Attendees
- Dee Dee Simon, Commission Chair
- Lolle Boettcher, Commissioner
- Sam Devinki, Commissioner
- Devy Goldenberg, Commissioner
- Cammy Goucher, (designee) Commissioner of Elementary and Secondary Education
- Dana Humphrey, Commissioner
- Brad Prager, (designee) President of the University of Missouri System
- Rabbi Yosef Landa, Commissioner
- Andrew Bergerson, UMKC
- Scott Manuel, Commission Intern
- Leah Strid, temporary appointee for Commissioner of Higher Education
Call to Order
The meeting was called to order by Commission Chair, Dee Dee Simon, who welcomed everyone and introduced Leah Strid, representing the Commissioner of Higher Education until a permanent appointee from the Commissioner is named.
Dee Dee began with her mission moment by showing a clip which aired on CBS in January featuring Missouri survivor, Oskar Jakob, and then asked for a moment of silence in memory of all who suffered during the Holocaust.
Minutes from the January 9, 2025, meeting were approved with Sam Devinki making the motion, seconded by Brad Prager.
Reports
Dee Dee asked for approval from the Commission to change the reports agenda item to updates as needed to expedite our meetings. Request approved. Dee Dee requested updates be emailed a week before the meeting to be added to the agenda.
Outreach – Dee Dee shared she was contacted by the executive director of Missouri Alliance for Arts Education, Phyllis Pasley. The second week of April is Arts Education Week in Missouri in addition to Holocaust Education week. Phyllis reached out to see how we could partner to promote both organizations.
This year, their organization held a gala which had 30 legislators who responded. Dee Dee prepared a short statement about Holocaust Education Week which was read, and we provided table tents promoting the Some Were Neighbors exhibition at the Capitol.
Dee Dee is planning a meeting with Phyllis to discuss a possible partnership for the America 250 Project.
Dee Dee and Lolle Boettcher met with our partner, the Kaplan Feldman Holocaust Museum and Yahad-in Uniu to discuss possibly hosting a joint professional development opportunity. It was decided we may want to explore this training for 2026.
Education Sub-Committee – Dana Humphrey shared a summary document (Document A) showing the three levels of teacher trainings the Commission has delivered, the number of teachers, and briefly explained the content for the different levels. She reported positive evaluations and comments from participants. There are currently five trainings scheduled for the 2025-2026 school year. Hotels have been reserved but contracts have not been signed until funding is finalized.
Brad Prager and Rabbi Landa shared they have been working with the program manager at the PBS station KMOS out of Warrensburg, Missouri regarding the Commission sponsoring a Holocaust film. The station has several films in rotation that we could sponsor for $1,000.00 each. All commissioners agreed to move forward with this opportunity. Brad will continue to work on specifics and send a list of films and additional information as he receives it.
Old Business
AHO Conference
Dee Dee reported that she, Lolle and Dana attended the Association of Holocaust Organization’s winter conference in January hosted by the Kaplan Feldman Holocaust Museum. In addition, Brad was a featured speaker at the conference. Dee Dee shared how beneficial the conference was, especially the networking. She asked the Commission to approve a membership at the cost of $250.00 per year. Request approved. She will submit the application.
Holocaust Education Week
Dee Dee shared that she and Dana set up the 22 panels of the Some Were Neighbors exhibition on the third-floor rotunda at the Capitol on Sunday, April 6th for Holocaust Education Week. On Monday morning, she received a call that we only had permission to display the panels on the Senate side of the rotunda and they would have to be moved to accommodate another display on the House side. On Monday, April 7th, she, Lolle and Cammy Goucher were present with Senator Williams and Representative Hales read a statement about Holocaust Education Week and they rearranged the panels that evening.
On April 11, 2025, Dee Dee received an email from a visitor who was disappointed with the exhibition. It stated the panels appeared to have been moved and were in disarray. It was noisy and the atmosphere was not suitable for the serious topic of the Holocaust. When Dee Dee returned to take the exhibition down, the panels were indeed not in the same spot or arrangement. She contacted Capitol police about the incident and a request has been made to review security footage. An email was sent to the visitor, but no response has been received.
Intern Update
Dana shared that the Commission intern, Scott Manuel, is creating materials for use in teacher trainings on Missouri survivors. He is creating individual profile cards for use in the timeline activity as well as short biographies with photographs on these survivors to create an exhibition on Missouri survivors.
Commission Retreat
Dee Dee reminded everyone of the Commission retreat with Filament on May 22, 2025. All commissioners will receive a formal invitation and instructions from Filament.
Commission Technology
Dee Dee shared her continued exploration with Anders IT about getting a secure platform for our work. She has met with them and was assisted by Drew Bergerson, who was valuable assistance. The urgent needs are for an automated registration system for our trainings, invoicing, and managing our educator grants. Anders IT recommends using Microsoft 365. The cost will be approximately $60,000 for everything. Dee Dee is also talking with Absolute Computer Solutions for a bid.
New Business
Luigi Toscano/Bayer Partnership
Dee Dee reported that Bayer is bringing Luigi Toscano’s Lest We Forget exhibition to their campus in Chesterfield. Since the Bayer campus is closed to the public, there is discussion of a possible public exhibition in the area as well. In addition, Dee Dee shared the possibility of the Commission partnering to take the exhibition to schools, where students would take the lead in informing other students and the community about the individual portraits. She will keep us updated as more details are available.
Budget
Prior to the meeting, Dee Dee shared a budget document. There were no questions.
St. Louis Kaplan Feldman Yom HaShoah
De Dee reported that she represented the Commission with a statement at the museum’s Yom HaShoah program on April 27, 2025. There were over four hundred in attendance.
Commissioner of Higher Education
Dee Dee shared that Sarah Harrison is no longer with the department of higher education but still wants to be involved with the Commission. Dee Dee reached out to the Commissioner of Higher Education, and he told her he was not able to participate personally but is looking for the right person to serve as his representative.
Vacant Commission Seats
Dee Dee stated she has reached out to the head of Boards regarding the three vacant seats. She asked if anyone had suggestions for possible appointees to email her the information.
Commission Storage
Dee Dee shared that a climate-controlled storage unit has been rented at the U-Haul storage unit on Regan Drive in Lake St. Louis. This will be for our training materials, posters, exhibition panels, books, etc.
July Meeting
Due to our regularly scheduled meeting falling on July 4, 2025, it was decided to change the date. Dee Dee will send out a Doodle poll to find the best date.
Meeting Adjourned.
Document A
Educator Trainings
Document B
Beginning EdPlus Contract Balance January: $91,875.00
January Expenses
Invoice 20250001 (Kaplan Feldman Holocaust Museum) 2,000.00
Invoice 20250002 (Midwest Center for Holocaust Education) 2,000.00
Invoice 20250003 (Studio 2108 Web Hosting/Domain) 396.00
February Expenses
Invoice 20250004 (Studio 2108 4/1/2025 – 3/31/2026 Contract) 2,738.00
Invoice 20250005 (Dee Dee Simon AHO Registration and Hotel) 982.20
February PD Expense Reports 3,553.51
March Expenses
Invoice 20250006 (Hampton Inn & Suites Feb. PD) 7,360.80
Credit Card Payment (FastSigns – Some Were Neighbors Banners) 3,369.81
Credit Card Payment (FastSigns – Propaganda Posters for Level 2 PD) 2,118.60
March PD Expense Reports 5,242.72
Grants (2) 1,724.78
April Expenses
Grants (11 as of 4/21) 11,543.29
Invoice 20250007 (Tickets to Kaplan Feldman Holocaust Museum) 288.00
Credit Card Payment (Drury Hotel March PD) 8,684.96
Invoice 20250008 (Lunches, Snacks and Misc. Items for March PD) 819.25
Total Expenses $52,821.92
Balance as of April 21, 2025 $39,053.08
Less EdPlus 5% of Total Contract 4,593.75
Ending Balance $34,459.33
Upcoming Known Expenses
Filament (Retreat) $7,500.00
Storage Unit Yearly Rental $1,619.00
Lolle’s and Dana’s AHO expenses TBD
Dana’s Misc. Expenses TBD