Belmont Becomes First University to Host U.S. Holocaust Museum’s ‘Some Were Neighbors'

There is a common misconception that Adolf Hitler, and a few of his henchmen, were the sole perpetrators of the Holocaust. But ordinary people were also involved, and an exhibition created by the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum aims to both clear up the misconception and explore the ways friends and neighbors displayed courage and complicity in the face of the unimaginable.  

The exhibition titled “Some were Neighbors,” is traveling to Nashville’s Belmont University, beginning on September 10, as part of the school’s continuing work in interfaith engagement. Belmont is the first university nationwide to host the exhibit. According to Dr. Greg Jones, president of Belmont, it is the result of a multi-year relationship between the school and the museum. “Our long-standing commitment to interfaith engagement, combined with intentional collaboration and vision casting, led the museum to invite Belmont to be the first university in the nation to host the exhibit.”  

The university’s involvement is part of the work of the Charlie Curb Center for Faith Leadership, headed by Dr. Jon Roebuck who has partnered with Rabbi Mark Schiftan, rabbi emeritus of The Temple, to create a Jewish studies initiative. Over nearly two decades, the pair have worked together to build bridges between Jews and Christians, and this exhibit embodies the core of that work. “I think it’s two things: intentionality and hospitality,” says Roebuck, “Other universities could have done what we have done, but I think we have been very intentional about creating not only interfaith dialogue, but we’ve extended beyond Jewish and Christian faith leaders getting on a Zoom call once or twice a week to see how does this get into the greater fabric of Nashville, and the greater fabric of the university.” 

The work on interfaith relationships is core to the university’s mission. Jones says, “This work is an extension of our Office of Jewish Dialogue and Discovery, launched in partnership with Rabbi Mark Schiftan who also serves Belmont as our Jewish Faith Student Advisor, and reflects our dedication to supporting the Jewish community in Nashville and our own Jewish students.” He says the fact that this is happening on campus is reflective of Belmont’s own journey.  

Jones says this exhibit, and the effort to bring it to Belmont, goes to the heart of what the university aims to teach its students. “Holocaust education is vital to remember the past and shape a more just and compassionate future. Through this exhibit and related campus and community programming, we’re equipping students and our community at large with the historical understanding and moral imagination to stand against hatred. This exhibit goes beyond learning history and teaches us how to become the kind of neighbors the world desperately needs. “ 

Schiftan says this exhibit is the crown jewel of all the work they have done and will have far reaching impact. “We are now going to be welcoming literally hundreds of people and thousands of students to have the opportunity to ask themselves the same questions that we’re asking ourselves now in this country, about the idea of native born versus newcomers and neighbors versus others.” 

The exhibit began as a series of artifacts and archival images depicting the motivation and influences on individuals during the Holocaust. It has been traveling in Europe, primarily Germany and Poland. The museum created a more transportable version using posters to tell the stories. Rebecca Carter-Chand is the director, Programs on Ethics, Religion, and the Holocaust at the museum. She says local groups were energized to bring it to Belmont. “The group got really excited about this idea of doing the exhibition and the plans really grew from there because they have a lot of energy and capacity.” 

Carter-Chand says the exhibit invites analysis of the photos and reflection. “There is some text that explains what you are seeing in the photo, but it doesn’t require a lot of background knowledge. They want people to see the images and observe and come to conclusions, or observations, or ask questions.”  

The exhibit will be at Belmont throughout the Fall, and the launch on September 10 will include Holocaust survivor Peter Feigel, a museum volunteer who speaks about his experiences as a hidden child in France. Also planned are visits that bring together church and synagogue groups to experience the exhibit together. 

A key sponsor of the exhibit is the Maria and Bernie A. Pargh Family Foundation. Bernie Pargh says he was inspired by Rabbi Schiftan’s involvement at Belmont. “Because of the over 100 Jewish students on campus, I felt it was a great thing that Belmont wanted to do, and Maria and I wanted to support it.” He was also pleased to provide the opportunity to share this with some people who might not otherwise see it. “We’re going to get 1,000 people through it who might not have ever seen anything in Washington or Yad Vashem, and it’s time to educate people as much as we can.”