Igor Kotler, President and Executive Director

Email: ikotler@museumhrft.org

Mr. Kotler taught Jewish, Russian, Soviet, American and World history at UCLA, the University of Judaism, FIDM, Golden Gate University and Moorpark College in California and religion at the University of Phoenix. He was Research Fellow at the Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion in Cincinnati, served as Historian at Survivors of the Shoa Visual History Foundation in Los Angeles and as Senior Historian at the Museum of Jewish Heritage in New York. Currently, he is President and Executive Director of the Museum of Human Rights, Freedom and Tolerance, President of the American Council on the Holocaust and Jewish Resistance, President of the Refugee Advisory and Advocacy Council, and Visiting Senior Research Fellow at the Center for the Study of Genocide, Conflict Resolution and Human Rights. Also, he is academic advisor of the “Davai!” youth organization in Philadelphia. Igor A. Kotler published over 30 articles and book chapters in several languages. 

Alexander Mushkin, Vice President and Director of Communications and Public Relations

Email: amushkin@museumhrft.org

Mr. Mushkin is one of the founding board members of the Museum, involved in formulation of the strategy and development plans, as well as execution in the areas of marketing, communications and public relations. Mr. Mushkin graduated from the Technical University in St Petersburg, Russia with an MS degree. Over the course of his career, he has held positions in engineering, project management and marketing in the high-tech and financial industries.  

 Boris Shapiro, Treasurer

Email: bshapiro@museumhrft.org

Mr. Shapiro is a founding board member of the Museum. As a second-generation Holocaust survivor and refusenik who was denied the right to leave the Soviet Union for eight years, Mr. Shapiro is understandably passionate about freedom and human rights. In addition to being the Treasurer, he plays other roles in the Museum, such as managing special projects and organizing events, delivering presentations and many others. Mr. Shapiro graduated from the Moscow University of Environmental Engineering with an MS degree in Mechanical Engineering. Over the course of his professional career, he has earned an M.S. in Executive MBA from NJIT and became a Registered Professional Engineer and Certified Sustainable Development Professional.  

 Dr. Luba Sindler, PhD, Director of Cultural Outreach

Email: lsindler@museumhrft.org

Dr. Sindler (www.lubasindler.com) is a pianist of brilliant virtuosity, compelling musicianship and powerful presentation. She was born in St. Petersburg, Russia where she studied at St. Petersburg Conservatory, graduating with a doctoral degree in piano and chamber music. Having moved to the United States in 1987 after suffering a nine-year political persecution in the former Soviet Union, she continued her career as a soloist, chamber artist and teacher. Dr. Sindler is also a co-founder and Artistic Director of the Blue Mountain Festival. 

 Gideon Frydman, Deputy Director of Research and Development

Email: info@museumhrft.org

Mr. Frydman received the Advanced Facilitation Training Certificate from Soliya and UN Habitat after completing training, and a semester facilitating dialog between students from North Africa and those from Europe and the US. Gideon’s interest in human rights and tolerance stems from his family’s experiences during WWII, and the ongoing ethnic conflicts around the world. He had previously worked in the information technology industry, including software development. He earned an MS in Applied Physiology from Columbia University. 

 Yasmin Lopez, Deputy Director of Planning and Programming

Email: info@museumhrft.org

Mrs. Lopez is an educator who has spent the last ten years working with several NGOs. Most recently she worked as a liaison between these NGOs and foreign governments with a focus on Latin America, ensuring these areas receive quality medical care and also educating local professionals on new, low-cost cancer screening techniques.
Previously, she coordinated and participated in several medical missions to countries such as the Philippines, Dominican Republic, Haiti and Peru.
She has a BA in Biology from Hunter College.