Holocaust Museum to Offer Free Admission in Response to Unprecedented Rise in Holocaust Denial, Antisemitic Incidents

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Contact: Kara Driscoll, Holocaust & Humanity Center, (513) 638-0508, [email protected]

Award-winning museum will be free to the public through end of January

CINCINNATI (January 3, 2024) – In an effort to address the unprecedented rise in Holocaust denial and antisemitism, the Nancy & David Wolf Holocaust & Humanity Center will waive museum ticket costs for general admission through the end of January.

To educate in this critical time, the public can visit the Nancy & David Wolf Holocaust & Humanity Center’s award-winning museum at historic Union Terminal for free through January 31.

In the wake of the October 7 attack on Israeli citizens and the resulting conflict between Hamas and Israel, antisemitic incidents in the U.S. reached the highest number of incidents during any two-month period since the ADL (the Anti-Defamation League) began tracking in 1979, according to preliminary data released in December. Recent polling data from The Economist also showed that one in five Americans believe the Holocaust is a myth.

“Dehumanizing rhetoric and framing have created a climate where it’s easy to lose track of our own humanity, as well as the humanity of others,” said Jackie Congedo, Chief Community Engagement & External Affairs Officer. “At the Holocaust & Humanity Center, lessons from history illuminate a pathway forward by warning of the dangers of hate and inspiring us to be upstanders by embracing our shared humanity. As we prepare to observe International Holocaust Remembrance Day on January 27, what better way to commemorate this history and rededicate ourselves to the work of humanity than by taking a morning or afternoon to visit — free of charge. Our team is ready to answer your questions, and we encourage you to engage with this history and be inspired to leverage your unique strengths to be an upstander.”

Visitors can experience Dimensions in Testimony – the artificial intelligence exhibit available in only nine other museums in the world. Using specialized recording and display technologies and next-generation natural language processing, Dimensions in Testimony allows visitors to ask two-dimensional displays of Holocaust survivors questions and receive responses in real time.

“We stand here today on the shoulders of the resilient and courageous people who arrived in this very building as Jewish refugees from World War II – the survivors of Nazi brutality who founded this museum. Having witnessed one of the darkest chapters of human history, they understood personally and painfully the dangers of unchecked hatred, of normalized antisemitism and of dehumanization. They built this organization because they wanted to ensure what happened to them never happens again,” Congedo said. “The current moment demands that we act. And the first step is to make sure we and those we care about are educated—so we can recognize the echoes of history and stand up to all forms of antisemitism and hatred today.”

Visitors can learn about the complexities and history of antisemitism in a newly added kiosk within the Origins exhibit of the museum.

“Throughout history, antisemitic libels and conspiracies have often led to disastrous outcomes for Jews: expulsion, deadly riots, and, of course, the Holocaust. One walk through this museum and you will see firsthand how these lies have played out across contexts and throughout time with devastating consequences,” said Congressman Greg Landsman. “We must push back, every time, and I know with absolute certainty that Holocaust museums and education, here and elsewhere, are more important than ever.”

Regular ticketing fees apply for all other museums within Union Terminal. The Nancy & David Wolf Holocaust & Humanity Center is open Thursdays through Mondays, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information about visiting the Nancy & David Wolf Holocaust & Humanity, visit https://www.holocaustandhumanity.org/plan-your-visit/

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ABOUT THE NANCY & DAVID WOLF HOLOCAUST & HUMANITY CENTER

The Nancy & David Wolf Holocaust & Humanity Center exists to ensure the lessons of the Holocaust inspire action today. Located at Cincinnati’s historic Union Terminal, HHC impacts more than 2.5 million people every year through digital and in-person events, museum tours, educational experiences, social media, and virtual content. From Australia to India, individuals from more than 25 countries and 30 states engage with our mission. For more information, visit WWW.HOLOCAUSTANDHUMANITY.ORG.