Our Yom HaShoah commemoration will feature Susan J. Schinleber, Ph.D., as our keynote speaker. Cantor Mendelson, Marianne Kim, and Aaron Kaplan will be sharing music, and we will have the opportunity to light candles in memory of the 6 million murdered in the Holocaust.

Susan J. Schinleber, Ph.D., is a lifelong educator, storyteller, and public speaker whose career has been deeply rooted in helping others understand the lasting impact of the Holocaust and the importance of historical memory. With decades of teaching experience across high schools, colleges, and universities—including New York University, St. John’s University, and North Shore Country Day—Susan has influenced generations of students through English, French, and communication studies. A passionate advocate for democracy and ethical education, she has received numerous awards and grants to study and live abroad, including in France, Germany, and Israel.

Through institutions such as the ADL, Facing History, the Illinois Holocaust Museum, and Yad Vashem, she has facilitated programs and continued her commitment to lifelong learning. A longtime volunteer at the Illinois Holocaust Museum, since 2023, she has been contracted by ADL to teach educators about the Holocaust and antisemitism. Most recently, she returned to academia for a master’s in history (WWII Studies with an emphasis on the Holocaust) and is currently completing a Certificate in Holocaust and Genocide Studies. Susan’s work is defined by her commitment to truth-telling, historical empathy, and fostering global awareness through storytelling, scholarship, and service.