Adrian Educator Selected for International Auschwitz Education Program

Bob Behnke, creator of the Lenawee Pop-Up Holocaust Museum, will attend the International Summer Academy at the Auschwitz-Birkenau State Museum.

Mar. 17, 2026 at 1:00am

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Bob Behnke, the executive director of the Adrian Diversity Event Fund and creator of the Lenawee Pop-Up Holocaust Museum, has been selected as one of 25 educators worldwide to attend the International Summer Academy at the Auschwitz-Birkenau State Museum. The intensive week-long program focuses on Holocaust education, with participants engaging in study, discussion, and archival work.

Why it matters

Behnke's selection for this prestigious program highlights the importance of Holocaust education and the impact that local initiatives like the Lenawee Pop-Up Holocaust Museum can have in raising awareness and preserving the memory of this tragic history.

The details

The International Summer Academy is hosted by the International Center for Education about Auschwitz and the Holocaust. Behnke, a retired superintendent of Adrian Public Schools, founded the Lenawee Pop-Up Holocaust Museum to bring Holocaust artifacts, survivor stories, and educational exhibits to the local community.

  • The International Summer Academy at the Auschwitz-Birkenau State Museum will take place in the summer of 2026.

The players

Bob Behnke

The executive director of the Adrian Diversity Event Fund and creator of the Lenawee Pop-Up Holocaust Museum.

Lenawee Pop-Up Holocaust Museum

A museum founded by Bob Behnke to bring Holocaust artifacts, survivor stories, and educational exhibits to the local community in Adrian, Michigan.

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What they’re saying

“I am deeply honored and humbled to be selected for the Summer Institute. The opportunity to learn alongside educators from around the world, and to engage directly with museum staff, curators, and preservationists at Auschwitz, is incredibly meaningful. I look forward to bringing these insights back to Lenawee County and continuing to expand Holocaust education in our community.”

— Bob Behnke, Executive Director, Adrian Diversity Event Fund

What’s next

The International Summer Academy at the Auschwitz-Birkenau State Museum will take place in the summer of 2026, and Behnke's participation will allow him to bring new insights and educational resources back to the Lenawee Pop-Up Holocaust Museum and the local community.

The takeaway

Bob Behnke's selection for the prestigious International Summer Academy at Auschwitz-Birkenau highlights the importance of Holocaust education and the impact that local initiatives can have in preserving the memory of this tragic history and sharing it with the community.