In conjunction with the exhibition, the library is sponsoring the following events, which are open to the public. Some events require registration in advance.
Speaker: Dr. Hal Switkay
Date/Time: January 22, 2025, at 4 pm
Location: Event Center
Description:
We consider the religious and political roots of anti-Semitism. Anti-Semitism is a unique form of bigotry that unites the far left and the far right, religious and atheist alike, with ongoing genocidal consequences. We inquire into possible responses.
Registration link: https://gbc.libcal.com/event/13062947
Speaker: Dr. Rebecca Erbelding
Date/Time: January 29, 2025, at 11 am
Location: Event Center
Description: Rebecca Erbelding will talk about, The U.S. and the Holocaust, a documentary by Ken Burns, Lynn Novick and Sarah Botstein, examines the rise of Hitler and Nazism in Germany in the context of global antisemitism and racism, immigration and eugenics in the United States, and race laws in the American south.
Registration: https://gbc.libcal.com/event/13062966
Speaker: Rabbi Yair Robinson
Date/Time: February 6, 2025, at 4 pm
Location: Event Center
Description: Stephen S. Wise (Born in Budapest 1874) was an American Reform Rabbi and staunch advocate for civil rights and social justice. Already quite politically active against oppression and genocide worldwide, when Hitler came to power in 1933, Wise sought to build an effort in the United States to shine a light on the Nazi regimes atrocities, challenge prevailing attitudes of antisemitism in America, build support for the Jews of Europe, and push the government of Franklin Roosevelt to intervene.
Registration link: https://gbc.libcal.com/event/13062972
Speakers: Dr. Bennett Graff (Gale), Dr. Polly Zavadivker (University of Delaware), video tour of the Warsaw Ghetto
Date/Time: February 10, 2025, 4 pm
Location: Event Center
Description:
Bennett Graff (Gale) will discuss the invaluable role of preserving primary sources and Holocaust records. Drawing from the exhibit "Americans and the Holocaust" at the US Holocaust Memorial Museum (USHMM), Bennett will illustrate how these documents provide critical insights into the historical events and the efforts made to save Jewish lives.
Polly Zavadivker (UD) will present "America and Jewish Child Refugees from Nazi Germany," highlighting the efforts of individuals, organizations, and the US government in the 1930s to rescue Jewish children. This presentation will delve into both Jewish and non-Jewish American contributions, showcasing the diverse and multifaceted nature of these rescue efforts.
Gerard Hoefling (Warsaw Ghetto) will offer a virtual tour of the Warsaw Ghetto, providing a poignant visual and historical context for understanding the dire circumstances faced by European Jews during the Holocaust. This tour, still in development, aims to enhance the audience's comprehension of the challenges and dangers from which Jewish children were rescued.
Registration link: https://gbc.libcal.com/event/13062987
Speaker: Bea Hollander
Date/Time: February 17, 2025, 11 am
Location: Event Center
Description: The Transcending Trauma Project, affiliated with the Council for Relationships in Philadelphia, is a pioneering research initiative that has conducted extensive life history interviews with over 300 Holocaust survivors, their children, and grandchildren. Through 1,200 hours of in-depth interviews, the project explores how survivors have coped, adapted, and rebuilt their lives, and how their trauma has affected subsequent generations. The Phil Wachs and Juliet Spitzer Archive houses these digital files at Yad Vashem and the US Holocaust Memorial Museum, with forthcoming digital access via Gratz College. The findings underscore the significance of family systems and communication in trauma treatment, highlighting the intergenerational transmission of trauma. The project's research has led to the publication of 30 articles and two books, and its findings have been integrated into academic courses and conferences. Founded in 1932, the Council for Relationships is dedicated to improving relationships and advancing behavioral health through therapy, education, and research.
Registration link: https://gbc.libcal.com/event/13062991
Speaker: Dr. Erin Kelly
Date/Time: Wednesday, February 19, 2025, 11 am
Location: Event Center
Description: Building empathy involves understanding and sharing the feelings of others, which can transform interactions and relationships. Jamil Zaki's book, The War for Kindness: Building Empathy in a Fractured World, delves into how empathy can be cultivated and its profound impact on both individual and societal levels. By actively listening and putting ourselves in someone else's shoes, we foster deeper connections and create a supportive environment. Zaki’s insights reveal that empathy not only helps in resolving conflicts but also enriches our personal and professional lives, promoting a more inclusive and compassionate society.
Registration link: https://gbc.libcal.com/event/13063002