Opening of Americans and the Holocaust: A Traveling Exhibition for Libraries

Register HERE.

Parking at Central Library

The United States Holocaust Memorial Museum (USHMM) and the American Library Association (ALA) Public Programs Office present Americans and the Holocaust, a traveling exhibition that examines the motives, pressures and fears that shaped Americans’ responses to Nazism, war and genocide in Europe during the 1930s and 1940s.

Drawing on a remarkable collection of primary sources from the 1930s and ’40s, this ground-breaking traveling exhibit focuses on the stories of individuals and groups of Americans who took action in response to Nazism. It will challenge visitors to consider the responsibilities and obstacles face by individuals – from President Franklin Delano Roosevelt to ordinary Americans  – who made difficult choices, sought to effect change, and, in a few cases, took significant risks to help victims of Nazism even as rescue never became a government priority. The exhibit hopes to challenge people to not only ask “what would I have done?” but also, “what will I do?”

This program will also include a Kristallnacht commemoration marking the 85th anniversary of the pogrom committed by the Nazis and their collaborators.

The special library exhibition – based on the exhibition at the USHMM in Washington, D.C. – will travel to 50 U.S. public and academic libraries from 2021 to 2023. Milwaukee Public Library will host this exhibit from October 30, 2023 through January 5, 2024.

Explore the list of upcoming programs hosted with this exhibit at http://www.mpl.org/aath

Americans and the Holocaust was made possible by the generous support of lead sponsor Jeannie & Jonathan Lavine. Additional major funding was provided by the Bildners – Joan & Allen z”l, Elisa Spungen & Rob, Nancy & Jim; and Jane and Daniel Ocb. The Museum’s exhibitions are also supported by the Lester Robbins and Sheila Johnson Robbins Traveling and Special Exhibitions Fund, established in 1990.