UPDATE: The Illinois Holocaust Museum has just launched its groundbreaking new temporary location, Experience360, at 360 N. State St. in downtown Chicago. The grand opening took place on August 25, 2025, coinciding with International Rohingya Genocide Remembrance Day, marking a pivotal moment for Holocaust education amid rising global antisemitism and hate.
Museum CEO Bernard Cherkasov emphasized the urgency of this initiative. “This is the 80th anniversary of the end of the Holocaust and World War II,” he stated. “At a time when the world desperately needs lessons from this dark chapter, we opened this satellite location to continue our mission.” The new site features innovative exhibits, including popular holograms of survivors, immersive 360-degree films, and historical artifacts.
During the opening ceremony, Governor JB Pritzker addressed the need for education in combating hate. “This space will educate thousands every year about the horrors that result from indifference,” he declared, inspiring attendees to reflect on the importance of remembrance.
Experience360 offers visitors an interactive experience, allowing them to engage with holographic representations of Holocaust survivors. Guests can wear virtual reality headsets to be transported to locations like Amsterdam and hear firsthand accounts from survivors such as Rodi Glass and Marion Deichmann.
The museum also features Kizito Kalima, a survivor of the 1994 Rwandan genocide, marking the first time a non-Holocaust survivor is included in the museum’s Survivor Stories Theater. Kalima stressed the importance of sharing his story to prevent future atrocities. “Evil things do happen,” he warned, urging younger generations to recognize the signs early to avert disaster.
Cherkasov noted that this addition of holographs is significant for the museum. “We aim to tell the story of Rwanda through the lens of a survivor who has lived through that genocide,” he stated. The holographic theater includes three new interactive interviews, making the history of genocide more accessible and personal than ever.
Attendees at the opening were moved by the profound stories shared. “The history of the Holocaust has a lot to teach us,” said Cherkasov. “People look to our museum for lessons about resilience, strength, and community.”
The Illinois Holocaust Museum is currently undergoing renovations at its Skokie location, expected to partially reopen in January 2026, with a full reopening planned for late summer 2026. Cherkasov expressed hope that visitors to Experience360 will absorb vital lessons of resilience and strength, particularly as the world grapples with issues of dehumanization and strife.
In addition to Kalima’s holograph, the museum showcases objects from survivors of conflicts in Armenia, Bosnia, Cambodia, Iraq, and Syria, highlighting the ongoing relevance of these stories. According to Genocide Watch, current genocide emergencies are identified in regions including Darfur, Nigeria, and Myanmar, underscoring the necessity of education and awareness.
Experience360 is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is priced at $12, with further information available at the museum’s official website. The Illinois Holocaust Museum aims to inspire future generations to learn from the past and advocate against hatred in all its forms.
This new initiative not only preserves the memories of the past but also serves as a crucial reminder for the future, reinforcing the museum’s commitment to education and remembrance.
