To the Friends of the Virginia Holocaust Museum
At this time of year—when we pause to reflect on what we’ve built together and what still calls us forward—I am reminded of Rabbi Tarfon’s timeless wisdom:
“It is not your responsibility to finish the work, but neither are you free to desist from it.”
The work of remembrance… of education… of standing up against antisemitism and hatred… remains as urgent as ever. And because of your steadfast support, the Virginia Holocaust Museum has continued to meet this moment with courage, clarity, and purpose.
December 8th was meant to be a celebration of all we accomplished in 2025. Yet, as Virginia’s weather reminded us—with snowfall worthy of January rather than early December—gathering safely simply wasn’t possible.
But our gratitude—and our progress—are far too important to go unshared.
As we close out this year, please allow me to offer a heartfelt look back at what your generosity made possible, and a glimpse of the remarkable year ahead.
The Weinstein Matching Endowment Campaign: Securing Our Future
As we approach the Museum’s 30th anniversary in 2027, we are reminded daily that our mission must endure long after us. This year, Carole and Marcus Weinstein stepped forward with extraordinary vision, launching the largest endowment campaign in our history.
Every contribution—large or small—will be matched dollar for dollar, up to one million dollars. A gift to this campaign is truly a gift to the future: safeguarding our exhibits, our archives, and our programs for generations who will need the lessons of the Holocaust more than ever.
We offer our deepest thanks to Carole and Marcus for their leadership, generosity, and unwavering faith in the Museum’s work.
A Capital Campaign That Transformed the Museum
With your remarkable support, we completed the 25th Anniversary Capital Campaign—more than $3 million invested directly into the visitor experience and the heart of our mission.
Because of you, we now have:
- A warm, welcoming new entrance and lobby
- An expanded Shop and Bookstore
- The Henrí Maizels Butterfly Garden
- The Alan & Halina Zimm Theater of Remembrance, home to our Dimensions in Testimony holograms
In just its first year, more than 3,000 visitors—students, families, community members—have interacted with our holographic survivor testimonies. These encounters are powerful. They are emotional. And they are unforgettable.
We extend our sincere gratitude to Katelynn Adams, Director of Public and Student Programs, for shepherding this landmark project.
The expanded Shop and Bookstore have also flourished, and in 2026 we will launch our online shop—another way to extend the Museum’s reach and mission far beyond our walls.
And of course, we thank our Capital Campaign Chair, Joe Brodecki, whose leadership and dedication helped turn a bold vision into a lasting legacy.
Education, Exhibits & Archives: Carrying Memory Forward
This year, our Collections and Archives team restored and strengthened two of our most important permanent exhibits—Hyde Farmlands and Camps & Ghettos—and began work on new installations on Kristallnacht and Dachau. They also responded to 456 research requests, saw the online archives used nearly 22,000 times, and watched as Survivor Oral Histories reached more than 68,000 viewers worldwide.
Each one of those views is a moment of learning—and an act of remembrance.
Our profound thanks to Timothy Hensley, Director of Collections, for ensuring that the stories entrusted to us continue to be preserved with dignity and precision.
This was also a banner year for education. The Alexander Lebenstein Teacher Education Institute welcomed nearly 70 educators from across Virginia and North Carolina—teachers who will carry these lessons to many students.
We are deeply grateful to Megan Ferenczy, Director of Education, whose passion and care for teachers and students alike continue to elevate the Museum’s impact across the region.
Strategic Planning & a Clearer Path Forward
This year, guided by Stephanie Ford of Warren Whitney, we completed a comprehensive Strategic Plan that will shape our next decade of growth.
Our revised Mission and Vision statements, below, reflect not only who we are, but who we aspire to be.
Mission: The Virginia Holocaust Museum preserves the history of the Holocaust and honors its victims, survivors, and upstanders through innovative exhibits, educational programming, and community outreach.
Vision: We strive for a world without antisemitism and prejudice and genocide, inspired by the history and memory of the Holocaust and the enduring story of the Jewish people.
Our four Strategic Pillars will guide how we welcome visitors, strengthen our outreach, secure financial sustainability, and ensure the Museum’s leadership remains strong and prepared for the future. The Strategic Pillars include:
1. Museum Visitor Experience. We will create an evolving visitor experience that supports a deep understanding of life and culture during the Holocaust, highlights the Jewish experience, and encourages visitors to take away lessons form the Holocaust.
2. Community Outreach. We will leverage partnerships, expand marketing efforts, and implement dynamic [programs and events to attract more visitors and elevate the museum as a destination for visitors locally and regionally.
3. Succession Planning & Governance. We will ensure continued leadership strength at the management and board levels.
4. Financial Sustainability. We will ensure that the VHM has the resources to continue to fulfill its mission.
A special thanks goes to Laurie Crouch, Director of Marketing, whose beautifully crafted Impact Report captures the heart, humanity, and measurable success of this past year. It is included above for you to review. To access it, click on this link.
A Final Word of Gratitude—and a Call to Help Us Finish the Year Strong
As we close out 2025, I want to say—simply and sincerely—thank you.
Your dedication is felt in every program we deliver, every teacher we train, every artifact we preserve, and every child who walks through our doors asking questions that matter.
If you are able, I hope you will consider making a year-end gift—$50, $100, $250, $500, or whatever feels meaningful. Your support keeps our bus scholarship program alive, brings Dimensions in Testimony to thousands of visitors, sustains the Butterfly Project, and ensures that the lessons of the Holocaust remain urgently present.
Together, we are building a future grounded in truth, memory, and hope.
We look forward to welcoming you back to the Museum in 2026.
Until then, may the close of this year bring you peace, warmth, and gratitude.
With heartfelt appreciation,
Samuel H. Asher
President and Executive Director
Virginia Holocaust Museum
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