Holocaust and Human Rights Center of Maine - HHRC

08/23/2026

International Day for the Remembrance of the Slave Trade and its Abolition is commemorated each year on August 23rd. It coincides with the night of August 22-23, 1791, when an uprising began in Saint-Domingue (modern-day Haiti) that advanced the global abolition of the transatlantic slave trade. Learn more:

23 August

07/29/2026

We are delighted to welcome three new members to our Board of Directors.

Lee Mitgang is an accomplished author, reporter, editor and foundation leader with a career spanning over 40 years. Since retiring, he has enjoyed volunteering, from building affordable housing to working in food banks and serving meals to people experiencing homelessness. At an HHRC exhibit opening, Lee spoke about his father, a WWII veteran who fought fascism while also experiencing antisemitism in the U.S. army.

David Haas is the son of Holocaust survivor Gerda Haas and brings a deeply personal connection to HHRC’s mission and vision. David is actively involved in Holocaust remembrance and human rights education, including sharing his family’s story to inform and inspire more public understanding. He is a Pennsylvania-based civic leader with extensive experience in nonprofit governance and financial management. He spoke at HHRC’s 40th Anniversary Gala and continues to be a passionate advocate for survivor testimony and ethical education.

Glenn Cummings is a respected Maine educator, public servant, and longtime supporter of the Holocaust and Human Rights Center. He has advocated in his professional roles for Holocaust education, civic engagement, and human rights—and generously agreed to serve as our Master of Ceremonies at the 40th Anniversary Gala last year.

07/28/2026

The Mathilde Schlossberger Outstanding Student of the Year Award recognizes an exceptional piece of original writing, fiction or non-fiction, or an unusually expressive piece of visual or performance art relating to human rights. The award was created by Florence and Kurt Strauss of Portland in memory of Kurt’s maternal grandmother, who was murdered at Theresienstadt.

There are two Schlossberger Award winners this year. Nela Parker of Cony High School received the award for her short story entitled, "Have you seen Sofia?" Nela will be attending Emerson College, where she hopes to grow as a writer and learn how to create stories that reach even more people.

Grace Jiang of Dexter Regional High School is receiving the award for a compelling drawing. What was initially a school assignment turned into something more profound after she visited the Michael Klahr Center and delved into theme of Jewish Resistance focused on spiritual defiance, exploring a sense that death might have been connected to freedom for the death camp inmates.

We are proud to encourage and recognize students who are learning and reflecting about human rights—and forming their own values and choices as they mature.

07/26/2026

Each year the HHRC offers students the opportunity to reflect about their life experiences, education, ideas and aspirations by encouraging any student to submit a piece of writing, or artwork, that explores human rights. The Lawrence Alan Spiegel Remembrance Scholarshipis is awarded annually to a high school senior who authors the prize-winning, original essay on the prompt: “Learning about the Holocaust affected my view of the world and it is important for others to learn about it too.”

Lauren Jordan won the $1,000 scholarship for her essay "More Than Memories." She enjoyed the writing process because it gave her the opportunity to talk with her grandfather, and her parents, to learn more about her family’s experiences. Writing this essay, and hearing those stories, made the Holocaust feel even more personal to her. Growing up in a small town, and thinking more about her heritage, showed Lauren why education and remembrance are so important.

Her essay explores identity, community, memory, and responsibility. She observes, "The stories we carry … are not meant to remain still. They are meant to be shared, remembered, and used as a guide for how we treat others." We are very proud to recognize Lauren with this scholarship award!

07/25/2026

This year the Gerda Haas Award recognizes four Maine organizations advancing human dignity, strengthening communities, and expanding opportunities for immigrants, refugees, and asylum seekers throughout Maine. Today we highlight Hope Acts, which provides housing, essential resources, and community support that help asylum seekers establish stable lives in Maine. Under Madeleine Saucier’s leadership, the organization has expanded its impact through initiatives such as Hope House, creating lasting pathways for newcomers to thrive.

“Hope Acts is honored to be a co-recipient of the Gerda Haas Award. At this dark time in our country, all of us must work to protect human rights, individually and collectively. We are grateful to the HHRC for its ongoing education and advocacy against racism and prejudice, and for the human rights of all people.” — Madeleine Saucier

Housing Asylum SeekersHelping immigrants succeedLearn More Same mission, same services - just a new address for now August 2025: Hope Acts has relocated to the YMCA at 70 Forest Avenue, Portland, while our service hub and transitional housing are fully renovated to help us better serve our clients.....

07/24/2026

This year we chose to recognize four organizations working every day to in advance human dignity, strengthen communities, and expand opportunities for immigrants, refugees, and asylum seekers in Maine. Today we highlight In Her Presence, for empowering immigrant women and their families through education, leadership development, and community connections that foster belonging, opportunity, and long-term success. Says Co-Founder and Executive Director Claudette Ndayininahaze:

“This award is a powerful reminder that every person deserves dignity, belonging, and the opportunity to thrive. We accept it on behalf of the courageous immigrant women and families we serve, whose resilience inspires us every day, and alongside the many partners and advocates who stand beside us. Together, we are building a more welcoming, just, and compassionate Maine.”

In Her Presence is a non-profit organization providing immigrant services in Maine for women and their families. IHP supports women's empowerment by cultivating connections, nurturing relationships, and providing learning opportunities essential for successful integration.

07/23/2026

The Maine Immigrants' Rights Coalition brings together more than 100 organizations to improve the legal, social, and economic conditions of immigrants throughout Maine while fostering inclusion through collaborative programs and public education.

“After the recent Supreme Court decision reversing asylum policies that were put in place following World War II, we must act to preserve the dignity of people fleeing crises, whether they be political, economic, or ecological. MIRC is dedicated to advancing a future where dignity is not a privilege based on the country you were born in.” —Mufalo Chitam

Learn more: https://www.facebook.com/MEImmigrantRightsCoalition/

07/22/2026

We are honored to recognize the extraordinary work of Sue Roche and Immigrant Legal Advocacy Project (ILAP), Maine’s only statewide immigration legal services organization. Through legal representation, community education, and systemic advocacy, ILAP serves thousands of immigrants and their families each year with the support of staff, volunteers, and pro bono attorneys.

Says Sue, “ILAP is honored to receive the Gerda Haas Award, alongside our partners at the Maine Immigrants’ Rights Coalition, In Her Presence, and Hope Acts. It means so much to receive this award for our collective work to demand justice and human rights for all immigrants, while a mass deportation campaign terrorizes immigrant communities around the country. We are grateful to the Holocaust and Human Rights Center of Maine for shining a light on immigrants’ rights during this important moment, and for their mission, which calls upon us all to reflect and act upon our moral responsibilities to confront prejudice, intolerance, and discrimination.” — Sue Roche

Learn more:

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07/21/2026

Gerda Haas Award Honors Four Maine Organizations Advancing Human Dignity

We are so proud to announce the recipients of the 2026 Gerda Haas Award for Excellence in Human Rights Education and Leadership, the Center’s highest honor. This year’s recipients are: Sue Roche, Executive Director of the Immigrant Legal Advocacy Project (ILAP); Mufalo Chitam, Executive Director of the Maine Immigrants’ Rights Coalition (MIRC); Claudette Ndayininahaze,‍ ‍Executive Director of In Her Presence; and Madeleine Saucier, Executive Director of Hope Acts. These extraordinary women are recognized for their leadership in advancing human dignity, strengthening communities, and expanding opportunities for immigrants, refugees, and asylum seekers throughout Maine. Together, the four organizations reflect the enduring values the Gerda Haas Award, which was established to recognize individuals and organizations whose work reflects the values at the heart of HHRC’s educational mission. Through legal services, education, leadership development, housing, and community support, they have strengthened Maine communities while affirming the dignity and worth of every person.

07/10/2026

There Is Always an & Exhibit Opening

Join us on July 16th at 5:30 in the Michael Klahr Center.

Exhibit Developed by the Maine Jewish Museum
Photographs by Hedva Rokach

There ls Always an & is part of the Maine Jewish Museum’s exhibition of the same name and its related Ampersand Project, an exploration of the diversity, complexity, and interconnectedness of Jewish life in Maine. Learn more.

We are delighted to offer an exhibit opening and conversation on July 16th at 5:30. Dawn Rochelle, Executive Director of the Maine Jewish Museum, and Hedva Rokach, Photographer and Creator of Ampersand Project, will discuss the project's inspiration, process, reception, and continuation with the gathering. It promises to be a fascinating discussion!

We are profoundly grateful to the Maine Jewish Museum for their generous loan of the extraordinary painting from the extensive project they undertook—and are eager for our community to come experience these works, which will be on display for a year.

In just six weeks, Israeli photographer Hedva Rokach traveled more than 7,000 miles, documenting Jewish life across the state. She met with nearly 300 Jewish Mainers creating an unprecedented portrait of community that spans coastal towns and inland villages, urban neighborhoods and rural back roads, established congregations and emerging micro-communities.

Learn more: https://www.hhrcmaine.org