Illinois Holocaust Museum Founder Samuel R. Harris, Survivor, Dies at 90

Harris, who escaped the Holocaust as a child, dedicated his life to educating others about the genocide.

Apr. 2, 2026 at 4:07pm

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Samuel R. Harris, the founder of the Illinois Holocaust Museum & Education Center in Skokie, passed away at the age of 90. As a child, Harris survived the Holocaust, losing most of his family, before being adopted by an American family and going on to have a long career in the insurance industry. In his later years, Harris worked tirelessly to establish the Holocaust museum, which opened in 2009 and has become a prominent institution for Holocaust education.

Why it matters

Harris' life story and his commitment to founding the Illinois Holocaust Museum highlight the importance of preserving the memory of the Holocaust and educating new generations about the horrors of genocide. The museum he created has become a vital resource for the Chicago area and a testament to the resilience of Holocaust survivors.

The details

Born Szlamek Rzeznik in 1935 in Dęblin, Poland, Harris and his family were forced into a ghetto by the Nazis in 1939. After the ghetto was liquidated in 1942, Harris' entire family, except for him and two of his sisters, were deported to the Treblinka extermination camp and murdered. Harris survived by hiding with his sister Rosa, who worked as a slave laborer in a nearby concentration camp. In 1944, Harris and his sister Sara were deported to the Częstochowa concentration camp, where Rosa continued to hide them until the camp's liberation by the Soviet Army in 1945.

  • On September 1, 1939, the Nazis occupied Dęblin, Poland and forced Harris' family into a ghetto.
  • In 1942, the Dęblin ghetto was liquidated, and Harris' family was deported to Treblinka, where they were murdered.
  • In 1944, Harris and his sister Sara were deported to the Częstochowa concentration camp.
  • In 1945, the Soviet Army liberated the Częstochowa concentration camp.
  • In 2009, the Illinois Holocaust Museum & Education Center opened in Skokie, Illinois.

The players

Samuel R. Harris

The founder of the Illinois Holocaust Museum & Education Center, who survived the Holocaust as a child.

Rosa

Harris' older sister, who worked as a slave laborer in a concentration camp and hid Harris and his sister Sara there until they were deported.

Illinois Holocaust Museum & Education Center

The museum founded by Harris in Skokie, Illinois, which has become a prominent institution for Holocaust education.

JB Pritzker

The current Governor of Illinois, who chaired the $50 million capital campaign to fund the current Holocaust museum in Skokie and later chaired the museum's board.

Bernard Cherkasov

The CEO of the Illinois Holocaust Museum & Education Center, who praised Harris as a "visionary" who made the museum a reality.

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What they’re saying

“'A champion for good who inspired people to fight bigotry and hatred, Sam attracted a community of followers built on hope and compassion. I was lucky enough to know Sam for nearly three decades as a friend and a leader in building the Illinois Holocaust Museum. Just as he did for countless others and for younger generations, Sam profoundly shaped and enlightened my outlook on the world in ways large and small.'”

— JB Pritzker, Governor of Illinois

“'His kindness, optimism and unwavering belief in the power of education will continue to inspire generations.'”

— Bernard Cherkasov, CEO, Illinois Holocaust Museum & Education Center

What’s next

The Illinois Holocaust Museum & Education Center is currently closed for renovations, but is expected to reopen in the coming months with updated exhibits and programming.

The takeaway

Samuel R. Harris' life story and his dedication to founding the Illinois Holocaust Museum serve as a powerful reminder of the importance of preserving the memory of the Holocaust and educating future generations about the dangers of hatred, bigotry, and genocide.