Illinois Holocaust Museum & Education Center

06/03/2026

Staff members from across the Museum recently traveled to Philadelphia for the annual meeting of the American Alliance of Museums, where they connected with colleagues from around the world and shared the impactful work happening at the Museum.

From leadership to collections, education, and exhibitions, our team was proud to represent the Museum and engage in important conversations shaping the future of museums and storytelling.

We were proud to be represented by John Tweedie, Director of Exhibit Design, who participated in a panel discussion focused on responsible and ethical storytelling through emerging technology and AI. John highlighted how the Museum uses technology to authentically preserve Holocaust history and Survivor voices for future generations.

Learn more about the Museum’s immersive experiences at Illinois Holocaust Museum presents Experience360: https://buff.ly/u6IVrSo

06/01/2026

We are excited to recognize Pride Month, dedicated to celebrating the LGBTQ+ community, honoring history, and advocating for equal rights. The Museum has long recognized that the lessons of the Holocaust, combating hatred, bigotry, and identity-based persecution, remain deeply relevant today and inform our commitment to supporting human rights and LGBTQ+ equality.

At Illinois Holocaust Museum presents Experience360, we are honored to share the story of Fritz Kitzing, a nonbinary German bookkeeper. Kitzing was born in Neuruppin, Germany, in 1905 and moved to Berlin about twenty years later. When Hi**er became the chancellor in 1933, Kitzing was arrested later that year while wearing women's clothing, charged under the law against homelessness and begging. What followed was a series of arrests and imprisonment in concentration camps. Kitzing miraculously survived the N**i regime, though countless others did not.

Read more about the importance of preserving LGBTQ+ History, from the Museum’s Director of Education, Leah Rauch: https://buff.ly/dN4ojFm

Perhaps at no time in recent memory is the importance of LGBTQ+ inclusion in museums and places of public memory more urgent.

05/29/2026

Happy Birthday, Olga! This week, we celebrate Holocaust Survivor Olga Weiss’s birthday.

Born in Antwerp, Belgium in 1936, Olga spent her earliest years in Brussels. In 1942, as the environment became increasingly dangerous for Jews, Olga and her parents went into hiding in Rhode St. Genese, a nearby countryside town. The family assumed a Flemish last name, and Olga went to a Catholic school where her identity was protected by a local priest. She and her parents remained hidden until they were liberated by the Allies in September of 1944. They immigrated to Chicago in 1950.

Pictured here are recent photos of Olga with Cardinal Cupich, Archbishop of Chicago, where she shared with him her family’s story. We thank Olga for her contributions to our community and hope she has a wonderful year ahead!

05/27/2026

“For Holocaust Survivors who lived through unimaginable atrocities, holding onto their faith was an act of courage.”

Thank you to Fox32 for highlighting the Museum’s CEO, Bernard Cherkasov’s personal connection to Jewish American Heritage Month.

This month is also an opportunity to recognize how interconnected our communities truly are. The lessons of the Holocaust and the experiences of Jewish refugees resonate far beyond the Jewish community. They speak to universal themes of resilience, identity, belonging, and the responsibility we all share to confront intolerance and extremism wherever it appears.

At our Museum, we are continually inspired by the resilience of Survivors. Their stories are not only about survival, but about courage, community, and an unwavering commitment to standing up against hatred in all its forms. Visit our downtown satellite museum, Experience360, and reflect on the Survivors whose lives, voices, and contributions have helped shape our country and continue to inspire future generations.

Watch the full interview: https://buff.ly/VNMWLg3

05/26/2026

We are deeply saddened to share news of the passing of Holocaust Survivor Ernst K. Heimann last Friday, May 22.

Ernie was born on January 26, 1929, in Mainz, Germany. His father, who had served in WWI and earned the Iron Cross, owned a to***co wholesale outlet and a cigar factory, while his mother was a homemaker. His older brother, Werner, came to Chicago to live with relatives in 1937, after being forced to drop out of high school due to N**i-imposed restrictions on education.

On the morning of November 10, 1938, Ernie attempted to go to school but learned that both his synagogue and his parochial school had been burned down during the November Pogrom, also known as Kristallnacht. Ernie’s parents realized that Germany was no longer safe and began making arrangements for him to be part of a Kindertransport. On his 10th birthday, the Heimanns received word that Ernie would be able to go to England. Soon after, he bade farewell to his parents at the Mainz train station. He would never see them again.

During his stay in England, Ernie was evacuated to the countryside due to the Blitz and served in the Home Guard, carrying messages along with other evacuated boys.

In 1943, Ernie was able to join relatives living in the United States. Ernie graduated from Lane Tech High School, earned a college degree, served in the US Army for two years during the Korean War, and raised a family that now includes three great-grandchildren. His story is included in the book Interrupted Lives: Nine Stories of Child Survivors of the Holocaust. Ernie was an active member of the Museum's Speakers' Bureau, and his story was featured in the special exhibition Kindertransport – Rescuing Children on the Brink of War.

We extend our heartfelt condolences to Ernie’s beloved wife Roslyne and to all of Ernie’s loved ones. May his memory be for a blessing.

https://buff.ly/q26k3OB

05/25/2026

On Memorial Day, we honor the thousands of soldiers who gave their lives fighting to defeat N**i tyranny and help liberate Jews and countless others targeted by N**i persecution. Their courage and sacrifice will never be forgotten.

Honor their legacy today by visiting Experience360, our downtown satellite Museum, which will remain open on Memorial Day. Reserve your tickets: https://buff.ly/OJwxZj0

05/24/2026

Take a panoramic journey through history for FREE! This Wednesday, May 27th, we are excited to host our monthly free day and welcome visitors to experience history like never before at Illinois Holocaust Museum presents Experience360.

Our groundbreaking immersive exhibition brings powerful stories of survival, humanity, and hope to life through cutting-edge technology like VR, interactive holograms, and first-person testimony. Don’t miss this one-of-a-kind, no-cost experience. Plan your visit: https://buff.ly/OJwxZj0

05/22/2026

Step inside the barracks of Auschwitz alongside a Holocaust Survivor who endured its horrors firsthand.

In the Museum’s virtual reality experience, visitors can journey alongside Holocaust Survivors to learn about their stories in a way that revolutionizes the fields of Holocaust memory and education, providing critical content to share the stories and teach the lessons of the Holocaust in the most impactful way for generations to come.

This weekend, travel alongside Fritzie Fritzshall in a story that will captivate, move, and inspire you, ensuring Fritzie’s promise is kept for generations to come.

Reserve your tickets now: https://buff.ly/LGOS67D

05/21/2026

“I feel a profound connection to the strength it takes to preserve your identity while starting over.”

As we continue to honor , the Museum’s CEO, Bernard Cherkasov, reflects on why this month deeply resonates with him.

As Jewish refugees from Azerbaijan, Bernard and his family fled antisemitism and ethnic violence to build a new life in the United States. Like many of the Survivors we honor at the Museum, even in the face of persecution, they continued to practice their faith, hold onto their traditions, and carry their heritage with them as they rebuilt lives in America.

To honor this month, visit our downtown satellite museum, Experience360, to reflect on Survivors whose lives, voices, and contributions have helped shape our country: https://buff.ly/LGOS67D

05/20/2026

Don't miss the Legacy Gift Shop Memorial Day Sale Friday May 22nd - Monday May 25th. All regular-priced merchandise is 20% off and all Museum exclusive branded merchandise is 25% off! Shop to

Online and in-store, some exclusions apply. Shop now: https://buff.ly/6fUsXBK