In a strategic move to increase education to our communities and students in the Coachella Valley school districts and beyond, the Jewish Federation of the Desert (JFED) is thrilled to announce that it has taken over operations of the Tolerance Education Center (TEC) in Rancho Mirage.
“The Board of Directors of the Jewish Federation of the Desert unanimously supported this collaboration, as it perfectly aligns with our mission of serving our Jewish and Greater Community of the Coachella Valley. This re-vitalized facility will serve as a catalyst for discussion, programming, action and tolerance of all people. This venue will provide us with an event space to showcase world-class art and photography exhibits, lecture space for authors, theatre to premiere films and a place to gather to educate and inform our youth, stakeholders in the community and Holocaust Survivors,” said Arnie Gilman, President, JFED Board of Directors.
Opening in conjunction with the Tolerance Education Center on Tuesday, September 3, in the updated center gallery, is the first of two planned exhibits for the fall/winter, “Pictures of Resistance: The Wartime Photographs of Jewish Partisan Faye Schulman,” curated by Jill Vexler, Ph.D.
This traveling exhibit produced by the Jewish Partisan Educational Foundation features photographs taken before, during, and after World War II. These photographs share the unique perspective of Faye Schulman, a young woman, a Jew, a partisan, and a photographer, as she understood forms of resistance and resilience in the forests along the Polish/Russian border from 1942-1945.
Bricelyn “Bre” Koltun (she/her) began her journey with the Tolerance Education Center accepting the position of Educational Programming Director in July of this year after JFED Board of Directors decided to take over its operations. She is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin and holds a degree in history and museum/genocide studies.
Bre has worked in museum/nonprofit education design and facilitation for over twenty years and has spent time with the Wisconsin Historical Society, University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee Art Museum, and Chicago Children’s Museum.
Bre has also taught 4th and 6th grade social studies and history in a private Hebrew school setting. For her, understanding how museums and educational centers can root themselves within in the garden of their communities, by providing a valuable and relevant voice, has always been a central theme of her work.
“I feel it is of the utmost importance to provide students with learning opportunities outside traditional campus spaces where abstract ideas discussed in classrooms are viewed through the interpretive lenses of the Humanities. I believe in this way; learning can be translated by personal expression and experience. As a result, students are provided with abundant ways to empathize across their distinct contexts, connected by a shared human experience,” said Bre Koltun, Education Programming Director, TEC.
Nancy Zangwill Kaye, originally served as the Executive Director for the Tolerance Education Center from 2022-2024 and is now re-establishing its operations as a marketing and development consultant, while focusing on the mission of TEC. Nancy, a native of Montreal, Canada, has worked as a nonprofit professional for twenty years, planned and managed large complex events for political and social services nonprofits, educational institutions, advocacy organizations, and private corporations. Beyond event planning, Nancy brings a full range of writing and communication skills, marketing and fundraising, and visual design and creative input to her work.
Nancy has previously served as an Associate Director at the Anti-Defamation League, Director of Events at Harkham Hillel Hebrew Academy, Director of Grants and Communications at the Jewish Free Loan in Los Angeles, in addition to running her own Fancy by Nancy Events company. Nancy has a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in philosophy from the University of Toronto, Canada. She lives with her husband and their three children in Los Angeles.
Additionally, Josiah Gonzalez will be handling facilities management as it relates building improvements, exhibition installation and support to Bre Koltun.
The Tolerance Education Center was founded by Holocaust survivor Earl Greif in 2006, and opened its doors to the public in 2009. Adults enjoy our lectures, films, presentations and other tolerance-themed programs. Children are brought to the TEC on field trips to hear first-hand accounts of bigotry and hatred told by those who have survived including survivors of the Holocaust, Cambodian genocide, Japanese internment camps or victims of hate crimes against the LGBT community.
The mission of the Tolerance Education Center is to promote tolerance, civility, respect and understanding by the elimination of atrocities, hatred and bigotry. Programs, activities and exhibits provide an educational opportunity for students and the community at large to learn to reduce prejudice, teach critical thinking, and empower those who visit to take a more active role in creating a more humane society. The hope is that visitors will leave with a mind-set that rejects prejudice and hate, questions stereotypes, and promotes diversity.
The Tolerance Education Center is located at 35147 Landy Lane, Rancho Mirage, CA 92270. TEC Hours Begin on Tuesday, September 3, 2024, Monday-Thursday 10:00AM-4:00PM, Friday and Sunday by appointment. For more information about upcoming art or photo exhibits, Jewish Book Council lecture series, or events visit www.toleranceeducationcenter.
ABOUT JEWISH FEDERATION OF THE DESERT
The mission of the Jewish Federation of the Desert is to enhance and enrich the quality of Jewish life by recognizing and supporting the charitable, educational, humanitarian and social service needs of the Jewish community locally, nationally, overseas and in the state of Israel.
For more information on Jewish Federation of the Desert visit www.JFEDPS.org or call 760-324-4737.
