We will be closed on Monday, May 25th for Memorial Day

Upcoming Events in 2026

A Student Art Opening • May 29th at 12:30 in the Michael Klahr Center • Register here.

An educator in Ashland, Maine, has been guiding her 7th grade students through a thoughtful and deeply reflective exploration of Jewish resistance during the Holocaust. After a program on resistance, Erica and Tam have been visiting to observe, listen, and offer encouragement on the students’ individual projects, which they will share with our community on May 29th. During the visits, they all talked about Jewish resistance, not just within the camps, but in the ghettos, the forests, and many other places. We spoke not just about armed resistance but the many other types that fall under the heading of "spiritual resistance" as well.

Certain symbols and ideas have resonated strongly. Word clouds capture recurring themes of hope, fear, and resilience. Visual references, like the gate of Auschwitz, anchor their work in historical reality, while still allowing space for interpretation. A quote by Elie Wiesel, reflecting on the necessity of protest in the face of injustice, has emerged as a unifying thread, shaping both discussion and artistic expression. Through this process, the students are not only learning history; they are engaging with it, questioning it, and finding meaningful ways to bear witness. We are delighted that they will share their work at the opening.

Read a fascinating article on the teacher, students, and collaboration with the HHRC

Dismantling Democracy

Dismantling Democracy: 53 Days in Nazi Germany explores the critical weeks following Hitler’s appointment as chancellor in 1933, when the Nazi Party legally and systematically dismantled the democratic foundations of the Weimar Republic. Grounded in primary sources and historical context, the program offers an opportunity to learn about this pivotal moment in history—one that reminds us how quickly democratic institutions can erode. We are delighted, and indebted, to the Maine Humanities Council for their generous funding and support of this initiative!

At the HHRC, we work to promote Holocaust education, confront antisemitism and bias, and strengthen a more informed and compassionate civic culture across our state.  One way we pursue that mission is through educational programs that invite communities to examine history in ways that deepen understanding and inspire civic engagement. The following are scheduled presentations; please join us!

Kennebunk Free Library
April 21 at 6:30

Bangor Public Library
May 5th at 6:00

Auburn Public Library
May 27 at 4:00

Fort Kent Public Library
June 3rd at 5:30

The Rockland Public Library
July 23rd @ 6:00

Some feedback from participants:

“Excellent presentation. Very focused and clear. Amazing answers to questions from the audience.”

“Erica was enthusiastic and did an excellent job presenting and answeringquestions. She was totally into her lecture. Excellent. Thank you very much, a job well done.”

“Thank you so much!”

“Presenter was 5 STARS!”

“Good summary presentation, well presented.  Good Q&A session which added a lot to the program.”

“Very interesting presentation. As a child of survivors, I feel everyone needs education of these events as few seem to really understand what happened and why. Thank you!’

“You knocked it out of the park, Erica, once again!”