The Holocaust Memorial and Tolerance Center of Nassau County (HMTC) is marking its 31st anniversary with initiatives that blend history, education, and technology to combat hate.
Since its founding, the museum has educated more than half a million people on Long Island, and today it reaches over 30,000 students annually with lessons about the Holocaust and tolerance. Its programs aim to provide historical context while equipping students and the public with tools to confront prejudice and antisemitism in daily life.
Central to that mission is hmTv, the museum’s growing media platform that brings survivor testimony, expert discussions, and youth voices to a worldwide audience. The program recently celebrated its 250th podcast, highlighting HMTC’s use of modern media to share timeless lessons.
“Both of my parents were Holocaust survivors,” said Dr. Bernie Furshpan, HMTC vice chairman and executive producer of hmTv. “What drives me is making sure kids see humanity differently and understand their responsibility to stand against hate.”
Furshpan and his team have built hmTv into more than a studio—it is a bridge between generations, preserving survivors’ voices while empowering new leaders to challenge intolerance and apply lessons of empathy and moral courage in their communities.
As the Center looks to the future, it has launched a Flash Membership Drive in honor of its anniversary. Membership provides access to permanent and special exhibits and funds adult education programs for law enforcement, educators, and nurses. These initiatives give community members tools to recognize and confront prejudice.
The museum also offers group tours, classes, and collaborative programs designed to deepen understanding through storytelling and reflection. In an era of rising antisemitism and polarization, HMTC sees its work as more urgent than ever—a reminder that silence is not an option and that education remains a shield against hate. Visit them at hmtcli.org.