Mission and History
Our Mission
We use the history and lessons of the Holocaust to build a just and caring community free of antisemitism and all forms of prejudice and bigotry.
Through our extensive outreach of educational and cultural programs and exhibits, we teach the principles of good citizenship to thousands of people of all ages, religions, races, sexual orientations, abilities, and backgrounds each year.
Our History
The Holocaust Memorial Resource & Education Center of Florida was established in 1981 as the Holocaust Project of Valencia Community College, initiated by Tess Wise, a local Holocaust survivor. The project aimed to raise awareness about the Holocaust during a time when education on the subject was limited, culminating in a significant two-day conference. In 1983, it became an independent 501c3 organization, with Tess serving as the volunteer Executive Director for over two decades. By 1986, the Center opened as the first Holocaust museum in the Southeast, predating the US Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington, DC.
Dedicated to fostering a respectful and inclusive community, the Center connects Holocaust lessons to contemporary social issues, such as immigration crises and human rights violations. In 1994, Florida mandated Holocaust education in public schools, and the Center has since provided resources across a 13-county area, reaching over 25,000 students in 2019 alone. A key initiative, UpStanders: Stand Up to Bullying, launched in 2010 and has positively impacted over 34,000 students.
As one of the oldest facilities of its kind in the nation, the Center remains a nonprofit organization, offering free public access and educational programs aimed at promoting empathy and social responsibility.
Our Values
We value people — their stories, their experiences, and their dignity. We value respect and justice. At the Holocaust Memorial Resource & Education Center of Florida, these principles are not afterthoughts — they are central to our mission of using the history and lessons of the Holocaust to build a just and compassionate community free of antisemitism, prejudice, and bigotry. Each day, we strive to live out these values through our exhibits, our relationships, and our actions.