Horne Pledges Millions to Empower Hilton Family Holocaust Education Center

By Daniel Stefanski |

Arizona’s initiative to enhance Holocaust education received a significant boost this week. State Superintendent of Public Instruction, Tom Horne, presented a $7 million check to the Arizona Jewish Historical Society aimed at establishing the Hilton Family Holocaust Education Center.

The proposed center will focus on educating visitors about the Holocaust and other crimes against humanity. Its mission emphasizes sharing survivor stories, artifacts, and community outreach to inspire individuals from diverse backgrounds to combat hatred and bigotry.

Horne articulated the urgency behind this initiative, highlighting recent alarming increases in antisemitism. He referenced targeted violence against the Jewish community, misguided protests at college campuses, and the spread of antisemitic literature in Arizona classrooms. Horne stressed the importance of education as a tool for combating these issues, stating, “Developing the Hilton Family Holocaust Education Center is a needed step toward bridging understanding between people of all ethnicities and belief systems.”

Accompanying Horne during the check presentation were State Representatives Alma Hernandez and David Marshall, underscoring the bipartisan support for the project. The funding was made possible through legislation sponsored by Hernandez and Marshall aimed at benefiting the Center.

The creation of the facility is notably significant, given that Phoenix is the largest U.S. city without a Holocaust museum or education center. Rising incidents of antisemitism and hate crimes over recent years have underscored the necessity for such a resource. The Center aims to address these pressing issues, emphasizing that the oppression of one group threatens the freedoms of all.

Daniel Stefanski is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.