Sen. Bernie Sanders’ Absence from Holocaust Museum Board Raises Concerns

WASHINGTON — Senator Bernie Sanders has not participated in any meetings during his 18 years on the board of the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum, according to reports, which has intensified calls for his removal from the post.

Sanders, an Independent from Vermont, joined the Holocaust Memorial Council in 2007. This council convenes twice a year and is responsible for overseeing the prominent museum located about 3.2 miles from the Capitol.

Documents obtained by the Post reveal that Sanders, known for his grassroots campaigns that brought democratic socialism into the spotlight during the 2016 and 2020 Democratic primaries, has missed all board meetings since he was appointed.

“We have two big conferences each year, bringing in people from across the country, yet Bernie Sanders has not even taken the time to make a short trip across the street in Washington, D.C.,” remarked Robert Gerson, a fellow board member and president of the National Association of Jewish Lawyers and Jurists.

Wall Street executive Jonathan Barkan, another board member, humorously noted, “Eighteen is a good number in Judaism, but not in this situation.” He, like Gerson, spoke as an individual rather than representing the museum.

The Council, formed by an Act of Congress in 1980, consists of 55 members appointed by the President for five-year terms, with the remaining ten spots filled by leaders from the House and Senate.

Gerson and Barkan, both appointed by former President Trump, are part of a group exceeding a dozen who have signed a letter urging Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer to replace Sanders, citing his nonattendance and his recurring statements that Israel is committing genocide in Gaza.

“Given the current rise in global antisemitism and misconceptions about the Holocaust, it’s crucial for Senate appointees on the Council to be actively engaged and support its mission wholeheartedly,” the letter reads.

The signatories criticized Sanders’ remarks regarding modern genocides and pointed out that he “has rarely, if ever, attended board meetings.”

“This isn’t a partisan issue; it simply makes sense,” said Alex Heckler, a Democratic activist assigned to the board by President Biden.

“Sanders’ views and statements don’t align with the museum’s mission. He has not attended a single meeting since I’ve been part of the council,” Heckler noted. He has previously served as the deputy national finance chairman for the Democratic National Committee and remained on the board after other Biden appointees were removed by President Trump.

Jimmy Resnick, another board member appointed by Trump, expressed confusion over the idea of replacing someone who is active. “Why would you remove someone who actually attends?” he questioned.

“It’s as if Sanders sees this as a non-existent role,” added Resnick, whose late father also served on the board.

Resnick pointed out that other Democratic appointees, like Susan Rice and former Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff, have been present at meetings since Biden’s removal.

There is uncertainty surrounding Sanders’ lack of involvement in shaping the museum’s educational agenda. Historically, socialists and communists resisted the Nazis, and socialist Zionists played significant roles in establishing the Jewish state.

Neither Senator Schumer nor Sanders responded to requests for comments, nor did Senate Pro Tempore Chuck Grassley, who has suggested he might consider taking Sanders’ place.

Sanders, who identifies as an Independent while caucusing with Democrats, is one of ten Jewish senators currently serving, and his critics argue there are more suitable candidates for his position.

While the museum doesn’t directly influence government policy, it serves as a vital cultural institution for Jewish Americans in the nation’s capital.

Sanders has been a vocal critic of the Israeli government. Earlier this month, he was sworn in by Zoran Mamdani, a socialist who outrageously threatened to arrest Prime Minister Netanyahu if he visited New York.

Sanders accused Israel of genocide in Gaza in a lengthy statement from September, asserting, “The intentions are clear. The conclusion is inevitable.”

He further remarked, “The word emerged from one of the darkest periods in human history: the Holocaust, the murder of six million Jews. It is crucial for the world to hold leaders accountable if we wish to prevent further atrocities.”

Anecdotal evidence from board members backs the claim of Sanders’ absence from meetings. While previous reports pointed to his lack of attendance, the documents revealed by the Post validate that he has never participated.

Interestingly, Sanders isn’t the only Senate board member who has missed meetings regularly. Senator Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.) has only attended two of the last ten, while Tim Scott (R-S.C.) has sat out the last 13, although he did attend in 2017 and 2019.

The newly appointed Senator Rick Scott (R-Fla.) has yet to make an appearance but contributed part of his salary to the museum in April.

Currently, one Senate-elected position remains unfilled.