Professor Henry Fenichel, local Holocaust survivor, shares his experiences in
The Center's permanent exhibit,
Mapping Our Tears

The Center for Holocaust and Humanity Education responds to the 21st century challenge of educating a post-Holocaust society. Dedicated to curriculum development, teacher training and innovative educational programs for all communities, religious and secular, local and worldwide, The Center promotes tolerance, inclusion and social justice based on lessons from the Holocaust.

Located in Mayerson Hall on the campus of Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion

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The Center Hours: Monday to Friday, 9 am to 5 pm and by appointment

Our permanent exhibition, Mapping Our Tears, is an interactive environmental theater keeping alive testimonies from World War II and the Holocaust.

Mapping Our Tears is open to the public: Monday-Thursday 11am to 4pm, Sunday noon to 5 pm and by appointment with advance notice – To arrange a guided tour, call 513.487.3055 or email chhe@huc.edu.

Originally the brainchild of an impassioned group of local Holocaust survivors and their families, The Center for Holocaust and Humanity Education (CHHE), in partnership with Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion, opened its doors in 2000. Since, CHHE has worked fervently to educate and empower others to learn about and act against injustice, intolerance and indifference. It has evolved to develop and sustain lasting educational experiences for diverse groups and communities throughout Cincinnati and the world. Focusing specifically on testimonies of local Holocaust survivors, rescuers, liberators and eyewitnesses, CHHE is dedicated to sharing their stories and experiences for the sake of humanity.

In 2007, CHHE received its official 501(c)(3) status, establishing itself as a newly independent, non-profit organization equipped more than ever to serve, educate and collaborate.

I am a survivor of a concentration camp. My eyes saw what no person should witness: gas chambers built by learned engineers. Children poisoned by educated physicians. Infants killed by trained nurses. Women and babies shot by high school and college graduates. So, I am suspicious of education.

My request is:

The educational philosophy of The Center for Holocaust and Humanity Education is motivated by Dr. Haim Ginott's urgent request. Personal accounts are used in an effort to understand the lessons of the Holocaust and promote tolerance and social justice. Remembering the millions who are unable to speak, the voices of local Holocaust survivors, liberators, refugees, rescuers and other eyewitnesses are featured to sensitize and educate about the events of the Holocaust. The eyewitnesses share their experiences which offer messages of hope, courage, compassion and the resilience of the human spirit.

Holocaust educators are fellow learners and should consistently seek new knowledge and resources. The use of historical information is encouraged to avoid simplifications and generalizations. Because there are many unanswerable questions a study of the Holocaust must seek to explore not the "why" but the "how" it happened. An interdisciplinary approach provides a method of examining events of the Holocaust from a variety of perspectives.

Equally important to understanding the historical context of the Holocaust is the study of post-Holocaust challenges and their implications for today. Specific emphasis should be placed on being accountable for personal choices in order to understand the importance of action and resistance while evaluating the detrimental outcome of silence and indifference. This cultivation of critical thinking and compassion are essential characteristics to developing humane and conscientious citizens of the world.

Sarah L. Weiss, Executive Director – In 2004 Sarah joined CHHE's staff through local AmeriCorps program, Public Allies, since she has passionately and diligently endeavored to establish a highly respected reputation and long-lasting community presence on behalf of the organization. She has taken on a number of roles at CHHE, most recently guiding the organization through its transition as a successful, independent 501(c)(3) organization. Throughout Sarah's tenure, she has worked to formulate lasting partnerships with local, national and international organizations and educational facilities, in addition to securing consistent funding essential to the daily operations of CHHE. Sarah has played a central role in developing and enhancing the educational components of CHHE, producing innovative traveling exhibits, fostering graduate courses for local educators, attending and presenting numerous workshops and conferences and organizing a long and impressive list of programs and events. Weiss holds a Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of Cincinnati and is a graduate of the Teaching the Holocaust and Antisemitism course at the esteemed Yad Vashem International School for Holocaust Studies. Furthermore, Sarah brings a personal connection to this work as the granddaughter of Holocaust survivors. Recently, she served as a leader of an education trip to Poland and Israel for Jewish Federation's Jewish Experience in Israel and Poland. She is also the recipient of the 2007 Public Allies Changemaker award.

Lotta Stone, Director of Education – Lotta Stone, the newest member of CHHE's staff, harbors a wealth of experience and knowledge relating to the Holocaust and tolerance education. Currently, she is finalizing her dissertation, Seeking Asylum: German Jewish Refugees in South Africa, 1933- 1945 to obtain her PhD from Clark University. She is a graduate of West Chester University in Pennsylvania where she obtained a Master of Arts in Holocaust and Genocide Studies and has completed courses at Yad Vashem and Beit Lohamei Haghetaot in Israel. Her expertise in education and Holocaust studies runs the gamut from 20 years of classroom instruction to service on the South Carolina sub-committee on Holocaust Education, the Stockholm International Forum on Genocide Prevention and the Strassler Family Center for Holocaust and Genocide Studies.

Un Jin Krantz, Program and Outreach Coordinator – Un Jin Krantz joined the staff in 2006 through the Public Allies apprenticeship program as the Education Coordinator. Currently serving as the Program and Outreach Coordinator, Krantz is responsible for the organization and planning of educational programming, as well as the management of public relations and communications for The Center. Prior to her work at The Center, she performed as a financial associate for Smith Barney Stock Plan Services, administering employee stock purchase and option plans and sat on Citigroup's Community Impact Board, chairing and leading site efforts for community service initiatives and public service campaigns.

Anne Ryckbost, Education Coordinator – Anne Ryckbost joins The Center's staff as the 2007-08 Public Ally, serving as the primary intermediary to schools and organizations for the Mapping Our Tears exhibit and the Speakers Bureau program. Anne holds a Bachelor of Arts in History and Classics from the University of Notre Dame and previously taught Latin at Villa Madonna Academy in Villa Hills, Kentucky. She also served as their Service Club Advisor, involving students in organizations such as Big Brothers/Big Sisters and initiating efforts to raise awareness of global health, political violence and poverty issues.

Annual Budget: $300,000

Funding Sources: Our funding comes from generous private donors, foundations and corporations. CHHE has been privileged with support from funding sources such as Cinergy Foundation, Cintas, The Conference of Jewish Material Claims Against Germany, Federated Department Stores Foundation, Fine Arts Fund, The Fisher Family Foundation, Frisch's Big Boy, The Jewish Federation of Cincinnati, The Jewish Material Claims Against Germany, Kroger Company, Mills Trust Fund of the United Way of Greater Cincinnati, National City Bank, The Ohio Humanities Council, PNC Bank, Proctor and Gamble, The State of Ohio, The Stillson Foundation, Time Warner Cable and U.S. Bank.

Partnerships: At CHHE, we take pride in our ability to cultivate significant and lasting partnerships with myriad community organizations to create, organize and implement educational programming. Collaboration has proven to be a key element in our success and has enabled us to work with numerous organizations such as Bridges for a Just Community, Cincinnati Public Schools, Human Rights Watch, Miami University, The National Underground Railroad Freedom Center, Ohio Humanities Council, University of Cincinnati, Xavier University and a variety of additional organizations.

Community Impact: In the 2006-07 academic year, CHHE reached over 15,000 community members through educational programming and initiatives.