A New Chapter for the Greenspon Center: Expanding Holocaust Education and Global Leadership

By Mary Eshet

The Stan Greenspon Center is entering a new era: sharpening its focus on Holocaust education and Jewish studies, expanding its global partnerships, and laying the foundation for a permanent educational presence in Charlotte.

Founded in 2016, the Center has grown significantly in its programming, reach, and impact. At the same time, the need for education and resources to combat antisemitism and hate has intensified. The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) recorded the highest number of antisemitic incidents nationwide in 2024 since it began tracking in 1979, and North Carolina saw a 16% rise in incidents. The Greenspon Center’s expertise is increasingly in demand, and its Certification in Holocaust Pedagogy (CHP) program has gained national and international recognition, drawing interest from organizations eager to collaborate with its graduates and incorporate its approach.

Looking ahead, Greenspon director Judy LaPietra envisions a more focused future. The Center will dedicate its resources and energy to strengthening two core pillars: Holocaust Education and Jewish Studies. These will include programming, training, and research related to the Holocaust, genocide, Israel, Jewish culture, and antisemitism; Jewish Studies signature classes; and the Black Jewish Alliance.

As part of this renewed focus, the Social Justice and Community Organizing initiatives will transition to Queens University’s Lifelong Learning program. Rabbi Judy Schindler will continue to lead this work, including its certification track, under the Queens umbrella. She will also continue in her role as Queens’ Sklut Professor of Jewish Studies.

In alignment with this shift, the Center will also change its name to the Stan Greenspon Holocaust Education Center, reflecting its clarified mission and expanded educational leadership.

“We are deeply honored by the growing recognition of our work and the number of esteemed organizations eager to collaborate with us,” said LaPietra. “In addition to our treasured local partners like Federation, the Butterfly Project, and the temples, we are now working with national and international organizations to share our expertise in Holocaust education.”

Examples of the Center’s growing partnerships include:

- ADL: CHP graduates are being recruited to participate in Holocaust education research, and assistant director Katie Cunningham serves on the advisory board for the ADL Campus Report Card, which assesses antisemitism and Jewish student support on college campuses.

- The Weitzman National Museum of American Jewish History: Cunningham is a Weitzman Fellow, contributing to antisemitism education research and curriculum development. Charlotte will host the Institute’s first Professional Development session outside of Philadelphia. CHP graduates are also being recruited as pilot educators and fellows.

- Brandeis University: La Pietra, Cunningham, and four CHP graduates are participating in Brandeis’ inaugural Middle & High School Educators’ Institute on Israel and Antisemitism. The partnership includes a residency at Brandeis, a study tour in Israel, and a regional day of learning in Charlotte this fall.

- North Carolina Department of Public Instruction (NCDPI): The Greenspon Center continues to partner with NCDPI to offer statewide Holocaust and genocide education and antisemitism training, including participation in the North Carolina Center for the Advancement of Teaching.

- Echoes and Reflections at Yad Vashem: Through Cunningham’s connection with the program director, representatives will provide free training in Charlotte on the aftermath of the Holocaust to over 100 educators on June 2.

- North Carolina and South Carolina Councils on the Holocaust: The Center maintains strong partnerships with both councils, co-sponsoring and leading professional development for educators. LaPietra was recently nominated to the N.C.

Council on the Holocaust, reinforcing the Center’s leadership in regional Holocaust education.

“These relationships are true partnerships,” said Cunningham. “These organizations are eager to learn from us and our CHP graduates — and at the same time, we gain so much from their expertise and resources.”

“Judy LaPietra and Katie Cunningham are gifted leaders of the Greenspon Center, and their work brings to life the vision we had when creating it,” said Schindler. “It’s incredibly gratifying to see the success of our Holocaust education and Jewish studies programs. I’m honored to continue growing the social justice program at Queens while staying involved with the Center’s evolving mission.”

With national recognition growing and momentum building, the Greenspon Holocaust Education Center is already dreaming bigger for Charlotte.

“We’re building a future where our impact will be permanent,” said LaPietra. “This is about more than a name change — it’s about sharpening our focus, honoring the legacy of Holocaust education, and ensuring that Charlotte becomes a center for remembrance, research, and resilience. We’re working with a national consulting firm to bring the best ideas and discipline to the creation of a permanent Holocaust exhibition and education center here. We’ll have more to share in the coming months.”

Photo caption:

Katie Cunningham, assistant director; Stan Greenspon, benefactor; and Judy LaPietra, director of the Greenspon Holocaust Education Center