The Vancouver Holocaust Education Centre is a teaching museum that delivers Holocaust based anti-racism programming through its exhibits, school programs, teacher conferences, student symposia, outreach speakers program, teaching materials and public programs.
The Centre has proudly partnered with many diverse
ethnic, cultural and educational groups in the delivery of many
of its programs. The VHEC has a collection of artefacts, a library,
and a teacher resource centre and publishes the quarterly newsletter, Zachor.
The VHEC has been the recipient of numerous educational, museum and performance grants and awards in recognition of its anti-racism and multicultural work.
The Vancouver Holocaust Centre Society is dedicated to breaking down the walls of intolerance through education and remembrance of the Holocaust.
To combat prejudice, racism, anti-Semitism and genocide by educating the public, especially students and teachers, about the events and implications of the Holocaust.
History
The Vancouver Holocaust Centre Society for Education and Remembrance was founded in 1983 by survivors of the Holocaust. The founders' goal, realized in 1994 was to leave a permanent legacy in the form of a Holocaust Education Centre devoted to Holocaust based anti-racism education.
The Vancouver Holocaust Education Centre is an internationally recognized
institution, which curates locally developed exhibits, many of which
travel across Canada and the United States. Its scholars' conferences
and the Biennial Shafran Teachers' Conference attract participants
from across North America.
The Centre's innovative school programming includes exhibit tours and interactive workshops. In 2006 the Annual High School Symposium attracted 2,000 students and the Outreach Survivor Speakers program addressed over 9,000 students in 67 schools. The Centre has developed many award-winning teaching materials including teacher and curriculum guides, discovery kits, artefact portfolios and an online teaching website.
Its public programming calendar includes an active
roster of lectures, film screenings, panels and readings. Commemorative
events include International Holocaust Remembrance Day, Yom HaShoah,
Kristallnacht, and cemetery services at the Holocaust memorial.
The VHEC has video documented over 218 local survivors
and eyewitnesses. The VHEC archival collection contains over 1300
documents, photographs and artefacts relating to the experiences
of local Holocaust survivors. The Wosk Publishing Program of the
VHEC publishes books that contribute to a deeper understanding of
the Holocaust and its effects on society.
The Centre offers services for survivors, which include
the counselling services of a social worker, social events such
as a monthly drop-in, and assistance with restitution and claims.
A Child Survivor Group and a Second Generation Group are also active.
The VHEC has wide support within the community with
approximately 500 members. It has a 4 full-time and 4 part-time
professional staff and many dedicated volunteers. |