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Orlando Holocaust Center partners with USC Shoah Foundation on new interactive exhibit

ORLANDO, Fla. — The Holocaust Memorial Resource & Education Center of Florida will partner with USC Shoah Foundation as part of its new museum.

Started in 1994 by Steven Spielberg after his experiences filming Schindler’s List, the Foundation records interviews with survivors and other witnesses of the Holocaust to be used in educating the public.

“This is an incredibly smart, powerful, and prestigious partnership that benefits from the expertise, experience, and shared vision of USC Shoah Foundation,” said Pamela Kancher, executive director of The Holocaust Memorial Resource & Education Center of Florida.

Photos: Remembering the holocaust, 75 years after liberation of Auschwitz

This marks the first time that USC Shoah Foundation has teamed with a Holocaust museum to design, develop, and implement a permanent museum-wide exhibition.

Once finished, the new museum will include interactive exhibits that will allow visitors to ask questions and receive answers in real-time from interviews with Holocaust survivors.

Earlier today the Holocaust Center held a news conference to announce one of the most significant steps forward since...

Posted by Holocaust Memorial Resource and Education Center of Florida on Thursday, October 1, 2020

"For the first time, the eyewitness accounts of the survivors will form the beating heart of a museum dedicated to sharing their stories,” said Smith.

The center hopes that the new exhibit will use the history and lessons of the Holocaust to create a better understanding within the community.

“Orlando has shown itself to be a community that cares about human rights and justice, which is why building this new museum and welcoming the USC Shoah Foundation partnership is both important and appropriate,” said Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer.

Message From Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer

“Together we are creating a legacy for our community.” Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer thanks the Holocaust Center, USC Shoah Foundation, and supporters for providing us with the opportunity to build the world-class Holocaust Museum for Hope & Humanity. #strongerthanhate

Posted by Holocaust Memorial Resource and Education Center of Florida on Friday, October 2, 2020

The center was founded in 1981 as part of the Holocaust Project of Valencia Community College by Tess Wise, a Holocaust survivor from Poland.

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Since then, the center has been dedicated to “building a respectful and inclusive community where diversity is celebrated.”

“This partnership will continue to teach important lessons from history and in ways that engage and remain memorable. That’s how we change the future,” said Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings.

Message From Orange County Mayor Jerry L. Demings

Orange County Mayor Jerry L. Demings is proud to support the enduring legacy that the Holocaust Museum for Hope & Humanity will bring to the Orlando community. #strongerthanhate

Posted by Holocaust Memorial Resource and Education Center of Florida on Friday, October 2, 2020

In 2018, the center announced that it would move from its 7,000-square-foot space in Maitland to the old Chamber of Commerce building in downtown Orlando.

The center hopes to break ground on the new location sometime in early 2022.

You can learn more about the Orlando Holocaust Center here.



Matt Reeser

Matt Reeser, WFTV.com

Matt Reeser joined WFTV in 1998 as a news photographer and has worked for television stations in Kentucky and West Virginia.