Seven Bridges Middle School Teacher to be Honored with 2024 Susan J. Goldberg Memorial Teacher Award at Iona University Event

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE White Plains, New York – On Tuesday, April 16th the Holocaust & Human Rights Education Center (HHREC) will honor Laurie Lichtenstein, an English/Social Studies teacher and E.N.O.U.G.H. Jr. club advisor at Seven Bridges Middle School with the 22nd annual Susan J. Goldberg Memorial Teacher Award. Lichtenstein will be presented with the award at the annual William H. Donat Shoah Commemoration Event at Iona University.

The event will commence at 7:30pm with the presentation of the award, to be followed by a talk and presentation by Mark Weitzman, Chief Operating Officer, World Jewish Restitution Organization, Senior Delegate to the International Holocaust Remembrance Authority, and Vice President of the Association of Holocaust Organizations.

Susan Goldberg was a dedicated English teacher at Westlake Middle School in Thornwood and a charter member of the Educators Planning Committee of the HHREC. She was also a Museum Fellow at the US Holocaust Memorial Museum and received the New York State Education Department Louis B. Yavner Award as Outstanding Holocaust and Human Rights Educator. As a living testimony to her passion to eradicate hatred and bigotry through education and her personal courage to rise above adversity this award was established in 2003 in loving memory to be presented annually to an educator in our area who has made distinguished contributions to their school and community on teaching about the Holocaust and other violations of human rights.

In a letter to Lichtenstein, HHREC Director of Education Steven Goldberg wrote: “You are being recognized for your dedication to human rights education and for your determination to bring the lessons of the Holocaust and other human rights violations to your students at Seven Bridges Middle School. In 2018, you were an active participant in the Holocaust & Human Rights Education Center’s Educators’ Trip to Germany and Poland. The willingness to continue your education reflects your desire to provide your students with a new insight and understanding of a difficult subject. Immediately after your return from Germany and Poland, you joined HHREC’s Educators’ Program Committee, and you have been instrumental in the development of new programs which further the study of the Holocaust and human rights education. Your work extends beyond your many accomplishments in your school and the Chappaqua community. In conclusion, you embody the spirit of the Susan J. Goldberg Memorial Teacher Award through your unwavering commitment to Holocaust education, human rights, and the betterment of your students and community. Your passion, leadership, and continuous efforts to make a lasting impact on your students’ lives make you an ideal candidate for this honor.

We hope that your good work will inspire your students to emulate your work ethic and passion for social justice.”

This event is free and open to the public. For more information visit the HHREC events page at hhrecny.org.