Creating a Place to Learn from History
Lori Shepherd, Executive Director
Tucson Jewish Museum & Holocaust Center began welcoming school groups and small tours to a one room Holocaust Education Center in October of 2013. Back then our docents, educators, and survivors packed a lot of education into a tiny little space.
Today, TJMHC still does a whole lot in only a slightly larger space! One of the most important things that has never changed is that TJMHC’s Holocaust Center focuses on the intimate histories and legacies of the more than 270 Holocaust Survivors who made Southern Arizona their home. It is through their stories that we educate on this difficult history.
When you spend time with any of our staff or volunteers from TJMHC, you will surely hear these words, “We are steadfast in our mission of educating about the Holocaust and other genocides, exploring the legacy of Jewish experiences in Southern Arizona, preserving the first synagogue in the Arizona Territory, and collaborating with Tucson’s diverse community to promote human rights.” We know our true north and we let it guide every strategic and programmatic decision of our staff and board every day.
Our team was reminded of why this commitment to mission is so important recently, when I had the opportunity to spend the morning with Pima County Schools Superintendent, Dustin Willams. He and Pima County Schools Director of Communications, Matthew Stamp, came for a tour and conversation about how we can deepen our connection with the school districts and collaborate to benefit education in our community.
Of course, we talked about the forty-four Southern Arizona schools who brought classes to TJMHC this past year on docent-led field trips and the impact that these tours had on the more than 3,000 students that visited. We explored together how learning the lessons of the Holocaust offers so much more than just a history lesson but also a unique environment for students to develop critical thinkings skills and to become more empathetic. And we considered new ways to work together to expand professional development opportunities for local educators to strengthen their own understanding of the Holocaust as they seek new and innovative ways to teach this complex history in today’s ever challenging and changing world.
At Tucson Jewish Museum & Holocaust Center we don’t just want our visitors and students to learn about history, we want to create a place to learn from history so that we all become more informed and engaged citizens who stand up against injustice and promote tolerance. Teaching the Holocaust is how we combat antisemitism, Jewish hate, and other forms of identity-based hate in our schools and communities.
Partnering with all of Pima County Schools is about more than just helping our schools and educators meet the state legislated mandate to teach the Holocaust and other genocides in middle school and high school, it is about working together to support learning that inspires compassion, critical thinking, and historical awareness. As teachers head back into their classrooms to start building out their lessons for the 2025-2026 academic year, we are honored to be one of their many trusted resources and partners.