Sandra Bornstein Holocaust Education Center

It is with great sadness to share the news that our beloved Ruth Oppenheim passed away.

Ruth was truly one of a kind. She was deeply committed to ensuring that the history she lived through would never be forgotten, and she believed strongly in the power and importance of education. She made such an impact, that a short graphic novel was written about her life, by the LIFT teens at our Center.

Ruth was also an accomplished scholar. In 2016, she published her memoir, Beyond Survival: The Story of My Life. She took many classes at Brown University, and worked there for more than 21 years. In recognition of her lifelong dedication to learning and sharing her story, she later received an honorary doctorate from Brown - an honor Wendy was fortunate to witness.

She shared her family’s story of surviving Kristallnacht with thousands of Rhode Islanders, always speaking with strength, dignity, and grace. Those of us lucky enough to hear Ruth speak, will never forget her story.

We will miss her terribly, and we will continue to tell her story at the Center for years to come.

For nearly 80 years, Holocaust survivors have shared their stories so the world will never forget. Today, survivors and second-generation speakers continue this powerful work—ensuring these histories are heard by new generations of students.

Through our Speakers Bureau, these voices reach classrooms and communities across New England, transforming history into lessons about empathy, responsibility, and standing up to hate.

This March 31st, we’re participating in . The Sandra Bornstein Holocaust Education Center is raising funds to support this program and help keep these stories alive for future generations.

Every story shared ensures the memory—and the lessons—continue.

Please consider making a gift and helping us bring these voices to more students and communities. Our work can only continue with the support of our community.

💙Support our mission by donating on March 31st through the link in our bio or at 401gives.org.

✨ Meet the team behind the work✨

At the Sandra Bornstein Holocaust Education Center, our staff is committed to preserving survivor stories, educating future generations, and standing up against hate in all forms through education and advocacy.
Together, we carry this mission forward every day.

Advocacy

On International Women’s Day, we celebrate the women who share their stories and the women educators, advocates, and leaders who carry this work forward every day.

At the Sandra Bornstein Holocaust Education Center, we are proud to stand alongside women whose voices educate, inspire, and ensure that history is never forgotten. 💜

🎭✨ Celebrating Purim together! Today we honor a story of courage, resilience, and community. Wishing everyone a joyful and meaningful Purim.

As we close out Black History Month, we reflect with gratitude, humility, and purpose.

At the Sandra Bornstein Holocaust Education Center, we believe remembrance is not passive, it is active. Honoring Black history means recognizing resilience in the face of oppression, amplifying voices that were silenced, and acknowledging the enduring fight for dignity and justice.

The lessons of Holocaust call on us to confront hatred in all its forms. Black history reminds us that injustice anywhere threatens justice everywhere and that change is possible when individuals choose courage over silence.

This month, and every month, we commit to education, to truth, and to standing in solidarity against antisemitism, racism, and all forms of hate.

May remembrance lead to responsibility. May history inspire action.

This year, Game Night is proudly supporting LIFT (Leadership Institute for Teens)!🎲✨

LIFT empowers high school students to learn about the Holocaust, other genocides, and social justice, building the skills to stand up against hate, inspire others, and promote human dignity—all through leadership workshops, teamwork, and safe, meaningful discussions.

When you attend Game Night, you’re not just playing—you’re investing in the next generation of leaders!💙

We hope to see you there!💫

Join us this month as we celebrate Black History. Each week on our story, we’ll share a meaningful moments in history highlighted by our Director of Education, Dr. Laura Auketayeva!

Thank you Mayor Smiley for you beautiful words and remembering the 6 million.

Today, we remember the six million Jews and millions of others murdered in the Holocaust.

We honor the victims, listen to the survivors, and recommit to standing against antisemitism, hate and violence in all its forms.

The State House is lit yellow today for International Holocaust Remembrance Day—a powerful reminder of memory, reflection, and responsibility. If you’re passing by or looking out your window, pause and take it in. 💛

We are grateful for the support of our Representatives, like Representative Mia Ackerman!

So we Never Ever forget!