Survivors and eyewitnesses provide the richest source of information about the Holocaust. An active Speakers’ Bureau of Holocaust survivors and eyewitnesses are available to address audiences at the Museum and on outreach visits across the Midwest on a limited basis.
Outreach Visit Policies (Schools)
Group Size & Location
IHMEC requires a minimum of 60 students to schedule an outreach visit. Groups must be located a minimum of 60 miles from the Museum. Groups located less than 60 miles from the Museum should schedule a school field trip, which includes a speaker presentation as indicated in our tour options.
Costs
IHMEC requests a suggested donation of $4/student to help continue our educational programming.
Schools must reimburse out-of-pocket expenses, including travel costs, meals, and hosting the speaker overnight in a hotel (if requested), if not paid directly by the school.
Payments and reimbursements should be mailed directly to the Museum at 9603 Woods Drive, Skokie, IL 60077, Attn: Speakers’ Bureau. Please note on the check the date of your outreach visit and the name of your speaker.
Transportation
Schools are required to provide transportation for the speaker to and from the school, unless a speaker indicates otherwise.
Length of Presentation
Speakers’ presentations vary depending on their experiences, your classroom objectives, and your students’ involvement. Generally, our presenters speak for approximately forty-five minutes to one hour, followed by a brief Q&A session.
Age Level
IHMEC will send a member of our Speakers’ Bureau to students in 6th grade and above.
Outreach Visit Policies (Community/Adult groups)
Group Size
IHMEC requires a minimum of 30 audience members to schedule an outreach visit.
Costs
IHMEC requests a suggested donation of $4/audience member to help continue our educational programming.
Organizations must reimburse out-of-pocket expenses, including travel costs, meals, and hosting the speaker overnight in a hotel (if requested), if not paid directly by the organization.
Payments and reimbursements should be mailed directly to the Museum at 9603 Woods Drive, Skokie, IL 60077, Attn: Speakers’ Bureau. Please note on the check the date of your outreach visit and the name of your speaker.
Transportation
Organizations are required to provide transportation for the speaker to and from the presentation, unless a speaker indicates otherwise.
Length of Presentation
Speakers’ presentations vary depending on their experiences, your group’s objectives, and the audience’s involvement. Generally, our presenters speak for approximately forty-five minutes to one hour, followed by a brief Q&A session.
Age Level
IHMEC will send a member of our Speakers’ Bureau to adult audiences and to students in 6th grade and above.
Scheduling Request Information
Please submit an online request form at least one month before your requested date*. A completed request form must be received by our Education Department in order to process and confirm your request. If your form is submitted correctly, you will receive an auto-reply to the email address you provided.
If you have already scheduled a group trip with the Museum, please DO NOT also submit an outreach speaker request. A speaker may be requested as part of your tour. Please email grouptours@ilhmec.org for more information or to add a speaker to your tour.
Request forms are processed in the order in which they are received and according to availability. While we do have a large Speakers’ Bureau of survivors who are able to speak, only a limited number are able and willing to travel on an outreach basis. A limited number of our speakers are available to meet with your group via videoconferencing such as Skype. Please email education@ilhmec.org for more information.
*The Museum is busiest from March through June. For requests during this season, we encourage you to submit your request two to three months in advance due to heavy demand.
Photos courtesy of IHMEC Collection
Skokie, IL