30th Anniversary Guardians Commemorative Book - Book - Page 126
SECURING THE
MUSEUM
Although I had no
direct relatives
who perished in the
Holocaust, I feel that
I lost six million family members.
It’s like the souls of the departed
touched my soul. I am committed to
the US Holocaust Memorial Museum
because it is a calling for me; I have
no other choice. Our survivors will
be gone soon, and the naysayers will
come out in force worldwide, even
more than they are today. We must do
everything possible to combat them.
Going forward, I believe the Museum
will have an even more important
role—not only in telling and teaching
Holocaust history, but in ensuring
that people know the true story.
The Museum is unique because it is
positioned to look simultaneously at
yesterday, today, and tomorrow. Its
message for humankind is rooted in
the past, but you cannot look at the
Holocaust without examining the
genocides occurring in the world
today and also future possibilities.
Education is critical so the mistakes
124 l UNITED STATES HOLOCAUST MEMORIAL MUSEUM LEGACY OF LIGHT GUARDIANS
of the past are not repeated. This
requires keeping the lessons and
memory of the Holocaust alive. I
believe that visiting the Museum is
the most powerful way to do that.
When people walk into the Museum,
they think they are walking in to learn
about the Holocaust, but what they
are also learning is the relevance of
the Holocaust to their own personal
life. That is why this Museum is the
most powerful museum in the world.
Its message affects the life of every
human being. Through my legacy gift
to the Educational Fund, I want to
ensure that as many people as possible
have this experience.
As a lifelong educator, I am proof
that you do not have to be powerful
or wealthy to make an enduring
commitment to the Museum’s future.
If you are passionate and believe
strongly, you, too, can do it. This is an
important place, with a compelling
message. We need to keep it alive.”
