What images come to mind when you think of the Holocaust? Most likely, you recall those that are disturbing and uncomfortable and represent some of the darkest moments of history.  

 It is understandable that such sorrowful images may influence your expectations of the Sala and Aron Samueli Holocaust Memorial Library. In fact, some visitors are fully prepared to leave the space depressed or struck “with nightmares,” as a visiting middle schooler once suggested. However, those who push away previously held assumptions and boldly step inside are often surprised by what they find.  

portraits of survivors

Lining the library’s entrance hall are photos of Holocaust survivors surrounded by their families. As you catch each survivor’s eyes, some smiling, some backed by quiet introspection, the gentle sound of water trickles from a memorial fountain — a fountain that depicts a child’s hands holding a small sapling. Even before entering through the library’s doors, visitors are invited to share in a sense of loss, yes, but also feel the pervading presence of hope. 

The Sala and Aron Samueli Holocaust Memorial Library was, from the beginning, conceptualized as a warm, welcoming space where past and present meet in a moment of remembrance and reflection. Our thematic, narrative-centered displays feature artifacts that connect individual stories to the larger events of the Holocaust.  

A worn briefcase points to the little-known story of a Jewish rescuer who brought crucial ration cards to children hidden in the rural Dutch countryside. A photo of a small child dressed in her very best outfit reminds visitors that each of the 1.5 million Jewish children murdered in the Holocaust was a unique individual. These tangible remnants of the past are brought to the present alongside survivor stories, making history real and personal in a way that numbers alone can’t do.  

To make sure the past is neither forgotten nor repeated, we must continue to share stories and open ourselves to new, daunting experiences. So, whether you wish to learn more or simply find a peaceful study space, join us on the Leatherby Libraries fourth floor and leave your anxiety about what you might see at the door. All are welcome here.

The Sala and Aron Samueli Holocaust Memorial Library is open Monday – Friday, 9am – 5pm. 
Walk-ins welcome.
To schedule a group tour, email RodgersCenter@chapman.edu