Jewish refugee children aboard the SS President Harding look at the Statue of Liberty as they enter New York harbor, June 1939. Americans Gilbert and Eleanor Kraus brought them to the United States as part of a rescue effort. US Holocaust Memorial Museum, courtesy of Steven Pressman
This 1,100-square-foot traveling exhibition is based on the exhibition that opened in 2018 at the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington, DC. The Americans and the Holocaust traveling exhibition addresses important themes in American history, including Americans’ responses to refugees, war, and genocide in the 1930s and ‘40s. This exhibition challenges the commonly held assumptions that Americans knew little and did nothing about the Nazi persecution and murder of Jews as the Holocaust unfolded.
Drawing on remarkable primary sources, the exhibition focuses on the stories of individuals and groups of Americans who acted in response to Nazism. It prompts visitors to consider the responsibilities and obstacles faced by individuals—from President Franklin D. Roosevelt to ordinary Americans. Some made difficult choices, sought to effect change, and, in a few cases, took significant risks to help victims of Nazism, even as rescue never became a government priority. The exhibition challenges people to ask not only “what would I have done?” but also, “what will I do?”
The Museum’s calendar shows when the Americans and the Holocaust traveling exhibition will be on display at a given site. Please contact the library to confirm exhibition and programming dates.
Americans and the Holocaust was made possible by the generous support of lead sponsor Jeannie & Jonathan Lavine. Additional major funding was provided by the Bildners — Joan & Allen z”l, Elisa Spungen & Rob, Nancy & Jim; and Jane and Daniel Och.
The Museum’s exhibitions are also supported by the Lester Robbins and Sheila Johnson Robbins Traveling and Special Exhibitions Fund, established in 1990.