Museum of Tolerance

Open since 1993, the Museum of Tolerance serves as a human rights and education center that is dedicated to providing a fully encompassing experience in which visitors can learn about the Holocaust from a historic and contemporary context. The museum offers an interactive look at hate tolerance, and fosters self exploration of one's own biases. Over 250,000 people visit the museum annually, including 130,000 students.

This museum of hope and tolerance offers several permanent and changing exhibits. The Holocaust exhibit leads visitors back in time from 1920-1945 with a sound and light guided presentation allowing the visitor to witness the events in a Nazi-dominated Europe during the World War II. To make this experience more realistic, each visitor receives a photo passport card with the story of a child whose life was affected by the events of the Holocaust. At the end of the tour the ultimate fate of that child is revealed.

Then, in the Tolerancenter, visitors focus on the major issues of intolerance that are a part of our daily lives. On display is a recreation of a 1950’s diner serving a menu of controversial topics. Visitors have the opportunity to ad their own opinions on what they see and ask questions. Then, the results are tabulated and shared with other groups. Also in the Tolerancenter is a 16 screen video wall that details the struggle for civil rights in the United States with documented footage and interviews from civil rights leaders of that time, including Martin Luther King Jr.

Another exciting exhibit at the museum is called Finding Our Families, Finding Ourselves. This multimedia exhibition showcases the diversity within the personal history of many famous Americans including Dr. Maya Angelou, Billy Crystal, Carlos Santana and more to shed light on shared experiences among the American family.
 
In addition to the exhibits at the museum, there are many educational programs offered. The youth programs allow students within the Los Angeles community to learn and be involved in projects that promote tolerance and acceptance. Also, there is a special speaker series, library and a teacher resource center.

For current information on special exhibits and programs follow the Museum of Tolerance on Twitter @musoftolerance and become a fan on Facebook. And, for more information visit the museum website.
 

- by Jennifer Pruett, Los Angeles Reporter for HelloMetro  (Click to leave a message)

Jennifer Pruett

A self proclaimed “queen of everything," Jennifer is a writer, planner and passionate lover of making exciting events extra special. As a creative mother of two she loves art, music, family, friends, exotic cuisine and exploring new areas of self improvement. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in liberal studies from the University of Oklahoma and has been writing restaurant and attraction reviews in the Phoenix Metro area since January, 2009.