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By Mary Eshet
The Stan Greenspon Holocaust Education Center( SGC) is rooted in delivering content and resources to students and educators to raise awareness and understanding of the Holocaust, antisemitism, and Israel. Committed to confronting hate in all its forms, the SGC’ s work extends well beyond the classroom. Its staff is regularly invited to address community gatherings, a testament to the demand for their expertise.
One of their most popular programs is the“ Jewish Studies Signature Course,” offered in partnership with Queens University. It took shape in 2017 when Rabbi Dr. Judy Schindler, Sklut Professor of Jewish Studies at Queens University, answered a community call for substantive adult Jewish education. Twice a year, she partners with the SGC and guest educators to teach a weekly class on a current topic.
Schindler refers to the course as a“ concierge class.”“ We know people have busy lives and travel plans,” Schindler said.“ We offer the class in person, on Zoom, and as a recording. I especially love the discussions we have, so joining in real time is preferable, but we don’ t want anyone to miss out due to life conflicts.” This year’ s Spring course focused
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on“ Liberal Zionism: Between Crisis and Aspiration.” In addition to Schindler, the faculty included Judy La Pietra, director of the SGC; Noah Goldman, Global Jewry Associate, Jewish Federation of Greater Charlotte; and Katie Cunningham, assistant director of the SGC. The team sourced material from the Shalom Hartman Institute and its scholars to study the core tensions and values of liberal Zionism.
“ The curriculum matters because it fosters honest dialogue, strengthens understanding, and prepares participants to engage thoughtfully with complex material,” said La Pietra.“ I love teaching because each session invites rigorous, respectful dialogue and fosters a genuine commitment to learning.”
Over the course of eight weeks, the group explored ways to respond to the dominant critiques of Israel and Zionism in a post-October 7 reality. Together, they discussed frameworks for holding moral complexity, for teaching about Israel in a time of war, and for engaging with various communities with courage, compassion, and clarity.
The material examined the most frequent yet baseless criticisms of Israel, including colonialism, apartheid, and genocide. The Hartman scholars
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Pictured from L to R: Rabbi Judy Schindler and Noah Goldman alongside two class participants, Risa Miller and Jill Malino
offered resources and facts that serve as tools to respond with intention. Over the eight weeks, a consistent refrain emerged: legal rebuttals matter, but they are not enough. Meaningful engagement requires us to address the deeper moral questions at stake. Though the subject matter is always relevant, the eruption of conflict in Iran gave the discussions even greater urgency.
Schindler and La Pietra solicit
input from participants to identify course topics. Other class topics over the past nine years have included“ Lessons in Reconciliation: From Torah to Today,”“ Art and the Holocaust,”“ Election 2024: What Does Judaism Have to Say?” and“ Paths to Peace: Speaking to the Religious Other.”
“ The courses have covered a wide variety of topics, with the common theme of enriching
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participants’ understanding of Jewish culture, values, and history,” said Schindler.“ The active engagement of the group is what makes the Jewish Studies classes special. The most recent class on Liberal Zionism, using the Harman Institute resources, was intense, informative, and insightful. We all felt at times it was part academic course and part therapy session!”
“ Liberal Zionism was my fourth Jewish Studies class, and I love how diverse and interesting the subjects have been,” said class participant Jill Malino.“ From“ Jewish Texts and American Politics” to“ Art in the Holocaust,” I value the exploration of the topics that Judy and Judy guide us on with their expertise and insights. I find all our lessons and conversations interesting, informative, and very fulfilling.”
The topic and registration details for the Fall 2026 course will be announced through Queens University Jewish Life and the SGC( stangreensponcenter. org), later this summer.
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