Age Group:
Adults- Registration is required for this event.
- Registration will open on December 23, 2025 @ 9:00am.
Program Description
Event Details
Learn about the Holocaust Museum and Cohen Education Center in Naples, Florida. This is a two-part program.
The first presentation, presented by Erin Blankenship, "About the Holocaust Museum and the Importance of Holocaust Education" provides an overview of the museum and education center. Erin is an award-winning curator and the President & CEO of the Holocaust Museum & Cohen Education Center of Naples, Florida. She has worked in Holocaust memory and Holocaust education for more than 23 years, beginning as Assistant Curator/Registrar at The Florida Holocaust Museum in 2001. Erin became their Curator of Exhibitions and Collections and later their Deputy Director before serving as Interim Executive Director for almost two years.
The second presentation, "Holocaust Survivor Stories" will feature Sol Awend. Sol was born in the Feldafing DP Camp in Southern Germany. He grew up in St. Louis, Missouri, before moving to Minneapolis, Minnesota, to open a business named American Drapery Systems. He is currently a member of GenShoah and has been involved with various Holocaust related programs around the country. His parents, Berek and Dina, both survived the Holocaust in Poland. Berek survived in Auschwitz while Dina survived numerous concentration camps like Ravensbrück and Burgau. In addition, Sol’s stepfather, Jozef, survived the Lodz Ghetto and Auschwitz.
Time for questions and answers is provided.
Disclaimer(s)
Accessibility
Special services like sign language interpretation and assistive listening can be provided at events to patrons upon request. Please give at least up to five business days notice to library staff in order to schedule services at events. Call 239-479-4636 or stop by the reference desk at your local library.
Photography During Programs
While attending library programs, visitors may be photographed by library staff. Photographs become library property and may be used in library promotions. Individuals who do not want to be photographed or recorded are responsible for removing themselves from the area or notifying the photographer of their opt-out status.