Ohio judges to study Holocaust leadership issues

MAYFIELD HEIGHTS, Ohio (AP) — More than 450 judges across Ohio will participate in a fall leadership training program focusing on the Holocaust and the failures of German police and judges in the Nazi era.

The program was developed by the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington. It was highlighted Monday in suburban Cleveland at a Holocaust museum education and fundraising luncheon.

Holocaust Museum Director Sara Bloomfield says development of the program began in part when a law enforcement officer saw images of police in museum displays and wondered how they went from protecting to persecuting citizens.

The Plain Dealer in Cleveland reports the training encourages judges to reflect and safeguard democracy.

Two years ago, the Ohio Supreme Court hosted a lecture by a Holocaust museum historian on a similar topic.