Thanks to Cincinnati donors, the Nancy and David Wolf Holocaust and Humanity Center will offer free admission every January. The HHC and the Jewish Federation of Cincinnati made the announcement Friday.
January’s free admission also coincides with International Holocaust Remembrance Day, which occurs every year on January 27. Each January at the HHC will be “Anita & Hank Schneider Family Holocaust Remembrance Month.”
“Thanks to the extraordinary generosity of the Schneider family, the Center can ensure that the critical lessons of the Holocaust are accessible to all, year after year,” said Jackie Congedo, the HHC CEO, in a press release. “This transformative gift helps us deliver on our commitment to honor the past, educate to address rising antisemitism and hatred, and promote human dignity today.”
“This initiative is deeply personal to us, reflecting our family’s commitment to preserving the memory of Holocaust survivors and educating future generations about the importance of tolerance and understanding,” said Hank Schneider, who was born in Germany, where his parents met during the Holocaust.
Last year was the first year the HHC offered free admission in January, and as a result, the museum had record attendance.
Holocaust education in the U.S. has come under scrutiny in the past few years, with the rise of antisemitism over the past several years. A poll taken in December 2023 found that 1 in 5 young Americans believed the holocaust was a myth.
Not every state requires public schools to teach students about the Holocaust, and in recent years, there have been Holocaust education mandates passed in some states. However, some critics claim that these mandates do not solve the problem because there is no focus on outcomes or training for teachers to approach such a complex topic.
The HHC continues to offer group tours and field trips to local schools and organizations. Those are not part of the free admission for January and, according to the HHC press release, will remain at regular price.
“The Holocaust and Humanity Center is a community treasure that is uniquely positioned at the intersection of the Jewish story and the broader human story, and we’re glad to support the organization’s essential work,” said Anita Schneider in a statement.
