ANDREW Steiner believes it is important to remember history's darkest days in order to pave the way for a better future.
The Holocaust survivor is the driving force behind the new Adelaide Holocaust Museum and Andrew Steiner Education Centre.
The museum, in the historic Fennescey House on Wakefield Street, officially opened on November 9 to coincide with the infamous Night of Broken Glass, or Kristallnacht, which took place on November 9 and 10, 1938.
The Nazis in Germany torched synagogues, vandalised Jewish homes, schools and businesses, and killed close to 100 Jews during that horrific night.
A split second
Andrew personally experienced many horrors as a child growing up in Budapest during World War II.
He was just six when the war began and 11 when it finished, living in constant fear as people around him were killed and once-friendly neighbours turned hostile.
"I spent some time in hiding and we had very many close encounters," he said. "Sometimes a split second made a difference between death and survival.
The yellow star
"We had to wear a yellow star and were confined to a yellow star house. We are very resilient people and luck was on our side."
He lost many friends and 12 family members through the Holocaust.
"In the household across the street, 14 people were murdered. They were lined up outside their house and gunned down.
"People could do whatever they wanted to us. Friends and neighbours became haters and wanted to have us killed."
The museum
The museum features artifacts, personal objects, photographs and personal stories.
The Anne Frank Gallery houses a permanent, self-guided exhibition which poses a series of questions to stimulate critical thinking and promote understanding.
The stories of six Adelaide survivors, reflecting the resilience of the human spirit, are told in the Lefmann Gallery.
The Jack and Robert Smorgon Families Foundation Gallery serves as the museum's education centre, which will host school and public access programs.
The power of art
The smaller Franz Kempf Memorial Gallery features artworks by the late artist it is named for from The Holocaust series.
Kempf donated the entire series and the museum is proud to be custodian of the works.
"Part of the emphasis on art and its massive importance in educating," Andrew said.
Four of Andrew's sculptures are also featured.
History lessons
Andrew hopes the museum will emphasise the need to be kind and compassionate in an age of increasing tension and division.
"Essentially, all of us are more similar than different. If we all followed the golden rule of treating everyone the way we wish to be treated, it would be a much better world."
The museum is open Tuesday to Thursday 10am-4pm and Sunday 11am-3pm.
Entry is free, but visitors are encouraged to consider a donation and make bookings in advance.
For more information call (08) 7089-5237 or click here.
