PHOTO: (LEFT) Marie-Blanche Fourcade, head of collections and exhibitions for the Montreal Holocaust Museum. (RIGHT) Holocaust survivor Eva Kuper is featured in Witnesses to History, Keepers of Memory.

(BRANCHBURG, NJ) -- Raritan Valley Community College in Branchburg will host Witnesses to History, Keepers of Memory, a traveling exhibition from the Montreal Holocaust Museum, January 12 to May 10, 2023. The exhibit, which is being presented by RVCC’s Institute of Holocaust and Genocide Studies,  highlights the remarkable life stories of 30 Holocaust survivors who, for over 40 years, have shared their testimonies with school groups and visitors at the Museum in Montreal.

The exhibit displays each survivors’ portrait accompanied by an image of a precious personal object. By scanning a QR code, visitors can hear each survivor describe the significance of their cherished item. The objects featured in the exhibition demonstrate the diversity of personal experiences during the Holocaust, and the display emphasizes everyone’s collective responsibility to remember the tragedy of the Shoah (the Hebrew word for Holocaust) and the loved ones whose absence is still felt today.

“The heroism of these individuals lies not only in their survival during the Holocaust, but also in their efforts to repair the world and educate the next generation about the dangers of racism and anti-Semitism,” stated Daniel Amar, Executive Director of the Montreal Holocaust Museum.  “Survivors founded our Museum in 1979, and they remain at the heart of our institution today to ensure that we remember, learn, and act.”

This tribute to survivors also coincides with today’s social justice and human rights movement. As Americans and Canadians reckon with the legacy of their histories and confront systemic racism against Black people, Indigenous Peoples, and other racialized individuals, these Holocaust survivors encourage everyone to continue speaking out against hatred, racism, and discrimination. They inspire people to learn from the past to build a better future.

The exhibition at RVCC is being co-sponsored by The Jewish Federation of Somerset, Hunterdon, & Warren Counties, with support from The New Jersey Commission on Holocaust Education and the JCC Holocaust Memorial and Education Center.

For information about scheduling a tour of Witnesses to History, Keepers of Memory, contact Michelle Edgar, Program Specialist, the Institute of Holocaust and Genocide Studies, [email protected].

The Montreal Holocaust Museum educates people of all ages and backgrounds about the Holocaust, while sensitizing the public to the universal perils of anti-Semitism, racism, hate, and indifference. Through its Museum, its commemorative programs and educational initiatives, the Montreal Holocaust Museum promotes respect for diversity and the sanctity of human life.

Raritan Valley Community College (RVCC) is located at 118 Lamington Road in Branchburg, New Jersey.  Ranked by WalletHub.com and Niche.com as the #1 community college in New Jersey in 2022, RVCC has been serving as an academic and cultural center for Somerset and Hunterdon County residents for over 50 years. The College has been nationally recognized for its service to the community, environmental stewardship, and commitment to diversity. It is home to  a Planetarium, Science Education Institute and 3M Observatory; a Theatre offering professional performances for all ages; and an Honors College for high achieving students. The College offers more than 90 associate degrees and certificates, as well as career training and professional development courses.