Jewish Architectural Heritage Foundation

09/11/2025

05/07/2025

Aniversarea a 20 de ani de activitate a Muzeului Memorial al Holocaustului din Transilvania de Nord din Șimleu Silvaniei, județul Sălaj, este un moment important de comemorare și recunoaștere a eforturilor acestuia în educația despre Holocaust și în promovarea proiectelor internaționale.

05/02/2025

11/26/2024

05/06/2024

As we remember the 6 Million defenseless Jews, million Roma, and countless homosexuals and political dissidents who perished in the Holocaust nearly 80 years ago, we are reminded of the enduring legacy of hatred and bigotry. In light of the recent global surge in anti-Semitic propaganda and conspiracy theories against the Jewish people, it is imperative that we stand united against all forms of discrimination and intolerance. Let us honor the memory of the victims of baseless persecution by actively promoting empathy, understanding, and inclusivity in our communities, ensuring that the lessons of the past are never forgotten.

03/10/2024

It is with profound sadness and heavy hearts that we announce the passing of a truly remarkable soul, Stefania Hecht; lovingly referred to as Mama, a survivor of the Holocaust, an indefatigable activist for Holocaust education, and the cherished mother of our Vice President, Alex Hecht.

Born in 1928 in Șomcuta Mare, Satu Mare County (now Maramureș County), Romania, Stefania's life was marked by unimaginable challenges and losses from a very young age. Orphaned by the age of ten, her journey through darkness continued into her teenage years when, at just 16, she was thrust into the ghastly realities of Auschwitz along with her aunt, brother, and sister. Her experiences, including the loss of three siblings during the Holocaust, shaped her into a beacon of resilience, strength, and unwavering spirit.

Stefania's story is one of survival against the harshest odds, a testament to her indomitable will to live and to bear witness to history's darkest chapters. In Barrack No. 20, amidst 900 women fighting for dignity in despair, she found the courage to hope and the strength to dream of a future where such atrocities would never be repeated.

Her legacy extends far beyond her personal story of survival. As a passionate advocate for Holocaust education, Stefania dedicated her life to ensuring that the world would never forget the horrors of the past, nor the lessons they teach us about human dignity, empathy, and the importance of standing against injustice.

Today, as we mourn the loss of Stefania Hecht, we also celebrate her extraordinary life, her unwavering commitment to education, and her profound impact on all who were fortunate enough to know her. Her memory will forever inspire us to pursue a world marked by understanding, compassion, and peace.

"May her memory be for a blessing." In honoring Stefania's legacy, we are reminded of the importance of remembering, of educating, and of the ongoing struggle against hatred and intolerance.

Our thoughts are with her children, Alex, Robert, Elvira, and the entire family, including numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren during this difficult time. We stand with you in grief and in gratitude for Stefania's incredible life and legacy.

12/12/2023

Archival footage of Munkács from the early 1930s from outtakes of the "March of Time" film series. This segment shows children from the Hebrew Gymnasium in M...

12/08/2023

During Hanukkah 1931, one year before Hitler's rise to power, Rachel Posner, wife of Rabbi Dr. Akiva Posner, took this photo of the family Hanukkah menorah from the window ledge of the family home looking out on to the building across the road decorated with N**i flags.

This iconic photo demonstrates the resilience of the Jewish people in the face of adversity. May this festival of lights bring about the spirit of peace and goodwill, in the face of overwhelming adversity and painful war.

On the back of the photo is inscribed:
Chanukah 5692
(1932)
"Death to Judah"
So the flag says
"Judah will live forever"
So the light answers

11/28/2023

This we invite you to please consider donating to our organization. Our ongoing work towards Holocaust education, and elimination of hate, as well as our Holocaust Memorial projects rely on contributions by generous donors such as yourselves. Thank you for your consideration!

11/10/2023

We have finally added a Donate button to our page! As a 501(c)(3) charitable organization, all donations from US sources are Tax-Deductible to the fullest amount allowed by law. This giving season, please consider our organization. If there is a particular project you are interested in contributing to or would like to donate in someone's memory, please send us a message.