The Center for Holocaust, Human Rights and Genocide Education (Chhange) has unveiled a permanent exhibit, “Journeys Beyond Genocide: The Human Experience.”
This new exhibit, housed at Chhange on the campus of Brookdale Community College, Lincroft, presents the 1915-17 Armenian Genocide, the World War II era Holocaust and the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda, Africa.
The exhibit challenges people of all ages, ethnicities and religions to preserve human rights in today’s world, according to a press release.
Chhange is a nonprofit organization that educates, inspires and empowers individuals to stand up to injustice, according to the press release. Through its “Journeys Beyond Genocide” exhibit, Chhange focuses on genocide survivors, not perpetrators. The exhibit shares the human stories behind each genocide, using testimony and archival items from survivors who now live in New Jersey.
Dale Daniels, the executive director of Chhange, said, “ ‘Journeys Beyond Genocide’ is unequaled in New Jersey. In fact, we believe ours is the only exhibit that explores the universal themes of the Armenian Genocide, the Holocaust and the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda, together, in one public exhibit.
“We must not allow violence to erase the victims of genocide, their culture, or their communities,” Daniels said. “The resilience of survivors empowers us to face injustice today and help prevent genocide from reoccurring. ‘Journeys Beyond Genocide’ demonstrates that people really can make a positive impact in the face of hate and bias.”
As part of the exhibit, visitors can use interactive touch-screen technology to delve into the experiences of people who have survived human trafficking, according to the press release.
To experience “Journeys Beyond Genocide,” people are encouraged to become members of Chhange. Memberships start at $35 for an individual and $60 for a family.
Chhange was established in 1979. The mission of Chhange is to educate about the Holocaust, human rights and genocide, promote the elimination of all forms of prejudice, and develop creative programs regarding these crucial human issues, according to the press release.
For more information, visit www.chhange.org or call 732-224-1889.