Maltz Museum Offers Free General Museum Admission Throughout November, Expanding Access to Holocaust Education
Generous support from the Ohio Holocaust and Genocide Memorial and Education Commission invites more visitors to experience Boris Lurie: Nothing To Do But To Try
CLEVELAND, OHIO (OCTOBER 22, 2026) – Individual admission is free at the Maltz Museum this November. Thanks to the generous support of the Ohio Holocaust and Genocide Memorial and Education Commission (OHGMEC), visitors can enjoy free individual general museum admission throughout the month and experience the Museum's newest exhibition, Boris Lurie: Nothing To Do But To Try, on view October 18, 2026, through January 27, 2027. The initiative builds on a successful partnership between the Museum and the Commission, reflecting their shared commitment to Holocaust education.
The exhibition explores the life and artistic journey of Boris Lurie (1924–2008), a Holocaust survivor who used art to confront the trauma of his experiences and preserve the memory of those who were lost. Through his early artwork, photographs, writings, and personal history, visitors gain insight into the lasting impact of the Holocaust and the importance of remembrance.
"We're very pleased to partner with the Maltz Museum to expand public access to Holocaust education and make the Boris Lurie exhibition available to as many people as possible," said Holly Hollingsworth, Executive Director of the Ohio Holocaust and Genocide Memorial and Education Commission.
The initiative continues a successful partnership between the Maltz Museum and OHGMEC, reflecting a shared commitment to bringing meaningful Holocaust education experiences to communities throughout Northeast Ohio. In April 2024, Commission support made admission free during the Museum's exhibition of The Girl in the Diary: Searching for Rywka from the Łódź Ghetto. Attendance that month reached approximately six times the average monthly attendance during the preceding six months. The renewed partnership builds on that success, creating another special opportunity for visitors to engage with Holocaust history through a deeply personal story.
"We are incredibly grateful for the Commission's generosity and continued partnership," said Aaron Petersal, Executive Director of the Maltz Museum. "Their support allows us to extend a special invitation to our community to experience Boris Lurie's powerful story. Together, we are helping ensure that the lessons of the Holocaust continue to reach and resonate with new generations."
November is a particularly meaningful time to share Lurie's story. The month marks the anniversary of Kristallnacht, a turning point in the Nazi persecution of European Jews, as well as the beginning of the Rumbula massacres near Riga, Latvia, where approximately 25,000 Jews were murdered in 1941. Lurie's mother, grandmother, sister, and girlfriend were among those killed.
Lurie survived the Riga Ghetto, forced labor, and concentration camps before liberation in 1945. After immigrating to New York in 1946, he began creating artwork that expressed his wartime experiences and the complex emotions of survival. His earliest body of work, known as the War Series, is a central focus of the exhibition.
Through this generous initiative, the Maltz Museum and OHGMEC look forward to welcoming new and returning visitors to explore Lurie's story, deepen their understanding of Holocaust history, and reflect on the importance of preserving these experiences for future generations.
In addition to the free general museum admission in November, OHGMEC also offers reimbursement-based Field Trip Grants to support educational field trips for grades 5-12 that are focused on Holocaust and genocide education, such as visits to the Lurie exhibition. Educators can visit the OHGMEC website for more information.
Plan Your Visit
Free individual general museum admission will be available throughout November 2026. Boris Lurie: Nothing To Do But To Try is on view at the Maltz Museum, located at 2929 Richmond Road in Beachwood, Ohio, through January 27, 2027. For Museum hours, exhibition information, and additional details, visit MaltzMuseum.org.
About the Ohio Holocaust and Genocide Memorial and Education Commission
Established by state legislation in 2020, the Ohio Holocaust and Genocide Memorial and Education Commission works to expand access to Holocaust and genocide education throughout Ohio. Through educational resources, public awareness initiatives, and partnerships with organizations statewide, the Commission strives to preserve history, promote understanding, and make Holocaust and genocide education accessible to all Ohioans. Learn more at
holocaust.ohio.gov.
About the Maltz Museum
The Maltz Museum explores the kaleidoscope of the American experience, using the courageous lessons of Jewish history as well as those of other individuals that have thrived despite marginalization, to advocate for a world that builds understanding and connection. Learn more at www.MaltzMuseum.org.