The Holocaust Center for Humanity teaches the lessons of the Holocaust, inspiring students of all ages to confront bigotry and indifference, promote human dignity, and take action.
At the Holocaust Center for Humanity, we build courageous communities by teaching and honoring the history, stories, and lessons of the Holocaust. These lessons give people of all ages an empathetic lens to view today’s complex issues and see the role they can each play in fighting hate.
Since 1989, the Holocaust Center for Humanity has taught the history of the Holocaust so that our local survivors, their families, and millions of other victims will not be forgotten, and their stories would inspire positive action. Through education, events, field trips, museum visits, and community programs, the Holocaust Center for Humanity remains dedicated to its responsibility to fight hate by educating students, teachers, and the general public about the dangers of intolerance and the difference each one of us can make.
Highlights of the breadth of our work include:
Museum & Collections
- Finding Light in the Darkness exhibit
- Temporary exhibits and museum events highlighting archives, authors, and scholars
- Extensive archival collection from local Holocaust survivors
Education Programs
- Teacher training & lesson plans for educators
- Speakers Bureau of Holocaust survivors, survivors of other genocides, and Legacy Speakers
- Field trips
Community Programs
- Monthly virtual Lunch & Learns
- Continuing Generations: a group for descendants of Holocaust survivors
- Annual International Holocaust Remembrance Day and Yom Hashoah events
Witnessing History, Changing the Future
Leaving a Legacy: Speaking in Our Schools
2023 Gratitude Report
Thank you to everyone who supported the Center in 2023!
Click the image below to view the Center's 2023 Annual Report.
The Holocaust Center's Strategic Plan 2022-2025
The 3-year Strategic Plan sets clear goals with measurable outcomes to ensure we are meeting the needs of our community and creating a meaningful and sustainable organization. Strategic priorities include:
- Scale to more schools
- Reach new audiences
- Connect the past to today
- Build organizational strength
- Secure our future
Commitment to DEIA (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility)
The Holocaust Center for Humanity strives to remember the past, connect the lessons of history to our lives today, and build an equitable future for all.
The Holocaust Center for Humanity believes that the diversity of identities and experiences individuals bring to the Holocaust Center is a resource, strength and benefit. Accordingly, the Holocaust Center expects everyone to demonstrate respect for the different experiences, beliefs, and values expressed by visitors, volunteers, and staff.
As part of our ongoing, 3-year Strategic Plan, the Holocaust Center for Humanity is committed to further incorporating Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA) into our priorities. Below are some of the steps we are currently taking:
- Creating a DEIA Implementation Plan as a guiding element of our Strategic Work Plan
- Founding a DEIA Committee, which meets monthly and is open to all staff and board members
- Investing in professional development and training on DEIA for all board and staff
- Incorporate new DEIA strategies within our recruitment and hiring practices
Board of Directors
President: Paul Bloom, Climate Solutions, Senior Advisor
Treasurer: Chuck Stempler, Alphagraphics, Business Owner
Secretary: Ron Friedman, Karr Tuttle, Attorney
Vice Presidents:
David Alhadeff, Goldman Sachs, Vice President
Eric LeVine, Business Owner, Emeritus Board Member for United States Holocaust Memorial Museum
Rachel Nathanson, Urban Planning Consultant, Business Owner
Naomi Newman, Staklist, VP, Content and Research
Immediate Past President: Lynne Smith, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Retired Deputy Director. On leave while serving as Interim CEO
Cammie Allen, Student Leadership Board Representative
Shelley Bensussen, Retired Salesperson, Past Board Chair JFGS, Community Volunteer
David Bley, Retired Nonprofit Executive and Community Volunteer
Alex Bogaard, Brown and Brown of Washington, President
Bobbe Bridge, Former WA State Supreme Court Judge; Founder, Center for Children & Youth Justice
Melissa Brown, Community Volunteer
Arik Cohen, Meta, Technical Program Manager
Cara Egan, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation Discovery Center, Senior Communications Officer
Tal Eidelman, Product Manager, Google
Bob Evans, Nonprofit and Community Liaison, Philanthropist
Lela Franco, Philanthropist
Henry Friedman, Retired Business Owner, Holocaust Survivor
Josh Gortler, The Kline Galland Center Foundation, President
Anne Green, Consultant & Senior Advisor
Rabbi James Mirel, Temple B'nai Torah, Senior Rabbi Emeritus
Tyler Ponticelli, Consultant, Strategy&, Ambassadors for Change Representative
Nancy Powell, Philanthropist, Director of the Powell Family Foundation
Jack Schaloum, Federal Army Navy Surplus, Business Owner
Judy Schocken, Philanthropist
Jenai Sheffels, Teacher Advisory Board Representative
Sarah Zaides, Stroum Center for Jewish Studies, University of Washington, Associate Director, Historian
Maggie Yates, Office of Civil Legal Aid
Honorary Board
Cheryl Berenson, Community Volunteer
Marc A. Boman, Perkins Coie LLP, Of Counsel
Senator Reuven Carlyle, Washington State Senator
Carolyn "Puddin" Cox, Alexander Hamilton Foundation, Founder; Social Worker
Arlene B. Ehrlich, Community Volunteer
Sandra Friedman, Community Volunteer
Janee Hahn, Catered Printing, Business Owner
STAY CONNECTED
