Holocaust Educational Foundation To Begin Search For New Director

EVANSTON, Ill. --- After successfully transitioning from an independent organization to an integral part of Northwestern University, the Holocaust Educational Foundation of Northwestern University will begin a search for a new director.

Benjamin Frommer, associate professor of history, will step down as the inaugural director of the Holocaust Educational Foundation effective Aug. 31, 2016, to return to research and teaching. Northwestern will soon begin a national search for a new, full-time director who will oversee current initiatives offered by the foundation and create new opportunities for academic study of the Holocaust. 

“Ben’s promotion of the foundation’s mission of supporting teaching and research about the Holocaust at institutions of higher education throughout the world has been invaluable, as has his leadership in the transition of bringing the institution into the University,” Provost Daniel Linzer said.

The foundation became part of Northwestern in 2013. Since that time, the foundation has held the 13th biennial Lessons and Legacies of the Holocaust Conference, two Summer Institutes on the Holocaust and Jewish Civilization, five public lectures in the field of Holocaust Studies, and the administration of competitive research, conference travel and teaching grants to scholars.

“These initiatives built upon the significant work that Theodore Zev Weiss, the organization’s founder, accomplished, and will help guide the future of the foundation,” Linzer said.

Northwestern continues the foundation’s efforts to support academic research and provide resources for college- and university-level educators who teach or want to begin offering courses about the Holocaust in a range of fields.