Midwest Center for Holocaust Education

10/15/2026

Today we celebrated Laura on her last day at MCHE. Laura is retiring after 4 years at MCHE and decades as a middle school educator. We wish her every happiness as she sets out on her next adventure!

10/14/2026

One of our banned books winners has received their book!! Jessica shares, "I feel banning books decreases perspective and allows others to narrow our visions and viewpoints. By reading banned books, our minds could be open to new possibilities, perspectives, ideas and perhaps increase our empathy towards others."

10/14/2026

10/09/2026

Congratulations to our winners of banned books during Banned Books Week. These books are on their way to 7 different states! Watch your mail and we hope everyone keeps reading.

Kelly in Farmington, MO
Victoria in Thomasville, NC
Julie in Columbus, MS
Marc in Madison Heights, MI
Amanda in McCook, NE
Jessica in Lenexa, KS
Lori in Northampton, PA

10/06/2026

Today we interviewed Viv L. as part of the Second Generation Testimony Project. Hers is the first testimony in our archive of a family who experienced the Holocaust by bullets. She described the impact that had on her father and the resulting multi-generational trauma that she and her children experience.

10/04/2026

This zoo sheltered more than animals.

When the N***s occupied Warsaw, the city's zoo was badly damaged. Its empty spaces soon served a secret purpose. Zoo director and resistance member Jan Żabiński and his wife, Antonina, hid Jewish people in animal habitats and in their home. If discovered, everyone involved would be in danger. Still, Jan and Antonina risked their own lives to make the zoo a refuge for those seeking safety.

Photo: Public Domain

10/02/2026

Our third interview of the week was with Ben T. who joyfully told us about his childhood with his brother, growing up with the New Americans (all of whom were invited to his wedding), and the optimism that guides his life because of the lessons he learned from his parents. His brother, Ralph, joined in on sharing photographs after the interview.

10/01/2026

On October 1, 1946, the International Military Tribunal issued verdicts for top N**i leaders. Among those convicted and sentenced to death were Hermann Göring, one of the post powerful men under Adolf Hi**er; Joachim von Ribbentrop, N**i Minister of Foreign Affairs; and Wilhelm Keitel, the commander of the German armed forces.

Though a token few N**i leaders were tried by the IMT, it set important legal precedents and shaped international law today. 📷: Wikimedia

09/29/2026

Today’s Second Generation Testimony recording was with Tom I. who, in addition to sharing about his own life, had important observations about German memory culture and offered a kind remembrance of a non-Jewish family who helped his mother.