By Mary Eshet
The Stan Greenspon Holocaust Education Center is finding new and powerful ways to build bridges with Israel as it pursues its mission focused on Holocaust education, combating antisemitism, and Jewish studies.
“We recognize that a nuanced, historically grounded understanding of Israel is essential for today’s students and educators. It is important that our educational offerings frame Israel not only as a modern state, but also as a central thread in Jewish identity and resilience, particularly in the post-Holocaust context. Our collaboration with respected partners such as Yad Vashem and The iCenter for Israel Education ensures that our content reflects the highest standards of scholarship and pedagogy,” said Greenspon Center Director Judy LaPietra.
Recognizing the need for accurate information about Israel among middle and high school students, and the complexity and challenge of teaching the topic, Greenspon Center assistant director, Katie Cunningham created a resource library and PowerPoint module for educators. LaPietra and Cunningham also deliver presentations about Israel in schools and for community groups.
LaPietra and Cunningham are deepening their knowledge of Israel’s role in contemporary Jewish life through the iFellows Master’s Concentration in Israel Education, a graduate-level program of the iCenter for Israel Education — the national hub for advancing Israel education in North America. The iCenter, based in Chicago, works to create systemic change in how Israel education is defined, taught, and integrated across Jewish educational settings. In May, LaPietra and Cunningham attended the first of three intensive learning seminars through this program.
Cunningham sees big opportunities coming out of this experience: “ This program is giving us access to the world’s leaders in Israel education and to experts on the ground, such as the Task Force on Arab Citizens of Israel. We want to do our part in Charlotte to ensure that Israel is being taught properly in our school systems, and not just as a study in geopolitics.” LaPietra and Cunningham will have monthly mentoring meetings with iCenter experts who will assist in their professional growth and guide the Center on how to bring Israel education to public and private school teachers in Charlotte.
In June, Cunningham traveled to Jerusalem to participate in the Alan Cornell US Campus Faculty Seminar at Yad Vashem. This program offers a transformative opportunity to deepen understanding of Holocaust history and its vital lessons for combating hatred and ignorance. The 10-day program included presentations from leading experts about historical and contemporary antisemitism, the Holocaust’s aftermath, current research in Holocaust studies, and more.
Five days into Cunningham’s trip, the Israel / Iran conflict began, and she was unable to depart Israel on schedule to meet the Greenspon Center’s 2025 Certification graduates in Poland. She finally arrived home safely on June 25 via an evacuation flight organized by the American Embassy.
“Learning in Israel always leaves me feeling grounded and inspired,” said Cunningham. “My experience this summer, though, has left me with a feeling of great urgency. There is critical work for us to do here in Charlotte to raise awareness of how antisemitism has mutated, from a hatred based on religion, to one based on ‘race,’ and now to state-based hatred. Being in Israel during the war was the most profound reminder that real people, both abroad and in our city, are being impacted by this hatred daily. Being side by side with Israelis as we experienced attacks from Iran reminded me of why we do this work and what our responsibilities are as allies. The strength of the people of Israel is beautiful and has become a source of motivation for me.”
The relationship with Yad Vashem is already benefiting the Charlotte community. In June, the Greenspon Center hosted Sheryl Ochayon from Yad Vashem for an educator professional development day, in partnership with the NC and SC Councils on the Holocaust. Ochayon led 50 educators in an in-depth, interactive workshop about the Holocaust’s aftermath and contemporary antisemitism.
Also in June, LaPietra led 17 graduates of the Certificate in Holocaust Pedagogy (CHP) program on a deeply impactful educational journey to Poland designed to extend learning beyond the classroom. This immersive experience, spanning Krakow, Warsaw, and Lublin, continues to be a cornerstone of the CHP program, which is gaining recognition both nationally and internationally. The trip is made possible through generous support from the Claims Conference, the Blumenthal Foundation, and additional philanthropic partners.
LaPietra and Cunningham have greater aspirations: they want to expand the CHP to add an advanced level track that includes a trip to Israel. The proposed Advanced Holocaust Educator Certification (AHEC) program will provide intensive training on how to teach the Holocaust’s aftermath and contemporary antisemitism in secondary schools and will be available to graduates of the CHP program. The five-month program will culminate in a travel-based learning experience in Israel. Through AHEC, educators will gain deeper expertise in post-Holocaust history, the evolution of antisemitism, Israel's role in Jewish life today, and practical strategies for classroom implementation.
Cunningham reflected on the importance of visiting Israel with her own journey as a Holocaust educator: “I fell in love with Israel when I visited as a classroom educator years ago, and we want to be able to offer that same opportunity to our dedicated program graduates. When you learn on the ground in Israel, you are transformed, and so is your educational approach .” The Greenspon Center has created the program curriculum and travel itinerary, and is awaiting donors and funding to bring this new dream to life.
Editor’s note: The iCenter for Israel Education referenced in this article is distinct from the iCenter for Israel Education and Engagement being launched in Charlotte through the Sue Worrel Israel Center Endowment Fund under Jewish Federation of Greater Charlotte.
Katie Cunningham