Opening of the Margaret’s Legacy Holocaust Learning & Jewish Advocacy Centre

Photos by Donna Waxman Photography (scroll down for album)

On May 2, 2024, Margaret’s Legacy marked a profound milestone as the Margaret’s Legacy Holocaust Learning & Jewish Advocacy Centre officially opened its doors to the community.

This unveiling of a new space at the newly renovated Hamilton Jewish Federation building was the realization of a vision years in the making.

For Margaret’s Legacy’s founder Danna Horwood, the idea of creating a museum that featured her grandparents’ Holocaust story has been percolating in her mind for nearly a decade. What began as a desire to preserve her family history for her children has grown into something much larger. Beyond creating the documentary Margaret and Arthur’s Story and developing curriculum, Horwood felt that a space dedicated to education, dialogue, and the ongoing responsibility of remembrance would be a uniquely special addition to the Hamilton community.

That vision became reality through a meaningful partnership with the Hamilton Jewish Federation’s CEO Gustavo Rymberg and others whose shared commitment helped bring this centre to life for the broader community.

It was also important to both Horwood and Rymberg that this space encourage others, from our local community and beyond, to share their stories. A number of Hamilton families have provided artifacts and family history that will be part of the center's main exhibit.

The opening event was such a moving event for all in attendance. “Placing the mezuzah on the door to the museum with both my parents was such a spiritually uplifting part of the festivities. I imagine my grandparents watching from above, moved to tears.” Horwood shares.

During the day, the entire community was invited to the museum. At night, a smaller crowd of donors, supporters and dignitaries gathered for some meaningful moments.

The Honourable Filomena Tassi, Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario announced that the Government of Canada would be contributing $175,000 toward the further development of the Margaret’s Legacy Holocaust Learning & Jewish Advocacy Centre. Tassi shared:

“The Margaret’s Legacy Holocaust Learning and Jewish Advocacy Centre will be a safe space to gain and share knowledge and understanding about the Holocaust with present and future generations. By working together to educate Canadians about the Holocaust, we are advancing the fight against denial and Holocaust-related disinformation, and raising awareness of Antisemitism.”

Keynote speaker Melissa Lantsman set a powerful tone for the evening, speaking to the necessity of Holocaust education in today’s world and the role of leadership in confronting antisemitism with clarity and conviction.

We are deeply grateful to the many local leaders, partners, and community members who came to show their support. Their presence underscored that this centre does not just belong to one family or one person or one story. It belongs to a community committed to learning, remembering, and connecting with their history and heritage.

At Margaret’s Legacy, we believe that Holocaust education must continue to evolve. It must move beyond static remembrance and into meaningful engagement, grounded in personal stories, informed by research, and responsive to the realities of today.

This learning centre was built with that in mind.

As we opened our doors, we welcomed the beginning of a new era for the Hamilton community.