Commissioner of Education Richard Corcoran today announced that Barbara Goldstein has been appointed as the Chair of the Commissioner’s Task Force on Holocaust Education. In her role as Chair, Ms. Goldstein will advise the Commissioner of Education and coordinate education activities regarding the Holocaust.
“It is essential that someone the caliber of Barbara Goldstein lead the Task Force and I am very pleased that she has agreed to serve,” said Commissioner Corcoran. “As the daughter of two Holocaust survivors, Barbara is uniquely qualified to bring the important lessons of the Holocaust to Florida classrooms. Her depth of knowledge is absolutely essential to ensuring Florida students have a deep understanding of the importance of the Holocaust and the dangers of intolerance. I look forward to working closely with her on this very important topic.”
“Holocaust education is my personal mission, as my parents are both Holocaust survivors,” said Barbara Goldstein. “Their remarkable story is an inspiration and I pledge to bring this same sense of purpose to the Task Force. I am so thankful to Commissioner Corcoran for the opportunity to serve the state of Florida as Chair of the Task Force on Holocaust Education and am looking forward to what the future holds.”
Ms. Goldstein has developed numerous programs and compiled a wealth of resources about the Holocaust and also serves as the Executive Director of the Holocaust Education Resource Council. She was one of the original founders of the Holocaust Education program and has worked extensively with the Florida Commission on Human Relations, Tallahassee Community College, Florida State University and the Leon County School District to bring Holocaust education to teachers and students district-wide.
Representative Michael Caruso said, “I first met Barbara Goldstein last year when I was working on antisemitism legislation. Barbara expressed her concern about the need for more oversight on holocaust education throughout Florida and we are working together to move forward and make this happen. Barbara is the right person for this position. Her passion and integrity are unparalleled. Holocaust education in our schools is more important than ever. With Barbara at the helm, we will expand and enforce the Holocaust curriculum taught in our schools and I look forward to our continued work together.”
Representative Randy Fine said, “Commissioner Corcoran has made an outstanding choice in selecting Barbara Goldstein as Chair of his Task Force on Holocaust Education. As the recent situation in Palm Beach County demonstrated, we have a lot of work to do to ensure that we deliver on the promise of ‘never again.’ With decades of experience working in Holocaust education and as the child of Holocaust survivors, we are in good hands and I look forward to working with her and the Commissioner on this critical piece of our educational curriculum.”
Senator Bill Montford said, “Barbara is an excellent appointment to The Commissioner’s Taskforce on Holocaust Education. She has passion for this most important issue. Florida’s students will benefit tremendously through her service on this commission.”
Florida Statutes require that schools faithfully teach the history of the Holocaust and that the Holocaust be taught in a manner that leads to an understanding of the ramifications of prejudice, racism and stereotyping. In May 2019, Governor DeSantis signed HB 741 that prohibits discrimination in Florida’s K-20 public education system based on religion, and specifically targets anti-Semitism. Commissioner Corcoran has also required school districts to provide information on how they are implementing the law.
For more information about the Florida Department of Education, visit www.fldoe.org.
