Traveling Holocaust Exhibit Confronts Rising Antisemitism Across the U.S.
A replica of a Nazi-era cattle car is touring the United States as a traveling exhibit aimed at educating the public about the Holocaust and challenging contemporary antisemitism and hate, reaching over 32,000 people in the past year.
The exhibit, a centerpiece of the program Hate Ends Now, created and led by Kansas City native Todd Cohn, features an immersive 21-minute, 360-degree presentation with testimonies from Holocaust survivors. It has been displayed at prominent locations including Times Square, the White House, Harvard University, and dozens of high schools, as well as hosted by three NBA teams: the Miami Heat, San Antonio Spurs, and Philadelphia 76ers. Cohn explained that a key component of the presentation is a challenge to viewers: “Now that you know what you know, what are you going to do to make the world a better place?”
The program specifically targets graduating high school seniors, anticipating their potential exposure to anti-Israel sentiment on university campuses. Cohn estimates that approximately 10,000 of those who have experienced the exhibit are entering higher education. The rise in antisemitism on college campuses has become a growing concern for Jewish students and advocacy groups, as reported by the Anti-Defamation League. Cohn’s inspiration stems from his family’s deep roots in the Kansas City Jewish community and a desire to move beyond simply selling products, stating, “I had this moment of clarity where I decided that I didn’t want my legacy in the world to be the number of barrels of oil that I was selling.”
Following the October 7th attacks on Israel and the subsequent surge in antisemitism, Cohn revised a long-held project to create the traveling exhibit. He hopes to expand the program, potentially building a second replica cattle car, and will continue touring the Northeast before wintering in Florida. “The Holocaust didn’t start with cattle cars,” Cohn emphasized. “It started with everyday people that didn’t have the strength and moral clarity and education to stand up to hate.”
The exhibit is scheduled to continue its tour throughout the coming months, with plans to reach even more communities and individuals.
