Centre for Holocaust Education and Scholarship Transitions to Independence

By Minda Chaikin and Sharon Rosenberg

Sharon Rosenberg is a retired lawyer, Minda Chaikin is a retired educator and both are members of CHES.

After five years of fruitful cooperation, the Centre for Holocaust Education and Scholarship (CHES) and the Zelikovitz Centre for Jewish Studies (ZC) at Carleton University are entering a new phase in their relationship. While the two centres will continue to collaborate on a variety of Holocaust Education programs in pursuit of mutual goals, CHES is expanding its programming capabilities and will operate independently as a registered charity.

“CHES acknowledges with appreciation the support the ZC has provided to CHES with warmth and collegiality,” said CHES director Mina Cohn in announcing the new relationship. “CHES looks forward to new challenges and opportunities in the expectation that our shared interests will ensure continued collaboration with the ZC.”

CHES was established in 2015 as community-based organization and is wholeheartedly committed to its mission: “To develop educational programs that promote knowledge and understanding of the history and legacy of the Holocaust”.

To fulfill this mission, CHES brings together academics, educators, and their students, survivors and their children, diplomats, community members, local and international Holocaust Centres and museums, all levels of government, and other partners. CHES will continue to offer year-round programming designed to combat prejudice and racism and promote respect for diversity, social justice, and human rights.

CHES’ strength is its dedicated team of volunteers led by director Cohn whose vision is the driving force behind establishing a permanent home in the capital for Holocaust Education and Outreach.

CHES committee members include retired lawyer Sharon Rosenberg; award-winning journalist Abigail Bimman, Judy Young and Elly Bollegraaf, both accomplished professionals and child Holocaust survivors; dedicated educators Minda Chaikin, Joyce Bellman, Hilda Bleyer, and Kenra Mroz, and Sheila Hurtig Robertson, an award-winning communications expert. Representing descendants of survivors are Marion Silver, Muriel Korngold Wexler, Dr. Art Leader, Phil Emberly, Annette Wildgoose. and Marlene Wolinsky.

CHES’ first major project, in the spring and summer of 2016, was dedicated to interviewing and professionally-recording film testimonies of 10 Holocaust survivors who live in Ottawa.

Realizing that the weight of teaching the Holocaust poses challenges for educators and students helped CHES to focus the rationale and develop the project’s goal: “To document and preserve the testimonies of Ottawa Holocaust survivors as primary sources of oral history mediated through film and with broad online access.” To view the testimonials, visit: https://chesatottawa.ca/ottawa-holocaust-survivors-testimonials-excerpts/

As an independent organization CHES will continue to bring quality programming to the Ottawa community. As has been the case during the past five years, the scope of work will include presenting teacher workshops, bringing world-renowned speakers to Ottawa, performing outreach to organizations within the community, and providing educational resources to facilitate any organization faced with an incident of antisemitism. Undeterred by COVID-19, CHES developed and offered online programs using webinars and Zoom technology throughout the past year and will continue as long as necessary.

“We are living in anxious times characterized by ever-mounting uncertainty,” says Cohn.” One thing, however, is certain. Antisemitism in Canada and around the world is escalating. We need to build bridges based on understanding, knowledge, memory, and communication. These are the foundations upon which we can build a promising future.

As CHES transitions into independence, your support is vital. To donate, please visit our new website: www.chesatottawa.ca or contact us at chesatottawa@gmail.com