Photo: Laura Zelle (middle) with Steve Hunegs, Executive Director and Susie Greenberg, Director of Holocaust Education at this year’s JCRC Annual Event.
Darrell Owens Photography

By Laura Zelle, Outgoing Director of Holocaust Education
September 13, 2024

Join us as we honor Laura at the JCRC Annual Meeting on Wednesday, September 18, 7:00 pm at Adath.

Over the past 19 years, my family at JCRC has been more than just colleagues; they have been the heart and soul of our work together. Their unwavering dedication, boundless energy, and exceptional talent have not only shaped our successes but have also created a work environment that feels like a second home.

From passing legislation in 2023 to mandate the teaching of the Holocaust, Genocide of Indigenous Peoples, and other Genocides, to designing the Power of Place European Summer Institute for Holocaust Educators, to writing and delivering Holocaust curriculum and classes, to co-creating the Transfer of Memory traveling exhibition, to delivering community programs and trainings, my JCRC colleagues’ contributions have been nothing short of extraordinary. It is easy to take for granted the daily efforts that go into making the JCRC thrive, and I want to make sure that their hard work does not go unnoticed and that our community knows how special these relationships are to me.

For almost two decades, I have watched Steve Hunegs build relationship after relationship in an authentic manner across cultures and religions. Steve taught me the importance of showing up for others, constantly maintaining these connections and not just when our community needs support. 

For over 15 years I have had the immense pleasure of working with my dear friend Susie Greenberg. I am in awe of her talent and grace as she works with local survivor families, educators across the tri-state area, and designs programs with powerful impact.  Susie taught me to pay attention to each person’s story, find ways to build connections and always lead with a good heart.  I will cherish our travels around the world including Israel, Poland, Germany, Czech Republic, and Norway.  Our dinner in Jerusalem in 2014 before the bombs started firing and the airport closed, running to our sheirut, barely making our flight is unforgettable. The countless stories we witnessed from survivors and how their lives transformed audiences transformed us as well. 

The moment which perfectly encapsulates what Susie brings to the team and why she will sail in her new role as the JCRC’s Director of Holocaust Education is her leadership in bringing the Kindertransport exhibition to the American Swedish Institute in 2021. Susie created a local component, found Benno Black, a kinder living in St. Louis Park, and engaged with historians from the Leo Baeck Institute and our community to provide over two months of programming – an incredible blend of passion, creativity, and genuine care. I have every confidence that with Susie at the helm along with the immensely talented Kristin Thompson and Meira Besikof that our work of Holocaust education and commemoration will go from strength to strength.

Holly Brod Farber, Sally Abrams, Sami Rahamim and Ethan Roberts, all taught me the importance of collaboration and dedication to a purpose higher than all of us.  None of us do this work in a vacuum, and I have looked to each of my colleagues to discuss challenging subjects and build many impactful educational opportunities. Thank you for being my teachers.

Lisa Ferrier, Nina Afremov, Sheryl Snitkin, and Dorit Fishman, you are the infrastructure I came to depend on, and I am forever grateful for your collegiality.  Your support goes beyond just professional guidance; it truly made a difference in my day-to-day experiences. Thank you to Rob Allen and Patrick King for cracking jokes to lighten the mood.

As I move on, I want to extend a heartfelt thank you to the JCRC board, our volunteers, including our Speakers’ Bureau, donors and broader Jewish community who make the work we do as staff possible.  Thank you too to the community of educators, interfaith and community partners, and allies who have collaborated with us. You are all among the numerous people who have made a significant impact on me through many conversations and experiences. 

I leave the JCRC with much gratitude.

This blog post was the featured staff column for the September 2024 Gesher (‘Bridge’ in Hebrew) – JCRC’s monthly email newsletter.
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