The University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) has announced the establishment of a permanent Holocaust and genocide research center, supported by a funding allocation of $700,000 from a federal spending package signed by President Donald Trump. The announcement was made by Elliot Malin, chair of the Governor’s Advisory Council on Education Relating to the Holocaust, during a ceremony held on January 23, 2024, at the King David Memorial Chapel & Cemetery in Las Vegas.
Malin emphasized the significance of this initiative, stating, “We’ve been working with UNLV to partner to create a Holocaust and genocide research center. By getting this funded and built and established, we’re going to be able to reach more people.” The timeline for the construction of the center has yet to be determined, but the funding has been confirmed by a UNLV spokesperson.
The new center aims to document, preserve, and showcase the memory of the Holocaust, providing educational opportunities for students and the broader community. “Eventually, this partnership will allow us to document, preserve and showcase the memory of the Holocaust for all Nevadans,” Malin explained. Plans include the establishment of a museum where UNLV students will engage with children from the Clark County School District to learn about the events of the Holocaust.
Commemorating Victims on International Holocaust Remembrance Day
The announcement coincided with a solemn ceremony marking International Holocaust Remembrance Day, which takes place annually on January 27. Approximately 75 attendees gathered at the outdoor Holocaust memorial plaza, which opened in 2022, to honor the victims of the Holocaust. Speakers included Shelley Berkley, the Mayor of Las Vegas, and Michael Naft, Chair of the Clark County Commission, who lit candles in remembrance of the victims of six concentration camps in Poland, including Auschwitz, where an estimated 1.1 million people, primarily Jews, lost their lives.
During her address, Berkley reflected on the tragic loss of children during the Holocaust, stating, “What strikes me the most is the millions of children that did not survive their childhood because of the Holocaust.” She expressed concern about the recent rise in antisemitism, asserting, “It’s incumbent on all of us to ensure that nobody, no group, nobody in this world and this country, is treated in that manner again.”
Personal Testimonies and Historical Context
Among the attendees was Thomas Jacobson, an 87-year-old civil rights attorney who, as a child, was aboard the MS St. Louis, a ship that carried nearly 1,000 German-Jewish refugees seeking to escape Nazi persecution in 1939. He shared his harrowing experience of being denied entry to multiple countries, including the United States, Cuba, and Canada, before the ship returned to Europe.
Jacobson emphasized the importance of sharing survivor narratives, stating, “Being here today, for me, it’s about getting the word out. I wanted some Nevadans to be able to hear from a survivor because there’s not many of us left.” He expressed concern about the parallels between the events leading up to World War II and current global issues, urging engagement and advocacy for democracy.
“I know you really have to fight for democracy,” Jacobson said. “You have to speak up and really fight for your liberty. For me, getting out and interacting with people, it gives me energy.”
This initiative at UNLV represents a vital step in educating future generations about the Holocaust and ensuring that the memories of its victims are preserved. The collaboration between state leaders and educational institutions underscores a commitment to combating hatred and promoting understanding through education.
