Sadly, our nation has experienced some of its darkest days in recent history. America waited to mark the 24th anniversary of 9/11 and all the emotions that day carries with it, which will forever remain fresh for those who lived through it. But in lieu of solemnly remembering past tragedy, our nation once again bore witness to something that should never be seen, much less broadcast for all the world to see, almost in real time. The assassination of Charlie Kirk will be indelible in our collective minds, whether we like it or not. One does not need stand in unanimous consent with everything Charlie Kirk ever said or did, in order to agree, without equivocation, that his murder will forever be a stain on our nation.
Charlie Kirk stood for many things, one of which was the complete condemnation of antisemitism, going so far as to say it was demonic to blame Jews for all problems, and that such behavior was “from the pit of hell, and should not be tolerated.” Despite this, we have all seen those who claim Charlie’s assassination was a plot carried out by the government of Israel.
That we have such a tragic exemplar of how virulent Jew hatred has become in our society underscores the importance of educating the masses, in all stages of life, as to the dangers of antisemitism and how to identify it when it hides in plain sight. Whether it is in the community, the classroom, the college campus, or Congress—antisemitism can find no safe quarter in our society. And this is exactly the mission of our Commission, whose staff works daily to serve as a resource for Texas educators, students and thought leaders alike; ensuring that antisemitism can be identified, confronted and thwarted, without compromising free speech or academic freedom.
With gratitude,
Sandra Hagee Parker
Vice Chair, Texas Holocaust, Genocide, and Antisemitism Advisory Commission
|
Commemorations
As the second anniversary of the October 7 Hamas attack on Israel approaches—an event that sparked a dramatic rise in antisemitism worldwide—the THGAAC’s calendar offers a central resource for finding commemoration events taking place across Texas. The calendar will also reflect the November Pogrom, also known as Kristallnacht (Night of Broken Glass) commemorative events.
Combating Antisemitism on College Campuses
The THGAAC received an additional $1 million from the Texas Legislature for fiscal year 2026 to address the growing threat of antisemitism on college campuses. We are engaging directly with senior leadership across Texas’s major university systems to better understand the unique needs of each campus and share ideas on the best opportunities to reach both faculty and students. As part of the effort, we will bring together leading experts and partner organizations with deep experience in combating antisemitism in higher education, supporting campuses already experiencing antisemitic activity, while proactively equipping others to prevent future incidents.
Planning for Holocaust Remembrance Week
As we plan for Holocaust Remembrance Week, January 26-30, 2026, we are working closely with our partners at the Texas Education Agency (TEA) and the Texas Association of Rural Schools (TARS) to ensure that effective communication plans are in place to prepare schools with resources and materials.
The THC confirmed our 2025 Education Grant awards at their quarterly meeting on August 1, and the recipients have started their projects! Recipients of the grants from Friends of the THGAAC have also begun their work. Please visit to view the details of each funded project.
Holocaust Remembrance Week occurs the week of January 26–30, 2026. During this week, Texas Education Code, §29.9072 requires public schools to provide age-appropriate instruction on the Holocaust using resources developed or approved by the THGAAC.
The THGAAC web page for Holocaust Remembrance Week provides the following resources, including lesson plans, audiovisual resources, and literary/print materials, which can be used during Holocaust Remembrance Week as well as year-round:
Friends of the THGAAC, a 501(C)(3) nonprofit organization, was founded in 2023 to assist with the educational mission of the THGAAC by raising private philanthropic support for the projects and programs of the Commission.
Over the last several months, Friends has successfully raised tens of thousands of dollars to bolster the work of the THGAAC. Friends held their latest parlor meeting in Dallas at the beginning of September (pictured below), where they secured many new pledges and gifts. Attendees were excited to hear about the THGAAC’s unmatched work in supporting statewide organizations battling antisemitism. We would like to extend thanks and appreciation to THGAAC Chair Ken Goldberg, who has been working closely with Friends Executive Director Scott Kammerman.
Friends held its second quarterly meeting on September 9. At this meeting, Friends officially approved a new board member, Steve Brown (pictured below). Board members will soon begin scheduling parlor meetings for the coming year. As always, Mr. Kammerman is continuing his work with THGAAC Commissioners to maximize Friends outreach to diverse audiences across the Lone Star State.
Support for Friends strengthens the THGAAC’s mission to educate all Texans about the Holocaust, genocide, and antisemitism. Make a tax-deductible contribution here.
The THGAAC held a Quarterly Meeting on September 3 in Dallas, Texas. Pictured below are our invited guest speakers Paul Thai, Bill Humprey, and Roy Gray.
 THGAAC State Coordinator of Education Dr. J.E. Wolfson presented on August 5 at Vino Libre Book Club in Austin (Commissioner Lucy Katz's book club, pictured below) about antisemitism and conspiracy theories.
Vice Chair Sandra Parker led a discussion about the IHRA definition of antisemitism, noting that Texas has adopted the IHRA definition in the Texas Education Code from kindergarten through college, during Christians United for Israel’s (CUFI) 20th Washington Summit, which took place from June 29 to July 1. Executive Director Joy Nathan attended the CUFI Summit.
Commissioner Lucy Katz shared her story of being a Hidden Child during the Holocaust with campers and counselors at Camp Young Judea in Wimberley, Texas on July 20.
On July 16, the THGAAC presented at the Texas Association of Rural Schools (TARS) Officer and Regional Director Leadership Retreat in San Marcos on the topic of Holocaust Remembrance Week. Regional Coordinators Arielle Epstein, Lauren Fryer, and Cheyanne Perkins, along with Executive Director Joy Nathan, led this discussion.
On June 24, Regional Coordinator Lauren Fryer tabled at the 6th Annual Metroplex Social Studies Conference in Richardson, which hosted K-12 teachers from ESC 10 (Richardson) and ESC 11 (Fort Worth). We invited the Dallas Holocaust and Human Rights Museum to join us at the event.
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!
The THGAAC will hold its next Quarterly Meeting in Houston, Texas on Wednesday, December 3, 2025. The THGAAC Quarterly meetings are open to the public.
|
