Attendees
- Dee Dee Simon, Commission Chair
- Lolle Boettcher, Commissioner
- Sam Devinki, Commissioner
- Devy Goldenberg, Commissioner
- Tyler Janke, (designee) Commissioner of Elementary and Secondary Education
- Jason Pounds, Commissioner
- Leah Strid, (designee) Commissioner of Higher Education
- Rabbi Yosef Landa, Commissioner
Absent
- Dana Humphrey, Commissioner
- Brad Prager, (designee) President oof the University of Missouri School System
Call to Order
Commission Chair Dee Dee Simon introduced new Commissioner Jason Pounds. Jason is a recognized English and history teacher at Houston R-1 School District in Houston, Missouri. He was appointed to the Commission on October 29, 2025, by Governor Kehoe.
The Mission Moment was provided by Commissioner Devy Goldenberg, who reported on her recent travels to France, the Netherlands and Germany with the St. Louis Kaplan Holocaust Museum.
Old Business
Commission Technology Update
Chair Dee Dee Simon reported that phase one of the Commission’s technology initiative has been completed. A secured cloud-based sharing system is now in place and will serve as the Commission’s virtual office, allowing all files and pertinent information to be shared in a safer and more secure manner.
Phase two will involve completing the expense portal for uploading expense reports and sensitive information for reimbursement processing. Several technical issues were identified during the trial run; however, the platform is expected to be fully operational by the January professional development workshop.
Phase three will integrate the expense portal with the Commission’s website.
Budget Update
Current balance is $94,396.82
October Commission PD
Due to an unexpected emergency, the Commission’s October 2025 Level 1 workshop was cancelled.
Website Calendar of Events
At the previous meeting, the Commission discussed creating an online calendar of Holocaustrelated events in Missouri, to be managed and regularly updated by Commissioner Dana Humphrey. Studio 2108 provided an estimated cost of $500 – $600. Following discussion, the Commission agreed to have Commissioner Dee Dee Simon move forward with a formal proposal.
PBS/KMOS
Two dates were set for Commission-sponsored programming: November 3 and 7, 2025. Commissioners Yosef Landa and Brad Prager will get viewership data from the station and report back at our next meeting.
Cattle Car PD
The Commission’s workshop connected to the St. Louis Kaplan Feldman Holocaust Museum’s Cattle Car experience was successful with 38 registrations and 31 attendees.
MOCHE 2025 Conference
Commissioner Dana Humphrey facilitated a breakout session on behalf of the Commission. Commissioner Tyler Janke attended and reported that the session was very well done, however, attendance was low due to the late scheduling. The Commission discussed requesting an earlier t ime slot on the first day of the conference in future years to increase participation.
Midwest Center KC to DC
Commissioner Sam Devinki reported that, through the Midwest Center for Holocaust Education, he sends teachers to the United States Holocaust Museum in Washington, DC, for educational programming. The next trip is scheduled for July 2026. Sam noted that the Museum will close for renovations in January 2027 for approximately two years, pausing the program until 2029. Commissioner Tyler Janke will work to ensure this information is posted on the DESE website and the Commission’s calendar at DESE.
Luigi Toscano Education Program
Bayer will be brining Luigi Toscano’s LEST WE FORGET exhibition to The District in St. Louis from April 16 – May 3, 2026. Commissioners are encouraged to attend the opening reception on April 16. The Commission is interested in being part of the project, if possible.
New Business
Training at the Northwest RPDC
Commissioner Dana Humphrey is scheduled to present a hybrid version of the Commission’s Level 1 and Level 2 workshops for teachers at the Northwest RPDC.
United States Holocaust Memorial Museum’s Traveling Exhibit
The USHMM’s American’s and the Holocaust traveling exhibit will be in Missouri in 2026. Commissioner Dana Humphrey is in discussions with the Daniel Boone Library in Columbia and the Green County Library in Springfield regarding teacher training opportunities. Additional details will be shared at the next meeting.
Yahad-in Unum PD
The Commission has been invited to partner with the St. Louis Kaplan Feldman Holocaust Museum to host Yahad-in Unum’s Holocaust by Bullets PD in St. Louis. The proposed two-day workshop would take place in late May or early June 2026. Some costs could be shared with the Museum, while others would be the responsibility of the Commission.
Commissioner Jason Pounds reported that he has previously attended this training and would highly recommend it. Chair Dee Dee Simon shared that a poll of approximately 100 educators who had attended prior Commission PDs showed overwhelmingly positive responses. The Commission unanimously agreed to host the workshop. This conversation also prompted Commissioner Yosef Landa to raise the possibility of expanding professional development outreach beyond educators.
2026 Event Committee
Commissioner Lolle Boettcher will schedule a Zoom meeting for the Event Committee members to discuss options for the Commission’s 2026 event.
Board Elections
Commissioner Dana Humphrey’s term as Secretary and Commissioner Dee Dee Simon’s term as Chair both expire at the end of 2025. Commissioner Jason Pounds volunteered to serve as Secretary for a two-year term and was unanimously elected. No nominations were received for Chair; Dee Dee Simon was unanimously re-elected for an additional two-year term.
Commissioner Sam Devinki reported that he submitted three names to Governor Kehoe for Commission appointments. Jason Pounds was recently appointed, and Sam will follow-up with the Governor regarding the remaining open seats on the Commission.
Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned
Notes taken by: Commissioner Leah Strid
Minutes prepared by: Chair Dee Dee Simon