In June, Akron native Courtney Krieger joined Maltz Museum staff as Manager of Student Learning and Community Engagement. Prior to joining the Maltz team, she taught in the Jewish Studies Department at The Lippman School in Akron, Ohio. Courtney also coordinated children’s programming for camp and children’s services at the Cleveland Jewish Community Center and served as the Hillel Program Director at Kent State University. Throughout her career she has helped to plan family programs and taught Sunday school at some of Northeast Ohio synagogues including Temple Emanu El, Park Synagogue, Fairmount Temple, The Temple-Tifereth Israel and Temple Israel.
Explain your position at the Maltz Museum.
I am here to help to bring more schools and families into the Museum by creating more opportunities for families, making connections in the community and doing outreach around special exhibitions. I also help to train the docents and other educators. I am in the process of revising some of our tour offerings and engaging educators in programs like our Stop the Hate® Youth Sing Out and Youth Speak Out contests.
What appeals to you about the Museum’s mission?
I am amazed by the fact that not only is this museum a chance to explore Jewish history, religion and culture but it is also a chance to learn about other cultures, religions and races. The fact that An American Story shares the story of Jewish immigration to Northeast Ohio and This Light of Ours looks at the activists and everyday people who risked everything to fight for equality in the segregated south of the 1960s South is proof of the diversity we offer. And yet, each exhibit brings people together and history to life, allowing us to learn from the past and continue to educate ourselves in the present so that our future will be one of a positive light for us all.
What’s one thing you learned since you’ve been here?
The Museum has taught me more about my own heritage and my family history. I just wish my grandparents were still living to ask more of the questions that I have now. We all need to ask these questions today while there is time. I definitely have been asking my parents more questions since I started working here.
Looking ahead, what’s one thing that you’re really excited about?
Just one thing? I am learning SO much more about the Civil Rights era and I’m excited to see and to experience the This Light of Ours exhibition. I am also looking forward to getting to know more of the docents and teachers because I am truly a people person.
What is something else we might want to know about you?
“When one teaches, two learn” is one of my favorite quotes.
–Sam Fryberger, Director, Marketing & Communications
