$2.5 million federal government grant to boost Adelaide Holocaust Museum education programs
The Adelaide Holocaust Museum and Andrew Steiner Education Centre have welcomed the Australian Government’s contribution of $2.5m to continue developing the existing site, which will open to the public in November.
Andrew Steiner and Josh Frydenberg
Announcing the grant in Adelaide yesterday, Federal Treasurer Josh Frydenberg said it would “allow every South Australian child to learn about this tragic period in world history and to learn about the importance of tolerance and humanity”.
South Australia premier Steven Marshall said the Holocaust was a “dark chapter in world history”
He added: “It’s a horrific story but learning about it will also lead to a better world.”
AHMSEC is inspired by the vision and work of Adelaide based Holocaust survivor and sculptor Andrew Steiner. Mr Steiner has offered Holocaust education and reflection to South Australian secondary and tertiary students for the past 30 years. The museum will continue to build upon his educational legacy with a permanent exhibit and will also welcome touring exhibitions.
AHMSEC Chair, Nicola Zuckerman said: “We hope to instil in students and visitors to the museum the virtue of combating antisemitism and racism in all its forms. Our program will demonstrate that antisemitism existed before the Holocaust, still exists today and is in fact, increasing in prevalence around the world.”
With generous interfaith support from the Catholic Archdiocese, the Centre is housed with the Museum in historic Fennescey House at 31 – 33 Wakefield Street. It will offer school curriculum- tailored Holocaust education programs to ensure that an understanding and knowledge of the horrors of the Nazi Reich and the lessons learned from those experiences remain front of mind in current and future generations of South Australians.
The core Holocaust exhibition and education programs will encourage visitors and students to learn about the Holocaust and to critically reflect on racism of all kinds in contemporary society.
Centre Director Kathy Baykitch told J-Wire: “We hope that by telling the stories of the Holocaust the museum will educate and inspire South Australians to stand up against antisemitism and racism, and actively contribute to a fairer, more inclusive and compassionate world.”
Jewish Community Council of South Australia Chair, Annetay Henderson-Sapir commented: “The entire Jewish community stands behind AHMSEC. We are delighted that the Australian Government is investing capital funding to ensure the Adelaide Holocaust Museum will continue to evolve and contribute to an inclusive and harmonious future for all South Australians.”
