About Dr. Julie Golding

Professional Background

Current Role

I serve as an Assistant Professor and Deputy Chair of the Master's in Holocaust Education at Touro University, where I mentor the next generation of Holocaust educators and scholars. I am also a curator at the Holocaust Museum & Center for Tolerance and Education in Suffern, New York, where I have curated traveling exhibitions and developed initiatives to engage communities and address antisemitism in regional public schools.

International Experience

My work has taken me across the globe. I previously served as an Educational Consultant at Yad Vashem's International School for Holocaust Studies in Jerusalem, collaborating with educators worldwide to design meaningful learning experiences. This international perspective informs my understanding of how different cultures and educational systems approach Holocaust education.

Yesodeinu Initiative

In 2020, I discovered human remains from Holocaust victims in the museum's collection and arranged their burial in a local cemetery. This profound and moving experience transformed my understanding of our responsibilities as educators and professionals. It inspired me to found Yesodeinu, a program that guides young people to confront and connect with some of history's most challenging moments while exploring Jewish resilience through visits to local cemeteries and historical sites.

The name Yesodeinu means "our foundations" in Hebrew—reflecting the program's commitment to helping young people understand the foundational values of memory, resilience, and community care.

Recognition & Awards

My work has been recognized with the New York State Board of Regents Louis E. Yavner Citizen Award for excellence in Holocaust education. I was also honored as a Wexner Graduate Fellow and Davidson Scholar during my doctoral studies at Yeshiva University, where I researched vicarious trauma experienced by Holocaust museum visitors—a focus that eventually led to the book Unseen Scars.

Teaching Philosophy

I thrive on designing educational experiences that inspire learners, combining rigorous research with hands-on engagement. My approach is informed by trauma-informed pedagogy, recognizing that when educators teach about difficult histories—particularly the Holocaust—we have a responsibility to consider the emotional and psychological wellbeing of our students and ourselves.

I believe that Holocaust education is not simply about transmitting historical facts. It's about cultivating moral awareness, building empathy, and empowering learners to become advocates for human dignity and justice.

Research Focus

My doctoral research focused on the concept of vicarious trauma in Holocaust museum contexts—exploring how encounters with this difficult history affect not just survivors and their families, but educators, museum professionals, and visitors. This research led to my exploration of vicarious resilience as a complementary and more empowering framework for understanding how bearing witness to trauma can foster growth and strength rather than only harm.