The St. Louis Kaplan Feldman Holocaust Museum is committed to preserving the stories and experiences that shape St. Louis Jewish history and memory.

We are seeking donations of objects, photographs, documents, artwork, correspondence, and personal testimonies that reflect the St. Louis community’s experiences surrounding the terrorist attack by Hamas against Israel on October 7, 2023, and its aftermath.

We are looking for:

• Photographs, letters, journals, or emails

• Event flyers, posters, or memorial materials

• Signs, banners, or items from vigils and community gatherings

• Artwork, poems, or other creative responses

• Written or recorded reflections about your experiences

• Materials documenting changes in Jewish life, community, education, or public engagement following October 7

Every story is unique. Whether you were directly affected, supported loved ones, participated in community responses, or experienced the impact in another way, your perspective is an important part of the historical record.

Donated materials will be evaluated by the Museum’s collections staff in accordance with our collections policies. Not every item can be accepted into the permanent collection, but every submission helps us better understand this moment in history.

Items we cannot accept:

Due to resource and space limitations, we cannot accept every offer of donation to the Collection. The following list provides guidance for materials that fall outside the scope of collection for the St. Louis Kaplan Feldman Holocaust Museum, but it is not an exhaustive list. We retain discretion to accept or refuse any offer of donation.

• Materials without a connection to the St. Louis community,
• Duplicates of materials already in our holdings, or copies of materials held in other archival repositories,
• Newspapers and other published materials, which are available by other means,
• Items that are too large to be accommodated in the facility,
• Items in such condition the Museum lacks the resources to properly preserve them or that threaten the stability of other collection items,
• Items that pose a threat to the safety or security of the staff, Collections, or the building.

How to donate:

On October 7, 2026, you may bring your items to St. Louis Kaplan Feldman Holocaust Museum between 10am and 3pm to speak with a representative of our Collections staff about a potential donation. If you would like to speak with someone about your donation prior to October 7, email our Director of Archives and Collections, Amy Moorman, at [email protected].

Also on October 7, there will be the opportunity at the museum to record a short video reflection for possible inclusion in the Collection that answers questions about your thoughts and experiences.

If you are unable to participate on October 7, please fill out our Donation Request form and a staff member will be in touch to set up a separate appointment to discuss your donation.

Materials and recordings accepted into the Collection will be available to all museum visitors for research and educational purposes. Acceptance of material by the Museum does not imply nor guarantee use in current or future exhibitions.