The Butterfly Project is a global initiative honoring the 1.5 million children who perished in the Holocaust through art and education.

To date, the Museum has received requests for more than 9,000 butterflies—most painted by students in their classrooms and returned to us.

Throughout the year, we also host Butterfly Project workshops on-site. At one recent workshop, an 11-year-old girl, hesitant to visit the Museum due to fear, was encouraged by her grandmother Miriam Davidow to attend.

What she wrote afterward deeply moved our staff: “I faced my biggest fear recently when I went to the Holocaust Museum. I had always been scared of going here, so I went with my grandmother. I was scared, but she told me I would be fine.

"As a Jew with family who has passed and survived the Holocaust, I wasn’t so sure—but I did it anyway. And I couldn't be happier that I went. Because when I got to see my culture, it felt like I could understand it more.

Lila paints a butterfly along with her mother as grandparents, Miriam and Dan Davidow look on.

"Being Jewish is the most important thing in my life. When people ask me about my culture, it makes me light up inside to explain all the hardships Jews have gone through. That’s the best feeling I have ever felt.

"This year, when my mom came into my classroom to teach about Hanukkah, it was amazing to see how much she cares about being Jewish.

Walking out of that Museum with a new understanding of the Holocaust—and a necklace with a scroll in it—was the best feeling ever. Seeing my great-grandma’s name, and part of mine, on the survivors’ wall was powerful. I’m named after her. I had to say thank you, because I wouldn’t be here without her.

"So, take it from me—puberty isn’t the only way you change. Face your fears and go find your Holocaust Museum.”

— Lila S., age 11, Richmond, Virginia, great-granddaughter of Ruth B. Rubel (of blessed memory), proudly representing the fourth generation of Holocaust Survivors