Houston Educator Completes Seminar on Future of Holocaust Teaching

Laurie Garcia of Holocaust Museum Houston attended advanced program focused on AI, research, and combating antisemitism

Jan. 30, 2026 at 12:31am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Laurie Garcia, an educator at Holocaust Museum Houston, has completed the 2026 Jewish Foundation for the Righteous advanced seminar on Holocaust education. The program, held in New Jersey, brought together 23 middle and high school teachers and Holocaust center staff from eight states to learn from renowned experts on strengthening Holocaust education and addressing historical and contemporary antisemitism, including the impact of Artificial Intelligence.

Why it matters

As the number of Holocaust survivors dwindles, there is a growing need to find new and innovative ways to teach this history to future generations. This seminar equipped Garcia and other educators with the latest tools and knowledge to effectively convey the lessons of the Holocaust in their classrooms and communities.

The details

The two-day advanced seminar featured lectures from professors and historians on topics such as the use of AI in Holocaust education, historical research on the Holocaust, and combating modern-day antisemitism. Participants also discussed strategies for mentoring other teachers who instruct students about the Holocaust.

  • The seminar was held on January 17-18, 2026 in New Jersey.
  • Laurie Garcia completed the program in January 2026.

The players

Laurie Garcia

An educator at Holocaust Museum Houston who attended the advanced seminar on the future of Holocaust education.

Jewish Foundation for the Righteous

An organization that provides financial assistance to aged and needy Righteous Gentiles and runs educational programs for teachers on Holocaust history.

Andy Pearce

Professor at University College London and one of the featured speakers at the seminar.

Avinoam Patt

Professor at New York University and one of the featured speakers at the seminar.

Noah Shenker

Professor at Colgate University and one of the featured speakers at the seminar.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“Each of these educators has already distinguished themselves through a strong commitment to teaching the Holocaust and to deepening their own understanding of the antisemitism that shaped it.”

— Stanlee Stahl, JFR Executive Vice President

“Through this intensive, graduate-level program, participants developed a more nuanced understanding of Holocaust history, testimony, pedagogy and contemporary tools and challenges for teaching about the Holocaust, strengthening their own effectiveness in the classroom and enabling them to mentor other colleagues who teach the subject.”

— Stanlee Stahl, JFR Executive Vice President

What’s next

The Jewish Foundation for the Righteous will continue to provide monthly financial assistance to aged and needy Righteous Gentiles living in 10 countries, and will maintain its Holocaust teacher education program as a standard for teaching the history of the Holocaust and educating teachers and students.

The takeaway

As the living memory of the Holocaust fades, innovative programs like this seminar are crucial for equipping educators with the latest tools and knowledge to effectively teach this history to future generations and combat the rise of modern antisemitism.