The Holocaust
The Irish Jewish Museum is committed to fostering a greater understanding of the Holocaust through our events, exhibitions, and school presentations.
While teaching about the Holocaust, issues such as diversity, genocide and human rights are discussed with the purpose of increasing awareness and tolerance in society. As antisemitism, Holocaust denial and distortion are on the increase today, it is vitally important to address these issues with the public.
There is a special emphasis given to the experience of the Holocaust from an Irish perspective with reference to our collection. The exhibit of the burned Torah scroll saved from a Synagogue in France and brought to Ireland is highly evocative as is the Nazi dagger engraved by a survivor with a Magen David for his Irish rescuer.
For many people who come to the museum from around the world, the visit is an opportunity to reflect upon the Holocaust in a unique way.
For younger students, we are fortunate to have two books set in Ireland and written by local author Marilyn Taylor which introduce the subject through literature. Teachers will enjoy reading 17 Martin St. and Far Away Home before bringing their students to the museum.
RESOURCES FOR THE TEACHER
- Holocaust Education Trust Ireland co-ordinates Holocaust Awareness Programmes and Teacher Education Programmes throughout Ireland: www.hetireland.org.
- Excellent British web resource for students and teachers on the Holocaust: www.theholocaustexplained.org.
- The U. S. Holocaust Memorial Museum’s – Introduction to the Holocaust | www.ushmm.org/
- The Anne Frank House, Netherlands | www.annefrank.org
- Museum of Jewish Heritage, New York | www.mjhnyc.org
- University of Southern California Shoah Foundation | sfi.usc.edu
INTERNATIONAL HOLOCAUST REMEMBERANCE ALLIANCE
In December 2011, Ireland became a full member of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance.
As a member of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance, Ireland is committed to the Declaration of the Stockholm International Forum on the Holocaust (2000) and the implementation of national policies and programmes in support of Holocaust education, remembrance and research.
Ireland’s work to implement the Declaration of the Stockholm International Forum on the Holocaust are undertaken by a broad range of stakeholders, including the Department of Justice and Equality, Department of Education and Skills, and Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, along with civil society organisations including Holocaust Education Trust Ireland, the Irish Jewish Museum, and academia. The museum is proud to have representation on the Museum and Memorial Committee as well as the Committee on Antisemitism and Holocaust Denial in IHRA.