The Holocaust Memorial Resource
and Education Center of Central Florida is a nonprofit, community-based
organization dedicated to combating racism and prejudice with the ultimate goal
of developing a moral and just community. The Center has developed an extensive
outreach of educational and cultural programs to preserve the memory of the
Holocaust and to teach its vital lessons.
Organizational History of the Holocaust Memorial Resource
and education Center of central Florida
In June of 1980, Valencia
Community College and the Jewish Federation of Greater Orlando agreed to
sponsor a community-wide conference on the Holocaust and relevant human rights
issues. The focus was on the social, historical, moral, ethical and economic
implications of the Holocaust for today. The conference was held on March
22-23, 1981 at Loch Haven Park. A
series of community support activities designed to raise community awareness of
issues related to the Holocaust began in January 1981. The following activities formed the core of
the outreach program:
1.
in-service programs to train public and parochial school
teachers on how to integrate the study of the Holocaust into their curricula
2.
training workshops for area clergy and programs for area
churches
3.
an essay contest on the Holocaust and human rights for area
junior and senior high school students
4.
television and radio programs on the Holocaust
5.
a speakers' bureau to provide programs for civic, social,
business, professional and religious groups
6.
art and poster exhibits at local art and science museums
7.
a book exhibit at local libraries and bookstores, as well as
at the conference itself
It was estimated that over
12,000 persons were reached directly during the pre-conference activities, and
an additional 600 attended a two-day conference. Through broadcast and print
media, approximately 500,000 persons received some information related to the
Holocaust and its meaning for modern society.
In 1983, the Holocaust
Project received a grant from the Florida Endowment for the Humanities of
$12,860, which was matched by sponsor gifts for a total budget of $43,070. Those who participated in the Holocaust
Project's programs learned about the dangers of anti-Semitism and racism.
Comparisons were drawn between forces at work in pre-Nazi Germany and similar
forces in the United States today, demonstrating the need for Holocaust
education. In 1986, a Holocaust Center
facility was constructed. A professional museum exhibit was installed, and a
library and considerable documentary and archival collections were
developed. Fundraising events were
organized annually and were attended by leaders from the education, church,
professional and corporate sectors. The
Center received national and international recognition for its work and unique
facility. Locally, superintendents of
Orange, Seminole, Osceola County Public Schools voiced their strong support for
the Center's mission. Community colleges and universities throughout Florida
also recognized the Center's important work.
In 1991, the Holocaust
Center also developed the concept of teaching "trunks";
self-contained kits containing all the visual and printed materials needed to
teach a comprehensive Holocaust unit. Orange,
Seminole, and Osceola County Public Schools demonstrated their support of the
Center through their internal courier systems, thus facilitating the transfer
and transport of teaching resources and frequent correspondence to primary and
secondary level school teachers. In 1992, the Holocaust Center launched the
Prejudice Reduction Education Program (PREP) for "Skinhead" education
and rehabilitation with trained teachers and counselors. This program was
developed at the request of Central Florida juvenile judges and correctional
officers who refer youngsters who commit crimes of hate to the Center.
The Holocaust Center
sponsored the "Anne Frank in the World" exhibit in 1993-94 at the
Orange County Historical Museum that was attended by 25,000 people. This
partnership project was a result of a community cultural coalition with the
Orange County Historical Society, Civic Theater, Junior League, Publix
Supermarkets, and Sun Trust to advance Holocaust education through the arts.
In 1994, the Florida Legislature
mandated Holocaust Education in all public schools. Tess Wise, the Center's Executive Director, was appointed to
serve on the Florida Education Commissioner’s Task Force for implementing this
mandate. In 1994, the Holocaust Center
also developed the Elementary School Curriculum and trunk, now in use by all
three county school systems. High
School trunks were added in 1998.
In 1995, Orange County
Public Schools designated a full-time resource teacher to serve the training
and teaching needs of area teachers and students. This resource teacher was
instrumental in providing teaching and training resources to facilitate
Holocaust education in Central Florida's schools. On July 29 and 30, 1996, a Teachers’ Institute was held at the
request of the Education Commissioner of Florida. The Summer Teachers'
Institute has become an annual event and has been expanded to four days.
Today, the Holocaust Center
continues to expand its outreach to all segments of the community. Holocaust
scholars and survivors throughout the world recognize the Center for its array
of effective educational and cultural programs. In FY 1998, the Center's
services and programs reached nearly 37,000 people throughout central Florida.