United States Holocaust Memorial Museum Presents ‘Rescuing the Hidden Michalovce Collection’

The United States Holocaust Memorial Museum presents “Rescuing the Hidden Michalovce Collection”at Congregation Emanu-El on Tuesday, February 10, 2026, at 7 p.m.

In 1942, members of the Schwarz family packed their belongings, hid them in the attic for safekeeping and left their home. Like many Jews who received deportation orders during the Holocaust, they most certainly hoped to return one day. But they never did. Those possessions—personal letters, photographs, Hebrew prayer books, clothing and more—stayed hidden, frozen in time, for nearly 80 years. Then, during renovations in September 2019, a new homeowner stumbled upon the time capsule still hidden in the attic in Michalovce, Slovakia.

Join us to hear about the Museum’s work to unravel the mystery of this remarkable collection now in its care and discover what we’ve learned so far about the family who left it behind.

Speakers:

· Seth Gottlieb, Collections Curator, United States Holocaust Memorial Museum

· Beth Gottschling Huber, Associate Collections Curator, United States Holocaust Memorial Museum

“The United States Holocaust Memorial Museum is building the world’s foremost collection on the Holocaust to ensure this history is preserved and accessible for education, research, and scholarship,” said Carol Stulberg, the Museum’s senior advisor for leadership giving in the Western Region. “This remarkable discovery—personal belongings left behind by the Schwarz family—offers a poignant window into one family’s experience. Nearly 80 years later, these artifacts help us recover voices that might otherwise be lost. When survivors are no longer with us, the Museum’s collection will stand as the most powerful teacher of this history.”

This program by the Museum’s Western Region is co-chaired by Sam Lauter and Susan E. Lowenberg. The Western Region encompasses the 10 western states including Alaska, Arizona, California, Hawaii, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, and Washington. Since opening in 1993, the Museum has welcomed more than 50 million visitors from all over the world, including more than 120 heads of state.

“Rescuing the Hidden Michalovce Collection” program is free and open to the public, but advance registration is required. Interested individuals must register by Monday, February 9, to the Museum’s Western Regional Office at 202.817.4725 or email westernteam@ushmm.org.

The event will take place at Congregation Emanu-El at 2 Lake Street, San Francisco, CA 94118. The Temple is served by Muni bus lines 1, 2, and 33, which are very close, and by bus line 38, a few blocks away. Bus lines 1, 2 and 33 stop at California and Arguello, and bus line 38 stops at Geary and Arguello. Street parking is available near the temple.

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. The power of Holocaust history 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.