About Us

The Holocaust Awareness Museum and Education Center (HAMEC) was established in 1961 in Northeast Philadelphia. The founder, Yaakov Riz, was a Holocaust survivor who lost 83 family members in the concentration camps. HAMEC's educational and community outreach is ecumenical and comprises a population that ranges from elementary school students to older adults. HAMEC, since its inception, has educated hundreds of thousands of students and adults through in person testimony by Holocaust survivors, artifact exhibits, and cultural events. Corporate diversity training, also professional development for teachers and practicum experiences for graduate students are offered. HAMEC's programs emphasize the message that racial, ethnic, and religious hatred are social poisons that weaken American democracy.