CUJF Holocaust Education Center December Newsletter

Holocaust Education Center & Vermilion Schools Featured in 

The News Gazette

This past week the Holocaust Education Center Book Trunks were delivered to 48  different 5th, 8th, and 10th grade classrooms across Vermilion County! These trunks contain over a dozen age-appropriate books relating to the Holocaust, as well as other resources that assist teachers with teaching this difficult subject. Several excited classrooms were featured in the weekend version of the News Gazette! 

The Holocaust Education Center is excited to continue to work with teachers across Vermilion County through 1:1 coaching opportunities, workshops, and a student contest to ensure that children of all ages are able to connect with lessons about the Holocaust.

 

These trunks were made possible thanks to generous grants from the Mervis Family Foundation, the Community Foundation of East Central Illinois, and the Lumpkin Family Foundation. We truly appreciate the partnership of Sybil Mervis, whos dedication to providing high quality resources for Vermilion county schools enabled this project to become a reality. We are also especially grateful for all the staff at ROE 54 - thank you to Aaron Hird, Micki Bush, Morgan Miller, Lindsay Light, Jeri Calloway for their remarkable support throughout this process!

Auschwitz Experience

in the Art of Prisoners

at the Booth Library of

Eastern Illinois University

Sunday, January 11th -

Thursday, January 29th, 2026

 

The CUJF Holocaust Education Center is excited to partner with the EIU Booth Library for the second year in a row, this year to host the Auschwitz Experience in the Art of Prisoners traveling exhibit.

OPEN TO THE PUBLIC: Officially unveiled on January 11th, 2026, the exhibit features artwork by 12 Holocaust survivors who documented their experiences in the Auschwitz Concentration Camp. Viewers will see 60 paintings and drawings displayed thematically on 24-panels.

 

OPEN FOR FIELD TRIPS: Do you have a middle or high school class that would be interested in a guided tour of the exhibit? Do you have a community group that would like a more involved experience? Reach out to [email protected] to get scheduled and for more information.

 

Are you interested in serving as a volunteer docent during this exhibit? Click the button below to sign up for a volunteer slot. No prior experience is needed - docent training will be provided prior to the exhibit.

Holocaust Arts and Writing Contest:

Get A Head Start on Planning Today!

Contest Informational Webinar: Monday, January 26th at 7:00 PM CST

 

5 Best-In-Show Winners and supporting adults will win $100 prizes!

Back for the third year in a row, this contest challenges students in grades 5-12 to create artwork, poetry, prose,  music videos, or film that highlights their talents while helping them connect to those effected by the Holocaust. 

 

Attend the Contest Informational Webinar

 

On Monday, January 26th at 7:00 PM CST over Zoom, the Holocaust Education Center will hold an information session for educators, students, teachers, and others who are interested in the Through Their Eyes 2026 contest. This webinar will include tips and advice on how to create and submit the best possible entries.

 

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER for the webinar.

If you are interested in volunteering with the Holocaust education center, we would love to work with you! Reach out to us at [email protected] or call us 217-367-9872. 

 

Until next month,

Azer Matten

(They/Them)

CUJF Community Engagement Coordinator

Courtney Smith

(She/Her)

Holocaust Education Committee Co-Chair

Dr. Carrie Franke 

Holocaust Education Committee Co-Chair