Syracuse University School of Education mourns Professor Emeritus Alan Goldberg, 90, who passed on June 1 at Inova Hospital in Alexandria, VA. A distinguished faculty member in the Counseling and Human Services program, in 2006 he spearheaded SOE’s Holocaust and Genocide Education initiative, which includes the Spector/Warren Fellowship for Holocaust and Human Rights Education.
Alan Goldberg full obituaryBorn in Hartford, CT, on Dec. 14, 1933, Professor Emeritus Goldberg was a graduate of Yale University and held a master’s degree from Wesleyan University and a doctorate from Michigan State University.
A lifetime member of Congregation Beth Sholom-Chevra Shas, Goldberg was a member of the board of Syracuse Jewish Federation; an honoree by Interfaith Works; a member of the board of Safe Haven Holocaust Refugee Shelter Museum; and former president of the Association for Counselor Education and Supervision. He was also honored with the Esther and Joseph Roth Community Leadership award and the Federation President’s award for dedicated service to the Jewish Community.
Funeral services were held on June 5 at Congregation Beth Sholom Chevra Shas in DeWitt, NY. Goldberg was interred beside his wife, Dotty, in the Beth Sholom section of Oakwood Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Congregation; the Holocaust and Genocide Studies Program Fund; and/or the Spector Family Holocaust Education Fund (checks may go to the School of Education and the memo line should read “In memory of Alan Goldberg” or give online.)
“Alan was instrumental in initiating the minor in Atrocity Studies and the Practices of Social Justice, and he cultivated meaningful relationships with Spector/Warren Fellows throughout the years,” says Julia M. White, Associate Professor, Coordinator, Atrocity Studies and the Practices of Social Justice minor program, and Co-coordinator, Spector/Warren Fellowship for Holocaust and Human Rights Education.
“Alan’s work with atrocity and genocide education has allowed many Syracuse students the opportunity to examine the basic moral issue of what it means to be a responsible citizen in a democratic society,” says Joanna Masingila, Laura J. and L. Douglas Meredith Professor for Teaching Excellence and Professor of Mathematics and Mathematics Education. “He remained passionate about this cause long after retirement. He will be greatly missed.”
“Alan’s passion project was the Spector/Warren Fellowship. He maintained relationships with all the fellows long after they left Syracuse and continued to think about how to grow the program and recruit future fellows,” says Elyse Spector Kalmans P’27, Southwest Region Vice-Chair, Anti-Defamation League, and Member, SOE Advisory Board. “He was a treasure to the University and its students. His legacy will live on through the program.”
“When Harold ‘Dick’ Hackney and I were hired to take on two roles that Alan had filled in the counseling department, he could not have been more gracious. His support and his encouragement were heartfelt and substantial,” says Professor Emerita Janine Bernard. “The fact that he devoted much of his time in retirement to spearheading the Holocaust and Genocide Education initiative at SU speaks volumes about the man, his values, and his commitment not only to the Jewish community but to the world at large. His legacy is one we can all emulate.”
“Alan translated his words and intentions into action, tirelessly pursuing his commitment to Holocaust and genocide education both on and off campus,” says Professor Emerita Rachel Brown. “His advocacy, passion, and energetic commitment to Holocaust and genocide education throughout his career and beyond never ceased to amaze me. He will be missed.”