Museum to Hold Cleveland "What You Do Matters" Luncheon

CLEVELAND –  Five hundred Clevelanders, including close to 100 Holocaust survivors, are expected to attend the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum’s “What You Do Matters” Cleveland Luncheon, on Thursday, May 25. Author Peter Hayes and Museum Director Sara J. Bloomfield will deliver remarks at the event.

Peter Hayes, professor of history and German and Theodore Zev Weiss Holocaust Educational Foundation Professor of Holocaust Studies (emeritus) at Northwestern University and chairman of the Museum’s academic committee will deliver keynote remarks. In his new book, Why? Explaining the Holocaust, he explores what scholars know about the Holocaust, answering questions including: Why were the Jews targeted and not another minority group? Why were Germans the instigators? Why did murder become the “Final Solution”? Why didn’t the international community do more to help? Hayes dismantles conventional wisdoms, disrupts pervasive misconceptions and explains in detail how a volatile mix of complicity, fear, indifference and greed paved the way for genocide.

Cleveland native Sara J. Bloomfield, has led the Museum for 18 years. She works to build a global institution that raises Holocaust awareness, deepens understanding of the lessons of the Holocaust, confronts denial, and advances genocide prevention.

“The Cleveland community has been incredible in its support of the Museum, both financially and through donated collections,” said Jed Silberg, deputy director of the Museum’s Midwest Regional Office. “This year, Clevelanders are participating in the Museum’s crowd-sourcing project, ‘History Unfolded,’ where citizen historians research local, archived news coverage to find out what Americans knew about the Holocaust.”

The luncheon is chaired by David Heller and Ronald Ratner. Ratner is a member of the Museum’s presidentially appointed governing council. The corporate chair is Gregg Eisenberg, managing partner of the law firm, Benesch. The luncheon supports the Museum’s national campaign, “Never Again: What You Do Matters.”

The event will be held on Thursday, May 26 at Landerhaven, 6111 Landerhaven Drive, Cleveland. Tickets are $75. Registration opens at 11:30 a.m. The program begins at noon.

To purchase tickets or to learn about sponsorship opportunities, contact Jed Silberg of the Museum’s Midwest Regional Office at 847.433.8099 or at [jsilberg@ushmm.org](mailto: jsilberg@ushmm.org?subject=Cleveland%20Luncheon).

Media inquiries should be directed to Kristy Buechner at 202.314.1754 or [kbuechner@ushmm.org](mailto: kbuechner@ushmm.org?subject=Cleveland%20Luncheon).

About the National Campaign

Through its national campaign Never Again: What You Do Matters, led by honorary chair Elie Wiesel, the Museum seeks to make critical investments to keep Holocaust memory alive as a relevant, transformative force in the 21st century. The $540 million comprehensive goal includes building a stronger endowment, an increased annual fund, and a new Collections and Conservation Center. Visit www.ushmm.org/campaign to learn more about how you can join us in this urgent effort.

About the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum

A living memorial to the Holocaust, the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum inspires citizens and leaders worldwide to confront hatred, prevent genocide, and promote human dignity. Its far-reaching educational programs and global impact are made possible by generous donors. For more information, visit www.ushmm.org.