Horwitz-Wasserman Holocaust Memorial Plaza

06/15/2026

A few years ago, we worked with partner organizations to present a talk entitled 'Count Their Names,' an exploration of LGBTQIA+ persecution during the Holocaust as well as the proceeding and proceeding years. Jake Newsome of The Pink Triangle Legacies Project has done impressive work to shed light on how this history resonates in the present day and offers tools and resources to ensure never again for those in the LGBTQIA+ community.

Check out the talk here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xiLjKpHLTx0&source_ve_path=MjM4NTE&embeds_referring_euri=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.philaholocaustmemorial.org%2F

Learn more about the Pink Triangle Legacies Project here:
https://www.pinktrianglelegacies.org/

History has shown how far homophobia can go. It's up to us to decide how far we let it go today.

05/18/2026

The project is an initiative between several German academic institutions and the USC Dornsife Center for Advanced Genocide Research that seeks to collect every available image documenting N**i mass deportation of Jews, Roma & Sinti, as well as euthanasia victims between 1938 & 1945. Many of these images were the last pictures taken of Holocaust victims before they were deported and perished.
This is an amazing collection of primary sources that can be used in classrooms to learn about this history and individuals affected by these tragedies.
For more images and information you can visit: https://atlas.lastseen.org/en

04/27/2026

We are excited to share that you can now listen to the mural at the Holocaust Memorial Plaza.

With the beautiful voices and musical talents of some community members, we recorded a selection of prayers, sayings, and songs that are incorporated into the artwork. Take a listen and learn more on our website.

This is a Hungarian song, which translates to “The Rooster Is Already Crowing”. The song is attributed to Rabbi Yitzchak Isaac Taub (1751–1821) of the small town of Nagykallo, in the Northeastern part of Hungary. Before the war, the town was well known for its strong Hasidic roots. Rabbi Taub ...

04/14/2026

Today is Yom HaShoah, Holocaust Remembrance Day.

Along with our community, our peer organizations, our allies, and our friends, let us remember the 6 million Jewish lives lost in the Holocaust and think about the millions of others victimized by the N**is and their collaborators.

In our present day, let us remember what survivors have shared in testimony time and time again- that we must commit to educate about this history and live our lives with kindness, empathy, and compassion for others.

03/02/2026

We would like to congratulate civil rights champion John M. Rosenberg on being awarded the 2026 ABA Medal from the American Bar Association, one of the legal profession’s highest honors! Born in Germany in 1932, Mr. Rosenberg and his family fled after Kristallnacht. He grew up and built a life in the United States.

Through his work with the Department of Justice's Civil Rights Division and decades of advocacy, he exemplifies what it means to stand up for human dignity.

We at the Foundation are pleased to celebrate this well-deserved recognition.

By Liz Carey The Daily Yonder John and Jean Rosenberg thought they’d stay a few years in Eastern Kentucky and then move on. Fortunately for families throughout the region, those “few years” turned into more than half a century – and counting. In 1970, John Rosenberg had spent eight years as ...

02/18/2026

: For decades after WWII, the myth of the "clean Wehrmacht"—the idea that the German army was not included in the crimes of the N**i SS—persisted. The groundbreaking "Wehrmacht Exhibition" (1995-2004), created by the Hamburg Institute for Social Research, shattered this myth.

Through photographs, letters, and official documents, the exhibition irrefutably proved the deep involvement of German soldiers in the atrocities of the Holocaust and the war across Europe. It sparked debate and protest in Germany about complicity, responsibility, and collective memory.

Remembering the Holocaust means confronting difficult truths. It challenges us to understand how persecution and violence can be enabled by supporters as well as bystanders. Learn more about it from the BBC with the link below.

An exhibition about the German army’s role in WW2 caused a scandal in 1995.

02/03/2026

After more than 10 incredible years, Eszter K***s is stepping down as Executive Director of the Foundation to pursue new opportunities. She leaves the Foundation in a place of strength and stability- ready to continue our educational and commemorative programs in 2026.

Under Eszter’s leadership, the Foundation opened the redesigned Horwitz-Wasserman Holocaust Memorial Plaza, led a groundbreaking mural project, created programs, and strengthened stewardship of our historic site.

With the continued support of our Board, donors, and community partners, our mission now continues under the leadership of Sophie Don, our former Associate Director. Join us in celebrating Eszter’s remarkable contributions and in congratulating Sophie on her new role!

01/27/2026

81 years ago today, the Soviet Army liberated the Auschwitz Concentration Camp in Poland after 1.1 million people had been murdered at the N**i camp complex.

There were roughly 7,000 prisoners present when the Soviets arrived. These people had been left behind — the N**is considered them too weak to join the forced death march of 60,000 other prisoners.

On International Holocaust Remembrance Day, we remember the victims of the Holocaust. In the images below, we see some of those prisoners who were left behind to die; their faces light up with the promise of freedom as they meet their liberators.

(Image Credits: CNN and United Holocaust Memorial Museum)

01/20/2026

** DUE TO EXTREME TEMPERATURES THIS EVENT WILL BE OVER ZOOM- REGISTER FOR ZOOM INFO https://forms.gle/D5dTMygAR4af821g8 *

Join us on January 27th to commemorate International Holocaust Remembrance Day.

This year, in collaboration with 3GPhilly and Gratz College we will gather on zoom for a brief candle lighting program from 5:30 to 6:15pm. We will hear from speakers and share a prayer as we illuminate candles to remember all of the victims of the Holocaust.

This program is part of the Light It Up Yellow initiative to commemorate International Holocaust Remembrance Day. As part of this initiative, on the afternoon and evening of January 27th, building facades across Pennsylvania and Philadelphia will be illuminated yellow.

Register here: https://forms.gle/D5dTMygAR4af821g8

01/16/2026

We’ve posted two articles recently about how AI is affecting Holocaust remembrance. This is a much larger conversation...

As deep-fakes and AI images multiply, the line between true and false memories becomes increasingly blurred. AI can amplify memory or distort it; the difference is human stewardship. In research it's crucial to verify sources and demand transparency.

What do you think? Helpful tool or dangerous shortcut?

Check out some of the ways AI is helping or hindering remembrance and education:

-AI tools are being used to reveal previously unknown Holocaust victim names. https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-63483694

-USC Shoah Foundation’s “Dimensions in Testimony” allows students ask a hologram of a Holocaust survivor questions and receive AI-matched answers. This keeps authentic voices audible even as the generation passes. https://sfi.usc.edu/dit

-In 2024 UNESCO tested five major chatbots; several fabricated fake Holocaust events complete with fake citations, feeding denial sites. https://www.unesco.org/en/articles/new-unesco-report-warns-generative-ai-threatens-holocaust-memory

-AI and Deep-fake apps have produced fake Hi**er speeches, fake 'photographs' from the Holocaust and stories of victims... blurring the line between evidence and fabrication. https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-14796831/Holocaust-AI-posts-fake-victims-Facebook.html

A UNESCO report published today warns that unless decisive action is taken to integrate ethical principles, AI could distort the historical record of the Holocaust and fuel antisemitism. The report