Current Events - Spring 2008
The current events for Spring 2008 include several guest speakers and our annual Nazi holocaust film series.
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SPEAKERS
Dr. Peter Petschauer - "Kurt Waldheim: An Unlikely War Criminal"
Wednesday, January 30, 2008 @ 7:00PM in the Carol Grotnes Library, Room 114. During the Austrian presidential election of 1986, Dr. Kurt Waldheim was accused by left-wing politicians of having participated in genocide and of hiding the misdeed for decades. This campaign against Waldheim spurred on by the American press and other international groups haunted the legacy of Waldheim until his death this past June. Come hear of the real Kurt Waldheim as research into his past reveals something far from a criminal.
Jesse Stollings - "Liberating the Nazi Camps : Soldiers' Memories"
Wednesday, February 13, 2008 @ 7:00PM in the ASU Plemmons Student Union, Linville Falls Room. Mr. Jesse Stollings, ASU Alumnus and teacher of history at Watauga High School, explores the perspectives of American soldiers as they discovered and liberated Nazi concentration camps. This presentation, based from Stollings undergraduate thesis “Re-Entering the Gates of Hell: American Soldiers Remember the Liberation of Nazi Concentration Camps,” will begin with a brief history of the concentration camp system. Afterwards Stollings will provide insight into the thoughts of the American soldiers prior to, during, and after the war through analysis of interviews with WWII liberators. Stollings presentation will reveal the ranging impact the liberation experience had on the soldiers.
Gizella Abramson - "A Survivor Speaks"
Monday, March 17th from 5:00pm – 8:00pm in the Blue Ridge Ballroom of the ASU Plemmons Student Union. This presentation was organized by ASU’s Hillel and supported by the Center for Judaic, Holocaust, and Peace Studies and will allow students and community members to hear of the experiences of a Holocaust survivor.
Rabbi Robert Cabelli - Judaism in America Course, Guest Speaker
Wednesday, March 19th @ 9:30am in Room 219 of IG Greer Hall. Dr. Cabelli will make a presentation to Dr. Alan Hauser's "Judaism in America" course for the second year in a row.
Elizabeth Spragins - "An Elegant Survival: Alice Herz-Sommer"
Wednesday, April 16th @ 7:00PM in the Carol Grotnes Library, Room 114.
In this presentation Elizabeth Spragins will explore the life and legacy of Alice Herz-Sommer. Herz-Sommer, born in Prague in 1903, is a pianist, music educator, and holocaust survivor. During WWII Herz-Sommer was deported to the Theresienstadt concentration camp. While imprisoned Herz-Sommer orchestrated many musical and theatrical concerts which helped fellow inmates hold onto what little hope they had. Elizabeth Spragins began studying and teaching at Appalachian State University at the Broyhill School of Music in 1984. In 2001, Spragins moved with her husband to Asheville where she has continued to give presentations on her research on Alice Herz-Sommer. Spragins also serves on the Asheville Lyric Opera Board and the Keowee Chamber Music Board.
Darfur Awareness Program and Fundraiser
A month long fundraiser and awareness program for the genocide in Darfur, Sudan. Stationed at the ASU Plemmons Student Union is a contact table with information about the genocide. SAVE DARFUR t-shirts, wristbands, and car magnets are available for purchase at the contact table as well as raffle tickets, including items from over 40 local businesses [Download Darfur Awareness Program & Fundraiser brochure].
Sponsored by:
The Center for Judaic, Holocaust, and Peace Studies
International Education and Development
English Department
University Bookstore
TransACTION
STAND
Ken Isaacs - "Genocide in Darfur: The History Behind the Conflict"
Tuesday, April 22nd @ 7:00PM
in Room 114 of the Carol Grotnes Belk Library. Ken Isaacs is VP of Programs and Government Relations at Samaritan's Purse.
Isaacs’ presentation will discuss the history of Darfur and the lasting impacts of colonial policies in East Africa. Isaacs will detail the tribal, racial, and religious differences that have divided the region as he explores the destabilizing struggle for power, resources, and economic security. Isaacs, an international expert on Sudan who has been working in the region for 15 years, is a first hand witness to the genocide and humanitarian crisis in Darfur. Through Samaritan’s Purse, Isaacs directed relief efforts in Rwanda during the 1994 genocide, providing care for 1,000 orphans and reestablishing a hospital that served as the only medical service in the country. He also designed and implemented emergency relief programs in Ethiopia, Ertirea, Somalia, Bosnia, Cambodia, Honduras, El Salvador, Kosovo, Turkey, and Afghanistan.
Film Viewing - "The Devil Came Back on Horseback"
Thursday, April 24th @ 7:00PM in the
Blue Ridge Ballroom of the ASU Plemmons Student Union.
Using exclusive photographs and first hand testimony of former U.S. Marine Captain Brian Steidle, this film will take you on an emotionally charged journey into the heart of Darfur, Sudan, where a genocidal government is systematically executing a plan to rid the province of its non-Arab African citizens. As an official military observer, Steidle had access to parts of the country that no journalist could penetrate. Unprepared for what he would experience, including being fired upon, taken hostage, and the inability to save the lives of young children, Steidle resigned and returned to the US to expose the images and stories of lives systematically destroyed.
"Benefit Dance Party"
w/ Human Pippi Armstrong, Cashio, and Chad from US Christmas
Thursday, April 24th @ Black Cat Burrito. The party starts at 10:00 PM.
Come out after the film viewing of "The Devil Came Back on Horseback" and dance with us!
Franco Mojak - "Sudanese Refugee: Franco Majok"
Thursday, May 1st @ 6:30PM at the
ASU Valborg Theatre.
Majok’s presentation will include his personal story as a Sudanese refugee and his visit to southern Sudan after 22 years away which spawned the Wanlung School Project. Describing how the conflict in Darfur relates to what happened in Sudan during his youth, Majok will explain why the Sudanese government in Khartoum continually rejects the call for peace. He will also explore the role of the international community in the conflict, (i.e. China, Russia, USA) ending with a call to action and providing us with ways to help.
For more information about Majok, Director of Village Help for Sudan, Inc., and his project visit: www.helpwanlung.org
FILM SERIES
Jewish Film Series (Spring 2008): The Center for Judaic, Holocaust, & Peace Studies presents a series of feature films on Jewish history and culture this semester in Plemmons Student Union. These films will be shown Sunday afternoons at 2:00pm in the Greenbriar Movie Theater of the Student Union on the date indicated below. Each film will be introduced briefly by one of the Center’s co-directors who will be available to answer questions afterward. All films are free and open to the public. Visit the Jewish Film Series schedule.
SYMPOSIUM
Martin and Doris Rosen Summer Symposium: The 2007 "Remembering the Holocaust" Symposium was a great success. Information for the 2008 Symposium will be posted as plans evolve.
Newsletters
Past Events
Spring 2007: Lectures/Speakers
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