About
About the Holocaust Center of Pittsburgh
The Holocaust Center of Pittsburgh connects the horrors of the Holocaust and antisemitism with injustices of today. Through education, the Holocaust Center seeks to address these injustices and empower individuals to build a more civil and humane society.
We build relationships across communities, working to end antisemitism, racism, and prejudice in our neighborhoods. We provide educational public programming for audiences of all ages, reaching tens of thousands of students, adults, and educators per year across Western and Central Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and parts of Ohio.
Our offerings include: exhibits in our public gallery, an extensive library and archive, engaging cultural events, internationally renowned speakers, and free and affordable resources for teachers. As stewards of Holocaust history, we keep the stories of Holocaust survivors, victims, and rescuers alive for future generations.
About the Holocaust
The Holocaust (1933–1945) was the systematic, state-sponsored persecution and murder of six million European Jews by the Nazi German regime and its allies and collaborators. The United States Holocaust Memorial Museum defines the years of the Holocaust as 1933–1945. The Holocaust era began in January 1933 when Adolf Hitler and the Nazi Party came to power in Germany. It ended in May 1945, when the Allied Powers defeated Nazi Germany in World War II. The Holocaust is also sometimes referred to as “the Shoah,” the Hebrew word for “catastrophe.” (Source: ushmm.org)
Our History
Established in 1980, the Holocaust Center was created as a living memorial to honor survivors who came to Pittsburgh to rebuild their lives and local soldiers who helped liberate the camps. Rather than build a statue or monument, community members wanted a comprehensive resource center that would help people learn about the Holocaust and counter intolerance and hate in all its forms.
The Holocaust Center was established through the generous gift of Leonard Rudolph, who believed in the power of giving to transform people’s lives. His legacy continues to inspire the community to work together to build a better world.
From 1980-2022, The Holocaust Center of Pittsburgh was a self-funded affiliate of the Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh. As of 2022, it is now part of the new Tree of Life. Learn more at RememberRebuildRenew.org
Programs
The Holocaust Center of Pittsburgh offers several educational resources to the community, including:
- Events online and in locations throughout the city with various community partners;
- The CHUTZ-POW! comic book series, which brings stories of Holocaust survivors and heroes to life through graphic storytelling;
- The LIGHT Education Initiative, an innovative school-based initiative connecting K-12 students to themes within human rights and genocide education and leadership-based applications;
- Community competitions including the Waldman International Arts and Writing Competition and Holocaust Educator of the Year Award;
- Speaking engagements with local Holocaust survivors/their family members, educators, and/or volunteers;
- An exhibit space at Chatham University