Americans and the Holocaust traveling exhibition coming to Grossmont College Library
El Cajon, California — The Grossmont College Library is one of 50 U.S. libraries newly selected to host Americans and the Holocaust, a traveling exhibition from the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum and the American Library Association (ALA) that examines the motives, pressures and fears that shaped Americans’ responses to Nazism, war and genocide in Europe during the 1930s and 1940s.
Following a highly successful tour to 50 libraries from 2021 to 2023, the touring library exhibition— based on the special exhibition of the same name at the Museum in Washington, D.C. — will travel to an additional 50 U.S. libraries from 2024 to 2026, covering wide distances from Hawaii and Alaska to Texas and New Hampshire.
“We’re honored to bring Americans and the Holocaust to Grossmont College so that our students and our San Diego East County community can experience this powerful exhibit,” said Grossmont College Interim President Dr. Pamela Luster. “Grossmont College encourages members of our community to visit our campus and engage with this moment in history that is still deeply relevant today.”
Americans and the Holocaust will be on display at the Grossmont College Library, along with a series of related special events, from April 14-May 21, 2026.
The 1,100-square-foot exhibition examines various aspects of American society: the government, the military, refugee aid organizations, the media and the general public.
Drawing on a remarkable collection of primary sources from the 1930s and ’40s, the exhibition tells the stories of Americans who acted in response to Nazism, challenging the commonly held assumptions that Americans knew little and did nothing about the Nazi persecution and murder of Jews as the Holocaust unfolded. It provides a portrait of American society that shows how the Depression, isolationism, xenophobia, racism and antisemitism shaped responses to Nazism and the Holocaust.
In addition to the traveling exhibition on loan, the Grossmont College Library received a $3,000 cash grant to support public programs. The grant also covered one library staff member’s attendance at an orientation workshop at the Museum.
In conjunction with the exhibition, the Grossmont College Library will host a series of free public programs and events designed to expand the exhibition’s themes. The schedule includes a presentation by Lou Pechi, one of San Diego’s remarkable Holocaust survivors. Plus, lectures by historians and scholars, author talks, poetry readings, survivor testimony, film screenings, and performances.
For more information about Americans and the Holocaust and related programming at the Grossmont College Library, visit https://libguides.grossmont.edu/AATH. To learn more about the exhibition, visit ushmm.org/americans-ala.
Americans and the Holocaust: A Traveling Exhibition for Libraries is an educational initiative of the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum and the American Library Association. The traveling exhibition began by touring to 50 U.S. libraries from 2021 to 2023; due to widespread interest from libraries and communities around the country, a second tour was developed for 2024 to 2026.
Americans and the Holocaust was made possible by the generous support of lead sponsor Jeannie & Jonathan Lavine. Additional major funding was provided by the Bildners — Joan & Allen, Elisa Spungen & Rob, Nancy & Jim; and Jane and Daniel Och. The Museum's exhibitions are also supported by the Lester Robbins and Sheila Johnson Robbins Traveling and Special Exhibitions Fund, established in 1990.
Additional programming support was made possible, in part, by Butterfly Project, Combat Antisemitism Now, Foundation for Grossmont & Cuyamaca Colleges, Gafcon, Grossmont College, Jewish Community Foundation, Legacy of Light, Yehudi Gaffen.
The Grossmont College Library also extends its sincere appreciation to the advisory committee for their guidance and support, including committee chair Ammar Campa Najjar, Yehudi Gaffen, Dr. Franklin Gaylis, Eli Landau, David Ogul, Darren Schwartz, and Erica Whinston.
About Grossmont College and the Grossmont College Library
Grossmont College is the leading provider of higher education in San Diego’s East County. Since 1961, Grossmont College has served the region and offers more than 150 degree and certificate programs, including allied health, nursing, culinary arts, administration of justice, science, fine and performing arts, and drone technology, that attract students from across the county.
The Grossmont College Library supports student learning, teaching, and research through access to diverse collections, instructional services, and welcoming study spaces.
About the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum
A nonpartisan, federal educational institution, the United States Holocaust Memorial
Museum is America’s national memorial to the victims of the Holocaust dedicated to ensuring the permanence of Holocaust memory, understanding and relevance. Through the power of Holocaust history, the Museum challenges leaders and individuals worldwide to think critically about their role in society and to confront antisemitism and other forms of hate, prevent genocide, and promote human dignity. For more information, visit ushmm.org.
About the American Library Association
The American Library Association (ALA) is the foremost national organization providing resources to inspire library and information professionals to transform their communities through essential programs and services. For more than 140 years, the ALA has been the trusted voice for academic, public, school, government and special libraries, advocating for the profession and the library’s role in enhancing learning and ensuring access to information for all. For more information, visit ala.org.
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