Why Give to HERC?

A donation to HERC supports our educational and outreach programs provided to students and educators, at no cost, throughout the Big Bend region. Holocaust denial and distortion is rising at an alarming rate as are antisemitic and racist incidents. HERC’s mission is to educate today’s generation about the dangers of bigotry, hatred and intolerance.

In 1994, the Florida Legislature passed the Holocaust Education Bill which requires that all school districts incorporate lessons on the Holocaust as part of public-school instruction.  The Florida Department of Education created a Task Force on Holocaust Education to help identify effective instructional strategies for integrating the Holocaust into K-12 classrooms.    It was left to each of the 67 school districts to decide how to implement this mandate and funding was not specifically appropriated for this purpose.

HERC was established with a mission to provide learning opportunities for teachers and the community, directly responding to the needs identified following the passage of the Florida Holocaust Education Bill.

Over the past year, HERC has provided free training to 150 teachers, across 7 school districts, serving an estimated 11,250 students.

Over the past 5 years, HERC has provided free training to 500 teachers, across 3 school districts, serving an estimated 37,500 students.

Since our inception in 2006, HERC has provided free training to 750 teachers, across 3 schools districts, serving 56,000 students.

Over the past year, HERC has provided free trips to the Florida Holocaust Museum in St. Petersburg to 200 students across 5 high schools in Leon and Gadsden county.

Over the past 5 years, HERC has provided free trips to the Florida Holocaust Museum in St. Petersburg to 1,000 students across 2 schools.

Over the past year, HERC has distributed over 2,000 books to 7 school districts across the Big Bend.

Over the past 5 years, HERC has distributed over 7000 books to 5 school districts across the Big Bend.

How can I contribute 

• Make an online gift. It’s safe, easy, and secure.  Click Here
• Mail a check to The Holocaust Education Resource Council,
  PO Box 16282, Tallahassee, FL 32317
• Make a tribute gift in honor or in memory of a loved one.
• Leave a Legacy by including The Holocaust Education Resource Council in your will or estate plans.

Why teach about the Holocaust

Demonstrates the fragility of all societies and of the institutions that are supposed to protect the security and rights of all. It shows how these institutions can be turned against a segment of society. This emphasizes the need for all, especially those in leadership positions, to reinforce humanistic values that protect and preserve free and just societies.

Demonstrates the dangers of prejudice, discrimination and dehumanization, be it the antisemitism that fueled the Holocaust or other forms of racism and intolerance.

Deepens reflection about contemporary issues that affect societies around the world, such as the power of extremist ideologies, propaganda, the abuse of official power, and group-targeted hate and violence.

Teaches about human possibilities in extreme and desperate situations, by considering the actions of perpetrators and victims as well as other people who, due to various motivations, may tolerate, ignore or act against hatred and violence. This can develop an awareness not only of how hate and violence take hold but also of the power of resistance, resilience and solidarity in local, national, and global contexts.