A new center dedicated to Holocaust and genocide research was announced at a recent remembrance ceremony in Las Vegas. The project, supported by a funding package signed by former President Donald Trump, will receive $700,000 to establish a permanent facility at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV). The funding was confirmed by Elliot Malin, chair of Governor Joe Lombardo’s Advisory Council on Education Relating to the Holocaust, during the event held at the King David Memorial Chapel & Cemetery on January 27, 2024, coinciding with International Holocaust Remembrance Day.
Malin highlighted the significance of the center, stating, “By getting this funded and built and established, we’re going to be able to reach more people. We’ll be able to honor the memory of our local survivors, the family of survivors and bring that history to UNLV.” Although no construction timeline has been established, the initiative aims to create a space for education and remembrance, including a museum where students can learn about the Holocaust.
The event drew about 75 attendees who gathered to honor the victims of the Holocaust. Speakers, including Las Vegas Mayor Shelley Berkley and Clark County Commission Chair Michael Naft, participated in a candle-lighting ceremony dedicated to the memory of individuals who perished in six notorious concentration camps in Poland, including Auschwitz, where approximately 1.1 million people were murdered.
Berkley reflected on her experiences visiting concentration camps, stating, “What strikes me the most is the millions of children that did not survive their childhood because of the Holocaust.” She emphasized the ongoing relevance of Holocaust education, expressing concern over a rising tide of antisemitism globally. “It’s incumbent on all of us to ensure that nobody, no group, nobody in this world and this country, is treated in that manner again,” she said.
Among the attendees was Thomas Jacobson, an 87-year-old civil rights attorney and Holocaust survivor. Jacobson was on the MS St. Louis, a ship that tried to transport nearly 1,000 Jewish refugees from Germany in 1939. The ship was denied entry to multiple countries, including the United States, before returning to Europe. Jacobson shared his story during the event, emphasizing the importance of sharing survivor testimonies.
“We were turned away everywhere we went; nobody wanted the Jews in those days,” Jacobson recalled. “Being here today, for me, it’s about getting the word out. I wanted some Nevadans to be able to hear from a survivor because there’s not many of us left.” He urged attendees, particularly educators, to remember and convey the lessons of the Holocaust to future generations.
Jacobson also noted parallels between historical events leading to the Holocaust and contemporary issues, stating, “I’m an immigrant and I know you really have to fight for democracy. You have to speak up and really fight for your liberty.” His message resonated strongly with those gathered, reinforcing the importance of education and remembrance in the face of rising discrimination.
The establishment of the Holocaust and genocide research center at UNLV marks a significant step toward preserving the memory of those lost and educating future generations about the atrocities committed during this dark chapter of history.
