HUNDREDS OF SCHOLARS TO ATTEND CONFERENCE ON HOLOCAUST AND CHURCHES; HONORARY DEGREE TO NOBEL LAUREATE ELIE WIESEL
The year 2000 closes a century of unprecedented government violence against both domestic and foreign civilian populations. It is against this backdrop that the 30th Annual Scholars' Conference on the Holocaust and the Churches will meet at Saint Joseph's University in Philadelphia March 4-7. The conference, an interfaith, international and interdisciplinary gathering, annually draws the world's top scholars in the Holocaust to remember and learn the lessons of 20th century genocide in tandem with the study of the churches' struggle and failure to confront Nazi antisemitism and the "final solution."
This year's Annual Scholars' Conference, titled "The Century of Genocide," will review the 20th century's history of violence against groups of people, examine its effects on literature, religion, science and technology, and look at ways to reduce the chasms that separate peoples. Attendees will include scholars, teachers, clergy, survivors, students and community leaders.
As part of the program, Saint Joseph's, the conference's sponsor, will present Nobel laureate and Holocaust survivor Elie Wiesel, a founding member of and frequent participant in the conference, with an honorary degree. The presentation will occur at an academic convocation to be held 8 p.m. Sunday, March 5, at Saint Joseph's and is open to the public. Major topics at this year's conference, to be held on Saint Joseph's campus and at the nearby Adam's Mark Hotel include new research and findings on the history of the Holocaust; 20th century genocide; the church struggle; interfaith dialogue; post-Holocaust literature, arts, and film; medical research; education; and Americanization of the Holocaust. The conference opens 6 p.m. Saturday, March 4, with a showing of the documentary film Daring to Resist, by locally based producer and director Martha Lubell.
"The Annual Scholars' Conference has a long-standing tradition of academic inquiry in a variety of disciplines, and we at Saint Joseph's are proud to be the first Jesuit institution to host such an outstanding conference," said Saint Joseph's executive vice president Dr. Daniel J. Curran, the conference chairman. "The theme and purpose of the event-furthering the study and scholarship of the Holocaust and building strong relationships among communities of faith-reflect this university's Jesuit mission."
Following the Annual Scholars' Conference, on March 8, teachers of students in kindergarten through 12th grade will gather in Mandeville Hall for sessions on how to incorporate Holocaust studies into their curricula. Sponsoring this special conference is the Pennsylvania Holocaust Education Task Force. The conference is being presented in cooperation with Yad Vashem, of Jerusalem; the Philadelphia Center on the Holocaust, Genocide & Human Rights; and the Pennsylvania Holocaust Education Task Force.
Media planning to cover the honorary-degree presentation are asked to register with Saint Joseph's media relations office by contacting Tom Durso at 610-660-1532, [email protected], or contact Colleen Curley, 610-660-1222. A link to the conference Web page can be found at: http://www.sju.edu/events/scholars_conference/
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