Press Room

Christian Acevedo, Director of Outreach & Communications
E-mail Christian | 512.463.7998
As THGAAC Director of Outreach & Communications, Christian travels throughout the state in order to connect the Texas public with the various resources and programs that the THGAAC has to offer. He also maintains the THGAAC website, responds to press inquiries, and exhibits at various educator conferences throughout the state. Christian oversees the THGAAC's social media presence and composes press releases to cover THGAAC news and events. Christian earned his horns at the University of Texas at Austin and later his master's at New York University.

Joy Nathan, Executive Director
E-mail Joy | 512.463.8815
As Executive Director, Joy is a liaison between organizations and the Texas Holocaust, Genocide, and Antisemitism Advisory Commission and, as such, conveys all important communications to the THGAAC chair and commissioners. Contact Joy in order to answer public, legislative, and executive inquiries about the THGAAC and its mission. She can also provide expertise and assistance on projects and campaigns as well as speaking on behalf of the THGAAC at public events.

Programs

THGAAC Non-Profit Grant

The Texas Holocaust, Genocide, and Antisemitism Advisory Commission (THGAAC) offers to fund a variety of programs through its THGAAC Non-Profit Grant Program. These grant funds may be used for projects related to classroom education, workshops, recording of oral histories, and memorials or exhibits, as well as other purposes. This grant is open to all permanent, non-profit institutions that are headquartered in the State of Texas.

Amounts up to $10,000.00 may be granted per project. All funds may require one-to-one matches, but in-kind services may be counted toward the 50% total match. The THGAAC regularly assists educational institutions, museums, and other local non-profits throughout the entire state with this grant program.

THGAAC Holocaust Remembrance Week Grant
The intent of this grant program is to advance public knowledge and the study of the Holocaust and other genocides by partnering with Texas-based, non-profit organizations to provide local schools and communities with educational resources. The Texas Holocaust, Genocide, and Antisemitism Advisory Commission is charged with providing advice and assistance regarding the implementation of Holocaust and genocide education and programming, most recently with the passing of SB 1828 in 2019, which established an annual Holocaust Remembrance Week in Texas schools. This grant is designed to help schools statewide in implementing Holocaust Remembrance Week education and programming, although we encourage using the materials provided by this grant throughout the entire year.

THGAAC Holocaust Remembrance Week Grants require a one-to-one match. Applications may be submitted for a total of one hundred percent (100%) of the materials’ cost, for a maximum grant amount of $25,000.00. Organizations should provide 50% of the cost in matching funds. In-kind services may be counted toward the 50% match.

Workshops

Live Workshops for Educators

The Texas Holocaust, Genocide, and Antisemitism Advisory Commission (THGAAC) offers live workshops that provide training to educators on best practices. Since 2016, workshops have been held in each of the state’s 20 Education Service Center (ESC) regions. All workshops are free to Texas educators.

In July 2019, the THGAAC partnered with the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum (USHMM) and traveled to Edinburg, Texas to hold a two-day workshop entitled, The World Will Turn Right-Side Up One Day. Over 45 teachers and curriculum specialists from across the Rio Grande Valley were in attendance, and various resources were provided free of cost to all participants.

To host or request a live workshop in your area, please complete our Request a THGAAC Speaker form.

1 April 2021 | The River Hudson Valley Newsroom
Why Don’t More New Yorkers Know What Happened in the Holocaust?

29 May 2020 | Diocese of Beaumont
Teacher Recognized on State Level

21 May 2020 | Beaumont Enterprise
Kelly Catholic Teacher Named Outstanding Educator of the Year

4 May 2020 | Ackerman Chronicle
LBJ and the Holocaust

23 February 2020 | The Mercury
Exhibit Honors Holocaust Liberators

17 February 2020 | UT Dallas Magazine
The Importance of Holocaust Remembrance

27 January 2020 | Press Release
Governor Abbott Delivers Remarks on International Holocaust Remembrance Day in Austin

27 January 2020 | Denton Record-Chronicle
Local schools begin Holocaust Remembrance Week

23 January 2020 | Plano Star Courier
Public schools to observe first Holocaust Remembrance Week

25 October 2019 | KCBD
Narratives of Genocide exhibit coming to the Museum of Texas Tech University

13 June 2019 | KTXS12
Texas lawmakers pass 'Holocaust Remembrance Week' bill

12 June 2019 | Press Release
Senator José Menéndez Passes Bill Establishing Holocaust Remembrance Week in Public Schools Across Texas

12 June 2019 | SA Current
Gov. Greg Abbott signs Holocaust Remembrance Week into Law

24 May 2019 | The Monitor
Lessons from the past: McAllen marks Holocaust Remembrance Day with program, exhibit

8 April 2019 | San Antonio Express-News
Holocaust liberator from San Antonio haunted by memories

7 November 2018 | Press Release
USS Lexington to Host Exhibit about Texas WWII Veterans who Liberated Nazi Concentration Camps

29 August 2018 | Houston Chronicle
‘The Texas Liberator: Witness to the Holocaust’ exhibition to open at Holocaust Museum Houston

Texas Holocaust, Genocide, and Antisemitism Advisory Commission logo

Joy Nathan, Executive Director of the Texas Holocaust, Genocide, and Antisemitism Advisory Commission

Kenneth Goldberg, Chair of the Texas Holocaust, Genocide, and Antisemitism Advisory Commission

THGAAC Commissioners and Executive Director and THC Executive Director at THGAAC June 2022 Quarterly Meeting

House Bill 3257 signing ceremony with Governor Greg Abbott on June 16, 2021

Former Texas Governor, Rick Perry, signs Senate Bill 482, officially creating the former Texas Holocaust, Genocide, and Antisemitism Advisory Commission (June 2009)

Press requests and questions from the media regarding information, projects, and interview opportunities should be directed to the Director of Outreach & Communications.

Christian Acevedo, Director of Outreach & Communications
E-mail Christian | 512.463.7998

For non-press related inquiries, please use our general contact page.

All information about upcoming events, workshops, and other activities can be found by visiting the THGAAC's Event Calendar.

The mission of the Texas Holocaust, Genocide, and Antisemitism Advisory Commission is to bring awareness of the Holocaust, genocides, and antisemitism to Texas students, educators, and the general public by ensuring availability of resources and advising on relevant matters.

THGAAC Press Kit

Programs

Workshops