HMH Bearing Witness - November 2016

L IBRARY HAPPENINGS

The Boniuk Library Reaches Out to Local Students In September, HMH Librarian Maria Harris visited Houston-area colleges and universities to share information about resources and research help available from The Boniuk Library. Students learned about the unique titles in the library’s 10,000-item collection and received information about the museum’s Oral History Collection. The Boniuk Library has seen an increase in visitors since these presentations and Ms. Harris is planning to expand the outreach program in the coming academic year. The Boniuk Library houses more than 9,500 volumes and includes a reference section, a rare books collection, juvenile literature and an audio-visual collection.

Let ’s Be Friends!

“Suite Française” by Irène Némirovsky Boniuk Library Book Club TUESDAY, NOV. 15, 2016 6:30 P.M. TO 8 P.M. CONFERENCE ROOM Holocaust Museum Houston librarian Maria Harris leads a discussion of “Suite Française” by Irène Némirovsky. A story of life in France under the Nazi occupation, “Suite Française” includes two parts- “Storm in June,” set amid the chaotic 1940 exodus from Paris, and “Dolce,” set in a German-occupied village rife with resentment, resistance, and collaboration. Registration for this free event is limited to 12 participants and may be offered on a second date. If registration is full, contact Maria Harris at (713) 527-1610 or mharris@hmh.org to add your name to the interest list.

Let’s Be Friends! Storytime SATURDAY, DEC. 3, 2016 10 A.M. TO 12 P.M. AVROHM I. WISENBERG

“A Thousand Hills to Heaven: Love, Hope, and a Restaurant in Rwanda” by Josh Ruxin Boniuk Library Book Club TUESDAY, DEC. 13, 2016 6:30 P.M. TO 8 P.M. CONFERENCE ROOM Holocaust Museum Houston librarian Maria Harris leads a discussion of “A Thousand Hills to Heaven: Love, Hope, and a Restaurant in Rwanda” by Josh Ruxin. Newlyweds Josh and Alissa were at a party when they received a challenge that shook them to the core: do you think you can really make a difference in a place like Rwanda, where the scars of genocide linger and poverty is rampant? While Josh worked hard bringing food and health care to the country’s rural villages, Alissa was determined to put their foodie expertise to work. A memoir of love, adventure, and family, “A Thousand Hills to Heaven” provides a remarkable view of how, through health, jobs, and economic growth, our foreign aid programs can be quickly remodeled and work to end poverty worldwide. Registration for this free event is limited to 12 participants, but it may be offered on a second date. If registration is full, contact Maria Harris at (713) 527-1610 or mharris@hmh.org to add your name to the interest list.

MULTI-PURPOSE LEARNING CENTER Grandparents, grandchildren, parents and children are invited to enjoy a fun story time and writing workshop hosted by the Friends of The Boniuk Library. “Let’s Be Friends!” will feature two picture book read-alouds about friendship, followed by crafts, snacks and writing workshops presented by Writers in the Schools (WITS). Writers in the Schools (WITS) weaves together art and education in libraries, museums, parks, hospitals, and community centers, bringing the joy of stories to children throughout Houston. For more information about WITS, visit http://witshouston.org/. This event is free and open to the public. Space is limited. Please register in advance for “Let’s Be Friends!” at www.hmh.org/ registerevent.aspx. For more information please contact Maria Harris, Librarian, at library@hmh.org or (713) 942-8000, x.110. The Friends of the Library was created to connect Holocaust Museum Houston members and the Houston community with The Boniuk Library’s collection and resources. All funds raised by Friends of the Library help HMH build the collection, increase visibility and expand public access to the collection.

Ship in a Bottle Saturday Teaches Kids about Danish Rescue Boats

Mary Esther Gonzalez who brought history to life with her kid- friendly description of Danish rescue boats and the 7,200 Danish Jews who were saved during the Holocaust. Ms. Gonzalez closed her presentation by reading aloud a portion of Lois Lowry’s classic children’s book “Number the Stars.” The morning concluded with an art project created by the Houston Maritime Museum. With a passion for learning, The Friends of The Boniuk Library provide educational and entertaining events that regularly bring children and families to Holocaust Museum Houston. On Saturday, December 3, the Friends will collaborate with Writers in the Schools (WITS) to present “Let’s Be Friends!,” a story time and writing workshop for young children. Please visit www.hmh.org for details about other upcoming Friends of The Boniuk Library programs at Holocaust Museum Houston.

On Saturday, September 24, Friends of The Boniuk Library welcomed families and children for a unique event exploring an age old question – How do you get a ship into a bottle? The Friends partnered with the Houston Maritime Museum to create “Ship in a Bottle Saturday,” a day of education and fun. Internationally recognized miniaturist Burton Reckles kicked off the day with a talk and demonstration guiding the children through the process of building ships in bottles. A dynamic speaker, Burton held his audience spellbound as he shared the secrets of the unique art form. Burton also offered several examples of his work for children to handle and examine, including a model of Holocaust Museum Houston’s very own Danish fishing boat, the Hanne Frank. After his demonstration, Mr. Reckles lead the children outside to see the real Hanne Frank. The group was joined by HMH docent

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