JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2017
| TAMPA BAY MAGAZINE 51
the public. During its first year, more
than 65,000 visitors viewed exhibits
there. The center became known for its
visual accounts of the Holocaust and
modern day issues with shows such
as Judy Chicago’s “Holocaust Project:
From Darkness to Light,” Michael
Smuss’ “Reflections of a Survivor,” the
Simon Wiesenthal Center’s “Stealing
Home: How Jackie Robinson Changed
America,” and Robert Fisch’s “Light
from a Yellow Star.”
In 1999, the center changed its name
to the Florida Holocaust Museum to
better reflect its impact on the entire
state of Florida. The museum played
a critical role in shaping the legislation
that made Florida one of the first states
to mandate Holocaust education in the
public schools.
Elizabeth Gelman, executive
director of the museum, has
led it to being one of the
most important Holocaust
memorials in our country.
Photographs on a wall beyond the box car provide a
further graphic reminder of the atrocities of the Holocaust.
The museum played a critical role
in mandating Holocaust education
in the public schools.
The museum’s core exhibition,
“History Heritage and Hope,” features
artifacts, videos and photos of the
Holocaust. The museum’s leadership
council is led by its Executive Director
Elizabeth Gelman and Vice Chair of
Development Rachael Worthington,
Esq. Besides seeking donations to
support its programs, the museum
continues to document the Holocaust
by accepting original material and
encouraging survivors and subsequent
generations to share their stories.
Along with honoring the memory
of the millions who suffered, died or
were affected by the Holocaust, the
museum staff members are dedicated
to teaching the members of all races
and cultures the inherent worth and
dignity of human life to help prevent
future genocides. It is their hope that
by understanding what took place,
history will not be repeated so that the
future will be filled with peace and
harmony throughout the world. 9
EDITOR’S NOTE: The Florida Holocaust
Museum is located at 55 Fifth Street South
in St. Petersburg, FL 33701. For more
information, call (727) 820-0100 or visit
flholocaustmuseum.org.
FLORIDA HOLOCAUST MUSEUM
WIL LUGO
/flholocaustmuseum.org