Attendees
- Dee Dee Simon, Commission Chair
- Lolle Boettcher, Commissioner
- Devy Goldenberg, Commissioner
- Jason Pounds, Commissioner
- Leah Strid, (designee) Commissioner of Higher Education
- Dana Humphrey, Commissioner
Absent
- Dorian Stuber, Commissioner
- Sam Devinki, Commissioner
- Tyler Janke, (designee) Commissioner of Elementary and Secondary Education
- Rabbi Yosef Landa, Commissioner
- Brad Prager, (designee) President of the University of Missouri School System
Call to Order
The meeting was called to order at 12:05.
Commission Chair Dee Dee Simon briefed the Commission on new Commissioner Dorian Stuber. Dorian was not able to attend this meeting. Formal introductions will take place at the March meeting.
Mission Moment was provided by Dana Humphrey. She shared her thoughts on how Holocaust education is about a link between the past and the present. The discussion was framed with the question, “Did someone care enough to teach you about the Holocaust?” We were encouraged to remember that memory is an active responsibility, not a passive one.
Motion to approve November minutes was made by Devy Goldenberg and seconded by Lolle Boettcher.
Reports
Outreach – Dee Dee informed the Commission of a December 4, 2024, event at the Kaplan Feldman Holocaust Museum where she was asked to represent the Commission and speak at an event in partnership with the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum. She will also represent the Commission on January 27, 2025, by reading names for International Holocaust Remembrance Day.
Dee Dee has also been contacted by and editor who is working on a book about Holocaust commissions. He sent a list of questions to be answered and Dee explained she will answer all questions based on the statute and unless there were any objections. After none were expressed, she indicated she would move forward.
Legislation – Sam stated once the new Governor is in office, he will contact him and request our remaining three Commissioners be appointed. Dee Dee indicated that the DESE lobbyist is also working on getting the appointments.
Education Sub-Committee – Dana reported on two upcoming teacher trainings. A Level 1 training to be held in Columbia, Missouri, February 23-25 and a Level 2 training in St. Louis, March 10-11, 2025.
Old Business
Commission Technology Update
Chair Dee Dee Simon gave an update on the current situation of our existing technology concerns and needs. She shared that Studio 2108 is unable to meet our needs. We will need an outside consultant. The teacher expense portal will be expanded to vendor support, grants, and Commissioners. There will be a new proposal for tracking and organizing our listserv and PD participants. The goal is to be completed by June, 2026. Dee Dee will send out proposal when received.
Yahad-in-Unum PD
The Yahad-in Unum is scheduled to take place May 31-June 2, 2026. There is concern that our partner for the workshop, the Kaplan Feldman Holocaust Museum, may need to secure funding for this event. The Commission was asked to consider moving forward, even if it required taking on the full cost of the PD. The Yahad-in-Unum PD will require attendees to attend a Commission Level 1 PD. Dana Humphrey made a motion to accept. Seconded by Devy Goldenberg. All present were in favor.
Luigi Toscano Education Program
Houston High School and Smith-Cotton High School have both been approached to host a smaller version of Luigi Toscano’s LEST WE FORGET exhibition in April, 2026. Confirmation from the lead teachers is pending.
USHMM Traveling Exhibit
Dana Humphrey has been in contact with the Springfield-Green Library regarding the Commission providing a two-day workshop surrounding the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum’s Americans and the Holocaust traveling exhibit in 2026. There is concern about the timing of such a workshop in July and getting enough participation to warrant a trip to Springfield.
Website Calendar of Events
The proposal to add an events calendar to the website is $500. All Commissioners were in favor.
KMOS/PBS
There was no update on viewership. Brad Prager and/or Rabbi Landa will provide at the next meeting.
Budget
The Commission’s remaining budget was reported at $93,363.83.
New Business
The Commission discussed the possibility of offering graduate credit hours through Lindenwood University for Commission PD workshops. The Commission is in favor of moving forward with this idea. Dana Humphrey, Lolle Boettcher, and Jason Pounds will create a syllabus to submit for approval.
2026 Events Committee
The Commission discussed changing the date of the Commission’s 2026 event to April 13. Considering all of the activities already scheduled for that time period, it was suggested to move the live event to January 27, 202, to commemorate International Holocaust Remembrance Day. The Commission also considered putting up an exhibit in Jefferson City, perhaps at the Missouri Archives. The Events Committee will meet again on January 23rd to plan further. Commissioners are requested to attend the Lest We Forget Opening Night on April 16th at The District in Chesterfield, Missouri. Commissioners were also requested to attend the Yom HaShoah event at the St. Louis Kaplan Feldman Holocaust Museum on Sunday, April 12, 2026.
Commission Retreat 2026
The Commission discussed holding another retreat especially since we have two new Commissioners. It was suggested that we hold on a Thursday from approximately 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. If we return to Filament, the previous vendor, the cost would be $7,500. Discussion focused on the need to meet in person, but consideration was given to a more informal retreat in order to reduce the costs. Commissioners were asked to send ideas and topics for discussions to Commissioner Dee Dee Simon by Jan 9, 2026.
Budget Justification Report
Concern was expressed about the Commission’s future allocation with news about difficult financial decisions in the upcoming state budget. A discussion was had regarding the creation of a Budget Justification Report that would detail how we spent our allocation, the impact of our programs, teacher feedback from PDs and support from our partners on the Education Sub-Committee. This conversation prompted Commission Chair Dee Dee Simon to raise a discussion on how the Commission might want to budget its remaining allocation.
Meeting Adjourned
Minutes prepared by: Secretary Jason Pounds
Future Meetings
March 6, 2026
May 1, 2026
July 3, 2026
September 4, 2026
November 6, 2026