Barbara Goldstein was born in New York City and moved to Florida in 1986. She has lived in Tallahassee since 1989 with her husband, Ron, and two children, Michael and Stephanie. The State of Florida requires that the Holocaust be taught in schools in all grade levels, and in 2006 Barbara was one of the founders and co-chair of the Tallahassee Holocaust Education program sponsored by National Council of Jewish Women, Tallahassee Section to assist with this unfunded mandate. She developed meaningful programs and forged partnerships with the Florida Commission on Human Relations, Tallahassee Community College, Florida State University, and the Leon County School District to bring Holocaust education to our teachers and students district-wide. The great success of the Holocaust Education Program lead to establishing The Holocaust Education Resource Council, a Non-Profit Organization whose mission is to provide guidance and support for students, teachers, and the community about Holocaust education and teaching tolerance. In April 2008, Barbara received the Woman of Achievement award from Congregation Shomrei Torah Sisterhood. It is appropriate because her voice is the one heard by Leon County educators from the classroom to the board room when she began questioning how or even if local kids were being taught about the Holocaust. She was recognized in 2014 as the Tallahassee Democrats 25 Women to Know. As a member of the Florida Dept. of Education Commissioner’s Task Force on Holocaust Education, her role is to provide Professional Development Opportunities for Teachers. In 2016, she filled the position of Executive Director. Her advocacy helped legislate funding to create a Holocaust memorial at the state capitol. Presently, her vision of a Holocaust and Human Rights Center developed a partnership at Tallahassee Community College to collaborate future programs. Thanks to her voice, there is now a group of dedicated volunteers who promote programs designed to teach school children about the Holocaust and the dangers of intolerance; and also a treasure trove of books and films worth thousands of dollars that is available to every Leon County teacher to use in teaching about the Holocaust. In 2018 Barbara implemented a patch program for Girl Scouts interested in learning about breaking the barriers of intolerance and strives to make a difference in the community by presenting educational engaging programs to teach lessons from the past and learn for the future. She has have a very personal interest in this mission as her parents are Holocaust survivors and an inspiration to never forget their remarkable story.
Rotary Club of Thomasville
217 South Broad Street
Thomasville, GA 31792