Michael Berenbaum first served as Deputy Director of the President’s Commission on the Holocaust (1979–1980) and authored its Report to the President, the Museum’s foundational document and blueprint recommending “a living memorial” to the Holocaust consisting a Museum to tell the story of the Holocaust, an educational center, a scholarly research institute, archives and library as well as a Committee on Conscience to speak out against genocides, actual or potential. Seven years later he returned as Project Director of the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, to implement this vision and oversee the museum’s creation. During construction (1989-1993) Berenbaum led the team that designed the award winning permanent exhibition and created the Museum’s major archives: documentary and photographs, film and video, music and oral history and the Registry of Holocaust Survivors. He also helped raise $190M toward the creation of the Museum and was an essential part of gathering the artifacts that help shape its permanent exhibition working with governments and cultural institutions throughout the world. He helped create the Museum’s films on antisemitism, the Rise of Nazism, and American responses as well as the final film of survivor testimony. The permanent exhibition, now visited by more than 45 million people, presents a chronological account in a self-guided format that is designed for visitors 11 years of age and above. Traversing three floors, it is divided into three sections, “Nazi Assault – 1933 to 1939,” “The ‘Final Solution’ – 1940 to 1945,” and “Last Chapter.” It has become an integral part of a visit to Washington by ordinary Americans as well as heads of state and the diplomatic corps. Permanent Exhibition designed by Ralph Applebaum Associates.
ServicesProject Director, Interpretative Planning, Conceptual Design, Content Development, Media and FilmLocationWashington DCYear1988-1993
