Dr. Nicole “Nikki” Freeman, of Salem, has been hired as the Education Director of Holocaust Museum Boston, which will be the first Holocaust Museum in New England and is set to open in late 2026.
Dr. Freeman’s approach to Holocaust education brings together a commitment to historical truth with empathy and reflection, honoring survivor voices and helping young people see how the lessons of the past can guide their moral and civic choices today.
“My goals center on making Holocaust education meaningful, relevant, and accessible to learners of all ages. I want visitors and students to see the Holocaust not as distant history, but as a collection of human stories that help us understand both the past and ourselves,” Freeman said. “Our programs will connect the lessons of the Holocaust to the challenges we face today, helping students recognize antisemitism, think critically, and act with empathy and moral courage. We’re committed to removing barriers so Holocaust education can reach every learner. In addition to students and teachers, we plan to engage professionals across a range of fields — including law enforcement, the military, journalism, politics, medicine, and business.”
Before joining Holocaust Museum Boston, Dr. Freeman worked in the department of the senior historian at the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington, D.C., and served as director of education at the Holocaust Memorial Miami Beach, where she played a pivotal role in developing its new Education Center, expanded educational programming, and built partnerships with schools and cultural institutions across South Florida.
A dedicated educator, she has taught courses on the Holocaust, World War II, and European history at both the secondary and university levels and has led professional development workshops for teachers. She is licensed to teach history and social studies in Massachusetts.
“We are excited to welcome Nikki to our team,” said Holocaust Museum Co-founder and CEO Jody Kipnis. “Education is the Museum’s first priority, and Nikki brings exceptional expertise and passion to this role. A historian and museum educator, she transforms Holocaust scholarship into meaningful learning experiences that inspire empathy, critical thinking, and civic understanding.”
Dr. Freeman is an historian and Holocaust educator who earned a bachelor of arts in history and secondary education from Salem State University; she then went on to earn her Ph.D. in history from The Ohio State University.
Her research has been supported by prestigious fellowships and grants from Fulbright-Hays, Yad Vashem, the National Academy of Education/Spencer Foundation, the Hadassah-Brandeis Institute, the Auschwitz Jewish Center, and the American Jewish Archives. She has shared her scholarship widely across the United States, Europe, and Israel, contributing to international conversations on Holocaust history and education.
For Dr. Freeman, her role at Holocaust Museum Boston is more than a professional milestone; it is a homecoming. As a Massachusetts native, she has recently returned to reside in Salem and is dedicated to helping build a museum that will serve as a vital educational resource for the region while advancing Holocaust education worldwide.
