As I entered the front yard of the Tucson Jewish Museum & Holocaust Center, the side wall had information about the “Butterfly Project”. This is one of seven memorial installations located in the Tucson area. The memorials are to remind us of history and the horror of the Holocaust, to act responsibly now and to create peace in the future which requires human dignity for all. Are we doing the work we should be to reach that goal?

Inside the museum, there is a very informative video about the history of Arizona, before it was even a state or the United States here. It was about the arrival of Jewish immigrants in southern Arizona, specifically Nogales and Bisbee areas. Across the room there are various items on exhibit. On another wall, I found a 15 minute audio most interesting. It was about the antisemitism that existed when Jews, Black people and Native Americans were met with hostility. I think a continued promotion of human dignity is work still needing to be done today.

The next building is connected by what the architect wanted it to look like a railroad car. Once you enter the Holocaust Center, a door is pulled shut so you can sense the size where many, many people were shoved into a railroad car and kept for days. Often that was the beginning of no respect for another human being, when and where so many humans died and some had survived.

The Holocaust Center has the names and photos of about 260 Holocaust survivors who later lived in southern Arizona. If I recall correctly, 14 people/survivors are still alive today. I had lived with an Auschwitz survivor when in New York State and visited 4 concentration camps when I toured Europe various years. Each camp clearly displayed the horrific history as does the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington, D.C. Talking with the woman about her experiences in Auschwitz and seeing the camps and learning more history about all that happened will never leave my brain.

Are we promoting human dignity for all? Unfortunately no. Unjust occurrences continue against various populations of people in the world! Another exhibit in the center is in regard to the injustice occurring now in Ukraine. This is part of their rotating exhibit area.

The museum and Holocaust center is housed in this historic synagogue first built in 1910 when Arizona was just a territory. I heard about the Tucson Jewish Museum & Holocaust Center from watching an Arizona Illustrated PBS program; appreciated stopping in despite the reminder of such atrocities. I can only hope humanity can do better. Are we each taking responsibility to do our part to promote human dignity? I hope we are since it really is about living the Golden Rule: “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you”. That’s the right effort!