Survivors and eyewitnesses provide the richest source of information about the Holocaust. An active Speakers’ Bureau of Holocaust survivors and liberators are available to address audiences on a field trip or outreach basis across the Midwest on a limited basis.
OUTREACH VISIT POLICIES
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 or adult group tour, which includes a speaker presentation whenever possible.
Costs
IHMEC requests a suggested donation of $3/student or audience member 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 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. Please do not give checks to the 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 speaking, our presenters speak for approximately 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.
For younger students, IHMEC has created the Miller Family Youth Exhibition, which focuses on character education. We believe issues of respect, care, citizenship, justice, and civic virtue are the foundation needed for future Holocaust and genocide/human rights education.
Our Youth Exhibit Educator is available on a limited basis to present the lessons of character education to your class. If interested, please email us.
SCHEDULING REQUEST INFORMATION
Please note that if you have already scheduled a field trip with the Museum, you should not submit a speaker request form. Whenever possible, a speaker will be included as part of your scheduled field trip.
Request forms are processed in the order in which they are received and according to availability. We will try our best to fill your request but cannot make any guarantees. 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.
Skokie, IL