Witness to the Holocaust

Survivors who worked to build the Illinois Holocaust Museum and Education Center reflect on what the new museum means to them. 

Cipora Katz

The Museum reflects one's past, present, and future. It will teach the young, middle- aged, and elderly, that the Holocaust did happen, and how important it is to prevent future discrimination, hatred, and bigotry, regardless of one's race or religion. I hope that everyone will learn, that when we say in Hebrew "Dayenu," meaning enough or never again, we mean it, in order to prevent future genocides.

As for myself, the Bench that my family and friends placed through donations, to memorialize my parents and sister that perished, will be a life time memory, as well as my "Blanket" that survived with me, and I donated to the museum, will remain a treasure from generation to generation. This museum will above all emphasize to the young generation that they are probably the last generation to meet face to face with the Holocaust Survivors. It will be incumbent upon them to pass on to others all they hear and see. Everyone must remember the word "Shalom"---"Peace," since it is the "Hope" of all humanity.  B'Shalom