Teaching future generations about the cost of intolerance and of indifference to suffering is at the core of the Sonoma State University Holocaust and Genocide Lecture Series that celebrates its 25th anniversary this year.
Myrna Goodman, Director of the Center for the Study of the Holocaust and Genocide at SSU, which produces the lecture series, notes that the Series was founded by a remarkable group of academic and activist visionaries who hoped to use this annual set of lectures to fulfill the Series motto:
"Study the nature of hate: Prevent the escalation of prejudice into genocide." The organizers believed that by studying the Holocaust--and other genocides- students could deepen their understanding of human nature, organized society, political leadership, democratic participation, and civilization itself."
Barbara Lesch McCaffry, the President of the Alliance for the Study of the Holocaust, notes that "many of us have felt a moral obligation to those who survived the Holocaust - and other genocides-to teach future generations about the cost of intolerance and indifference to suffering.
The lecture series has reached close to 2,500 students at the University. Many have gone on to pursue careers in teaching that allowed them to honor the memory of the Holocaust and genocide survivors who have spoken in the series. They call on students to 'never forget' and to be vigilant whenever and wherever murderous prejudice occurs."
The lecture series is supported by a University-Community partnership between the SSU's School of Social Sciences and Center for the Study of the Holocaust and Genocide and the Alliance for the Study of the Holocaust.
Over the years, the lecture series has offered insight into past and present genocides and first-hand accounts of survivors of the Holocaust and many other 20th century genocides.
"Lost and Found: Living in a Post-Holocaust World" is the theme of this year's series which is held at 4 p.m. through May 20 on Tuesdays in Warren Auditorium.
The Catskill Klezmorim, a six-member group of musicians, will perform a unique combination of traditional and contemporary styles of Jewish music using the clarinet, violin, keyboard, bass, percussion and vocals on Feb. 12. The New York based group has performed in numerous college concert series, expressing their unique music at Cornell, Kean College, Binghamton University and Hartwick College as well as at hundreds of synagogues and Jewish Community Centers.
On April 8, Dr. Michael Berenbaum, a founding director of the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum , former CEO of Steven Spielberg's Voices of the Shoah Foundation and current director of the Sigi Ziering Institute and an adjunct Professor of Theology at the American Jewish University will give the annual Robert L. Harris Memorial Lecture.
He will discuss those who deny the Holocaust and how denial affects the way many view history. An acclaimed and prolific author, (The World Must Know, After Tragedy and Triumph), he is also the executive editor of the 22 volume Encyclopedia Judaica. Berenbaum has also used his extensive knowledge of the Holocaust as Director of the United States Holocaust Research Institute at the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum.
Providing a positive future to the downfall of genocide are Jerry Fowler, Executive Director of SaveDarfur.org and former Director of the Committee on Conscience at the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, and Courtney Morales, SSU alumna who is currently serving as an intern with the Committee on Conscience at the USHMM.
On April 22, they will address the plausible ways to end genocide. Fowler is a recognized authority on the problem of responding and preventing genocide and makes regular trips to the Darfur region.
On May 6, Dr. Richard Hovannisian will give the annual Armenian Genocide Memorial Lecture. A history professor at the University of California, Los Angeles, and world-renowned scholar, he has published 15 books and articles on the subject of Armenia and the Armenian genocide.
The complete schedule for the spring semester follows:
Feb. 26: "The Holocaust In Historical Context" - Lecture, Stephen Bittner, Professor of History, Sonoma State University
March 4: "Becoming Evil" - Lecture by James Waller, Whitworth College
March 11: "Visualizing Cultural Memory: The Legacy Of Charlotte Salomon" - Lecture by Paula Birnbaum, Ph.D., University Of San Francisco (in association with a University Library exhibit of Salomon's works).
March 18: "Jewish Women Partisans" - Lecture by Mitch Braff, Jewish Partisan Educational Foundation
April 1: "An Uncommon Friendship" - Lecture by Fredric Tubach and Bernat Rosner
April 8: " Perspectives on the Holocaust in the 21st Century" - Robert L.
Harris Memorial Lecture by Michael Berenbaum, Ph.D., Adjunct Professor and Director, Sigi Ziering Institute, American Jewish University
April 15: "Genocide Of The Tutsis In Rwanda" - Lecture by Mathilde Mukatabana, M.A., M.S.W., Cosumnes Community College And President,FORA: Friends Of Rwanda Association
April 22: "Darfur: Current Responses in Comparative Perspective" - Lecture by Jerry Fowler, Executive Director, Save Darfur Coalition and Courtney Morales, Committee On Conscience, United States Holocaust Memorial Museum.
May 6:-"The Armenian Genocide as Prototype"- Armenian Genocide Memorial Lecture by Richard Hovannisian, University Of California, Los Angeles. Hovannisian has received many honors for his scholarship, civic activities, and advancement of Armenian Studies.
May 13: "Voices From The Generations: 2nd and 3rd Generation Genocide Survivors" - Barbara Lesch McCaffry, Sonoma State University, Moderator
May 20: "What Have We Learned?" - Student/Faculty Panel
For those unable to attend a lecture, streaming video will be available during the lecture and afterward at http://www.sonoma.edu/holocaust/center.htm
For further information, contact the Director of the Center for the Study of the Holocaust and Genocide, Dr. Myrna Goodman, (707) 664-4076.
