Operation Finale: The Capture & Trial of Adolf Eichmann

Operation Finale: The Capture & Trial of Adolf Eichmann is the first exhibition in the United States to fully document the pursuit, capture, extradition, and trial of a Nazi war criminal. The Florida Holocaust Museum is proud to present this blockbuster exhibition, co-produced by The Mossad – Israel Secret Intelligence Service; Beit Hatfutsot – The Museum of the Jewish People, Tel Aviv, Israel; and the Maltz Museum of Jewish Heritage, Cleveland, Ohio.

Fifty-six years ago, Adolf Eichmann, who had been in charge of transporting millions of European Jews to death camps, sat in a courtroom for a trial that would be among the first in history to be completely televised. The trial captivated millions of people across the globe and it was the first time that many of them learned the details of the Holocaust.

The dramatic story behind one of the world’s most notorious escaped Nazi war criminals being brought to justice is told using recently declassified artifacts from the Mossad, Israel’s Secret Intelligence Service. The exhibition includes objects and images made available outside the country for the first time – original 1960s-era artifacts, photographs, Telly Award winning films and audio, as well as contemporary design elements and interactive features, to tell a story of espionage, intrigue and, ultimately, justice served.

“Operation Finale: The Capture & Trial of Adolf Eichmann is an extraordinary exhibition. It engages your intellect at the start and tears your heart out by the end.”Cleveland Jewish News

Also included in the exhibition is one of the most iconic objects of the century – the bulletproof glass booth in which the accused sat as the courtroom drama was broadcast around the globe.

During World War II, Eichmann was the key functionary in the Nazis’ attempt to annihilate all of Europe’s 11 million Jews. After the war he disappeared, but his crimes made him a wanted man. Operation Finale – the code name of Israel’s effort to find him – reveals exactly how Mossad agents located Eichmann in his hiding place in South America, and how they abducted and smuggled him safely to Israel to stand trial.

Career Mossad agent Avner Avraham curated the espionage artifacts featured in Operation Finale: The Capture & Trial of Adolf Eichmann. This exhibition is the first time that the recently declassified Mossad materials have been seen outside of Israel.

“A Holocaust Museum smash.” Chicago Tribune

Operation Finale: The Capture & Trial of Adolf Eichmann opens to the public on February 10, 2018 and is on display through July 15, 2018 at The Florida Holocaust Museum.

 

Operation Finale: The Capture and Trial of Adolf Eichmann is a co-production of The Mossad – Israel Secret Intelligence Service; Beit Hatfutsot – The Museum of the Jewish People, Tel Aviv, Israel; and the Maltz Museum of Jewish Heritage, Cleveland, Ohio.

This exhibition is made possible by a generous grant from the Maltz Family Foundation.

Local support is provided by the Jewish Federation of Pinellas & Pasco Counties and Dr. Gary & Meg Moskovitz.