B’nai B’rith International is troubled by recommended cuts to South Carolina’s Holocaust education program.  

“Holocaust education teaches valuable lessons about the past that can be applied to the future,” B’nai B’rith International President Dennis W. Glick said. “It is necessary to educate our youth about the atrocities of the Holocaust to ensure such evil is never repeated.”

The $31,000 program cost goes to vitally important Holocaust programming implemented through the volunteer group, South Carolina Council on the Holocaust. The funding cuts recommended by state Superintendant of Education Mick Zais would put field trips to Holocaust exhibits, hosting speakers, providing Holocaust exhibits for the public and teacher workshops in jeopardy. B’nai B’rith lauds state lawmakers who oppose these cuts and supports their commitment to preserving funding for the program.

“With an increasing number of attempts to deny and trivialize the Holocaust in the world today, Holocaust education cuts remove important lessons and experiences from the curriculum,” B’nai B’rith International Executive Vice President Daniel S. Mariaschin said. “The programming enriches students’ understanding of the horrors faced by Holocaust victims, and increases the impact of the lessons promoting tolerance and fighting bigotry of all kinds.”

B’nai B’rith urges Zais to reconsider his recommended cuts, and retain this essential Holocaust education program.