The launch of the Virtual Holocaust Museum on November 15th was a collaboration between CHES and the Zelikovitz Centre, with the intention of offering permanence to the Pop-Up Museum project. On November 4th, 2018 Temple Israel was the scene of a “Pop-Up Museum” with a display of Holocaust artifacts submitted by Holocaust survivors and their family members. Rabbi Morais of Temple Israel was behind the idea for the Pop-Up Museum. 47 items were shown including artifacts, documents, letters, books, movies, short videos, a Tora Scroll, and a Tallit rescued from a synagogue in Berlin.
The Virtual Holocaust Museums artifacts are allowing us to return humanity to Holocaust victims. The collection of artifacts in the Virtual Museum belong to Holocaust survivors and their families who live in Ottawa. The objects have a connection to the family’s experience of the Holocaust and are speaking to survival. They share family stories that provide an opportunity to learn about the history of those families and at the same time remember them. Some objects in the collection are from before the war, some are from the war period or from after the war.
There are 48 objects in the collection now, and they are grouped into 9 separate categories. The Virtual Museum continues to accept new submission. To submit an artifact, click here.
The November 15th program included Sara Shor, manager of the Artifacts Department of Yad Vashem’s Museums Division, who spoke about the importance of objects to the study and research of the Holocaust. Sara used objects from the Yad Vashem collection to illustrate how they help to advance the research of the Holocaust.
Robert M. Ehrenreich, the director of the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum’s National Academic Programs, also joined the program. He talked about viewing the Holocaust through objects. His presentation showed how objects, especially groups of items, can provide insights into human nature, community, and interconnections that documents and oral histories may neglect, overlook or suppress.
Holocaust Survivors and their families also shared significant and memorable Holocaust artifacts.
This webinar was recorded on November 15, 2020.
