The THGAAC is busy developing and implementing the initiatives that define our work of using the lessons of the Holocaust and other genocides to educate Texans and forcefully combat antisemitism and all forms of hatred.
We are the only Holocaust and genocide commission in the country with the additional challenge of fighting the modern-day scourge of antisemitism. As part of this mandate, we will deliver our second biennial Study on Antisemitism in Texas report to Governor Greg Abbott, Lt. Governor Dan Patrick, Speaker of the House Dade Phelan, and all Texas Senate and House members. The report will provide background and testimonials to state leaders so we can work with them in creating legislation to complement our work for the people of Texas. Additionally, we are creating a grass roots task force made up of students and young adults acting as our “boots on the ground” to bring their unique perspective to the commissioners regarding antisemitism.
We appreciate Governor Abbott’s Executive Order earlier this year which will make students at public universities safer and more secure. Lt. Governor Dan Patrick has been proactive as the leader of the senate on the same issue. We are also grateful to legislative leaders who have guided us through the process allowing us to fulfill our mission.
The THGAAC conducted a survey of Texas school districts on the implementation of Holocaust Remembrance Week and will release our findings by the end of the year. We will use the results of the survey to better support school districts and educators as they plan Holocaust Remembrance Week in January 2025.
I am pleased to announce that Friends of the THGAAC is up and active. Friends of the THGAAC will raise private dollars outside and above the dollars allocated to us by the state to bolster bigger and better programs and projects across Texas.
We are committed to making a more concerted effort to reach out to Texans in underserved areas and to involve more educators, students, and local political and law enforcement leadership to educate them on our issues and have them spread the message to other Texans.
In these challenging times, it has and continues to be a great honor to serve the residents of the greatest state in America. I am blessed with a tremendous team of professionals and fellow commissioners, and I am confident that we can make a huge difference through education of Holocaust, Genocide, and Antisemitism.
Please reach out to me, our wonderful Executive Director Joy Nathan, or any of our commissioners with suggestions or questions.
Thank you and God Bless Texas!
Ken Goldberg
Chair, Texas Holocaust, Genocide, and Antisemitism Advisory Commission. Kenneth.Goldberg@thgaac.texas.gov
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Jay Zeidman
1. Why do you feel it is important to serve the state of Texas in this role? As a next-generation Texan, I believe it is so important to be an engaged citizen and do all I can to make this great state even better for my children.
2. How has your life or family been impacted by the Holocaust, genocide, or antisemitism? My wife is from Israel and is the granddaughter of Holocaust survivors. My father was Chairman of the US Holocaust Memorial Museum. I grew up in a home where being an engaged citizen was a priority and was always taught that if I don’t stand up, then who will? We owe it to past generations, who sacrificed everything for us, to keep their voices and memories alive and in doing so ensure that what they experienced never happens again. Unfortunately, we are seeing this play out in real time. Antisemitism has reared its ugly head once again in light of the tragic events of October 7th, and it is time for us to be unapologetic about where we stand and what we believe in. Now more than ever the lessons of the Holocaust ring true, and it’s up to us to lead the way.
3. What is your vision for the impact that the THGAAC can have on the state? Given the surge of antisemitism we are seeing in our communities, the work of the THGAAC is more important than ever before. I hope to see us have a truly outsized impact on providing educational support, grants, programs, and much more to communities across Texas, in order to educate the next generation about the Holocaust and how to combat antisemitism. I cannot think of a more impactful organization at this time and am grateful to Governor Abbott and the entire team at the THGAAC for the important work they are doing at this critical time for our community.
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The latest round of quarterly grant reports were due on August 1, and all open projects are progressing as planned. This marks the halfway point of the 2023 Education Grant cycle—all projects will be completed by July 31, 2025. Three of the awarded projects have officially finished—El Paso Holocaust Museum’s “2023 Biennial Educators Conference: Tools for Teaching the Holocaust in Today’s Classroom,” Holocaust Memorial Museum of San Antonio’s “Hate Ends Now—The Cattle Car Project” traveling exhibit, and St. Sarkis Armenian Church’s “Seeing the Humanity in Each of Us: The Lessons of the Armenian Genocide” programming. All three projects were extremely successful, and brought Holocaust and genocide education to communities all over Texas!
 Pictured top left: Holocaust Survivor Sami Steigmann shares his testimony at El Paso Holocaust Museum's “2023 Biennial Educators’ Conference”; Pictured top right:
The “Hate Ends Now” exhibit on display in Austin in February 2024 Pictured on bottom: The Groung Dance Ensemble performing at Armeniafest in 2023
In support of our mission to educate all Texans about the Holocaust and other genocides, the Texas Holocaust, Genocide, and Antisemitism Advisory Commission (THGAAC) connects speakers to classrooms, commemorations, and community events.
The THGAAC Speakers Bureau is comprised of scholars; survivors, liberators, or their descendants; and other experts who are willing to share their knowledge and experiences regarding the Holocaust, genocide, or antisemitism.
As you plan your calendar, please let us know if we can provide a free speaker to support your event. You may request a speaker on our website, thgaac.texas.gov, or by clicking here.
We welcome the opportunity to work with you!
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Commissioner Lucy Katz, Commissioner Cara Mendelsohn, Executive Director Joy Nathan, Commissioner Sandra Parker, UT President Jay Hartzell, Commissioner Adam Blum, Chair Ken Goldberg, and THC Executive Director Joseph Bell at the June Quarterly Meeting in Austin, Texas. |
Executive Director of THGAAC Joy Nathan, DHHRM Public Programs Manager Caroline Fangman Griego, HMH Director of Education Laurie Garcia, DHHRM Director of Education Latricia Davis, and THGAAC Director of Education Dr. J.E. Wolfson at the Association of Holocaust Organizations conference in Manhattan at the Museum of Jewish Heritage and the YIVO Institute
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Commissioner Blum and Executive Director Joy Nathan speaking to the newly appointed student regents about “The Rising Scourge of Anti-Semitism on College Campuses” as part of the Governor's Student Regent Leadership Training Seminar at the Capitol.
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The THGAAC will hold its next Quarterly Meeting in Dallas, Texas on Wednesday, September 4, 2024. The THGAAC Quarterly meetings are open to the public.
The executive committee of the THGAAC reviewed grant requests and held conference calls with university and student groups across Texas to determine strategic allocations from the $250,000 grant generously provided to Friends of the THGAAC by The Moody Foundation.
Based on interviews conducted, the following organizations are being awarded grants:
- The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
- To fund their detail projects and programs that will engage their student body on Holocaust education while partnering with Holocaust Museums in Houston, Dallas, and San Antonio
- Texas Hillel at The University of Texas at Austin & UT Hillel San Antonio
- To fund a fellowship program, their Israel Block Party on UT’s South Campus, and a special speaker series culminating with a large, campus-wide event
- The Chabad Jewish Center at UT
- To fund educational programs and initiatives, specifically outreach to non-Jewish Greek life leadership
- Olami Texas
- To fund campus ally programs
THGAAC believes these organizations, focusing on their strengths and connections, will collectively do a wonderful job in the upcoming fall semester to help fight the growing scourge of antisemitism across major colleges and universities. Special thanks to the Moody Foundation which, by providing these funds, has played an intricate role in helping counter the dangerous and growing trend of antisemitism at institutions of higher learning throughout the Lone Star State.
To Support the Work of the Texas Holocaust, Genocide & Antisemitism Advisory Commission with a Tax Deductible gift through Friends of the THGAAC, please
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