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Cohen Center, interior

Cohen Center for Holocaust and Genocide Studies

40 Years of Action

Greetings from the Cohen Center, where we are celebrating a major milestone: our 40th anniversary. In 1983, the Center began as a collection of books and resources brought together by our founder, Dr. Charles Hildebrandt, who coined the mission “to remember…and to teach.” Since that time, we have continued to expand our work and offer transformative programs for the purpose of building a better world.

We have a special slate of events and offerings during the 2023-2024 academic year that have been designed to lift up the Center’s importance and impact in its 40th year. We invite you to join us for our three major events this year – the Holocaust Memorial Lecture featuring Dara Horn, our Kristallnacht series featuring Sue Hampel, and the Genocide Awareness Lecture featuring Loung Ung. These events are all free and open to the public, but tickets are limited and must be reserved in advance. Please see our online calendar (below) or register to receive our monthly e-newsletter to learn more.

For those of you who are interested in making a financial gift to support the Center’s work and mission, we encourage you to consider becoming a sponsor for our 40th anniversary. You can learn more about sponsorship opportunities and benefits by visiting our sponsorship giving page. Thank you for your support and belief in the importance of our work.

Holocaust Museum, Photo Gallery
2024 Genocide Awareness Lecture Featured Speaker Loung Ung

2024 Genocide Awareness Lecture featuring Loung Ung

The Cohen Center will be featuring Loung Ung -- an author, human rights activist, and survivor of the Cambodian genocide -- for our Genocide Awareness Lecture on Wednesday, April 3, 2024 at 5:30pm. Her lecture is titled "Ordinary Citizens, Extraordinary Leaders: Creating Change Through Activism and Volunteerism" and it will be delivered both in person and via livestream. Additional information about the lecture is available in the event’s calendar listing.

Reserve your ticket today! Our ticketing system opened on February 28 and free tickets are available on a first come first served basis. Registration for in-person seating will close on March 27 (or sooner if seating fills up). Sign up to attend the in-person lecture or register to watch via livestream by visiting this page.

Note: We will also be hosting a reception and book signing with Loung Ung earlier in the day on 4/3, which is free and open to all.

Register

To Remember…and to Teach

The Cohen Center serves as a research and resource center for the teaching of the Holocaust and genocide through Keene State College’s academic programs. The center also provides materials for educators at the elementary, middle school, and high school levels.

Looking for classroom presentations or lesson plans? The center provides educator support through lesson plans, workshops, summer institutes, and more. Browse our educator pages for a full array of resources.

In addition to academic programs, the center's on-campus student support includes trips to the US Holocaust Memorial Museum, an honor society, and a Holocaust and Genocide Awareness Club.

The best way to stay informed about the Center's offerings and news is to sign up for our monthly e-newsletter. Our e-newsletter comes out once a month, usually on the first business day. If you are signed up but not receiving our mailings, please check your spam or junk folder. You can also explore, and subscribe to, our YouTube channel.

Meeting and studying with others interested and invested in this work is more than a way to get support as an educator, but an opportunity to affirm life and hope in a confused and wounded world. Thank you!”

–Cohen Center Fellow

Collections and Videos

The Cohen Center is home to one-of-a-kind artifacts, personal histories, and media resources. These resources are available for review and study by Keene State Students and the general public.

Collections & Videos

Awards and Recognition

The Cohen Center for Holocaust and Genocide Studies recognizes contributions to its mission through two named awards.

Awards and Recognition

About the Cohen Center

The Cohen Center for Holocaust and Genocide Studies advances the public liberal arts mission of Keene State College through Holocaust and genocide education, inspiring students and other citizens to take responsibility for promoting human dignity and civic responsibility while confronting the escalating violence that leads to atrocity and genocide.

About the Cohen Center
Author, human-rights activist, and survivor of the Cambodian genocide, Loung Ung
March 14, 2024 – Author, human-rights activist, and survivor of the Cambodian genocide, Loung Ung

Author, human-rights activist, and survivor of the Cambodian genocide, Loung Ung is the featured speaker for Keene State College’s...

Above, from left, President Melinda Treadwell, Dr. Kate DeConinck, Suzanne Hampel, and Dr. James Beeby
February 28, 2024 –

During the 2023-2024 academic year, the Cohen Center for Holocaust and Genocide Studies (Cohen Center) at Keene State College is marking a major milestone: its 40th anniversary. In 1983, the...

Three students pose in front of a blue background at a symposium
October 30, 2023 –

There is a lot that is distinctive about a liberal arts education, and for Keene State students, the freedom to explore, to choose their adventures, to build the foundation of...

Contact the Cohen Center

Cohen Center for Holocaust and Genocide Studies
Keene State College

229 Main Street

Keene, NH 03435-3201
☎ 603-358-2490