Halina Wind Preston Holocaust Education Committee
an affiliate of the Jewish Federation of Delaware
Our History
In May 1978 two Holocaust Survivors, Dorothy Finger and Halina Wind Preston, had a vision. Both, Polish Jews who survived the Nazi Holocaust, met in Wilmington, Delaware, and became lifelong friends. Their vision arose from their gratitude for having survived the horrors of the Holocaust, for the opportunity to raise their families in freedom, and to honor those whose voices were silenced forever during the Nazi slaughter of Europe's Jewish population. Dorothy and Halina were passionate about creating a group comprised of other local Holocaust survivors who were willing to share their experiences during the Holocaust. Their mission was to educate current and future generations about the true causes and events of the Holocaust, with the hope that future acts of genocide might be prevented. In 1982, upon Preston's death, the Halina Wind Preston Holocaust Education Committee was named in her memory. The Committee has evolved into an interfaith volunteer group comprised of Holocaust survivors and their families, Holocaust scholars, teachers, clergy, community advocates, and community leaders.
Halina Wind Preston and Dorothy Finger
Holocaust Education
On July 23, 2020, the Honorable Governor of Delaware, John Carney, signed House Bill 318 into law requiring Holocaust and genocide education be taught to all Delaware students in grades 6-12.
Dr. Arnold D. Kerr
Holocaust Education Grant
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Dr. Arnold D. Kerr was born on March 9, 1928, in Suwalki, Poland. The only member of his family to survive the Holocaust, Dr. Kerr went on to become a renowned Professor of Civil Engineering at the University of Delaware. Grant requests are funded through the Arnold D. Kerr Holocaust Education Endowment Fund, created to honor his memory in 2008 by his beloved wife, Berta and two children, Regina Kerr Alonzo and Orin S. Kerr.
Grant requests should focus on creative student projects designed to promote the spirit of human resilience, heroism, the consequences of hatred, and indifference. Grant projects should be designed to hearten diversity and enhance understanding of what circumstances permitted the Holocaust to occur.
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Teachers who teach grades 6-12, local law enforcement, nonprofit and faith-based organizations are invited to apply. There are no deadlines for submitting grant applications. Applications will be accepted anytime. Applicants will be notified in writing regarding award decisions within two weeks after the application is received. Grants may be extended for a period of two years.
Dr. Arnold D. Kerr
Dr. Kerr (left) with his mother and brother David. Dr. Kerr was the only member of his family to survive the Holocaust.
His mother, father and three brothers perished.
Members of the community attend the annual Yom Ha'Shoah (Holocaust Remembrance Day) observance at the Holocaust Memorial Sculpture, created by artist Elbert Weinberg and dedicated in Freedom Plaza, Wilmington, Delaware, on December 2, 1979