Halina Zimm Returns to the Dimensions in Testimony℠ Theater
This February, the Virginia Holocaust Museum is honored to once again feature Halina Zimm in our Dimensions in Testimony℠ Theater, where her interactive biography will be highlighted throughout the month.
For those who may be unfamiliar, Dimensions in Testimony℠ is an innovative project created by the USC Shoah Foundation that allows visitors to engage in interactive “conversations” with pre-recorded, life-size video testimonies of Holocaust survivors and other witnesses to genocide. Visitors ask questions and receive responses drawn directly from survivors’ own recorded words—creating a powerful and deeply personal encounter with history.
The theater is open seven days a week, with showings on the hour beginning at 11a.m. The final showing begins at 3 p.m. Visitors should allow 30–45 minutes for the experience. Seating is limited and available by reservation only; reservations may be made at the Museum’s front desk upon arrival.
At the Virginia Holocaust Museum, Dimensions in Testimony℠ features four Holocaust survivors and one U.S. Liberator, offering visitors the opportunity to explore topics such as life before the war, hiding, concentration camp experiences, liberation, rebuilding after the war, forgiveness, family, and resilience.
Free Public Educational Webinar
The Igbo Jews of West Africa: History, Culture, and the Living Path to Judaism
Sunday, February 16
6:30–7:30 p.m.
Free Webinar | Open to the Public
The Virginia Holocaust Museum, in partnership with the Black Judaic Heritage Center, invites the community to a free, one-hour educational webinar exploring the rich and often overlooked history of Judaism in Africa.
Dr. Ma’asehyahu Isra-Ul will offer an engaging introduction to the Igbo Jews of West Africa, beginning with a broader historical overview of Jewish presence across the African continent. His presentation will highlight ancient trade routes, early diasporas, and enduring African Jewish communities that predate colonial contact—providing essential context for understanding Jewish life in West Africa.
The program will then focus on the Igbo Israelites of southeastern Nigeria, examining their historical narratives, communal structures, and distinctive cultural expressions of Jewish identity. Special attention will be given to Omenana, the Igbo ancestral ethical and legal tradition, and its resonance with biblical law. Through selected video excerpts, participants will hear directly from Igbo Jews, experiencing lived practice, oral history, and contemporary expressions of identity.
Registration link: Click HERE
Questions: Please contact Megan Ferenczy at mferenczy@vaholocaust.org
Kristallnacht Exhibit Update
In February, we also hope to continue work on the Museum’s Kristallnacht exhibit. Many in our community may recall that the previous exhibit sustained water damage, and the restoration process has taken longer than originally anticipated.
Exhibit renewal involves many careful steps—including historical research, preliminary and final design, fabrication, and installation. We are encouraged by the progress being made and look forward to reopening this important exhibit and welcoming visitors back to experience it in the near future.
Save the Date: Yom HaShoah 2026
Sunday, April 19 | 2 p.m.
More details to follow
The Virginia Holocaust Museum is deeply grateful that Miriam Malnik-Ezagui has graciously agreed to join us this year as our guest speaker.
Miriam is a third-generation descendant of Holocaust survivors and a powerful voice for remembrance and education. Through her storytelling, she regularly shares her grandparents’ experiences during the Holocaust—including a deeply moving segment about Auschwitz—helping bring survivor history to life for new generations.
Miriam will speak for approximately 15–20 minutes, followed by a moderated Q&A with the audience. With more than 1 million followers on Facebook, 1.4 million on Instagram, and over 2 million on TikTok, she represents an important bridge between survivor testimony and younger audiences seeking to learn, remember, and engage.
We are honored to welcome Miriam to Richmond this April and look forward to sharing more details about this meaningful community program soon.