Weiland named chairman of The Center for Holocaust and Humanity Education at HUC-JIR/Cincinnati

The Center for Holocaust and Humanity Education of Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion named a new executive committee, chaired by Dick Weiland, president of Richard Consulting Corporation, during its annual meeting on June 3, 2002.

In addition to appointing its new slate of officers, the board discussed fundraising and programming goals, which include raising $1 million dollars by the end of 2002 toward a $5 million endowment fund for The Center, and the installation of Mapping Our Tears, an interactive exhibition about Holocaust survivors, refugees, and liberators in the greater Cincinnati area. The Cinergy Foundation began the campaign with a $100,000 challenge grant. The Richard and Marcia Weiland Charitable Trust made one of the first donations to the endowment fund to ensure the continuity of the new Center.

“This is an extremely important cause,” explains Weiland. “I am honored by this appointment and look forward to working with the board and the director, Racelle Weiman, to achieve our ambitious goals. We provide—and must continue to provide—meaningful and unique Holocaust education programming throughout the community and region.”

Weiland, who is a vice-chair of the Board of Overseers of HUC-JIR, is known for his service to philanthropies across the Jewish and general communities. He is chair of the Jewish National Fund Advisory Board and Diversity Day for the Cincinnati Reds, and is co-chair of the Mental Health Levy Steering Committee. Weiland succeeds Joe Hale, president of the Cinergy Foundation, who completed his two-year chairmanship in June. Hale will remain on The Center’s executive committee as a committed advocate of The Center’s public outreach and impact.

Mary Hemmer, managing partner of Hemmer Communities, Sam Knobler, president, Midlife Development Group Inc., and John Neyer, director of marketing, Al Neyer Inc., were named vice-chairs; Lily Kurtz was named secretary; and Marc Randolph, an attorney with Ritter & Randolph was named treasurer. Members of The Combined Generations of the Holocaust of Greater Cincinnati and active community leaders from the Tri-state area make up the balance of the 40-member board that meets four times a year.

“Our board includes a dynamic mixture of dedicated people,” commented Weiman after the meeting. “They represent all aspects of the Ohio and Kentucky region and care deeply about the need to teach and learn about the Holocaust, reaching out to all.”

The Center for Holocaust and Humanity Education is an education and community resource center established by The Combined Generations of the Holocaust of Greater Cincinnati and Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion. The Center offers workshops, professional training seminars, and graduate courses. Teaching Holocaust Studies from academic and theological perspectives, The Center promotes tolerance and social justice in a broad range of civic and cultural concerns. For more information, contact The Center for Holocaust and Humanity Education by phone (513) 221-1875, ext. 355 or email: CHHE@huc.edu.