New Mexico Holocaust and Intolerance Museum

Photos from New Mexico Holocaust & Intolerance Museum

Hate and intolerance are the catalysts for the destruction of a family, of a culture, and a nation writes Werner Gellert, co-founder with his late wife Frances of the New Mexico Holocaust & Intolerance Museum.

The impetus for the museum was basic. I’m a holocaust survivor says Gellert.

Born in Breslau, Gellert spent his early years in Germany. Although he and his family were able to escape to China, the war caught up with them when the Japanese invaded. I spent 3.5 years in the Japanese slave labor camp. We didn’t know if we would have food. There was malnutrition and disease.

It is a source of great pride that the focus of the Museum extends beyond the holocaust.  It is the only museum in New Mexico devoted to teaching about genocide, including the atrocities against the Armenians, Greeks, native Americans, and more.

Exhibits within the Museum  Most of the exhibits have been built by the volunteers. "Our newest exhibit, created by two college-age volunteers, is about the 'tolerated' genocide in Rwanda, said Lyn Berner, museum staff. In addition to a timeline and photos, the young women included a DVD called "Shake Hands with the Devil: The Journey of Romeo Dellaire," who was head of the United Nations peacekeeping force.

More to Come Rescuers: Portraits of Moral Courage in the Holocaust, a collection of photographs with text of persons from more than 10 European countries who risked their lives to save Jews from Nazi persecution.

In addition, from the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum, the exhibit Varian Fry, Assignment: Rescue, 1940-1941, will be displayed.  This American Christian went to France and saved more than 2,000 anti-Nazis and Jews such as Marc Chagall, Marcel Duchamp, Max Ernst, Jacques Lipchitz, and Henri Matisse.  Those rescued included scholars, journalists, scientists, Nobel Prize winners, and world renowned intellects.

The museum also conducts special tours for the schools. About 2000 children a year come through the museum, notes Berner. There’s also a monthly discussion group facilitated by two docents. There is no charge for the group.

Holocaust & Intolerance Museum of New Mexico 616 Central Avenue SW  Albuquerque, NM 87102 http://www.nmholocaustmuseum.org/

(c) Neala Schwartzberg