Martin-Springer Institute Advisory Councils
Our Mission:
The Martin-Springer Institute attends to the experiences of the Holocaust in order to relate them to today’s concerns, crises, and conflicts. Our programs promote the values of moral courage, empathy, resilience, reconciliation, and justice. Founded by Doris, who survived the Holocaust, and her husband Ralph Martin, the Institute fosters dialogue on local, national, and international levels.
Our Institute’s mission is supported by two advisory councils. The general MSI-Advisory Council made up of community members, as well as the more specific MSI-Teacher Advisory Council composed of educators.
The MSI-Advisory Council
The MSI-AC supports the educational work and public outreach programs that the Institute provides to NAU students and faculty, and to the community at large. Its members serve in an advisory role to the MSI Director, provide financial support, advocate on behalf of its mission, and act as ambassador to constituencies that include, but are not limited to, professional and educational networks, friends, NAU alumni, businesses, and community members on local, regional, and national levels.
Current MSI-AC members:
- Ron Borkan (Chair)
- Shannon Allison
- Alexander Alvarez
- Stephen Batalden
- Sheryl Bronkesh
- Jill Friedmann
- Christopher Harrison
- David Kader
- Patricia Mongini
- Laura Nicol
- Jamie Rivkin
- Daniel Rothenberg
- Stu Siefer
- Steven Smith
- Donna Weistrop
Student MSI-AC member:
- Alyssa Icke
Founding members:
- Doris Springer Martin
- Ralph Martin.
Honorary members:
- Gerda Weissmann Klein z”l (author and educator, Arizona)
- Teresa Wontor-Cichy (Muzeum Auschwitz-Birkenau, Poland)
- Tali Nates (Johannesburg Holocaust & Genocide Centre, South Africa)
- Susan Neiman (Einstein Forum, Germany)
- John K. Roth (Claremont McKenna College, California)
- Shifra Sagy (Ben Gurion University, Israel).
Past members include:
Camille Bibles, Alec Chavez, Kathleen Frank, Janice Friebaum, Karen Getto, Elliott Greenberg, Liz Grobsmith, Dorlee Henderson, Lisa Hirsch, Kim Klett, Gregory Larkin, John Liffiton, Sergio Mazza, Eugene Moan, Lela Montfort, Ismael “Ike” Ozis, Sheila Polk, Liz Rock, Janine Schipper, G Shanahan, Elizabeth Sorg, and Duane Yazzie
The MSI-Teacher Advisory Council (MSI-TAC)
Our Institute is pleased to be supported by an Advisory Council of Arizona teachers and educators in addition to out general Advisory Council.
The MSI-TAC supports the general educational work and public outreach programs that MSI provides to the community, with a particular focus on the needs of Arizona teachers regarding Holocaust and genocide education in middle and high schools.
Its tasks include but are not limited to
- creating a supportive network for teachers interested in teaching the Holocaust and genocide in Arizona schools
- working closely with resources that MSI can offer
- identifying underserved student populations
- advising about resources and professional training opportunities
- advising about funding/grant opportunities
Current MSI-TAC members:
Northern Arizona
- Lauren Lefty
- NAU Director of Secondary Ed | History
- Katie Scholler
- Flagstaff High School | Social Studies
- Dan Tyler
- Prescott High School | Social Studies
- Sarah Wishnewsky
- Sedona Red Rock High School | English
- Jaime Festa Daigle
- Lake Havasu Unified School District | Administrator
The Valley
- Ashley Crose
- Saguaro High School | Social Studies
- Sandy Flayton
- Cocopah/Chaparral | English/Gifted
- Heather Land
- Mountain View High School | English
- Dennis Pinon
- Maryvale High School | Special Ed
- Lori Redman
- Chandler High School | Social Studies
Southern Arizona
- Jeff Mann
- Flowing Wells High School | Social Studies