An architectural rendering of the Kurt and Marilyn Wallach Holocaust and Jewish Studies Building

Florida Atlantic University has received a significant gift to establish the Craig and Barbara Weiner Holocaust Museum of South Florida at FAU. The gift will provide funding toward the construction of a 2,000-square-foot museum within the Kurt and Marilyn Wallach Holocaust and Jewish Studies Building in the Dorothy F. Schmidt College of Arts and Letters. Construction of the Wallach building is expected to begin this summer.

The gift includes the donation of a substantial collection of authentic artifacts from the Holocaust, as well as funds to build the interior of the museum and construction of display cases. The historical artifacts are situated in didactic narratives that teach not only the history of the Holocaust but represent the emotional stories of the unthinkable cruelty inflicted on the victims.

For example, one display will show the tools used for a eugenics study in a Nazi run laboratory. Another will feature a man’s concentration camp uniform in summer fabric from Sachsenhausen, reminding visitors of how vulnerable the prisoners were to the weather each winter.

“The museum will be a legacy to the Weiners’ tireless work in educating future generations about the importance of standing up against all forms of hate, prejudice and bigotry through Holocaust education,” said Michael Horswell, Ph.D., dean of the Dorothy F. Schmidt College of Arts and Letters. “The museum will also be a distinctive addition to the Wallach building’s prominence as an educational and cultural destination.”

Craig and Barbara Weiner were named “Social Justice Change Makers” by the Anti-Defamation League of Florida in May 2021. They were also awarded the 2022 Southeastern United States Leadership Award by the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum. The museum at FAU will continue the Weiners’ efforts to reach educators, students, and the public in South Florida. The Weiners, through their work with the Holocaust Learning and Education Fund, Inc., also previously established The Craig and Barbara Weiner Holocaust Museum at Nova Southeastern University with a collection of more than 200 artifacts. 

“Barbara and I are 100 percent steadfastly committed to teaching as many young people as possible about the dangers of hate, prejudice and bigotry,” said Craig Weiner. “This is our way of giving back to this amazing country. Our aim is to enhance and expand Holocaust education as much and as far as we are able to do as a family.”

As part of the gift, FAU will hire a museum director to oversee the museum, conduct tours, and develop Holocaust education programs for middle and high school students.  The museum will contribute substantially to the university’s established community outreach through the Arthur and Emalie Gutterman Family Center for Holocaust and Human Rights Education (CHHRE). The CHHRE has worked with school district professionals and support staff to implement Florida’s statute requiring instruction of the Holocaust since 1994.

For more information, or to donate to the Kurt and Marilyn Wallach Jewish Studies Building or to the museum, contact Laurie Carney at lcarney@fau.edu or visit Wallach Building | Florida Atlantic University.

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