About Us

Hatikvah Holocaust Education Center serves Western New England and beyond as an educational and teaching facility and is a living memorial to both the victims and the survivors of the Holocaust.  We believe that by educating current and future generations we can help eliminate prejudice, hatred, bigotry and discrimination in our world.

The History of Hatikvah

Between 1933 and 1952 many people who lived through the Nazi occupation of Europe and through the Holocaust settled in the area of Springfield, MA.  In the 1950’s, a group of families began meeting together as a social club and support network.  This group chose the name “Hatikvah” for itself— Hebrew for “the Hope”.    The Hatikvah Holocaust Education Center honors their spirit and vision of the future by continuing to use the name they chose.  Through education we strive to create hope and develop the foundation of understanding that helps to build a better future.

Permanent Exhibit

A permanent exhibit having two components opened in October 2004.
The Main Hall features “A Reason to Remember: Roth, Germany 1933-1942”.  This exhibit tells the personal stories of five families who lived in a small village in Germany. What happened to them was a microcosm of what occurred throughout Nazi occupied Europe.

The second component of the exhibit, “A Living Memorial” is located in the entryway to the center.  It focuses on the Holocaust histories of families from the Greater Springfield area. 

The entire exhibit offers insight into the complex history and lessons of the Holocaust. It contains original artifacts, documents and photographs, eyewitness testimonies and audiovisual displays.
For more information, click on exhibits.

Tour our exhibit

 

Annual Events

The Center sponsors  two annual community events:

• Yom HaShoah (Holocaust Remembrance Day)
  This memorial service honors people who perished in the Holocaust  and people who protected and rescued victims.
• Kristallnacht (Night of the Broken Glass)
  This Interfaith commemoration brings the greater Springfield community together to reflect on the need to build a safer more inclusive society.

Services and Programs
To offer a broad range of programs, Hatikvah Holocaust Education Center has established affiliations and partnerships with many other educational institutions.  

We furnish a significant core of education services and the consultation services. 

Throughout the year we offer many seminars and teacher training workshops.

Community Educational Programs

Lectures, film screenings, book reviews, dramatic performances, concerts and temporary exhibits relating to the history and lessons of the Holocaust as well as other related issues take place both at Hatikvah and other locations throughout the year.  Learn more about these events.

Holocaust Education Center Applies for Museum Accreditation

Many different types of centers that have outstanding exhibits are often called museums when in fact they are not.   To officially be a museum, an institution must be accredited by the American Association of Museums.  Hatikvah Holocaust Education Center has begun the two year process of becoming accredited by the A.A.M. and is now a member of the A.A.M. as well as the New England Museum Association  (N.E.M.A.)

Gift Shop

The Gift Shop at Hatikvah Holocaust Education Center has many books for sale.  They cover reading levels from Middle School and High School to adults. Please stop by and we will help you select books.
 


Posters of our permanent exhibit,
A Reason to Remember" 
(11 inches by 17 inches)
are available for $3.00 (plus S & H)
Tribute cards are available
in packets of 5 for $25.00

To Order Please Call (413) 734-7700

To learn more about our exhibits, programs and services, click on a topic above.