New hub for humanity and tolerance opens at TU
Sandra R. Berman Center for Humanity, Tolerance and Holocaust Education officially opens with dedication, ribbon cutting, educational program
By JAMIE ABELL AND CASEY BORDICK on March 28, 2024
On March 28, Towson University officially opened a new space in the College of Liberal Arts (CLA): the Sandra R. Berman Center for Humanity, Tolerance and Holocaust Education (Berman Center). Founding director Hana Bor was excited to launch this new space with TU President Mark Ginsberg and colleagues from around the TU community in attendance.
"I am so proud to see the center officially open—the only Holocaust education center in Maryland,” says Bor, who held the Peggy Meyerhoff Pearlstone Professorship previously that helped develop Holocaust studies at TU. “It will help educate people of all ages, ethnicities and backgrounds about the importance of learning the history and the lessons of the Holocaust and about the danger and destructive powers of racism, antisemitism, hate and bigotry.”
The deliberate, symbolic artwork adorning its walls only scratches the surface of the history and education the Berman Center will provide to the TU community. According to Gov. Wes Moore, who could not attend but shared a message for attendees, “We must ensure that we stay united, work in partnership and treat each other with humanity and compassion— that is what the Sandra R. Berman Center stands for. It is a message and a mindset that we all must hold close in the days, weeks and years to come.”
The Berman Center will serve as a principal ambassador and liaison to the community and other organizations, providing quality resources and programming related to Holocaust education and overall humanity and tolerance.
Following the ribbon cutting, Bor hosted an event titled, Using Humanity, Tolerance and Holocaust Education in Response to Hatred: Then and Now. Special guests discussed the importance of keeping memories alive, why Holocaust education is important now and the correlation between AI and antisemitism.
“It is our calling to instill a commitment to lifelong learning,” says Ginsberg. “I am confident that the education provided by the Berman Center will be the source of continued learning for our entire university community.”
This is only the beginning of the rich educational programming the Berman Center will provide to students, faculty, staff and the community. In fact, CLA launched a new program that will use the Berman Center frequently: the Holocaust education graduate certificate program. It will provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the Holocaust, its history and current relevance to society. The Berman Center will also support additional educational programming through the Jewish studies, education and leadership master's degree program and the Baltimore Hebrew Institute (BHI).
“The Berman Center will help prepare our students to become leaders for the public good,” says CLA Dean Chris Chulos. “Through events and programming, they will receive more education on civil and human rights, helping them grow their leadership skills and expand their knowledge on humanity and tolerance.”
Previously serving as the reading room in CLA, the Berman Center offers students and faculty a calm place to study, research and collaborate. It is on the fourth floor of the CLA building, open Monday–Friday throughout the day.
“I want this to be a safe place where students can come and have open thoughts and dialogue,” says Bor. “Any major, any interest, any academic focus—the Berman Center is for everyone.”