Holocaust Memorial Resource and
Education Center of Florida
851 N Maitland Ave
Maitland FL 32751
407-628-0555
One of the oldest Holocaust museums in the country, the Center in Maitland was
founded in 1982 by survivors who were actively involved in a community-wide
project on prejudice and human rights. The museum itself, built on the campus of
the Jewish Community Center on the corner of Maitland Avenue and Maitland
Boulevard, was completed in 1986.
In addition to a comprehensive permanent exhibit which describes life of Jews in Europe before, during and after the war, the Center maintains a 6,000 book research library and hosts an average of four exhibits on loan during the year. Other exhibits, including panels honoring eleven Central Florida women who are Holocaust Survivors, and a new exhibit on Florida’s Holocaust-era Insurance project, are also on view. Tours are self-guided; large groups who would like a guide should make arrangements in advance.
Education is the most important focus of the organization’s efforts. Each year close to 6,000 students visit on field trips, where they meet with the Center’s fulltime Resource Teacher. Another 6,000 student have in-class presentations and use materials provided in traveling Teaching Trunks that contain all materials necessary for a full unit on Holocaust education.
In 1994 the Florida legislature passed a statute requiring that all students in Florida be taught about the Holocaust in a manner that leads to an understanding of the impact of prejudice and stereotyping and encourages tolerance of diversity in a pluralistic society. The Holocaust Memorial Center became one of seven sites designated by the state to provide teacher training – in the form of a weeklong Teachers Institute each June as well as monthly educator forums – to provide teachers with the information, skills, and tools needed to teach about the Holocaust in an effective, respectful manner.
Each November, the Center holds a commemoration of Kristallnacht (“the night of broken glass”), remembering the night in 1938 that many scholars identify as the first overt act of the war.
In April, a community Yom HaShaoh program is presented. This event, open to the general public, includes lighting of candles in memory of the 6 million Jews killed by the Nazis, and presentations of awards to winners of the Student Creative Arts Contest.
No admission is charged for any of these events, all of which are open to the
general public. Parking is available at no charge.
