Contact:
Amy Lutz
913-426-5700
ALutz@STLHolocaustMuseum.org
St. Louis Kaplan Feldman Holocaust Museum Unveils Inaugural Lutz Humanitarian Award
Annual Award Honors Modern Heroes, Amplifies Museum’s Mission
[St. Louis, August 15, 2023] – Today, the St. Louis Kaplan Feldman Holocaust Museum introduced the inaugural Lutz Humanitarian Award, an annual tribute named in honor of the late Holocaust rescuer and former St. Louisan, Carl Lutz. The program is set to take place on November 2, coinciding with the Museum’s first anniversary since reopening. The award event’s proceeds will support the Museum’s educational initiatives, fortifying its unwavering commitment to reject hatred, promote understanding, and inspire change.
Posthumously awarded to Carl Lutz for his extraordinary efforts in saving lives during the Holocaust, the 2023 Lutz Humanitarian Award commemorates his heroic work. Lutz, a Swiss diplomat stationed in Budapest during World War II, orchestrated a sweeping rescue mission that furnished tens of thousands of Jews with life-saving documentation. A familiar face in the St. Louis community for almost a decade prior to the war, Lutz embodied the spirit of this award, which will be given annually beginning in 2024.
Greg Yawitz, Museum Board Vice Chair and Award Co-chair, emphasized, “The remarkable legacy of Carl Lutz stands as a guiding light for all of us committed to the fight against injustice. It serves as an important reminder that our actions, big or small, have the potential to sow the seeds of change. As we celebrate Lutz’s legacy through the Lutz Humanitarian Award, we hope to empower our community to cultivate a world dedicated to empathy, justice, and understanding.”
Since November 2022, the Museum has engaged with thousands, including over 12,000 students from the state and beyond. The Lutz Humanitarian Award serves as a cornerstone initiative, bolstering the Museum’s tireless work in imparting the Holocaust’s profound historical significance and lessons to the generations ahead, underscoring the pledge of “Never Again.”
Chrissy Laycob, Award Co-chair, stated, “Holocaust education is not just essential; it’s paramount. It’s through the lens of the Holocaust that we witness the repercussions of human choices. The Museum’s role is to empower all visitors with this transformative history. Introducing the Lutz Humanitarian Award aligns with this sacred mission.”
Tickets for the November 2 event will be available soon. Prospective award sponsors are encouraged to connect with Becky Donovan at BDonovan@STLHolocaustMuseum.org or 314-442-3726.
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About the St. Louis Kaplan Feldman Holocaust Museum: The St. Louis Kaplan Feldman Holocaust Museum is dedicated to using the history and lessons of the Holocaust to reject hatred, promote understanding, and inspire change. The Museum is open Wednesday-Monday, 10 am to 4:30 pm. Tickets, memberships, and group tour reservations are currently available. The St. Louis Kaplan Feldman Holocaust Museum is a proud partner of the Jewish Federation of St. Louis. The Federation founded the Museum in 1995 and nurtured and maintained it for 25 years. Learn more at www.StlHolocaustMuseum.org.