CUJF Holocaust Education Center July Newsletter

HEC Partners with McKinley Foundation

for Traveling Holocaust Exhibit

 

This June, the CUJF Holocaust Education Center was privileged to partner with the McKinley Foundation to showcase the Auschwitz Experience in the Art of Prisoners, a traveling Holocaust exhibit created by the Auschwitz-Birkenau State Museum in Poland. The Auschwitz Experience features over 60 pieces of artwork created by 12 survivors of the Auschwitz concentration camp. 

 

The exhibit and accompanying events were attended by nearly 200 individuals during its eight day showcase. The exhibit was also featured on the news at WCIA - you can watch the feature below!

The exhibit opened with a special Sunday Worship at the McKinley Presbyterian Church. Planned in partnership with Pastor Heidi Weatherford and HEC Co-Chair Dr. Carrie Franke, attendants were treated to a special reflection during the service titled 'Pay Attention'. Dr. Franke shared her calling to action, and what led her to volunteer at the Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp.

McKinley members also heard from local Holocaust survivor, Dr. William Gingold, who shared his family's story of survival from the Warsaw ghetto, escaping to Siberian labor camps, and after the war living in Föehrenwald Displaced Persons Camp. Dr. Gingold shared personal memories of his parents and their experiences after the war, moving the emotions of everyone who attended.

Dr. Carrie Franke returned to McKinley on Thursday to share the details of her fourth month volunteer experience at Auschwitz-Birkenau and living in Oświęcim, Poland. From discussing the horrors, carefully handling artifacts detailing crimes against humanity, and finding peace amongst her surroundings, attendees left with tear filled eyes and a mission to preserve the memories of those lost during the Holocaust.

We are grateful to the 10 volunteer docents who donated their time to fill 20 volunteer slots. Volunteers received docent training prior to their shift, thanks to our dedicated core of Holocaust Education Center members. 

 

Interested in becoming a docent for future exhibits? Contact our office to learn more.

 

Help fund future programs like this by giving to the Lilly and David Gingold Fund.

Although the Holocaust Education Center does not have any community programs this July, we are busily working behind the scenes to prepare for the upcoming school year. Stay tuned for information about the third season of our podcast series, Holocaust Stories of Champaign-Urbana and Beyond, the Through Their Eyes: 2026 contest, professional development, and much more!

 

Until next month, 

Azer Matten (They/Them)

CUJF Community Engagement Coordinator

Courtney Smith (She/Her)

Holocaust Education Committee Co-Chair

Dr. Carrie Franke (She/Her)

Holocaust Education Committee Co-Chair