Northern Arizona University’s Martin-Springer Institute educates people about the Holocaust with a focus on today’s world. Now the institute will receive a planned gift endowment to support its efforts.
The gifts totaling $1.5 million dollars come from Mitchell Raff, an author with relatives who survived the Holocaust. He says the pledges honor survivors and victims of the genocide of European Jews during World War II.
They also recognized his aunt and uncle, who were related to the founders of the institute.
Raff says history that is not heeded repeats itself.
“That's playing out to some degree with Ukraine, Russia, what's happening in Gaza and also other parts of the world. We repeat ourselves. We, for whatever reason, humanity does not learn from their mistakes,” he said.
Raff says that with educating new generations about the Holocaust, he hopes that people learn to be more tolerant and understanding.
Institute director Björn Krondofer explained how the funds will be used.
“One, it will guarantee that we will be stronger in the future and we can do more programming. About $1 million is just for general programming that we do. And the other half million is specifically for Holocaust education,” he said.
