The Holocaust Museum presents The Virtual Luncheon December 10, 2020

The Holocaust Museum & Janet G. and Harvey D. Cohen Education Center presents

The Virtual Luncheon: “The Rescue – The Story of José Arturo Castellanos.”

Thursday, December 10, 2020 at 11:30am Eastern Time (U.S. and Canada)

Available for Viewing on Museum’s Website and YouTube Channel

The Museum invites you to participate in a special virtual event celebrating the little-known yet powerful story of Colonel José Arturo Castellanos. Col. Castellanos was a courageous diplomat from the tiny Central American country of El Salvador stationed in Europe before and during World War II. He helped save up to 40,000 European Jews from the Holocaust. This story of his moral courage has a unique Naples connection.

Col. Castellanos

The Virtual Luncheon program will include an exclusive interview between Col. Castellanos’ grandsons, Alvaro Castellanos and Boris Castellanos, and Naples resident Rob Nossen, a Museum Board Member and Holocaust Survivor. During the war, thanks to the protection afforded them by the El Salvadoran citizenship papers provided by Col. Castellanos, Rob and his immediate family were protected, allowing them to survive until Liberation. Alvaro and Boris have preserved their grandfather’s courageous story by creating THE RESCUE – A Live Film-Concerto.

Our Luncheon program will include excerpts from this film and the never-before-seen conversation between Rob Nossen and the Col Castellanos’ grandsons.  Viewers will also learn how the Museum brings these and other stories to life in its education programs for students throughout Southwest Florida, both in-person and virtually.

 How to Attend the Event …

The Virtual Luncheon is easy to attend! Due to COVID-19 restrictions on large gatherings this year, the Museum will host The Virtual Luncheon event on the Museum’s YouTube channel. There is no charge to watch and no need to RSVP. You can dress up or down! On Thursday, December 10th at 11:30am, you simply tune in to watch the program on the Museum’s YouTube channel. The channel can be accessed in two ways: 1) visit our website – www.HMCEC.org and click on the “YouTube channel” link , or 2) go directly to YouTube.com and search for “Holocaust Museum & Cohen Education Center.”

 “Watch Parties” and Sponsorship Opportunities …

Rob Nossen

Small “watch parties” are being organized. If you would you like to host a party or attend one, please contact Museum President and CEO Susan Suarez for details at Susan@HMCEC.org or call 239-263-9200.

 Sponsorship opportunities are also available at a variety of levels and are fully deductible. All Sponsors receive recognition on the Museum website, event promotional materials, and both during and after The Virtual Luncheon program.

 We look forward to having you join us for this special event.