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April 21, 2006
A change in direction
Brunch will honor retiring VHEC director.
VERONIKA STEWART
After 10 years of service, one of the guiding forces behind the
Vancouver Holocaust Education Centre (VHEC) is bidding the centre
adieu.
Dr. Roberta Kremer, executive director of the VHEC since 1996, said
she is proud of her accomplishments.
"I think that hopefully we have increased the responsibility
that people feel towards both commemoration and memory," Kremer
said in an interview with the Independent, "and that people
in the community feel a stronger sense of their own obligation to
remember the victims of the Holocaust."
She also said she hopes Holocaust survivors themselves feel that
they have a place to connect with their past.
"I hope that we have provided a home for the survivors, a place
where they feel welcome and a place that they feel connected,"
Kremer said. "I think we've come a long way in the last 10
years to developing a lot more programs for survivors, and looking
at the needs of survivors."
Kremer said she is most proud that the exhibits developed in the
Vancouver centre are shared with other Holocaust museums.
"Our exhibits go out all over North America, the United States,
England and Canada," Kremer said. "I'm quite proud of
that, because it's something that I initiated."
She said in her time there, the centre has established a good reputation
among the community of Holocaust centres.
"I think we've had a lot of innovative programs. We haven't
followed, we've been more interested in leading and being innovative
and breaking ground," Kremer said.
"Even though we're a small centre, we have a very stellar reputation
among the Holocaust centre community. People know of our work and
I think we've had a much increased profile over the past 10 years."
Kremer said she chose to leave to give the centre a chance for some
new leadership.
"I wanted to see the centre through its 10th anniversary year,"
Kremer said. "But I think that sometimes in order to renew
an organization, there needs to be a break with the past. I never
intended to stay this long and 10 years seems to be about the right
amount of time."
Although she's leaving, Kremer said her experience at the centre
has left a lasting impression.
"It has left an indelible mark. You can't help but be affected
by it, because it's such a powerful topic," Kremer said. "It's
not easy, but you develop ways of coping with that. It's a difficult
topic to be in over time."
Kremer said that, after leaving the centre, she plans to continue
to work on museum exhibits on contract and to continue to train
people to work in museums.
Kremer has taught museum studies in the history and anthropology
departments of the University of British Columbia since 2001. She
has her PhD in curriculum studies and education from UBC, with a
special focus on museum studies and multicultural education. She
also has an MA in art education from the University of Minnesota
and a bachelor of fine arts degree from the University of Wisconsin.
She has developed and co-developed nine exhibits for the VHEC, two
of which are currently being shown in Holocaust centres nationwide.
Kremer will be succeeded by Frieda Miller, the centre's current
education co-ordinator. Kremer will act as director until April
30.
To honor Kremer's accomplishments, the Vancouver Holocaust Centre
Society for Education and Remembrance are throwing her a tribute
brunch at the Richmond Country Club. The event will take place on
Sunday, April 30, at 11 a.m. Tickets are $20. To RSVP before April
24, or for more information, call the VHEC at 604-264-0499.
Veronika Stewart is a Vancouver freelance writer.
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