Our Programs

The Holocaust Documentation & Education Center (HDEC) is committed to documenting the memory of the Holocaust and educating today’s generation about the dangers of bigotry, hatred and intolerance. 

As of July 1, 2016 the HDEC expanded into its new Museum site in Dania Beach, Florida. The HDEC/Museum is currently engaged in a capital campaign to complete the first South Florida Holocaust Museum. The Museum will enrich and enhance the HDEC mission, which is to preserve, protect and perpetuate the authentic lessons and legacy of the Holocaust.

Throughout its 40 year history, the HDEC has impacted hundreds of thousands of students, teachers and the general public through the following programs, as follows:

Oral History Collection (OHC) The United Nations, Steven Spielberg’s (USC) Shoah Foundation, the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum and the Simon Wiesenthal Center are among the prestigious institutions that have sought the HDEC’s expertise over the years to develop their oral history projects and programs. The Museum will house the first Interactive Oral History Center, which will enable visitors to access the Eyewitness Testimonies from the OHC.

Florida State Statute 1003.42 (The Statute) mandating Holocaust Education, is one of the most profound and proudest achievements of the HDEC. Since 1994, The Statute has continued to impact the lives of hundreds of thousands of students from kindergarten through University. The Statute was enacted after a 10 year effort by the HDEC and signed into law by Governor Lawton Chiles. As a result of The Statute, every Florida student has the opportunity to learn about the Holocaust and come to understand that promises of “Never Again” are empty and meaningless if individuals remain silent and indifferent in the face of any hatred, bigotry and bullying.

Student Awareness Days continue to be lauded for being one of the HDEC outstanding Educational Outreach programs, since 1985.  These anti-bullying, prejudice-reduction programs have sensitized hundreds of thousands of middle school, high school, college, and university students, as well as tens of thousands of teachers. The Student Awareness Days provide a unique opportunity for students and teachers to interact directly with Holocaust Survivors and engage in important dialogue with living history.

Teacher Training Institutes provide professional development pursuant to the latest Florida State Standards on Holocaust Education The HDEC Teacher Training is open to all Florida public, private, and parochial K – 12 school teachers to assist them in implementing the Florida State Mandate on Holocaust Education.

Speakers Bureau responds to requests from schools and universities including other community organizations such as churches, synagogues and local, state and federal agencies. Speakers include Holocaust Survivors, Second Generation, Liberator and HDEC Board Member. Presentations can also be arranged for online conferencing, such as ZOOM.

The National Olga and Eugene Guttman Annual Visual Arts and Writing Contest seeks to engage students from grades K – 12 and empower them to submit either a literary, visual arts or musical creative expression of the contest theme.

The Annual ‘A Simple Act of Kindness’ Contest is inspired by Catherine Ryan Hyde’s book Pay it Forward, this contest is open to students from grades K – 12 and helps students to understand how acts of kindness can make a difference in the world. Submissions are accepted online.