The Cohen Center for Holocaust Studies is dedicated to using the humanities to promote an understanding of, and an active reflection upon, the lessons of the Holocaust. It has evolved into an integral part of the College and its humanities programming. Charged by its mission “to remember . . . and to teach,” the Cohen Center accepts a moral legacy from the victims of Nazi Germany both to preserve the historical record of the Holocaust and to enlighten future generations to the terrible costs of prejudice and hatred. In supporting the study of the Holocaust, students are challenged to address the problems of human responsibility and accountability.

The Cohen Center for Holocaust Studies was established in January 1983 by Dr. Charles Hildebrandt, who taught sociology for many years at Keene State, had an interest in racial, ethnic, and religious diversity. His vision was a simple one - make available the lessons of the Holocaust in the hope that such an atrocity will never happen again, to Jews or any other group of people. Now under the direction of Dr. C. Paul Vincent, the Cohen Center for Holocaust Studies holds firm to its mission “to remember…and to teach.”

Keene State College is now in a strong position to expand its educational outreach activities in Holocaust Studies to secondary schools in New Hampshire and southern Vermont. We recently created the position of Educational Outreach Coordinator; we are in the process of implementing an interdisciplinary Holocaust Studies minor to be offered in the fall of 2002; and, in 2003 we will celebrate the completion of a new facility for the Cohen Center (approximately 2,000 square feet, centrally located on the main floor of the College library). All of these milestones will give Holocaust Studies greater prominence.

There are a variety of ways for you to make a gift to the Cohen Center for Holocaust Studies. In addition to providing a tax deduction, your charitable gift can yield many rewards. There is the satisfaction of supporting an important cause, the excitement of seeing your gift lead to positive change, and - in many cases - tangible financial benefits to you and/or another beneficiary.

The Center for Holocaust Studies is currently seeking contributions for five specific areas:

• the purchase of books and other materials essential to maintaining the CCHS as a quality resource for research into, and education on, the Holocaust;
• the Memorial Lecture Series Endowment to bring noted Holocaust scholars to campus;
• the Hildebrandt Award Endowment to recognize those students who share Dr. Hildebrandt’s passion and vision;
• the Holocaust Studies Endowment to provide permanent resources for the CCHS, staff positions, and special programming;
• the Educational Outreach program, to provide resources, teacher training, public presentations and educational activities.

To download a Donor Form, please click here.

For more information about the Cohen Center for Holocaust Studies please click here.