Timely reminder of antisemitism as education centre reopened
News
Even the standing room was shoulder to shoulder at the official launch of the redeveloped Andrew Steiner Education Centre in the Adelaide Holocaust Museum.
Even the standing room was shoulder to shoulder at the official launch of the redeveloped Andrew Steiner Education Centre in the Adelaide Holocaust Museum.
The Centre, situated in the Adelaide Archdiocese’s Fennescey House on Wakefield St, is the first part of the museum building to reopen following 18 months of extensive upgrades that has expanded the museum’s education and exhibition space. It features purpose-built galleries for upcoming exhibits on Jewish culture and life, the Holocaust and antisemitism.
The Federal Government has provided $2.5 million to support the project and the launch was attended by the Governor of South Australia, Frances Adamson AC, Archbishop Patrick O’Regan and several State Government ministers and politicians.
Opening speaker, SA Education Minister Blair Boyer, talked about a 10-year-old girl killed in the December massacre at Bondi last year and how, after some initial avoidance, he had introduced antisemitism to his daughter, who is the same age as the murdered girl and has the same name, Matilda. It was difficult but essential to do so, he said.
Front and centre of the evening was 92-year-old Holocaust survivor and renowned sculptor Andrew Steiner OAM.
The room was silent as Mr Steiner addressed his audience. He is a small and elderly man with a strong native Hungarian accent still and everyone strained to hear his every word.
He began by talking about how, as a child in1944, he had stood with his hands raised watching others (Jews) being executed.
Australia has been his home since 1948.
“I never thought the day would come in wonderful homogenous, multicultural Australia,” he said of recent rise in antisemitism.
“Unfortunately this is the reality now and more and more people are susceptible, just accepting evil slogans not really knowing what they are about,” he said.
Andrew Steiner
Only a tiny minority of people are evil and that challenge can be overcome, Mr Steiner added.
“Be critical thinkers and treat everyone as you would like to be treated,” he urged the audience.
“Education is key to preventing hatred. The new education centre is purpose-built as a backdrop for educating about the Holocaust and having conversations with young people about how their individual choices can contribute to a fairer, more compassionate world. The museum is a beacon of light in interfaith collaboration.”
Federal MP for Adelaide Steve Georganas said the education centre provides an invaluable venue for Australia’s Jewish community to share their history and stories.
“I encourage schools to book an education session to learn about the enduring lessons of the Holocaust, ethics and positive citizenship,” he said.
The museum offers education programs about the Holocaust, antisemitism and moral and ethical issues. Since opening in 2020, about 3000 students have visited the museum annually. The first of three new permanent exhibitions at the museum, The Shoah, is scheduled to open to the public later this year.
