In 1994, the Florida Legislature mandated Holocaust education for all K-12 students. As forward thinking as it was, the State neglected to properly fund the mandate and in 2008 decreased the funding by about 75%. Today, Florida educators continue the monumental task of educating our youth about the Holocaust and the importance of acceptance and understanding all people within our society.
To assist in this undertaking is the Holocaust Education Resource Council (HERC), a donor funded, non-profit organization that strives to set the Florida standard in Holocaust education. Through its extensive outreach program, schools can tap into HERC’s resources for assistance in fulfilling their state mandated Holocaust education. There are many programs throughout Florida that model their local programs after our local organization.
A Brief History of HERC
Barbara Goldstein, the executive director of the Holocaust Education Resource Council, and Rita Miller Blank, its co-founder and former vice president, both come from families of Holocaust survivors and feel the need to share their families’ stories. Before establishing HERC, the two were co-chairs of the Tallahassee Holocaust Education Program. With their positions, they began building connections with influential donors and communities such as the National Council of Jewish Women and the Florida Council of Human Relations. In 2007, Barbara and Rita orchestrated their first county writing competition on children’s perception of the Holocaust and WWII. The goal was to encourage communication from teachers to students on the topic.
Resources and Upcoming Events
With the support of the Florida Department of Education, HERC funds help to sponsor classic movie gatherings, distribute informational newsletters, and support book clubs for students across all age groups as they study the Holocaust. All free seminars and group screenings of classic movies, like The Watch on the Rhine and The Seventh Cross, are open to anyone. In addition, be a guest at their open fundraising events with Holocaust survivors, liberators, and witnesses.
During the entire month of August, visit The Shoe Box on South Monroe Street. Your bill will be discounted by 15% if you mention you are there for HERC, and 10% of your total bill will be donated to HERC. Just remember to mention HERC at the check-out!
On October 23rd, at the FSU Turnbull Conference Center, join HERC for their Remembrance Dinner 2018. Enjoy food and the opportunity to hear speaker Dr. Bernd Wollschlaeger.
For more information, visit www.HolocaustResources.org.
A Donor’s Gift
By becoming a donor, you can help ensure that educators obtain the tools they need to raise informed, humane, and tolerant members of society. HERC’s approach aims to instill critical thinking skills, a respect for humanity, and knowledge of the history behind the Holocaust. Community funding assists in preparing teachers for the massive objective of educating youth on the history of the Holocaust. Together, with the help of the Holocaust Education Resource Council and the charitable community of Tallahassee, there can be assurance of a future without mass violence over race relations. Donations can be sent to P.O. Box 16282, Tallahassee, Fl 32317. 
Matthew Jones
Home & Yard Magazine
