Americans and the Holocaust, a traveling exhibition that examines Americans’ responses to Nazism, war, and genocide in Europe during the 1930s and 1940s, is coming to WCPL this summer: June 20-July 24, 2026.
What did Americans know, and what more could have been done? The exhibition – from the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum and the American Library Association – also presents stories of individual Americans, some of whom took actions that went against the grain at the time, daring to rescue Jews from Europe.
For more details on the traveling exhibit, visit ushmm.org/americans-ala.
Free educational events at WCPL will accompany the exhibit this summer.
Event Information
Holocaust Survivor Irene Miller
Experience the poignant and powerful story of survival as Holocaust survivor Irene Miller shares her harrowing journey and resilience against unimaginable adversity.
Tuesday, June 23, 2026, from 6:00pm–7:00pm at Warsaw Performing Arts Center.
Sponsored by: Fort Wayne Jewish Federation and The Warsaw Performing Arts Center
The U.S. and the Holocaust: A film by Ken Burns, Lynn Novick & Sarah Botstein
The U.S. and the Holocaust, a documentary by Ken Burns, Lynn Novick, and Sarah Botstein, explores the rise of Hitler and Nazism in Germany within the broader context of global antisemitism, racism, immigration, and eugenics in the United States, as well as race laws in the American South. This three-part, six-hour series will be shown in its entirety.
Showtimes are as follows: Thursday, June 25th 10:30am-4:30pm, Thursday, July 9th, 10:30am-4:30pm, and Thursday July 23rd, 10:30am-4:30pm in Meeting Room A/B
Hollywood and the Holocaust w/ Prof. Steve Carr
What did Hollywood know and do about growing Nazi anti-Semitism and the Holocaust as America and the rest of the world waited to respond? Dr. Steven Carr traces the complex relationship entangling American movie studios with Nazi anti-Semitism and the Holocaust throughout the 1930s and 1940s.
Tuesday, June 30th, from 6:00-7:00pm in Meeting Room A/B
Sponsored by: Lake City Bank
Vital Passage Documentary
“Vital Passage” is a documentary film produced by FiveCore Media, the video production company of Goshen College’s Communication Department. It tells the story of David and Sidney Plaut, a Goshen family who sponsored and relocated 28 Jewish refugees from Germany during World War II. The film reveals a previously unknown part of Goshen’s history, highlighting the Plauts’ courage and sacrifice in helping others escape the Holocaust.
Showtimes are as follows: Monday, July 6th 3:30pm-4:30pm, 4:30pm-5:30pm, 5:30pm-6:30pm, and 6:30pm-7:30pm in Meeting Room A/B
Sponsored by: Five Core Media and Goshen College
Ordinary Heroes of WWII w/ Dr. Walter Rinderle
Dr. Walter Rinderle will thoughtfully examine the profound, quiet courage of those who resisted oppression during a dark chapter in history. He will highlight the remarkable stories of ordinary individuals who bravely risked their lives to save Jews from the Nazis, reminding us of the power of compassion and humanity in the face of great adversity.
Tuesday, July 7th, from 6:00pm-7:00pm in Meeting Room A/B
Sponsored by: WCPL
“Night” Community Book Read w/ Jen Hicks
A discussion on the book “Night” by Elie Wiesel, a memoir recounting the author’s experiences as a young Jewish boy during the Holocaust. The memoir explores themes of faith, family, identity, and the dangers of indifference and silence in the face of evil.
Tuesday, July 14th 6:00pm-8:00pm in Meeting Room C
Sponsored by: Friends of the Library
The Story of Bruno Glade: A German-Jewish Refugee from Hitler’s Germany w/ Shirley Glade
Shirley Glade recounts the story of her father-in-law, Bruno Glade. Bruno was one of the 937 Jewish passengers on the doomed refugee ship the St. Louis, bound for Cuba in 1939. Glade shares his story through photos, letters, documents, and trip-related correspondence that Bruno kept.
Monday, July 20th 6:00pm-7:00pm in Meeting Room A/B
Sponsored by: Rotary Club of Warsaw
“Voices from the Holocaust” Readers Theatre
Join us for an unforgettable evening filled with evocative poetry performances and compelling retellings that delve deep into the stories of the Holocaust. Experience the power of words as they bring history to life, honoring the resilience and courage of those who lived through unimaginable challenges.
Tuesday, July 21st 6:00pm-7:00pm in Meeting Room A/B