In these days of rising antisemitic incidents across America, it is once again time to take stock of our roles as Americans and Texans. At the Texas Holocaust, Genocide, and Antisemitism Advisory Commission (THGAAC), we take seriously our commitment to educate and inspire teachers, students, and all citizens across our great (big) state. We bring the lessons of the Holocaust and other genocides to light to combat antisemitism and all forms of hate.
The THGAAC is working to dismantle antisemitism on multiple fronts. While we are not an Israel commission, it is impossible to take the events from October 7, 2023, through the imminent Israeli conquest of the ambitious nuclear crazed Iranian regime and not feel that we are making progress at home. Good over evil, right over horribly wrong are the virtues that give us hope.
Our 1525 Club unites dedicated student leaders between the ages of 15 and 25 as we work to address antisemitism in schools and on college campuses. Last month, the 1525 Club kicked off with a live-streamed panel featuring Professor Alan Dershowitz and Israeli advocate (and Ft. Worth’s own) Lizzy Savetsky, sharing resources to support students as they navigate today’s campus climate. Thank you to Commissioner Adam Blum, who is instrumental in leading the effort.
Additionally, we followed the passage of our primary legislative recommendation in our 2024 Study on Antisemitism in Texas. This bill, now law, applies the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) definition of antisemitism to the K-16 public school education code. It is a tool to identify when a student’s code of conduct is motivated by antisemitism.
As the main author of the bill and THGAAC Vice Chair Sandra Hagee Parker says, “If you can’t define it, you can’t defeat it.”
The THGAAC is also proud to have led the state effort, with Governor Abbott’s support, in celebrating May as Jewish American Heritage Month with stories of the contributions of Jewish people in Texas history. Austinite and community leader Carol Silverberg led a group of dedicated committee members from across the state to make this a reality.
Along with combating antisemitism, we are supporting the efforts of Texans involved in Holocaust and genocide education. At our Quarterly Meeting in Austin on June 4,THGAAC Commissioners approved state-funded grants to worthy organizations presenting programs and projects raising awareness of Holocaust, genocide, and antisemitism education. The “Friends of the THGAAC” continued to raise private funds to complement our state-allocated dollars to support our work. To make a contribution to “Friends,” please visit our website at THGAAC.texas.gov. All nine commissioners have contributed, as have Texans from all over the state.
THGAAC Commissioners and staff are advancing our important mission at every opportunity. When we received a resolution from Governor Abbott commemorating the 31st anniversary of the genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda, Commissioner Providence Nkurunziza proudly shared this recognition with the Rwandan community in Texas. Commissioner and Holocaust survivor, Lucy Katz, continues to speak out passionately for the commission at community events, as did commissioner and Dallas City Councilperson Cara Mendelsohn recently at an open meeting of The Dallas City Council. Commissioners and civic and business leaders Jay Zeidman and Ira Mitzner continue to advocate for the values that represent the THGAAC in the state’s largest city, Houston. And finally, our wonderful professionals led by our outstanding Executive Director, Joy Nathan, work tirelessly day in and day out to ensure that our mission is met every day. A great big Texas-sized thank you to Arielle Epstein, Lauren Fryer, Scott Kammerman, Elizabeth Langford, Cheyanne Perkins, and Dr. J.E. Wolfson.
After all, in these days of rising antisemitism, it is the role of the THGAAC to lead the best way forward for a safer, stronger, and more educated Texas.
With gratitude,
Ken Goldberg
Chair, Texas Holocaust, Genocide, and Antisemitism Advisory Commission
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Governor Abbott signed Senate Bill 326 into law on May 20. This law, which was one of the recommendations from the THGAAC Study on Antisemitism, expands the application of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) definition of antisemitism in the Texas Education Code for public schools in grades kindergarten through college. It is a tool for schools to determine whether a student’s code of conduct violation was motivated by antisemitism. We appreciate Senator Phil King and Representative Giovanni Capriglione for championing this effort. This critical piece of legislation continues to demonstrate Texas’s leadership in confronting antisemitism.
The legislative biennial budget approved $5 million in additional funding for nonprofit security grants to help religious organizations, schools, and community centers strengthen their security infrastructure. This initiative was a recommendation from the THGAAC's Study on Antisemitism and received support from Jewish Federations in Texas, which gathered in Austin in February for a Day at the State.
Another bill we tracked, Senate Bill 2972, relating to expressive activities at public institutions of higher education, was signed into law by Governor Abbott on June 20. This bill, concerning campus protests, establishes provisions to prevent disruption and ensure community safety for students and employees of the higher education institution while protecting First Amendment rights.
The THGAAC held a Quarterly Meeting on June 4 in Austin, Texas.
THC Executive Director Joseph Bell, THGAAC Commissioners Lucy Katz, Sandra Hagee Parker, & Chair Ken Goldberg. Rachel Sass, ADL’s Senior Antisemitic Incident Specialist, presented to the staff & commissioners.
 THGAAC Commissioner and Dallas City Council Member Cara Mendelsohn, spoke about the work of the THGAAC and the recent passing of Senate Bill 326, one of the THGAAC’s recommendations from the Study on Antisemitism, which expands the application of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance IHRA) definition of antisemitism in the Texas Education Code for public schools in grades kindergarten through college.
 Commissioner Lucy Katz, in recognition of Yom HaShoah, presented at Georgetown Public Library on Sunday, April 27.
Executive Director Joy Nathan spoke to over 200 people on April 23 about Holocaust education in Texas as part of Shalom Austin’s Community Yom HaShoah Memorial program.
 Dr. J.E. Wolfson spoke at Shalom Austin for the Yom HaShoah program on April 10 about women who resisted in Auschwitz.
On April 7, Chair Ken Goldberg spoke about the work of the THGAAC to an audience of over 500 at Never Again is Now! hosted by the Hebrew Order of David (HOD) in Dallas.
Commissioner Providence Nkurunziza presented virtually via Zoom with Kean University on April 2.
The THGAAC recently opened a new grant cycle, and we received applications from all over the state. Project ideas included traveling exhibits, educational conferences, cultural programming, and resource creation. The THGAAC allocated $146,900.00 to grant funding for this cycle, and Friends of the THGAAC generously agreed to supplement that amount with an additional $80,975.00.
Each application was evaluated by an independent scoring committee, which made recommendations on funding decisions. At our June 4 Quarterly Meeting, THGAAC commissioners voted to accept the recommendations of the scoring committee; these recommendations will be presented to THC commissioners for approval at their July Quarterly Meeting. Stay tuned for our official grant recipient announcements, which will be made by August 1!
May was Jewish American Heritage Month (JAHM). The THGAAC website served as a “home base” for connecting to JAHM in Texas and includes Governor Abbott’s JAHM Proclamation, logos to help brand the month, and a calendar of programs happening this May.We shared a weekly story celebrating Jewish contributions, history, and deep roots in Texas. The Jewish Herald-Voice in Houston and the Texas Jewish Post in Dallas ran stories each week highlighting JAHM stories.
The THGAAC hosted a 1525 Kick-off Call on May 8, featuring Professor Alan Dershowitz and Lizzy Savetsky, which launched the THGAAC’s new student initiative for 15 to 25-year-old students to provide tools and resources to fight antisemitism. A recording of the call is available here.
On April 7, Governor Greg Abbott issued a proclamation recognizing the 31st anniversary of the 1994 Genocide Against the Tutsi in Rwanda. Special thanks to Chair Ken Goldberg and Commissioner Providence Nkurunziza for coordinating this effort and ensuring the accuracy of the historical data to share about one of the darkest chapters of postwar history.
In April, the THGAAC posted several educational resources for Genocide Awareness Month and informed Texans of commemorations and programming across the state, including recognition of the Armenian Genocide, the Cambodian Genocide, the Rwandan Genocide against the Tutsi, and Yom HaShoah or Holocaust Remembrance Day.
In May, Friends of the THGAAC hosted a very successful parlor meeting in Houston with THGAAC Commissioner Sandra Hagee Parker serving as the keynote speaker. The event was well attended and well received, leading to several gifts and pledges of support from Houston community leaders.
Following the THGAAC Quarterly Meeting on June 4, Friends of the THGAAC Executive Director Scott Kammerman traveled to Dallas where he joined THGAAC Chair Ken Goldberg for a number of high-level meetings, resulting in pledges of over $40K.
The new Friends Board held its inaugural meeting on June 23 with Texas community leaders, including Chair Steve Finkelman (Houston), Benjamin Lipson (Houston), and Lauren Hamer (Austin).
The Board reviewed the recommendations from the THGAAC and agreed to supplement the state funds by awarding an additional $80,975.00 in funding for educational grants that support Holocaust, genocide, and antisemitism education. They also voted to fund two additional projects recommended by the THGAAC that total $12,156.
In addition, these leaders will work with Kammerman to explore new, creative opportunities for fundraising throughout Texas to maximize assistance for statewide agencies and organizations as they work to battle antisemitism.
Click HERE to learn more about "Friends" and support their work.
On June 10, Cheyanne Perkins traveled to one of the THC’s newest state historic sites—Denison’s Eisenhower Birthplace—to deliver previous exhibit materials to their new home! The THGAAC’s predecessor, the Texas Holocaust and Genocide Commission, created the Texas Liberator Project in 2017. This project focused on the experiences of Texan liberators of Nazi concentration camps (including General Dwight D. Eisenhower) and included a traveling exhibit. The exhibit will find new life and a permanent home at Eisenhower Birthplace, and the THGAAC is grateful for this partnership opportunity!
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