Our story began on April 26th, 1964, when a group of dedicated Holocaust survivors led by Dalck Feith, Harold Greenspan, Abram Schnaper and the Federation of Jewish Agencies of Greater Philadelphia commissioned renowned sculptor Nathan Rapoport to create a memorial to the victims of the Holocaust. His striking Monument to Six Million Martyrs, which stands at the Benjamin Franklin Parkway and North 16th Street, was the first monument to the Holocaust on public land in the United States.

As the organization grew, its members recognized the growing need to increase awareness of the monument and the lessons of the Holocaust. With this goal in mind, the PHRF was born. Now, nearly 50 years after the monument’s creation, our vision is about to come full circle, as we are building our new cutting-edge Education Center entirely around this monument.

1. We realize that Holocaust education has to be grounded in morality and rooted in universal truth to help prevent future genocides.
2. We believe that raising our youths' consciousness leads to character development and greater responsibility for one another and for future generations.
3. We understand that the Holocaust was a singular event. We respect and honor survivors by accurately depicting their place in world history.
4. We encourage people from all religions, ethnic backgrounds and beliefs to learn the lessons of the Holocaust.
5. We recognize that people learn in different ways, and that we have to reach all people, young and old, whether visitors to The Center or "virtual" visitors.
6. We know that Holocaust education has to stay focused on the future, in order to encourage ethical behavior, tolerance and positive change.