts Hearing

HAMEC president Chuck Feldman's testimony on the rise of #AntiSemitic acts before the #Pennsylvania House Democratic Policy Committee Hearing at Shaare Shamayim yesterday, with the honorable State Representative Kevin Boyle presiding.

This morning, HAMEC president Chuck Feldman introduced #Holocaust survivor David Tuck to 6th grade students at Rising Starr Middle School in Fayetteville, #Georgia via Skype in the classroom. Here's how it went!

Shortcuts

Share

Category

Our Story

The Holocaust Awareness Museum and Education Center, America's first Holocaust museum, was founded in 1961 by survivor Yaakov Riz, who lost 83 members of his family during the Holocaust. Riz vowed that if he survived he would dedicate his life to establishing a museum that would memorialize the millions of Jews and Non-Jews who perished at the hands of N**i barbarism. Initially, the museum was housed in the basement of Riz's home. The museum's genesis, its growth and its struggle against intolerance are the realization of his dream, his courage and his commitment. In the five-county area that we serve, the museum's educational and community outreach is ecumenical and comprises a population that ranges from elementary school (grade 5) to senior citizens. Many of the students we work with come from disadvantaged homes. Some of our students are newcomers who have fled countries such as Sierra Leone, Liberia, and Serbia. During the last 50+ years, tens of thousands of students have visited the museum. We, in turn, have presented thousands of Holocaust programs in schools and to community groups and organizations. Our efforts are designed to emphasize the message that racial, ethnic, and religious hatred are the social poisons that weaken the American democracy.