Upcoming Events

Reuse, Repair, Reconsider

Lesia Sochor’s Repair Series will be at the Center from October to May. The artwork explores restoration and repair. Lesia writes, “I use a needle and thread as a representation to investigate mending as an intervention, as metaphor, as a call to action. Not only to restore material things, but as an intention to mend the fractured parts of ourselves, the divisiveness, cruelty, and injustices of our ruptured world one stitch at a time.” Lesia will offer her third Pysanky workshop in the spring of 2025.

Preserving Their Voices

Through several initiatives in conjunction with the 40th Anniversary celebration, we will preserve the stories and voices of our founders, Holocaust survivors who immigrated to Maine to rebuild their lives. As it turned out, they also changed the state, bringing advocacy and education to students by traveling the state telling their stories, and speaking out against antisemitism and bigotry. This project will include a stunning book, revamped multi-media installation, events with second generation survivors, four art exhibits and a timeline to honor our forty amazing years.

Soul Survivors Book

We are thrilled to collaborate on a beautiful book by and about Maine Holocaust survivors as a resource for students and teachers. Through the Lens: Creating Soul Survivors by Photographer Jack Montgomery will showcase stunning portraits paired with the survivor’s story about suffering, persevering and surviving the Holocaust to go on and build a new life in America. These people founded and built the Holocaust and Human Rights Center—remaining steadfast supporters and members of our close community. The book is brings together projects that date back to the beginning of the HHRC and building of the Michael Klahr Center. We are indebted to Jack, and thrilled that these evocative portraits and heartbreaking, inspiring stories now exist in a book. Writes Jack, “The things we save can become the means for our recovery. I am moved by every aspect of these stories … And I am forever grateful to the survivors for giving us this record, which no amount of denial or historical revisionism can ever erase. We are in their debt.” A generous donor has funded the gift of a free copy to every school in Maine.

The Ravensbrück Series

This exhibit is a series of small painting by the late Brenda Bettinson created after she read Sarah Helm’s book about the enslavement, beatings, torture, rape, starvation, surgical experimentation and murder of the women at the Ravenbrück concentration camp. The series will be exhibited at the HHRC from June to September.

Meet the Artists

We will host an Artist Talk with Artist Parivash Rohani who founded a powerful movement entitled #OurStoryIsOne about a global community creating artwork to channel their frustration at political injustices by celebrating the beauty of life. #OurStoryIsOne is a global art movement that commemorates Baha’i women who were killed for their religious identity. This is also a personal story for Maine resident, local activist, and artist Parivash Rohani. This exhibition highlights how local women’s stories can become global symbols of standing up for justice and equality. We will showcase the exhibit from December to February.

Panel Talks

We are hoping to convene a few panel discussions to gather students who wish to create more welcoming school communities, second generation Holocaust survivors to share their early experiences, and newcomers to Maine. This is in early stages of planning.