Vera Goodkin
1930-2023
Dr. Vera Herman Goodkin was born in the town of Hradec Kralove, Czechoslovakia, where she lived for nine years, prior to the Nazi occupation. Torn from her life and her family during the Holocaust, she was miraculously reunited with her mother, Margit Burger Herman, and her father, Emil Herman, after being rescued by “the angel of Budapest,” Raoul Wallenberg. After emigrating to the United States in 1947, Vera received her BA from Syracuse, her MA in French Literature from New York University, and her Ed.D in English from Rutgers University. She met her husband, Dr. Jerry Goodkin, in an inorganic chemistry class at New York University, where he brought her a rose from his “postage-stamp sized garden” in a chemistry burette each day.
A speaker of five languages, and a penetrating storyteller, Vera taught for 37 years at Mercer County Community College and through the Prison Education Network. A dedicated teacher far beyond the classroom, Dr. Goodkin was a liberatory educator who traveled widely for a decade after her retirement to numerous school and community groups. In her speeches, she wove together memory, story, and history— her own and others’— to teach people of all ages (some as young as elementary school) about war and liberation, about bystanders and genocide, about dehumanization, prejudice, and the will to seek justice in the face of fear. Most of all, through her extraordinary ability to etch a moving imagine in any listener’s mind, she taught a simple yet profound lesson: the way you live your life— the way you understand and relate to other human beings— is the world you will create.
Vera was a lifelong freedom fighter. She helped spearhead mandated Holocaust education in New Jersey schools. She was also a member of the New Jersey Holocaust Commission and their Speakers Bureau for 30 years. Her book, In Sunshine and in Shadow: We Remember Them, chronicles her family history. Through impeccably detailed vignettes, she refuses to forget the darkness that descended on her family’s lives and the lives of countless others— but she also refuses to subsume those lives in despair. By weaving a tapestry of life before, after and beyond the war, her book archives another profound lesson and legacy: as long as we remember those we have lost, they too shall live.
Vera’s legacy exceeds and evades any combination of words one might arrange into an obituary. This legacy, her lessons, and her presence stay with her husband, Dr. Jerry Goodkin, her daughters Kathy Hirsch and Debbie Goodkin, and her grandchildren, Jacob, Margaret and William.
Funeral services and burial are 11:00 am on Thursday, October 5 at Congregation Brothers of Israel cemetery, 1100 Cedar Lane, Hamilton, NJ.
There will be a gathering at the Goodkin residence in Lawrenceville following the internment, and a shiva minyan will be observed at the same residence at 5:30 that evening.
A dear friend and mentor. She will light my days.
A great woman of amazing courage, strength, intellect and compassion, who will be greatly missed by her family and friends. May her memory always be for a blessing.
I met Dr. Goodkin when I found myself in her French 1 class at MCCC. I was recently discharged from the Marines and had just returned from service in Viet Nam. In our class were several other recent Viet Nam vets, and we were a little surely and cocky to say the least.
She picked up on the fact that we had just returned from what we perceived was hell on earth. Getting us together after our evening class, she told us of her experiences during the Holocaust. I’ll always remembered that moment. She had a glistening in her eyes, and we as a group of somewhat cocky vets realized that this lady was truly one of us in that we had all experienced the horror of war.
She never had a problem with us ever again. We were the most attentive people in her class from that evening on.
In later years, I found myself serving on several Boards at MCCC, and would run into my old teacher from time to time.
I am retired in Florida, and from time I think about Dr. Goodkin and that first of many French courses at MCCC.
As a Catholic, I was taught to say, Rest in Peace at times like this. Well, Dr Goodkin, Rest in Peace.
J. Gregory Smith
Boynton Beach, FL
MCCC Class of 1971
Through her kindness and grace, Dr. Goodkin touched my life when I was a young adjunct professor at MCCC. May her memory be eternal.
Debbie,
Your mom was a remarkable woman. Please know that I am thinking about you and your family as you go through this difficult time. May her memory always be for a blessing.
I had the pleasure of meeting Dr. Goodkin while teaching middle school at a local Catholic school. Her presentation to the students was moving and thought provoking. She inspired my teaching of the Holocaust for nine years. Dr. Goodkin, you will always be remembered and I hope one day to continue your legacy of teaching. May God bless your family with comfort and peace.
Having shared an office at MCCC with Vera for decades, I had the privilege of knowing her well and learning from her. Vera was truly inspirational in her life’s work which encompassed not only teaching content to her many students but in being a role model for how to live a meaningful life. After Vera’s retirement, she spoke innumerable times to share her story as a young survivor of the holocaust. She also wrote a very moving and informative memoir of her experience. She lived her life with grace and dignity. I send my deep condolences to Jerry, her husband, and to her daughters and their families. May Vera rest in peace, and may you all be comforted in your time of grief. Love from Angela and Bruce McGlynn
I met Vera when I was a young instructor in the English dept. Her kindness and grace eased my transition to the department. Later, we worked together at MCCC’s Holocaust Commission, where her knowledge was invaluable. Her talks to the students made lasting impressions. What a wonderful full life. I’m grateful to have known her. May her memory be for a blessing.
Like my dear colleagues who spoke above, I met Vera when I began teaching at MCCC many years ago. Vera was an inspiration and a loving mentor, and she encouraged me to challenge myself in my teaching and in my personal life. I am deeply saddened at Vera’s loss and can only draw comfort from knowing that I am just one of so many people who were touched by her wisdom, her loving guidance, her strength and courage, and her profound love for humanity. My deepest sympathy to Jerry and to Kathy, Debbie, Jacob, Margaret, and William, and my most sincere thanks to each of them for sharing Vera with us.
I met Dr Goodkin in 1979, EG101, at MCCC, I received a C grade, and was her mothers server when Mrs Herman would dine with Francine Kjettsa for Wednesday lunch, as Mrs Herman would tell Francine of her trials and tribulations at Auschwitz. Last time, I saw her was 2019, when she was the speaker at the Holocaust and Genocide Class by Craig Coenen. She spoke long with memory’s that fueled her book. A excellent professor and speaker, she is with everyone now that went before her. Shalom.
Pete Lieggi
Lieggi’s Ewing Manor Restaurant
Lieggi Enterprises Inc. VP, GM
My heart is broken. Had I known she was Ill I would have have gone to visit her. She was the most wonderful person I have ever known. I am honored to have been called her friend and to have been thought of with letters and phone calls. I will cherish every moment that we spent together. Vera May you Rest In Peace and May your memory always be a blessing. Thank you for having been a blessing to me. I love you and will never forget you. My condolences to Jerry and family.
From Steve Richman
I had the honor of sharing a faculty office for years with Vera Goodkin,in the Kelsey Building of Trenton Junior College, and later in the Liberal Arts Building of Mercer County College. Vera was the epitome of professionalism during her exemplary years of teaching French and ESL. Later on, her multiple presentations concerning the holocaust of which she was a victim, were meaningful, instructional and well received.
Condolences from me, and my wife Marsha, to Jerry and the entire family.
To The family of Dr. Goodkin
I had the pleasure of having her as a English Professor and found her a wonderful person.
I also attended one of her lectures on the Hallocaust very informative.
May God bless her family during this extremely difficult time of bereavement.
Vera Goodkin was a remarkable yet humble woman who shared her life’s story with the many students and community members who crossed her path at Mercer County Community College. She was my first French professor and later a colleague and friend. Her gentle smile and kindness remain in my memory. A truly inspirational and amazing woman. She will be missed. Sincere condolences to Vera’s family.
What a loss for humanity! Vera was a gentle, kind teaching colleague, an interesting conversationalist
and lunch companion after both of us retired, and a fine human being. I will miss her as a wonderful role model as well as a fine friend. My condolences to Jerry, Kathy, Debbie, Jacob, Margaret and William