History of Alabama Holocaust Education Center

The Alabama Holocaust Education Center (AHEC) first organized in 2002 as the Birmingham Holocaust Education Committee (BHEC), an all-volunteer sub-committee of the Alabama Holocaust Commission (AHC). The initial organizers included community volunteers, educators, and survivors who recognized the need for more Holocaust education in our community. The organization functioned primarily through outreach, and development was driven by the passion and dedication of its volunteers along with tremendous community support. After a brief period using meeting space in the LJCC, Bayer Properties generously provided a home for the organization early in its formation.

2011

In 2011, the organization changed its name to the Birmingham Holocaust Education “Center” (BHEC) to better reflect an identity unique from the AHC, and by 2014, the organization filed for its own 501c3 status and hired its first full-time, paid employee.

2022

In 2022, the Birmingham Holocaust Education Center (BHEC) changed its name to the “Alabama” Holocaust Education Center (AHEC) to better reflect it’s commitment to providing educational outreach throughout the state of Alabama. A capital campaign was initiated that enabled AHEC to raise $4 million to build a permanent location at 2100 Highland Avenue, Suite 101. 

Our New Center

In this newly created 8300 sq. foot center, through innovative storytelling, interactive experiences, and genuine artifacts, visitors will witness the strength and courage of the human spirit set against the backdrop of one of the darkest chapters in human history.

The entry exhibit space showcases images of the prosperous and comfortable lives families enjoyed before in pre-World War II in Europe.

The main exhibit, Darkness into Life, a gallery of art and photography, offers a special glimpse into the private Shoah (Holocaust) memoirs of 20 Alabama Holocaust survivors, revealing stories of childhoods past, lost family and friends, despair and sadness, cruelty beyond belief, bravery, the joys of liberation, and new lives in Alabama.

Never Forget their Stories

Through bold and thought-provoking images accompanied by educational narratives, one gains a richer understanding of the history of the Holocaust and its impact on these individuals and their families.

We study the lessons of the Holocaust to explore their relevance to our society for today and for the future.

Out efforts result in a more humane, gentle, and compassionate society valuing every person as being of infinate worth, so prescous that we know such atrocities will never happen again.

 

Needed Now More Than Ever

AHEC’s mission has never been more critical than it is today. One need only read a local newspaper or watch the news to know that acts of violence, fueled by hatred and prejudice, are on the rise, both around the globe and in our community. The thought that the Holocaust is a myth is growing.  

We study the Holocaust to:

  • Examine basic moral issues
  • Showcase the fragility and importance of a democracy
  • Target prejudice at the root from stereotypes to systems
  • Identify danger signs so we know when to take action
  • Reflect on the dangers of silence
  • Promote a diverse society
  • Foster empathy for minority groups
  • Create genocide and human rights awareness
  • Show the role we all play in building a just and fair society
  • Center our shared humanity
  • Never forget
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