508680 Cover 8/16/08 7:23 AM Page 1 2007-2008

Strassler Family Center for Holocaust and Genocide Studies

The people, programs, and events advancing scholarship in the field of Holocaust and genocide studies

YEAR END ACTIVITIES AND 2007 GIFT REPORT June 2007 through May 2008 508680 Cover 8/16/08 7:23 AM Page 2

Whoever fails to increase knowledge, decreases knowledge

—The Ethics of the Fathers 508680 Text 8/16/08 7:55 AM Page 1

LETTER FROM THE DIRECTOR 1

Letter from the Director

August 2008

Dear Friends: Writing in 1940, after Germany had in- These are but a few of the knotty problems vaded Poland and before the Japanese Center doctoral students research. Our bombed Pearl Harbor, economist Mary public lecture series engaged equally Barnett Gilson took aim at the mission of bold subjects: Caroline Elkins on the his- the classroom in her book, What’s Past is tory of Britain’s internment and merciless Prologue. “Education fails,” she said, treatment of 1.5 million Kikuyu in Kenya “in so far as it does not stir in students a and the obfuscation of that history through sharp awareness of their obligations to systematic destruction of documents. Julia society and furnish a few guideposts point- Chaitin on confronting barriers to dialogue ing toward the implementation of these between Jews and Palestinians. And Jens obligations.” Gilson would have given the Meierhenrich on prosecuting concentration Center top marks. From the establishment camp personnel (and who else in the of a Clark chapter of STAND (a student future?) under international law. anti-genocide coalition) by undergraduates to, in 2007-08, no fewer than five graduate The Center’s mandate embraces teaching, students serving as Directors of Education research, and public service on all Debórah Dwork in Holocaust and genocide-related organi- matters pertaining to the Holocaust and Rose Professor of Holocaust zations across the country, Strassler Center other genocides. Every aspect of our work History students demonstrate a very sharp aware- holds to heart Roman historian Livy’s Director, Strassler Center ness indeed of their social obligations. dictum. “In history you have a record of for Holocaust and Genocide And a readiness to transmute their educa- the infinite variety of human experience Studies tion into action. plainly set out for all to see, and in that record you can find for yourself and your Our doctoral candidates’ research yields country both examples and warnings: fresh perspectives on ever current prob- fine things to take as models, base things lems. Jeff Koerber, hastily returned from rotten through and through to avoid.” Belarus on advice from the American con- sulate, plumbed local archives to explore Our aim is to identify solutions, using ethnic identity and inter-group conflict in past as prologue. The need is great. In the one borderlands region. A subject all too past few months alone we have witnessed relevant today across the globe. And in the a new escalation of violence in Darfur, midst of much public discussion about brutal interethnic massacres in Kenya, immigration and refugee reception, Adara and the erection of tent camps in South Goldberg’s work on Canada’s admissions Africa to shelter foreign nationals driven policies after the war clarifies the chal- from their homes in xenophobic attacks. lenges official agencies and desperate individuals face in our own time. We look to you for support as we move forward together.

STRASSLER FAMILY CENTER FOR HOLOCAUST AND GENOCIDE STUDIES 508680 Text 8/16/08 7:55 AM Page 2

2 EVENTS

Samuel Kassow: Who Will Write Our History

Students, faculty and Worcester community allowed Jews to take control of memory— members filled Tilton Hall on 19 Septem- the memory of themselves. They prepared ber 2007 for the Center’s first public a record of their lives and deaths and, in lecture of the 2007-08 academic year. doing so, showed their faith in a future. Esteemed Professor Samuel Kassow of Professor Samuel Kassow Trinity College delivered a riveting talk Ringelblum established a collective of of Trinity College about his new book, Who Will Write Our unrelated people to create the archive. History: Emanuel Ringelblum, the Warsaw Communists and rabbis, Zionists and Ghetto and the Oyneg Shabes Archive, Bundists labored together to assemble doc- “Samuel Kassow was the story of the Warsaw Ghetto through umentation of everyday existence in the amazing, not only the lens of those who documented it. Warsaw Ghetto. Many worked previously the story he had to tell, for YIVO (the Jewish Scientific Institute) but the way he told it.” Claims Conference Fellow Jeffrey Koerber and simply continued their endeavors —Thea Ashkenase, introduced Kassow, explaining that throughout the war. In some cases, those Holocaust survivor Kassow’s work and teaching inspired his working on the archive had never spoken own dissertation research and writing. to each other before the war; they came Kassow took the podium and, after thank- together out of a sense of obligation to “This presentation was ing Center staff and faculty and the Lasry their fellow Jews. intriguing, for its content, family (great friends of the Center who and from a professional share a connection to Hartford), turned to The partially recovered archive includes point of view. The the significance of Emanuel Ringelblum, diaries and essays, as well as everyday protection and accessibility his invaluable archive, and the heroic items such as tram tickets and candy of such valuable materials is so important.” resistance it represents. wrappers. Archivists also collected the testimony of ghetto residents and witnesses —Retired bookseller Emanuel Ringelblum, a high school of mass murder to amass evidence against from Worcester teacher before the war, happened to be in the German criminals. They sent reports Switzerland attending a Zionist Congress to London about the ghetto and eyewitness at the time of the accounts from the death camp Treblinka. German invasion of To no avail. According to Kassow, the Poland. He insisted on archive provides the unique voice of those returning to Warsaw, writing “within the experience.” Of the 60 only to find Jewish members of the Oyneg Shabes committee, leadership fleeing the only three survived the Holocaust; thus, city. He stayed to help the archive captures both lost voices and organize the community the perspective of the moment. This aspect and, ultimately, created of the Oyneg Shabbes archive differs from the Oyneg Shabes memoirs written after the war. Professor Samuel Kassow (center) with, left to right, (Sabbath joy) committee to archive and Carolynn Sharaf, Marie document the ghetto. The audience was visibly touched by Raduazzo, Judi Bohn ’75, Kassow’s presentation, their attention Orna Stern, Professor “Writing itself was resistance,” Kassow held not only by the powerful content Kassow, Center Director Debórah Dwork, Strassler explained. Ringelblum came to understand but also by his passion for and dedication Professor Thomas Kühne, that the Nazi aim was total destruction to helping Ringelblum and the Oyneg Clark Trustee Alan of European Jewry and he realized that Shabes succeed in their mission—to Sharaf ’72, Center graduate student and Claims Confer- history would be written by the victors. share their memories. ence Fellow Jeffrey Koerber The documentation of the Warsaw ghetto ■ Elizabeth Anthony

STRASSLER FAMILY CENTER FOR HOLOCAUST AND GENOCIDE STUDIES 508680 Text 8/16/08 7:55 AM Page 3

EVENTS 3

Caroline Elkins: Imperial Reckoning

Students, faculty, staff, and community Elkins conveyed the violent conditions members filled Clark’s Tilton Hall on 10 of the detention camps through the October 2007 to hear historian Caroline testimonies of a male survivor, a female Elkins lecture on her Pulitzer Prize-win- survivor, and a guard who helped torture ning book Imperial Reckoning: The Untold Kikuyu detainees. All, including the “Professor Elkins’s talk Story of Britain’s Gulag in Kenya. Elkins, utterly unrepentant guard, described was completely and utterly the Hugo K. Foster Associate Professor the harshly cruel measures inflicted on fascinating. She illuminated a topic I knew nothing of African Studies at Harvard University, detainees by the British. Pictures of about and when I left her discussed her groundbreaking research Kikuyu prisoners further illustrated the lecture I felt compelled to on the British detainment of approximately brutality that occurred in Kenya, in a learn more.” 1.5 million Kikuyusome Kenyans. period just after the horrors of the Nazi death camps were revealed to the world. —Emily Mashberg ’08, majoring in international Elkins began by providing the historical development and social context of the British colonization of Deeply attentive to her lecture, audience change Kenya, also known as the “Hearts and members explored a range of interrelated Minds campaign,” for the uprising by issues during the question period. Asked Kenya’s largest ethnic group, the Kikuyu, about motivations, Elkins described the who had been forced from their land by interviews she conducted with perpetra- British colonizers. The British responded tors. Even today they continue to believe to what came to be called the Mau Mau they did nothing wrong because, in their rebellion with a policy of internment and minds, the rebels needed to be stopped. merciless treatment of the insurgents. Elkins emphasized the negative perception Elkins described the prison camps erected of the Kikuyu that helped to justify the by the British as “sites of systematic vio- murderous tactics employed. Such percep- lence, torture, and murder…a system that tions helped the perpetrators justify their formed what I now call Britain’s Gulag.” use of violence and led British citizens to turn a blind eye to the brutal colonial Embarking on her research 10 years ago, administration in Kenya. That collective Elkins realized that on the eve of decolo- blindness to British policy and practice in nization in 1963 the British Colonial Kenya continued until Elkins’s meticulous government destroyed much of the archival research and scholarship shed new light material documenting the internment upon it. camps. She spent years reconstructing this ■ Alexis Herr history with shards of evidence gleaned from government files, newspapers, photo- graphs, and hundreds of interviews she conducted with former colonial officers, missionaries, settlers, and survivors of the camps. Caroline Elkins, Hugo K. Foster Associate Professor of African Studies at Harvard University

STRASSLER FAMILY CENTER FOR HOLOCAUST AND GENOCIDE STUDIES 508680 Text 8/16/08 7:56 AM Page 4

4 EVENTS

Chief Rabbi of Poland Michael Schudrich: “Jews of Poland: Fact and Fiction”

The Center hosted Michael Schudrich, Schudrich took part in the ceremony. Chief Rabbi of Poland, who gave a fasci- Commenting upon the assault, he nating presentation on “Jews of Poland: remarked, “The fact that such an incident Fact and Fiction” in the Rose Library took place only once in 17 years shows on 17 October 2007. Welcomed by an that antisemitism is not dead in Poland— Michael Schudrich, audience that included members of Clark but, at the same time, it is not as virulent Chief Rabbi of Poland Hillel and the Worcester community, as those outside of Poland think it is.” Schudrich spoke about the challenge of fostering Jewish life in post-communist Sketching the difficult and complex history Eastern Europe and the state of contem- of 20th-century Poland to frame his con- porary Jewish life in Poland today. text, Schudrich spoke about contemporary Poland and his work ministering to the Schudrich began his work in Eastern Eur- emerging Jewish communities, particularly ope as a student leading Jewish groups to in Lodz and Warsaw. The subject of Jews meet with remnants of Jewish communities. and Poland involves three interrelated He spent 1992-1998 in Warsaw as a repre- matters, he explained: current Jewish life Michael Schudrich, sentative of the Ronald S. Lauder Founda- in Poland; Poland’s Jewish heritage; and Chief Rabbi of Poland, with Professor Shelly Tenenbaum, tion, helping to rebuild Jewish communities Polish-Jewish relations. Coordinator of HGS in Central and Eastern Europe. In June Undergraduate Activities 2000, Schudrich returned to Poland as Polish-Jewish relations were “in the the Rabbi of Warsaw and Lodz and from freezer” under totalitarian regimes from December 2004, he served as Chief Rabbi 1939-1989. Under communism, it was “Sharing anecdotes of real life discovery made this of Poland. Graduate student and Claims nearly impossible for Jews to maintain a talk especially touching Conference Fellow Jody Russell Manning, Jewish identity and by 1968 it was clear and poignant; bringing the who is investigating post-war memory in that they had two choices: leave or hide emerging, or reemerging, Poland, introduced Schudrich, explaining their identity as Jews. Today the people Polish-Jewish community the importance of his work, his friendship of Poland are coming to terms with their to light.” with the Center, and how their paths have country’s dark past, and some are “discov- —Elizabeth Anthony, crossed. When Schudrich learned that his ering” or “recognizing” their Jewish roots. Center graduate student daughter Ariana Schudrich ’09 had been The rabbi shared many stories concerning and Claims accepted to join the Center’s 2007 Prague- those newly aware of their heritage. “I Conference Fellow Terezín-Auschwitz Program, he offered don’t know if I am Jewish,” a young Polish to guide the group, including Manning, man told Schudrich. “The only Jewish around Kraków’s Kazimierz district. family member is my mother’s mother.” Manning and Schudrich also worked The challenge for Schudrich is to build together during the Auschwitz-Birkenau a meaningful community from these State Museum’s International Conference: fractured and emerging identities. Remembrance-Awareness-Responsibility. The audience explored a range of perplex- Manning described how Schudrich came ing questions about Jewish identity and to international attention in the summer the historical record of Jewish life under of 2006. The day before he was to recite Communism. Since 1989, thousands of Kaddish at a ceremony led by Pope Poles have uncovered Jewish roots, and Benedict XVI in Birkenau, Schudrich was today the community comprises mainly Michael Schudrich with Center Director attacked by a Neo-Nazi shouting “Poland newly self-discovered Jews. Debórah Dwork for the Poles.” Unwilling to be stopped, ■ Jody Russell Manning

STRASSLER FAMILY CENTER FOR HOLOCAUST AND GENOCIDE STUDIES 508680 Text 8/16/08 7:56 AM Page 5

EVENTS 5

Thomas Kühne: Hitler’s Community: Belonging and Genocide, 1918-1945

The Kent Seminar Room in Cohen Lasry culture by violating former social norms. House was packed on 24 October 2007 Violating the norm provided the male bond with people who had come to hear Thomas with a self-image of social independence Kühne, Strassler Professor of Holocaust and moral sovereignty, which eventually History, present his new book project, blurred the boundaries of all norms and Hitler’s Community: Belonging and thus facilitated genocidal warfare. Genocide, 1918-1945. Clark’s Modern History Colloquium was an ideal setting Genocidal warfare offered unlimited oppor- for such a talk. Kühne anticipated a lively tunities to demonstrate the sovereignty of discussion of his thesis, a new and chal- the male bond. It also enabled a new kind lenging answer to the key question: why of nation-building: the nation became was it Germany (and no other country) that an extended version of what might be planned and executed the Holocaust? called a brotherhood of crime. In addition to the core group of perpetrators in the “Professor Kühne’s “The longing for community, the practice Einsatzgruppen and camp guards, ordinary presentation was really interesting, and his of togetherness, and the ethos of comrade- soldiers in the Wehrmacht were complicit, different perspectives added ship became the basis of the mass murder even if they had not personally participat- a new dimension to the committed by Germans from 1939 on,” ed in murder. The Holocaust perpetrators, issue. I found the process Kühne began. Challenging other scholars’ including the so-called bystanders, estab- of internalization of hyper- single-factorial arguments on the signifi- lished a revolutionary society, which masculine group dynamics cance of antisemitism, or group pressure, organized and “hierarchized” its members especially intriguing.” or obedience, Kühne focused on the according to the degree they carried out —Rebecca Dash, Clark perpetrator society’s yearning for “group a racist ideology, and that praised commu- graduate student in history pleasure” and “belonging,” not least nity-building and the merciless disregard national belonging. of anybody who did not belong. In due course, the German public was involved Since World War I, Germans were fascinat- in a “destruction [that] served as the basis ed by an idea of male comradeship as the for togetherness. Mass death stimulated model of national belonging. This myth national belonging.” weakened the grip of individual responsi- bility and strengthened a moral system Kühne’s presentation evoked a stimulating that praised group honor, enforced group discussion. Why the Jews as victims? pressure, and provided group pleasure— Kühne explained that Nazi Germany’s “shame culture,” as eminent cultural need for enemies was endless. As is well anthropologist Ruth Benedict has known, the Nazis believed in their own described it with regard to Japanese society eliminationist antisemitism and chose the in 1948. Undermining traditional western Jews as their most important enemy. The (Christian as well as Jewish) guilt culture, discussion then focused on the relation which strengthens individual responsibility, between guilt culture and shame culture. shame culture sets the controlling gaze Kühne observed that Germans during the Thomas Kühne, of the community as the highest moral Holocaust were able to switch between Strassler Professor of Holocaust History authority. From 1933 on, the Nazi regime these concepts, depending on the demands perfected this change by infusing of varying situations. It was the fluidity Germans—particularly men, but also and flexibility of moral categories that women—with a racist ideology and by enabled and facilitated genocide. enjoining Germans to practice shame

STRASSLER FAMILY CENTER FOR HOLOCAUST AND GENOCIDE STUDIES 508680 Text 8/16/08 7:56 AM Page 6

6 EVENTS

Julia Chaitin: “When Does Genocide End?” and “Bridging the Impossible?”

A visit by Israeli psychologist elaborated her research findings on the Julia Chaitin of Sapir Academic transgenerational reverberations of College in the Negev in Israel Holocaust suffering and memory, as grows a collaboration first seeded manifested in Israeli society. Chaitin’s several years ago by Greenberg thesis is that although violence may Distinguished Visiting Scholar Dan cease, genocide has no expiration date. Bar-On. A world-renowned social “Trauma,” she argued, “is viewed as a psychologist, Bar-On lectured process of lifelong sequence. For members about bridging conflict through of the second and third generation, pro- Julia Chaitin with Center storytelling during his 2005 visit. Eager to longed contact with survivors who exhibit Director Debórah Dwork, foster connections with Israeli colleagues signs of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Strassler Professor Thomas and further the investigation of psychology (PTSD) and emotional instability places Kühne, and Center graduate students and genocide, the Siff Family Foundation them at greater risk of developing psycho- sponsored Professor Chaitin’s visit. Chaitin logical problems.” delivered two important lectures: one to the Center community and the other to Holocaust memory may affect the family a large public audience as part of the unit, resulting in tension between sur- “I hope that Dr. Chaitin will investigate the psychological University’s Difficult Dialogues series. vivors and their children. While survivors ties that second and third face the daunting task of rebuilding shat- generation survivors have to When Does Genocide End? tered lives, their children unwittingly their relatives’ Holocaust Chaitin presented “When does Genocide become carriers of suffering, pain, and experiences as thoroughly end? Long-term Psycho-Social Effects of fears. For the second generation, the Holo- in North America as Genocide on Victims and their Depend- caust remains a burden that was either she has done in Israel.” ents” to a riveted audience of students, over-emphasized or not discussed enough — Dan Roberts ’06, M.A. ’07 faculty, and community members in the in their own childhoods. For the third Rose Library on 31 October 2007. Strass- generation, the Holocaust plays an integral ler Professor Thomas Kühne highlighted role in shaping Jewish-Israeli identity. Chaitin’s collaborative projects with Bar- “Grandchildren,” notes Chaitin, “often On and her research on how generations develop closer relationships with their sur- born in a post-genocide era come to terms vivor grandparents than their own parents, with their families’ painful pasts. While and consider the Holocaust as a challenge. survivors may rebuild their lives, their Israeli youth, particularly those who have memories of genocidal experiences are participated in educational trips to Poland often transmitted to the next generation. and the sites of former concentration camps, have a need to maintain Israel as Chaitin opened with the illuminating nar- a strong, militaristic nation: There exists rative of Alon, a young Israeli grandson of an all-encompassing obsession that Jews Holocaust survivors. When asked how never become victims again.” Thus, the Holocaust memory was experienced in his Holocaust looms large in contemporary household, Alon said, “My mother carries Israeli society where it remains firmly in Israeli psychologist Julia the suffering of the family on her shoulders. the public consciousness. Chaitin, Sapir Academic She has always believed that life is about College and Ben-Gurion suffering, and that you cannot enjoy some- Chaitin’s research on the transgenerational University, Israel thing without first seeing the negative in it.” effects of genocide will surely have an impact on the treatment of genocide sur- Using Alon as a touchstone, Chaitin vivors in the future.

STRASSLER FAMILY CENTER FOR HOLOCAUST AND GENOCIDE STUDIES 508680 Text 8/16/08 7:56 AM Page 7

EVENTS 7

Difficult Dialogues Symposium “Bridging the Impossible?” with Julia Chaitin (far right)

Bridging the Impossible? Obstacles to reconciliation abound, but Chaitin resumed her examination of the Chaitin offered strategies to overcome psycho-social dynamic of conflict in a these difficulties. She advocated for a joint panel discussion sponsored by the dialogue through storytelling that includes Strassler Center and the Clark University self- and joint reflection not only on the “Julia Chaitin’s solution Difficult Dialogues program. The Difficult inter-personal level but, more importantly, represents a step forward Dialogue series fosters discussion of con- on the inter-group level. According to on the path toward mutual understanding between troversial topics. Professor Thomas Kühne Chaitin, storytelling can build a bridge of Jews and Palestinians, and organized the program, “Bridging the dialogue between Jewish Israelis, Germans, perhaps toward solving Impossible? Confronting Barriers to and Palestinians. Sharing personal narra- the conflict.” Dialogue between Germans, Jews, and tives in a safe setting with sensitive listen- Palestinians,” and introduced Chaitin, ers allows conflict to come into the open — Eugen Miculet ’10 who served as the main discussant, to and enables participants to address issues a packed hall at Dana Commons. of victims and victimizers. The process may be long and arduous but holds the Chaitin drew upon the German-Jewish tantalizing promise of genuine understand- philosopher Martin Buber for her under- ing and reconciliation. standing of the dialogic process. According to Buber, silence and speech The four members of the distinguished are the basis for human communication. panel of discussants responded to Chaitin’s In order to become fully attentive to the lecture from their distinct disciplinary I-thou relation, in Buber’s terms, one must perspectives. An extremely lively question silence inner arguments and emotions in and answer session followed. The audi- order to allow a flow of peace and trust. ence, made up of Clark faculty, students, “This was an extremely interesting Chaitin noted with appreciation that and community members, discussed lecture, addressing the Buber, who came to Palestine in 1938 from reconciliation, possible solutions to the psychological aspects Nazi Germany, worked for a bi-national current conflict, and the viability of of Palestinian-Israeli state and Jewish-Arab understanding. such solutions. relations.”

— Oana Chimina ’11 Chaitin described the reconciliation The success of Chaitin’s visit, building process between Jewish Israelis, Germans, upon discussions opened by Dan Bar-On and Palestinians as complicated, fragile, two years earlier, highlighted the value of and fraught. First, she addressed the psy- an ongoing collaboration with Israeli col- chological issues that create difficulties for leagues. Kühne sustained the now growing “Dr. Chaitin’s lecture Jewish Israelis to explore and embrace link by visiting Chaitin at Sapir College was thought-provoking. Her comments concerning reflective and open dialogue with their and at Ben-Gurion University in March. the biological basis for Palestinian neighbors. Reluctance to He gave a talk at Ben-Gurion University PTSD were especially engage in dialogue is grounded in such to Chaitin’s graduate student class on interesting. I am inspired matters as collective identity rooted in vic- Conflict Resolution and sparked dis- to learn more about this timhood, defense mechanisms, a strategy cussion on the relation between peace complicated subject.” of scapegoating, and family patterns. research and genocide studies. Happily, — Emily Dabney, Center Chaitin illustrated her theoretical finding the possibility of a more formal relation- graduate student and with examples from her field work as a ship with an Israeli partner institution Richard P. Cohen Fellow discussion facilitator between Jewish has emerged from these visits. Israeli, German, and Palestinian youth. ■ Adara Goldberg and Stefan Ionescu

STRASSLER FAMILY CENTER FOR HOLOCAUST AND GENOCIDE STUDIES 508680 Text 8/16/08 7:56 AM Page 8

8 EVENTS

Jens Meierhenrich: Concentration Camps in International Law

An audience eager to understand complex Appeals Chamber adopted nearly the same issues of law and justice gathered at Tilton wording of “common criminal design” in Hall on 15 November 2007 to hear Pro- the 1999 case Prosecutor v. Dusko Tadi´c. fessor Jens Meierhenrich from Harvard University. Meierhenrich recently served Meierhenrich stressed that the application as the Carlo Schmid Fellow in Trial of the American law of criminal conspiracy Chamber 2 of the International Criminal to international law after World War II was Tribunal of the Former Yugoslavia (ICTY). initially contested. The U.S. Reviewing An expert on international law as it relates Authority and the U.S. Conforming Author- Jens Meierhenrich, to apartheid and genocide, he has traveled ity justified the use of the “common Assistant Professor of Government and Social to such post-conflict regions as South design” doctrine. Nevertheless, present- Studies at Harvard Africa, Rwanda, and Cambodia. He is day legal applications of the doctrine of University and Associate currently working on an ambitious trilogy “joint criminal enterprise” remain highly Professor at the investigating the rationality, structure, problematic. Weatherhead Center for International Affairs and culture of genocide, to be published by Princeton University Press. Meierhenrich stressed that international law cannot prevent genocide. Pointing Meierhenrich began by posing the “thorny out that the Genocide Convention of legal question” of “collective responsi- 1948 addresses individual behavior and bility” in genocide. He explained how culpability, he cautioned that the use of procedures of the ICTY refer back to trials “collective criminality” can deteriorate of Nazi concentration camp personnel in into “victor’s justice.” The main legal the aftermath of the Holocaust. After World implications concern possible charges War II, a completely new legal concept against people who are members of certain of collective responsibility, reminiscent of groups. Guilt by association, coupled Harvard Professor Jens criminal conspiracy in Anglo-American with a reversal of the basic legal concept Meierhenrich, Professor Thomas Kühne and Center law, was introduced: “criminal organiza- according to which an individual is inno- graduate students and tion.” Variations of that contested inno- cent until proven otherwise may subvert Claims Conference Fellows vation furnish precedents for current legal the legal principle of “individual criminal Elizabeth Anthony and proceedings such as “joint criminal enter- responsibility.” Moreover, the application Alexis Herr prise” in the ICTY and “guilt by associa- of “collective criminality” may fuel vio- tion” in the International Criminal Court lence in post-conflict situations such as (ICC) for Darfur. Rwanda. By contrast, international law should further public discourse on human After World War II, the American and rights. The emphasis, Meierhenrich British governments prosecuted Nazi war continued, should be on collective respon- “I appreciated the way criminals holding more than 250 trials and sibility, not collective guilt. International Professor Meierhenrich focused attention on the prosecuting 1,022 defendants for their tribunals should function as sites of concept of collective roles in German concentration camps. The public education rather than impose legal responsibility. It made me Soviet Union, by contrast, held only one concepts that are questionable. think about it for the first such trial. The first Anglo-American trial ■ Stefan Ionescu time in relation to genocide.” emphasized that the defendants were “not —Anna Bennitt ’02, charged with killing” but rather with a a Worcester community “common design” to kill. While the ICTY member does not explicitly cite this concept, the

STRASSLER FAMILY CENTER FOR HOLOCAUST AND GENOCIDE STUDIES 508680 Text 8/16/08 7:56 AM Page 9

EVENTS 9

Sophie Freud: “From Vienna to America: An Accidental Escape from the Holocaust”

Sophie Freud, distinguished Professor Casablanca. After an anxious year in the Emeritus of Social Work at Simmons Moroccan capital, they received visas for College and granddaughter of the famous the United States and boarded a “History is not a series Dr. Sigmund Freud, enthralled an audience Portuguese ship bound for New York. of dates, battles, and kings, but a series of stories.” of students and faculty gathered in the Freud and her mother settled in Baltimore, Rose Library on 29 November 2007. Md., in 1942, and began life anew. —Dr. Sophie Freud Freud’s lecture, “From Vienna to America: An Accidental Escape from the Holocaust,” Freud’s ongoing refugee struggle is chroni- was delivered in connection with Center cled in her recent publication, Living in Director and Rose Professor Debórah the Shadow of the Freud Family (April Dwork’s seminar “Refugees.” The moving 2007). This account of her family—com- account of Freud’s flight from Vienna to prised of private family letters, diaries, America struck a chord with students hop- and memoirs, as well as archival materials ing for personal insight into the refugee and other published works—weaves experience. together the voices of her mother, father, famous grandfather, and other relatives. Sophie Freud was born in Vienna in 1922 The traumatic circumstances of Sophie’s to Esti and Martin Freud, Sigmund Freud’s young life take shape in these pages, as eldest son. In May 1938, two months after well as the life of her mother, Esti Freud, the Germans invaded Austria, Sophie and whose memoir, written at the age of 78 is her mother fled to Paris. Her father and included. brother fled in another direction—to England, with other members of the Freud Freud read many passages from her book family. She attributes her fortunate escape to help describe her flight from Nazism. from Vienna to her grandfather’s decision While pointing on a map to the countries to emigrate and the important and affluent where she lived during those years, she Sophie Freud, Professor people who came to his aid. Her famous described her escape as a “remarkable Emeritus of Social Work at Simmons College grandfather was able to procure 17 exit exodus.” When asked if she considered visas, and he granted four of them to her herself a survivor or a refugee, she immediate family. “I thus owe it to my responded, “I see myself as grandfather to be among the few lucky the Anne Frank who survived ones to have escaped Vienna before the rather than got killed.” And, murderous persecution of its Jews,” she when pressed as to what explained. she owes her survival, she explained, “It’s not good For almost four years after her flight from decisions why I am standing Vienna, Freud and her mother remained here, but pure luck. I think on the run with an insecure future. “Every that is very important.” other hour plans to stay or go changed.” When the Germans occupied France in It was the Center’s luck to 1940, they fled again. On bicycles, they host Freud and the great luck headed south toward Bordeaux. Settling of its students to learn more about Sophie Freud with temporarily in Nice (in the free zone), they the refugee experience from the personal Center faculty and graduate students waited in an increasingly dangerous situa- narrative of a participant in these tion for visas to the United States. They historical events. decided to flee again, further south to ■ Ilana Offenberger

STRASSLER FAMILY CENTER FOR HOLOCAUST AND GENOCIDE STUDIES 508680 Text 8/16/08 7:56 AM Page 10

10 EVENTS

Shoghaken Ensemble: Armenia’s Folk Music and Dance

Tilton Hall overflowed on 31 January 2008, as the Center proudly showcased the “I loved the dancing, and Shoghaken Ensemble, one of Armenia’s the music was beautiful. preeminent traditional music groups. Since All around the performance its inception in 1991, the eight-member was great. I can’t wait for Shoghaken Ensemble has mesmerized their next show!” audiences throughout its native Armenia, —Ani Jermakian, the former Soviet Union, Europe, and 10-year-old member of the North America. Inspired by a profound Armenian community dedication to preserve Armenia’s ancient folk music traditions, the artists integrate culturally unique instruments, traditional “We were recently in costumes, and a wide range of presentation Armenia and the music we styles into their performances. heard there cannot compare to this. The vari- Center Program Manager Tatyana Macaulay The ensemble attracted a crowd of several (upper right) with the Shoghaken Ensemble ety of styles is wonderful!” hundred people, including Worcester’s —Ed Garabedian, member Armenian community, Armenian youth of the Armenian community groups, Clark students, and the general music. For others, the melodies evoked public. Children gave up their seats for memories of relatives and reinforced the elders, and gathered on the floor in the connection with their Armenian heritage. front of the hall. The performers captivated Committed to the promotion of Armenian the audience with an amazing repertoire of culture as both beautiful and tragic, the dances, troubadour melodies, and haunting ensemble ended the night with an unfor- “It is simply amazing how lullabies that express dual aspects of gettable moment. Brother and sister the Armenians have pre- Armenian heritage: the vitality, joyfulness, Aleksan and Hasmik Harutyunyan paid served this powerful music and spirit of traditional Armenian culture tribute to those murdered in the Genocide as a victory over the alongside the anguish of the Armenian by presenting a traditional Armenian song Genocide.” Genocide, which took the lives of 1.5 mil- and dance they had learned from survivors —Judy Katz, lion Armenians throughout the Ottoman in their home community. audience member Empire before, during, and after World War I. The Shoghaken performance affirms a crucial aspect of the Strassler Center Although the per- mission. Faculty and students study the formance was, for life and culture of peoples targeted for many, a first expo- annihilation. They lay bare the machinery sure to Armenian of their destruction, including the system- heritage, the atic eradication of culture. The audience ensemble wasted appreciated the performers’ artistry, while no time bringing at the same time exploring the issues of the crowd to its assimilation, acculturation, and integration Shoghaken Ensemble feet, encouraging of minority peoples and the challenges of performer them to clap their maintaining ethnic identity. hands and sing ■ Emily Dabney and Adara Goldberg along with the

STRASSLER FAMILY CENTER FOR HOLOCAUST AND GENOCIDE STUDIES 508680 Text 8/16/08 7:56 AM Page 11

EVENTS 11

Debórah Dwork: The Terezín Album of Mariánka Zadikow

The Strassler Center’s own director and “town for the Jews,” Terezín served as a Rose Professor, Debórah Dwork, captivat- transit camp the Nazis used to obfuscate ed students, scholars, survivors, and com- their intent. Jews were transferred into and munity members with her engaging lecture deported out of Terezín at regular intervals. at Tilton Hall on 16 April 2008. Drawing Yet despite oppressive rules and the hard- from her new book, The Terezín Album ships associated with life in a ghetto, Jews of Mariánka Zadikow, Dwork wove the in Terezín constructed a vibrant cultural personal narrative of Mariánka Zadikow community. The internees organized together with the history of Terezín, the operas, concerts, and lectures in an attempt Debórah Dwork with Rose transit camp located outside of Prague. to bring art and pleasure to a life made ago- Zoltek-Jick at a reception before Dwork’s lecture on Tatyana Macaulay, Center Program nizing by backbreaking labor and hunger. her new book, The Terezín Manager, introduced Dwork, thanking Album of Mariánka Zadkikow Norman and Lenore Asher, whose One sleepless night in the summer of 1942, endowed annual lecture commemorates Mariánka uncovered a pulsating center of the Warsaw Ghetto uprising. cultural life in an attic room. She joined a singing group and performed in the chorus The Terezín Album of Mariánka Zadikow is of operas presented to other inmates. The not just Mariánka’s story, but a testament hero of Mariánka’s story is the brilliant “The presentation captured to Jewish agency in the face of Nazi victim- choral conductor Rafael Schächter who the life we lived at Terezín ization. Documents like Mariánka’s album pursued a dream to perform Verdi’s very much as I remember it.” stand as evidence of Jewish resistance Requiem. Deported to Auschwitz, Schächter —Michael Gruenbaum, to the Nazi agenda of dehumanization and did not survive. Terezín survivor the regime’s machinery of death. Deportations in 1944 devastated the camp Born in Munich in 1923 to Hilda and population. In September of that year, Arnold Zadikow, Mariánka was 10 years Mariánka was gifted with a stack of pil- “Amazing, especially that old when Hitler came to power. Soon fered paper. With the help of a coworker, several survivors were here.” uprooted, Mariánka accompanied her she created her album, in which she asked mother to relatives in Czechoslovakia friends and family to write a word or draw —Charles Keoseian while her father, an artist, fled to Paris. a sketch. In Dwork’s audience was the Like so many Jewish families, the author of one such inscription, Center Zadikows desperately sought refuge out- friend Edgar Krasa. side the Nazis’ grasp. The family remained separated until 1936, when Hilda secured a Dwork narrated Mariánka’s history with job for Arnold and it seemed the Zadikows warmth and passion. A slideshow allowed could make a new life for themselves. a glimpse of the album. A comic-style pic- “Dwork’s illumination ture of Mariánka going about her daily of cultural life inside of Thereisenstadt is The German invasion of Czechoslovakia chores and another with the last written fascinating on one level marked the beginning of the end of that words of a dear friend murdered by the and inspirational on dream. Barely eking out a living, Hilda Germans reflect a life lived in a spectrum another. The way in which and Arnold applied frantically for immigra- of registers. Agency and powerlessness inmates succeeded in tion papers. The Zadikows remained in existing side by side illustrate how life in maintaining their morale Prague until 1942, when they were deport- Terezín operated on many levels. Later through art is unbelievable.” ed to Terezín. Mariánka would say that music did not —Adara Goldberg, Center save her, but it kept her whole. graduate student and Ralph While it was held up to the world as a ■ Emily Dabney and Shirley Rose Fellow

STRASSLER FAMILY CENTER FOR HOLOCAUST AND GENOCIDE STUDIES 508680 Text 8/16/08 7:56 AM Page 12

12 EVENTS

Richard Hovannisian: Must We Still Remember?

“A powerful presentation.” The eminent scholar Richard Hovannisian cide and thus identify with the underlying served as Visiting Distinguished Scholar circumstances, if not the extreme horrors. —Ronald Provost, Worcester community member at the Strassler Center during an inspiring two-week visit. Active in the classroom, at Hovannisian described features of the “Professor Hovannisian’s the lecture podium, with the media, and in Armenian Genocide as a prototype for lecture was inspirational!” conversations with friends and supporters later mass killings. Massacres of Armen- of Armenian studies, Hovannisian’s visit ians in the Ottoman Empire at the end —Sarah Cheung ’11 was as busy as it was informative. of the 19th century emboldened the per- petrators, for no one sought to stop them. An audience of some 200 people wel- Thus encouraged, the Young Turk Party comed Hovannisian with a standing carried out the Armenian Genocide under ovation at Tilton Hall on 22 April 2008 cover of World War I, employing paramili- for his talk “Must We Still Remember? tary units to fulfill the state’s annihilatory The Armenian Genocide As Prototype.” plans. And they deceived their victims Introducing Hovannisian as a cornerstone to facilitate their deportation to killing of Armenian Studies, Center Director sites—a model copied by the Germans Debórah Dwork explained that the Pro- 25 years later. The Armenian Genocide Richard Hovannisian with fessor Emeritus of Armenian and Near also established a precedent for the Center graduate students Eastern History at the University of despoliation of victim property and the California, Los Angeles, was the first to transfer of economic wealth. As in other “I hope that in the future hold the Armenian Education Foundation occurrences of mass violence, rational- I will contribute to Endowed Chair in Armenian History. ization and trivialization, for instance education like Professor Hovannisian has with Dwork emphasized the significance of by questioning the loyalty of the victim his lecture.” his research, representing both the “lure group to the state, were used to mitigate and burden” of being an Armenian. the genocide and initiate denial. —Lilly Denhardt ’11 Hovannisian stressed the need to “face In present-day Turkey, “there is some Only the integration of the history” in order to facilitate reconciliation hope,” for young Turkish scholars have Armenian Genocide into between Armenians and Turks. He then begun to counter the official Turkish “collective human memo- turned to the central theme of his lecture: narrative. Hovannisian referred to Taner ry”—not solely as part of Should the world remember the Armenian Akçam who will join the Center in the Armenian history—may save it from oblivion. Genocide? In view of the extremely violent fall as the Robert Aram and Marianne and bloody catastrophes of the 20th cen- Kaloosdian and Stephen and Marion tury, he noted that only the integration of Mugar Professor in Armenian Genocide the Armenian Genocide into “collective Studies. He, like other Turkish scholars, human memory” —not solely as part of “challenges the state narrative” and in Armenian history—may save it from doing so confronts key founding myths oblivion. of the modern state. ■ Raz Segal Remembrance depends upon making historical events relevant to a current audience. Oppression—whether in the workplace, family, or society—is a univer- sal human experience. Citizens treated as Richard Hovannisian second class can relate to the injustices teaching in the Rose Library that form the small steps leading to geno-

STRASSLER FAMILY CENTER FOR HOLOCAUST AND GENOCIDE STUDIES 508680 Text 8/16/08 7:56 AM Page 13

LINKAGES 13

Linkages

The Center enjoys rich relationships with Center in fall 2005. A professor of psy- peer organizations around the globe. These chology, his visit spurred a new interest ties foster recruitment of outstanding doc- in psychology and genocide. A visit by Center doctoral student toral candidates and provide important Bar-On’s colleague and former student and Rose Fellow Tiberiu professional opportunities for Center facul- Julia Chaitin, professor at Sapir College Galis developed the ty, students, and graduates. Committed to and BGU, laid the ground for a growing curriculum for the seminar, named in honor of Raphael growing an international community of collaboration. Strassler Professor Thomas Lemkin, the Polish Jewish Holocaust and Genocide scholars who will Kühne returned from a winter visit to lawyer who coined the develop all realms of the profession, we BGU inspired to grow the scholarly rela- term “genocide.” value our relationships with these organi- tionship. His goal: an ongoing program zations and institutions. between Center students and their Israeli colleagues. American Jewish Committee Strassler Professor Thomas The American Jewish Committee (AJC) Brandeis University — Kühne returned from a was founded in 1906 in response to Near Eastern and Judaic Studies winter visit to Ben-Gurion pogroms threatening Jews in Russia. Center students continue to take advantage University inspired to Countering violence against Jews around of the partnership with Brandeis University. grow the scholarly the globe continues at the core of the Antony Polonsky, Albert Abramson Pro- relationship. His goal: an ongoing program between AJC mission. Center Director and Rose fessor of Holocaust Studies, was pleased to Center students and their Professor Debórah Dwork is proud to offer directed readings courses to Claims Israeli colleagues. support that effort as a member of their Conference Fellow Jody Manning and Anti-Semitism Task Force. Fromson Fellow Raz Segal. A prodigious scholar on the history of Polish Jewry, Auschwitz Institute for Polonsky is an ideal mentor to Center stu- Peace and Reconciliation dents engaged in research on the Jews of Committed to educating mid-level gov- Eastern Europe. Polonsky’s own doctoral ernment officials about genocide, the student, Monika Rice, offered a course in Auschwitz Institute for Peace and Jewish Studies at Clark, thanks to a gift Reconciliation (AIPR) organized the first from David and Edie Chaifetz. Thomas Kühne (back row, seven-day genocide prevention program in fifth from right) with Auschwitz 60 years after the UN General Danish Institute of students at Ben-Gurion University Assembly adopted the Convention on the International Studies Prevention and Punishment of the Crime Professor Thomas Kühne of Genocide in 1948. Center doctoral visited and lectured at student and Rose Fellow Tiberiu Galis the Center’s partner in developed the curriculum for the seminar, Copenhagen, the Danish named in honor of Raphael Lemkin, the Institute for International Polish Jewish lawyer who coined the term Studies (DIIS), in May 2007. “genocide.” AIPR, in collaboration with Thanks to generous support the Auschwitz-Birkenau State Museum, from Howard and Hanne will offer the seminar three times a year. Kulin, the Center looks for- ward to a return semester- Ben-Gurion University long visit in 2009 by DIIS Professor Dan Bar-On of Ben-Gurion faculty member, Professor University (BGU) served as Greenberg Cecilie Stockholm Banke. In Distinguished Visiting Scholar at the addition, DIIS will serve as

STRASSLER FAMILY CENTER FOR HOLOCAUST AND GENOCIDE STUDIES 508680 Text 8/16/08 7:56 AM Page 14

14 LINKAGES

STAND, a student anti-genocide coalition. STAND is the student arm of the Genocide Intervention Network, a national organiza- tion aimed at empowering individuals and communities with the tools to prevent and stop genocide and raise both money and political will for civilian protection initiatives around the world.

Jewish Foundation for the Righteous At a STAND-sponsored event, Clark students co-convener of the Center’s international The Jewish Foundation for the Righteous voiced their concerns doctoral student conference to be held in (JFR) is at the forefront in Holocaust about the Darfur genocide spring 2009. teacher training, thanks to the leadership to former New York mayor Rudy Guiliani and of Executive Vice President Stanlee Stahl other politicians Facing History and Ourselves and her partnership with Professor The Center has a long-standing connection Debórah Dwork. Indeed, as Vice-Chair of to Facing History and Ourselves (FHAO), the JFR Board of Trustees, Dwork enjoys a based in Brookline, Mass., which encour- significant leadership role. This productive ages primary and secondary school teachers relationship is sure to continue as doctoral and students to study the historical devel- student Lotta Stone steps into the director- opment and lessons of the Holocaust and ship of education, overseeing the study other genocides. Debórah Dwork continues programs at which Center faculty teach. to strengthen the Center’s ties to Facing Dwork is equally committed to the JFR’s Professor Shelly History through her work as a member of mission of support for needy rescuers. Tenenbaum, the Center’s the organization’s academic board. Adam She was honored to comment for the New Coordinator of Under- graduate Activities, serves Strom, FHAO Director of Research and York Times’s obituary of Irena Sendler, on the academic advisory Development, and Andrew Tarsy, FHAO a renowned rescuer of scores of Jewish board of the Jewish Chief Institutional Advancement Officer, children from the Warsaw ghetto and a Women’s Archive. attended the spring lecture by Professor deserving recipient of JFR’s praise and aid. Richard Hovannisian and expressed particular pleasure at the appointment Jewish Women’s Archive of Dr. Taner Akçam as the Center’s new Based in Brookline, Mass., the Jewish Kaloosdian/Mugar Professor. Claude Women’s Archive (JWA) is a dynamic Kaitare ’05, an alumnus of the HGS organization that seeks to record and dis- The Jewish Foundation undergraduate concentration, also con- seminate the history of Jewish American for the Righteous (JFR) tinues to serve as a resource for FHAO, women. Professor Shelly Tenenbaum, the is at the forefront in speaking at many schools in the greater Center’s Coordinator of Undergraduate Holocaust teacher training, Boston area about his experiences during Activities, serves on the academic advi- thanks to the leadership sory board of JWA. Knowing its success of Executive Vice President and after the Rwandan genocide. Stanlee Stahl and her in collecting and presenting oral history, partnership with Professor Genocide Intervention Network Tenenbaum reached out to Jayne Debórah Dwork. Clark undergraduates maintain a strong Guberman, the JWA director of Oral collaboration with the Genocide Interven- History, for advice about a potential tion Network through the Clark chapter of Center project.

STRASSLER FAMILY CENTER FOR HOLOCAUST AND GENOCIDE STUDIES 508680 Text 8/16/08 7:56 AM Page 15

LINKAGES 15

Center in the Mail 2007–2008

I’ve been reading the absolutely fascinating report of the work at the Center. What a wealth Simon Wiesenthal Center of really interesting and diverse opportunities you offer the students and I so agree with you Award-winning director Rick Trank of Doctoral students research- that understanding history increases the Moriah Films, a project of the Simon ing the Holocaust travel a odds of education over catastrophe—what Wiesenthal Center, captured Debórah shiny path from the Center a wonderful sentence! to the archives of the Dwork on film for his documentary, Carolyn Rampton, Head of Office, United States Holocaust “Refugees and Bystanders.” Slated to Liberal Democrats, House of Lords, London Memorial Museum air in Israel in fall 2008, the film will (USHMM). open in the U.S. in spring 2009 following My son Jeff and I were so positively impressed a tour of international film festivals. by the Center—Jeff, that a university would have a program, courses, a concentration in United States Holocaust Holocaust and genocide studies. I, his father, by the beauty of the program you have created, Memorial Museum the space and light, the scholarly and educa- Doctoral students researching the Holo- tional sophistication, the building around a caust travel a shiny path from the Center major library, the positivity out of darkness, to the archives of the United States and the spirit of inquiry and activism. I’ve Holocaust Memorial Museum (USHMM). never felt so good about making a monetary contribution, modest as it was! Several students have been privileged to Generous support from hold prestigious USHMM fellowships and Dr. Michael Coburn, prospective parent Howard and Hanne Kulin all find themselves plumbing the collec- has helped the Center tions as they sharpen their dissertation “I just saw the announcement of the new establish a permanent Pychology of Genocide Fellowship. As always, topics and delve into their research. As presence in Europe through just ahead of the game. This is a wonderful a partnership with the a result, first-year student Elizabeth idea and a wonderful opportunity. Danish Institute for Inter- Anthony, formerly Deputy Director of Professor Debra Kaufman, Northeastern University national Studies (DIIS). Survivor Affairs at USHMM, entered the Center’s doctoral program with strong I have been a supporter of the Center for ties to her fellow students. Holocaust & Genocide Studies and a donor for several years and would like to commend you USC Shoah Foundation Institute for the education and research work you are The video testimonies of the Shoah doing. I recently read your yearly Activities and Foundation Institute, located on the Gift Report (which by the way is very well campus of the University of Southern done) and was amazed and very pleased to see Award-winning director California, are an important resource for that a student in the Center, Raz Segal, is Rick Trank of Moriah Films, a project of the Center doctoral students. Its archive doing research on the Jews of Huszt (Subcar- Simon Wiesenthal Center, includes nearly 52,000 testimonies from pathian Russia). My father’s family is from captured Debórah Dwork Huszt so I have deep personal interest in this survivors and witnesses of the Holocaust. on film for his documen- Digital access to this material is a long- subject. The story mentions that Mr. Segal tary, “Refugees and term goal for the Center’s Rose Library. has published an article (“The Jews of Huszt Bystanders.” Until then, our students will continue to between the World Wars and during the Holocaust”). . . . I would greatly appreciate a travel to this significant repository. Claims copy of the article or finding out where I could Conference Fellow Jeffrey Koerber was get it. Mr. Segal might also be interested in honored to receive the Foundation’s Corrie talking to my father and his brothers and ten Boom award which funded his work in sisters who were from Huszt and survived the its archive relating to his comparative Holocaust. study of Jews from the towns of Vitebsk Thanks in advance. and Grodno. Barry J. Glick continued on page 28

STRASSLER FAMILY CENTER FOR HOLOCAUST AND GENOCIDE STUDIES 508680 Text 8/16/08 7:56 AM Page 16

16 FACULTY NOTES

Faculty Notes

Faculty sit at the intellectual core of the a Norton editor look at my work.” Center, mentoring the next generation of teachers and scholars as well as discover- Dwork also serves as supervisor of seven ing and sharing new knowledge about the ABD (all but dissertation) candidates. Holocaust and genocide with the global They too had moved forward decisively, community. Their work weaves together engaged in research and writing, and the Center’s mission of teaching, research, offered key jobs that provide opportunities and public service, all in the hope of to shape the education of thousands of shaping a less violent world. Changes and youngsters by teaching their teachers. additions to key faculty positions con- Jeff Koerber on a Fulbright Fellowship tribute to the Center’s dynamic environ- in Belarus; Tiberiu Galis consulting for ment and help to grow its scholarly reach. the Auschwitz Institute for Peace and Reconciliation; Christine Schmidt as “If I weren’t so exhilarated by this year’s Director of Education at the Jewish events, I’d be exhausted,” beamed Foundation for the Righteous; Lotte Stone Debórah Dwork. Reflecting upon what as Director of Education at the Center for had been accomplished, Dwork relished Holocaust and Humanity Education in the prospect of what lay ahead. With Cincinnati; and Beth Lilach and Sarah mentoring the largest incoming class of Cushman working together at the doctoral students behind her, as well as Holocaust Memorial and Tolerance Center two stunningly successful searches to fill of Nassau County, the former as Director professorships, and her latest book, Flight of Education and the latter as Assistant from the Reich: Refugee Jews, 1933-1946 Education Director. And the field research done and in press, she sat back and sur- reports and dissertation chapters kept Center Director veyed the landscape. coming all year. As Dwork commented to Debórah Dwork one student, “I can’t imagine being any- Well-launched in their studies, all seven where—train, airport, waiting room—with- on-campus graduate students were poised out someone’s chapter and my blue pen.” to fly away to their field research sites: She reports delighting in reading succes- Austria, Canada, France, Israel, Italy, sive drafts, observing the crystallization of Poland, Romania. Individually and collec- an argument, and the students’ use of a tively, they had done a magnificent job in rich array of sources culled from archives their studies and as fully participatory across Europe, Israel, and North America. members of the Center. And their progress “Thanks to their research bursaries,” she in their independent research had culmi- hastens to add. “And their terrific success nated in a first milestone: a writing work- winning fellowships and awards to travel shop run by Edwin Barber, semi-retired to site locations.” “I can’t imagine being from his vice presidency of W.W. Norton anywhere—train, airport, publishing company and Dwork’s admired The Center leapt forward in the develop- waiting room—without (former) editor. He had taught her how to ment of its graduate studies culture with someone’s chapter and write, she declared. Now they enjoyed a the admission of such a robust group in my blue pen.” taste of editorial excellence. “I found Mr. September 2007, and another arriving in —Center Director Barber's comments today invaluable,” September 2008. Notwithstanding the ever Debórah Dwork Alexis Herr (G-1) e-mailed Dwork that stronger applicant pool, a highly selective evening. “I have been reading Norton admit rate of 10 to 15 percent prevails to books for years and I felt honored to have ensure that students are mentored and

STRASSLER FAMILY CENTER FOR HOLOCAUST AND GENOCIDE STUDIES 508680 Text 8/16/08 7:56 AM Page 17

FACULTY NOTES 17

funded. Happily, these doctoral candidates of energy, she and her coauthor finished will have the opportunity to study with two ahead of schedule. Dwork was jubilant. more world-class scholars who have joined She is passionate about writing—the only Dwork looks forward to the Clark faculty. Dwork chaired the time she ever knows what she’s thinking, welcoming Olga Litvak, search committee charged to fill a newly she says. And it was in the course of that who describes herself as endowed professorship in modern Jewish thinking that she and van Pelt realized the “a specialist in the history history gifted by Michael and Lisa Leffell, history they wished to tell did not end with of Russian Jewry with and served as a member of the search the close of the war. Indeed, the end of the a particular interest committee for the Kaloosdian/Mugar war opened a new chapter in the diaspora in the development of the Eastern European Professor in Armenian Genocide Studies of the Jews, and the last quarter of their Jewish diaspora” and is and Modern Armenian History. Both book focuses on this time period. Shipping described by others as “an searches yielded choice candidates from off the manuscript, Dwork transferred her intellectual powerhouse.” a rich field of applicants. Dwork looks stoked creative energy to authoring an forward to welcoming Olga Litvak, who essay on “The Challenges of Holocaust describes herself as “a specialist in the Scholarship: A Personal Statement” to be history of Russian Jewry with a particular included in a collection on this subject interest in the development of the Eastern published by the Institute of European European Jewish diaspora” and is Studies at the Jagiellonian University and described by others as “an intellectual the International Center for Education powerhouse.” Litvak’s courses and about Auschwitz and the Holocaust. research will provide a deeper layer of insight and knowledge about a world and If writing clarifies what she thinks, speak- culture destroyed by the Holocaust. Dwork ing crystallizes her take-home message, already had the pleasure of welcoming Dwork observes. She had plenty of oppor- Taner Akçam, the incumbent of the tunities to hone a plethora of messages this Kaloosdian/Mugar professorship, through a year, maintaining a vigorous lecture and spate of news articles about the hire of this media interview schedule. “I was utterly renowned Turkish scholar. (Asked if there inspired by the teachers who came from all Widely admired for his was a problem hiring a Turkish scholar for corners of Poland” to attend a conference bold and authoritative a position on the Armenian Genocide, on Rescuers in the Time of Darkness spon- scholarship using Turkish Dwork replied, “The only problem is that sored by the (Polish) Center for Citizen- sources, Taner Akçam’s research and teaching question.”) Widely admired for his bold ship Education, the American Embassy in will add a new dimension and authoritative scholarship using Warsaw, and the Jewish Foundation for to the education offered Turkish sources, Taner Akçam’s research the Righteous (JFR), for which Dwork by the Center. and teaching will add a new dimension to gave the keynote address. She was equally the education offered by the Center. delighted to participate in teaching student-teachers in a program run by the A committed professor herself, Dwork Holocaust Museum Houston; to speak to thoroughly enjoyed teaching a new gradu- business people about the importance ate level methods seminar, Problems, of education about genocide at a Young Approach, and Narrative, as well as an Presidents Organization event; to join a undergraduate/graduate seminar, Refugees. panel on genocide and denial hosted by The latter dovetailed with her most recent Boston University’s Armenian Students book project, Flight from the Reich: Association; and to teach teachers working Refugee Jews, 1933-1946, contracted to a in the field at the JFR’s Advanced Winter deadline of 31 January 2008. With a rush Seminar and with a plenary lecture at a

STRASSLER FAMILY CENTER FOR HOLOCAUST AND GENOCIDE STUDIES 508680 Text 8/16/08 7:56 AM Page 18

18 FACULTY NOTES

conference on Teaching about Genocide watch for her on the big screen in a docu- held at Yale University. mentary on “Refugees and Bystanders” by Rick Trank of Moriah Films. Opening: Anticipating the publication of The Terezín spring 2009. Album of Mariánka Zadikow, Dwork had accepted numerous speaking engagements. Thomas Kühne, the Strassler Family Unfortunately, the printing process was Professor in the Study of Holocaust History, imperfect and the book was not released. makes important contributions to the But the engagements remained, and Dwork Center each year through his work with was the happy guest of former students graduate and undergraduate students, Morgan Blum ’02 at the Holocaust Center and through his research and scholarly of Northern California, where she was endeavors. honored to present the Alfred Manovill Memorial Lecture, and Beth Cohen Ph.D. Kühne serves as the primary adviser for ’03 at California State University, doctoral student Robin Krause and was the Northridge, in whose class she spoke and master’s thesis advisor for Daniel Roberts where she also gave an address at the ’07, M.A. ’08. Roberts wrote on The community’s Yom Hashoah commemora- American Experience and Mythology of tion. Toronto, New York, Houston, and Liberating Concentration Camps. her home community of Clark University rounded out her public lecture circuit. In addition, Kühne plays a vital role in Finally, Dwork served as Scholar-in- the ongoing development of the Strassler Strassler Professor Residence at Kean University in New Center as a member of the Center’s Thomas Kühne Jersey, Guest Scholar at Palm Beach Steering Committee and, this year, through Community College, and she gave the his active participation in two faculty inaugural Rubenstein Memorial Lecture searches crucial to the Center’s future. in Holocaust Studies at Florida Atlantic As chair of the search committee for the University. Kaloosdian-Mugar Chair in Armenian Genocide Studies and Modern Armenian As in past years, Dwork served on the History, Kühne recruited Taner Akçam to American Jewish Committee’s Anti- fill this important endowed professorship. Semitism Task Force and on the board of He also served on the search committee the Jewish Cultural Heritage Foundation. for the new Leffell Professorship in Jewish Kühne continued his work She chaired two board committees for the History, to be held by Olga Litvak. The with the Rose Library this JFR (of which she is now Vice-Chair) and strength of faculty and program at the year, maintaining a is a member the academic boards of the Center helped to attract both of these first- productive collaboration International Research Institute on Jewish choice candidates to Clark. with Diana Bartley, who Women at Brandeis University and of has donated thousands of books, periodicals, and Facing History and Ourselves. And she Kühne continued his work with the Rose documents related to the worked with journalists on a range of Library this year, maintaining a productive Holocaust and genocide. issues from denial of the Armenian collaboration with Diana Bartley, who has Genocide to hoax memoirs to remembering donated thousands of books, periodicals, the amazing rescuer Irena Sendler. If you and documents related to the Holocaust happen to watch Belgian National TV and genocide. He works closely with the (RTBF), look for her in a documentary Center’s librarian, B.J. Perkins, to manage about an utterly fabricated memoir. And and grow the library collection to best

STRASSLER FAMILY CENTER FOR HOLOCAUST AND GENOCIDE STUDIES 508680 Text 8/16/08 7:56 AM Page 19

FACULTY NOTES 19

meet the research needs of the faculty and Crime: Comradeship and the People’s students. Community, 1918-1945,” served on the Kühne was recognized panel “Pre-thinking the Volksgemeinschaft: this year for his Kühne strives, too, to create innovative Visions of the National Community in innovative scholarship learning opportunities for faculty and stu- Germany, 1914-1945,” and organized and and contributions dents. He ran, once again, the “Modern chaired the panel on “Democratizing to his field. History Colloquium” for students and Beauty in Early 20th Century Germany.” faculty in the Holocaust and Genocide Studies program and History Department In March 2008, he visited Ben-Gurion with invited speakers from outside and University to discuss a potential collab- inside the University. Kühne also is a oration with the Center and had the member of the Steering Committee for opportunity to speak in graduate classes Clark’s Difficult Dialogues Program and about his new project, the Center, and its was instrumental in organizing the public programs. In April 2008, Kühne gave a symposium “Bridging the Impossible? teacher seminar on “World War I on the Confronting Barriers to Dialogue between Eastern Front” with the Humboldt County Germans/Jews/Palestinians,” co-sponsored and Northern California Teaching Ameri- by the Center and the Difficult Dialogues can History Programs at Humboldt State Program. (See pages 6-7.) University in Arcata, Calif.

Recognizing the value of serving as an Kühne’s essay “Comradeship and Shame ambassador for the Center in the academic Culture: Hitler’s Soldiers and the Moral community, Kühne traveled widely to Basis of Genocidal Warfare” will be part share knowledge and expertise and to of the volume Ordinary People as Mass further strengthen the Center’s ties to Murderers: Perpetrators in Comparative institutions that foster fruitful intellectual Perspectives, and his “Political Culture and exchange. In May 2007, Kühne visited Democratization” has been published in A testament to his ability the Center’s partner in Copenhagen, the Imperial Germany 1871-1918: The Short to translate his scholarship Danish Institute for International Studies. Oxford History of Germany. In addition, into the classroom, While there, he delivered the lecture he had reviews published in H-German, Kühne received the “Hitler’s Community: Belonging and H-Soz-u-Kult, and Central European 2008 H-German Prize for Best Syllabus on Genocide, 1918-1945.” He spoke on “The History. “Nazi Germany/Holocaust” Machinery of Death and the Murderers: for his course “The The Holocaust” at the Summer Institute Kühne was recognized this year for his Holocaust Perpetrators.” for Teachers, run by the Jewish Foundation innovative scholarship and contributions to for the Righteous, at Columbia University his field. He was appointed affiliate of the in New York on 28 June 2007. On 9 July Minda de Gunzburg Center for European 2007, he delivered a lecture on “Barba- Studies at Harvard University and joined rossa—The Eastern Front, 1941-43” at the the editorial board of the new journal Yale-Hopkins Summer Seminar, held at Culture, Society and Masculinities. A the Whitney and Betty MacMillan Center testament to his ability to translate his for International and Area Studies at Yale scholarship into the classroom, Kühne University. At the 31st Annual Conference received the 2008 H-German Prize for of the German Studies Association, held Best Syllabus on “Nazi Germany/Holo- 4-7 October 2007 in San Diego, Calif., caust” for his course “The Holocaust Kühne presented the paper “Charity into Perpetrators.” His seminal book

STRASSLER FAMILY CENTER FOR HOLOCAUST AND GENOCIDE STUDIES 508680 Text 8/16/08 7:56 AM Page 20

20 FACULTY NOTES

Kameradschaft: Die Soldaten des national- study of three cases—the Holocaust, the sozialistischen Krieges und das 20. Armenian Genocide, and Rwanda—in Jahrhundert (Comradeship: The Soldiers order to gain a deeper understanding of of the Nazi War and the 20th Century), each case and uncover possible explana- published in 2006 to much praise, was tions for these atrocities. short listed and ranked third in the contest Das Historische Buch/Neuere Geschichte Melson also represented the Center to 2007 (The Historical Book/Modern History the wider academic world. He chaired a 2007) in Germany. panel on “Comparative Genocide” at the International Association of Genocide Kühne is now nearing the home stretch on Scholars Conference on 9 July 2007 in his current book project, Hitler’s Commu- Sarajevo, Bosnia. Winston Churchill and nity: Belonging and Genocide, 1918-1945. his role during World War II is the focus of Melson’s current research into prediction The Center’s academic programs were and prevention of genocide. He gave a enriched again this year by the contribu- presentation on one aspect of this project, tions of Robert Melson, the Cathy Cohen “Churchill in Munich: The Paradox of Lasry Distinguished Professor. Graduate Genocide Prevention” at the Lessons and and undergraduate students were fortunate Legacies Conference on 19 December 2007 to learn from and be mentored by this at Yad Vashem, Jerusalem, Israel. In a internationally respected scholar of the longer article by the same title, published Holocaust and genocide studies. in Genocide Studies and Prevention (2009), Melson elucidates the paradox of preven- Melson is a founding member and presi- tion in the case of Churchill and World Robert Melson, dent of the International Association of War II. Had Western leaders heeded Cathy Cohen Lasry Genocide Scholars. His major area of Churchill and World War II been averted, Distinguished Professor teaching and research has been ethnic so too would have been the Holocaust. conflict and genocide, to which he brings However, had Churchill’s strategy been his perspective as a child survivor of the successful and World War II and the Holocaust. His most recent book, False Holocaust avoided, he likely would not Melson fostered his Papers: Deception and Survival in the have been celebrated for his achievements students’ critical thinking Holocaust (2000), explores his family’s because the public would not have been skills in the comparative history and how they survived the aware of the disasters he had prevented. study of three cases—the Holocaust in Poland by using false identi- It would only be aware of the costs that Holocaust, the Armenian Genocide, and Rwanda—in fication papers. Melson’s pathbreaking Britain and its allies had incurred and order to gain a deeper book Revolution and Genocide: On the the dangers that they had run. Therein lies understanding of each Origins of the Armenian Genocide and the the paradox of Churchill’s preventing the case and uncover possible Holocaust (1992) earned the international Holocaust, and it may have implications explanations for these PIOOM Award in Human Rights for 1993. for other genocides. Leaders may fear atrocities. taking political risks when the success of This was Melson’s second year at the their policies may never be apparent. Center, and he enjoyed teaching his joint undergraduate and graduate seminar In addition to teaching and pursuing Holocaust and Genocide in Comparative research, Melson published a review of A Perspective. Melson fostered his students’ Shameful Act: The Armenian Genocide and critical thinking skills in the comparative the Question of Turkish Responsibility by

STRASSLER FAMILY CENTER FOR HOLOCAUST AND GENOCIDE STUDIES 508680 Text 8/16/08 7:56 AM Page 21

FACULTY NOTES 21

Taner Akçam in Holocaust and Genocide Holocaust and genocide, and Tenenbaum Studies. In a happy twist of fate unknow- takes special care in helping students find able to Melson at the time of his review, and secure placements. This year, she Akçam is now Clark’s incoming Kaloosdian/ worked with a student to create a new Mugar Professor of Armenian Genocide resource: an internship directory, includ- Studies and Modern Armenian History. ing information about approximately 40 internships related to the Holocaust and Shelly Tenenbaum became the first other genocides. Copies of the directory Coordinator for Holocaust and Genocide reside at the Center and in Tenenbaum’s Studies (HGS) Undergraduate Activities, office, a favorite stop for HGS students, and thus advanced the Center’s mission to and soon to be available online thanks to provide a rich undergraduate education in her collaboration with Clark’s Career this field. A sociology professor with a full Services Office. Tenenbaum also shep- portfolio of research and teaching in that herds students through the application field, Tenenbaum is dedicated to the process for Clark HGS Summer Internship growth and development of the HGS con- Stipend Awards, soliciting applications, centration and its students, as well as to meeting with interested students, review- Sociology professor Shelly Tenenbaum, Coordinator the Center and its activities. In her new ing applications with other faculty mem- for Holocaust and Genocide dignity, she continues to grow the under- bers, meeting with the recipients of these Studies Undergraduate graduate concentration, and she has competitive awards, and continuing to Activities embarked on bold new initiatives for work with them before, during, and after undergraduate students. Tenenbaum their internship experience. The time coordinated the HGS concentration core Tenenbaum dedicates to these students courses and capstone seminars, ensuring helps them make the most of these oppor- a balance between courses offered on the tunities. Holocaust and other genocides. A dedicat- ed teacher and mentor, she advised 16 The Center is also fortunate to have HGS concentrators and taught the course Tenenbaum as a member of its Steering Genocide, one of three required courses Committee, and to have her guiding hand for the concentration. She also represented to help plan lectures in the Especially for HGS at the University’s Majors Fair and Students series and displays about Center Admitted Student Open House, and met activities. with new faculty to cultivate their interest in contributing to the HGS concentration Beyond the Center, Tenenbaum pursues as well as to the graduate program. She research in her own field of sociology. This served as faculty advisor for the student year, her article “Biological Discourse and Shelly Tenenbaum became organization STAND, a student coalition American Jewish Identity,” coauthored the first Coordinator for against genocide, which enjoyed an active with Lynn Davidman, was published in Holocaust and Genocide Studies (HGS) year. (See pages 14 and 30.) This national the fall 2007 issue of AJS Perspectives Undergraduate Activities, organization, established by the Genocide (journal of the Association for Jewish and thus advanced the Intervention Network, has chapters at col- Studies). She also co-authored with Center’s mission to provide leges and universities across the country. Davidman the article “It’s in My Genes: a rich undergraduate Biological Discourse and Essentialist education in this field. Internships provide HGS students with Views of Identity among Contemporary remarkable opportunities to learn about American Jews,” which appeared in the the challenges and consequences of the summer 2007 issue of The Sociological

STRASSLER FAMILY CENTER FOR HOLOCAUST AND GENOCIDE STUDIES 508680 Text 8/16/08 7:56 AM Page 22

22 FACULTY NOTES

Quarterly. In September 2007, she deliv- as well as the Cambridge Handbook of ered a talk titled “Is it Genocide?” at Socio-Cultural Psychology (2007), with Temple Ohabei Shalom in Brookline, Mass. Alberto Rosa. He is the editor of Integra- tive Psychological and Behavioral Sciences A respected scholar, Tenenbaum is an and From Past to Future: Annals of Inno- Editorial Board member of AJS Perspectives vations in Psychology (2007). He has and continues to serve as an Academic been a visiting professor in Brazil, Japan, Advisory Council Member for the Jewish Australia, Estonia, Germany, Italy, United Women’s Archive. Her outstanding and Kingdom, and the Netherlands. The Center community innovative work as a scholar and teacher is fortunate to have was recognized by the University, which As a participating faculty member at the internationally renowned honored Tenenbaum with a Higgins Center this year, Valsiner continued to psychology Professor Seminar Award in 2007 to support her and advise the Center’s graduate students Jaan Valsiner committed to growing a partnership Clark English Professor Betsy Huang in through independent reading courses, between Clark's Hiatt the development of a new course on Asians bringing together cultural and social psy- School of Psychology and Jews in the United States. They plan chology with key issues of understanding and the Center. to teach the course in fall 2008. genocides. He also joined Tenenbaum in teaching the undergraduate course The connection between the Holocaust Genocide, and was instrumental in setting and genocide and psychology remains up the first interdisciplinary collaborative a conundrum to research and study. framework for graduate study between Atrocities often unfold after a psychologi- HGS and psychology. Center faculty and cal foundation of hate and deception has students look forward to a growing relation- been laid, and sometimes are spurred by ship with the Hiatt School of Psychology targeted psychological propaganda. The and are thrilled to have such an enthusias- Center community is fortunate to have tic and renowned partner in Valsiner. internationally renowned psychology Professor Jaan Valsiner committed to The Center is grateful to visiting professors growing a partnership between Clark’s Henry Theriault and Dikran Kaligian, Hiatt School of Psychology and the Center. who taught courses about the Armenian In the fall, the Center will welcome the Genocide and Armenian history while the first graduate student in a new doctoral search for the Kaloosdian/Mugar Chair of stream, Psychology of Genocide. Armenian Genocide Studies and Modern Armenian History was completed. The Valsiner is a cultural psychologist with a intellectual rigor, energy, and critical consistently developmental axiomatic base thought these scholars bring to their that influences all of his work. He is the research and teaching was appreciated by founding editor (1995) of the Sage journal the undergraduate and graduate students, Psychology professor Culture & Psychology and has published and faculty who had the pleasure of work- Jaan Valsiner many books, most recently Comparative ing with them this year. Study of Human Cultural Development (2001), Culture and Human Development (2000), and The Guided Mind (1998). He has edited, with Kevin Connolly, the Hand- book of Developmental Psychology (2003)

STRASSLER FAMILY CENTER FOR HOLOCAUST AND GENOCIDE STUDIES 508680 Text 8/16/08 7:56 AM Page 23

GRADUATE STUDENT NEWS 23

Graduate Student News

A record number of five new students prevention to 20 mid-level began their doctoral studies at the government officials from Strassler Center this fall. Together with Argentina, Austria, Bosnia, their more senior student colleagues, they Burundi, Cambodia, China, form a dynamic group. Committed to Finland, Germany, Latvia scholarship and learning, they have and the United States. The already undertaken a bold new initiative: participants, recruited by an international doctoral student confer- Galis, now constitute a net- Center G1 and G2 students: ence in spring 2009 for which they will work of civil servants who hope to collabo- Jody Manning (left), Raz Segal, Stefan Ionescu, serve as hosts and conveners. Their rate internationally on issues of prevention. Emily Dabney, Elizabeth purpose is to provide a forum for fellow The seminar received support from the Anthony, Adara Goldberg students in America and abroad to present United Nations, the Ford Foundation and original research papers to peers and the ‘Remembrance, Responsibility and scholars. The students began planning this Future’ Foundation. winter, and their invitations to leading scholars to participate as panel chairs Claims Conference Fellow Jeffrey were accepted by one and all. Koerber spent his fourth year of graduate study immersed in research for his doctor- While completing his Graduate students stand at the heart of the al dissertation, View from the Borderlands: doctoral work, Tiberiu Center. Through their research, teaching, Jews in Belorussia and Poland, 1935–1945, remains actively and scholarship, they advance the Center’s a comparative study of Jewish youth in two engaged in meaningful mission and reputation in their field and borderland towns—Vitebsk in the Belorus- professional pursuits. around the world. sian Soviet Socialist Republic and Grodno in the Second Polish Republic. Grounded Sidney and Rosalie Rose Fellow Tiberiu in the Yiddish language press; personal Galis completed his fifth year of doctoral letters, memoirs, testimonies; and official study. At home in Romania, he worked on Jewish organizational documents, his work his dissertation, Transitional Justice and is a comparative study of the reactions of Transition to a New Regime: Making Sense Jews in these towns to state-sponsored of Uncertain Times. Prior to writing, he oppression and genocide. undertook archival research and data col- lection in Germany, Hungary, Romania, Koerber spent six months in Minsk, and Serbia. His dissertation explores the Belarus under a Fulbright grant and a relationship between transitional justice Critical Language Enhancement Award and regime consolidation. from the U.S. Department of State. While there he observed the range of attitudes While completing his doctoral work, Galis of the Belarusian citizenry to Soviet-style remains actively engaged in meaningful rule—collaboration, cooperation, passive professional pursuits. Continuing his col- acquiescence, paranoia, fear, subtle resist- laboration as a consultant to the Auschwitz ance, and outright protest—the last partic- Institute for Peace and Reconciliation in ularly dangerous in a state where citizens New York, he helped to conceive and are regularly imprisoned on trumped-up

organize the first Raphael Lemkin Seminar charges. Koerber’s Fulbright year came to for Genocide Prevention in O´swiecimc an abrupt end on 2 April, when the U.S. (Auschwitz), Poland in May 2008. This Embassy in Minsk told Koerber and his international seminar introduced genocide fellow Fulbright students and professors

STRASSLER FAMILY CENTER FOR HOLOCAUST AND GENOCIDE STUDIES 508680 Text 8/16/08 7:56 AM Page 24

24 GRADUATE STUDENT NEWS

to leave the country within five days. A Canadian, Goldberg will mine the A seasoned participant at Apprehensive that political developments archives of her home country to research international conferences, might have an impact on his working her dissertation, “We Were Called Stefan traveled to several conditions, Koerber had accelerated his Greenies:” Holocaust Survivors in Postwar throughout the year. research schedule. By the time of his Canada. She began archival research at departure, he had completed much of the Ontario Jewish Archives, the his archival work—and none too soon, Vancouver Jewish Archives and Heritage because during his last week Koerber was Society, the National Archives of the denied permission to see many documents Canadian Jewish Congress in Montreal, important for his research. the Halifax Jewish Archives, and at Pier 21, Canada’s immigration museum. Prior to his six-month stay in Belarus, Koerber conducted research at archives Honing her public speaking skills, in New York City (YIVO and American Goldberg presented “‘We Were Called Jewish Joint Distribution Committee) and Greenies’: Holocaust Survivors in Postwar Washington, D.C. (United States Holocaust Canada,” at Clark University’s Graduate Memorial Museum and the National Student Conference. In commemoration of Archives). With a Corrie ten Boom Yom Hashoah, she lectured at two public Research Award from the USC Shoah schools in Holden, Mass. She presented Foundation Institute, he examined over “The Experience of Children during the 130 video testimonies of Holocaust sur- Holocaust” to middle school students and Adara Goldberg (left), vivors and rescuers that will serve as a “Lost Childhood: Jewish Children during Emily Dabney and Jody foundation for his dissertation. An award the Holocaust” to 110 fifth-graders. Bowing Manning at the Daring to from the Tauber Institute for the Study of to popular demand, she happily accepted Resist: Jewish Defiance in the Holocaust conference European Jewry at Brandeis University to return to these schools next year. underwrote his work in the state archives in Vitebsk and Grodno. Documents from Stefan Ionescu, a Claims Conference the archives and libraries of Minsk, Fellow, studies Holocaust survivor narra- Vitebsk, and Grodno—written in Yiddish, tives, gentile public opinion about Jews Russian, Belorussian, Polish, and during World War II, and Holocaust history German—reveal the emerging conscious- and memory. He recently published an Prior to his six-month stay ness of Jewish youth in starkly differing article, “Holocaust and Gulag—Variants in Belarus, Koerber con- contexts. of the Concept of Genocide? Between Inter- ducted research at archives national Law and Contemporary Theories in New York City (YIVO The third-floor Tobak Student Offices of of Collective Violence,” in Caietele and American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee) Cohen Lasry House, named in memory Echinox Journal (13) 2007. During the and Washington, D.C. of Center friend Henry Tobak, buzzed winter break, he conducted research in (United States Holocaust with the Center’s large and lively incoming Romanian archives and libraries to dev- Memorial Museum and the class. Second-year students Adara elop ideas for his dissertation. National Archives). Goldberg and Stefan Ionescu mentored the first-year students. At the same time, A seasoned participant at international they refined their dissertation plans and conferences, Ionescu traveled to several A Canadian, Goldberg will developed their scholarship while continu- throughout the year. In the fall he present- mine the archives of her ing to participate fully in the Center’s busy ed “The Dynamic Concept of Resistance home country to research academic program. in post-Genocide—Holocaust and Gulag— her dissertation, “We Were Remembrance” in Sarajevo (Bosnia Called Greenies:” Adara Goldberg continued her studies as Herzegovina) at a conference organized by Holocaust Survivors in the Ralph and Shirley Rose Fellow. She the Center for Interdisciplinary Memory Postwar Canada. was privileged to earn an additional award, Research, Kulturwissenschaftlichen the Louis Manpel Scholarship for Jewish Institute Essen. He delivered another Communal Service, from Na’amat Canada. paper, “The Dynamic Concept of Resist-

STRASSLER FAMILY CENTER FOR HOLOCAUST AND GENOCIDE STUDIES 508680 Text 8/16/08 7:56 AM Page 25

GRADUATE STUDENT NEWS 25

ance in post-Holocaust Remembrance,” to write a dissertation on the Holocaust in at the 39th National Convention of the France, but has redirected her attention American Association for the Advancement to French colonial North Africa. Her new of Slavic Studies (AAASS) held in New topic, Forced Labor in the Maghreb, sent Anthony received a Orleans, LA. He traveled to Indiana her to Worcester State College to begin Center for Advanced University to participate in the Romanian Arabic language courses. Holocaust Studies, Studies Graduate Student Conference where USHMM fellowship to study “Yiddish Reading he discussed, “The Boom of Testimony Dabney’s interest in North African Jewry for Holocaust Research” after Communism” in the spring. And led her to Washington, D.C. to explore during the summer. finally, at the Clark University Graduate archive files at the USHMM. This research Student Conference, he presented a paper foray was vital in shaping her newly titled, “The Temptation to Instrumentalize emerging scholarly interests. At Clark’s the Trials of Genocide Perpetrators: Graduate Student Conference in the spring Transitional Justice between International she presented, “Ham Goes to Rwanda: and Domestic Courts.” Racial Myth in the Colonial Period.”

Earlier in her career, Claims Conference Alexis Herr completed her first year of Fellow Elizabeth Anthony worked at doctoral study as a Claims Conference Herr credits her interest the United States Holocaust Memorial Fellow aiming to investigate the Holocaust in Holocaust history to the Museum (USHMM), serving as Deputy in Italy. During the spring semester, she profound influence exerted Director of Survivor Affairs from 1998 to studied the history of Italian Fascism and by Primo Levi’s words. 2004. Living in Vienna prior to coming Italy’s Jews during that era with Professor to the Center, Anthony worked on post- Debórah Dwork in a directed reading Holocaust dialogue between Austrians, class. Primed for further Italian scholar- Germans, and Jews, tracking the inter- ship, she conducted preliminary disser- generational transmission of memory in tation research at the USHMM on Fossoli the families of survivors and in the non- di Carpi, Italy’s largest deportation camp. Jewish families of Germans and Austrians. She continued her archival research in Co-founder of a Jewish-Austrian dialogue Milan, Italy during the summer and took group, Anthony helped design and co- an intensive German language course. facilitated workshops on confronting Austrian families’ Nazi pasts. As a social Herr credits her interest in Holocaust worker with HIAS (Hebrew Immigrant history to the profound influence exerted Aid Society), she interviewed refugees by Primo Levi’s words. As a student at fleeing religious persecution. Claremont McKenna College, where she pursued a dual major in Literature and Anthony’s dissertation focuses on survivors Italian with a minor in Holocaust, Human who returned to Vienna in the post-war Rights, and Genocide Studies, she com- period. This year she began archival bined her interests in literature with research in Vienna and in New York at Holocaust history. During an internship at YIVO and the Leo Baeck Institute. the USHMM in the Center for Advanced Elizabeth received a Center for Advanced Holocaust Studies, Herr researched her Holocaust Studies, USHMM fellowship undergraduate thesis on Field Marshall Adara Goldberg (left), to study “Yiddish Reading for Holocaust Albert Kesselring. Alexis Herr and Ilana Research” during the summer. Offenberger (ABD) Herr presented “Lawrence Langer’s Richard P. Cohen, M.D. Fellow Emily ‘Choiceless Choices’ and Primo Levi’s Dabney began her first year of doctoral ‘Grey Zone’: A look at Adam Czerniakow study following a year in France perfecting and Chaim Rumkowski” at Clark’s her French language skills. She intended Graduate Student Conference.

STRASSLER FAMILY CENTER FOR HOLOCAUST AND GENOCIDE STUDIES 508680 Text 8/16/08 7:56 AM Page 26

26 GRADUATE STUDENT NEWS

Claims Conference Fellow Jody Russell to Tantasqua Regional High School in Manning made great progress toward Sturbridge, Mass. about “Genocide: beginning his dissertation, Living in the Recognition and Prevention.” In addition, Shadows of Auschwitz and Dachau: Manning sparked meaningful discussion Memorial, Community, Symbolism, and at the Unitarian Universalist Society of Claims Conference Fellow the Palimpsest of Memory. He intends Grafton and Upton, Mass. in response to a Jody Manning made to investigate the relationship between presentation on his doctoral research. great progress toward memorial and community and to elucidate beginning his dissertation, the extent to which tourism and the At the Auschwitz-Birkenau State Museum Living in the Shadows of Auschwitz and Dachau: perceptions of outsiders influence such for a fourth summer, Manning conducted Memorial, Community, communities. A directed reading on research and worked at the International Symbolism, and the Polish-Jewish relations with Professor Center for Education. He continued to Palimpsest of Memory. Antony Polonsky at Brandeis University work with Israeli educators from Yad paved the way for his archival research on Vashem during their annual seminar, O´swieçim and Dachau at the USHMM Auschwitz in the Collective Consciousness and at Yad Vashem. of Poland and the World.

Already a published When a Clark undergraduate, Manning Fromson Fellow Raz Segal finished his scholar, Segal submitted secured a summer internship at the first year of doctoral study with the added the final manuscript of Auschwitz-Birkenau State Museum, where support of a Fulbright Doctoral Fellowship. his book, “Their Hearts he worked for three summers. His dis- Already a published scholar, Segal sub- Hardly Bear the Burden”: sertation research informed an exhibition mitted the final manuscript of his book, The Destruction of Munkács Jewry in the of his own photographs, “Layered History: “Their Hearts Hardly Bear the Burden”: Holocaust, to Yad Vashem, Auschwitz,” presented at Cohen Lasry The Destruction of Munkács Jewry in the where it has been accepted House. The exhibition illustrates the Holocaust, to Yad Vashem, where it has for publication. melancholy of emptiness, the beauty of been accepted for publication. Segal pre- prisoner artwork, the presence of life, and sented “Jewish Society in the Ghettos of the harsh reality of existence in a death Subcarpathian Rus’: The Complexities camp. His photographs illuminate the of Facing Genocide” at the 39th Annual intricate layers of history at Auschwitz Conference of the Association for Jewish through an examination of the metamor- Studies in Toronto, Canada. He will phosis of space. continue research in this area with his dissertation, Embittered Legacies: Like his colleagues, Manning welcomed Genocide in Subcarpathian Rus’. opportunities to share his research. He presented “The Complexity of Genocide Segal obtained valuable materials from Denial: Armenian Genocide and the several sources as he began his disser- Holocaust” and “In Search of Categoriza- tation research. University of Toronto Pro- Jody Manning with tion: Homosexuality, Nazism, and the fessor Paul Robert Magocsi—the foremost members of the Amnesty Holocaust” at Clark’s Graduate Student expert on Ruthenians in Subcarpathian International chapter at Tantasqua Regional High Conference. Collaborating with a local Rus’—generously shared material from his School in Sturbridge, Mass. Amnesty International chapter, he lectured private library and archive. Meir Frankel, headmaster of the girls’ school of the Munkács community in Brooklyn, also shared his vast private collection of pri- mary documents—both personal and communal—concerning Jewish life in Subcarpathian Rus’. Segal continued his archival research at YIVO, the Jewish Joint Distribution Committee, and Yad Vashem.

STRASSLER FAMILY CENTER FOR HOLOCAUST AND GENOCIDE STUDIES 508680 Text 8/16/08 7:56 AM Page 27

GRADUATE STUDENT NEWS 27

A keen participant in the rich life of the Disorder, Dissociative Disorders, and Center as an undergraduate, Daniel Dissociative Identity Disorder. Having Roberts ’07 took advantage of Clark’s received an M.A. in Marriage and Family fifth year program to earn an M.A. in Therapy from Syracuse University, she history in May 2008. He wrote his thesis, seeks to understand how systems work— “Why We Fight”: The American Experience intrapersonal, interpersonal, or intergroup and the Mythology of ‘Liberating’ Concen- system dynamics. She plans to study tration Camps, under the direction of displaced aggression in Israelis who are Professor Thomas Kühne. In this study, descendants of Holocaust survivors. Roberts undertakes an unflinching assess- ment of the American military occupation Michael Geheran spent a decade in the of Nazi concentration camps. He finds that corporate world, most recently as a project GIs knew little about the Nazis’ genocidal manager at Bose Corporation. A German- campaign and thus did not appreciate the born new American, he studied history need for humanitarian relief over combat and German at Norwich University and operations. American veterans, politicians, at the Eberhard-Karl Universität in journalists, and scholars later amplified Tübingen, Germany. After three years of the part played by GIs in alleviating the active military service and while working, suffering in order to whitewash military he completed an M.A. in history at Jody Manning (left), sins and to elevate the status of veterans Harvard University’s extension school. Emily Dabney, Daniel in America. His thesis explored German anti-Hitler Roberts ’07, M.A. ’08 resistance, specifically the conspiracy in Roberts will continue his studies at the the Wehrmacht officer corps to overthrow University of Southern Maine in Portland, the Nazi regime in 1944. Geheran ana- working toward certification in public lyzed the motives of the few officers to education. oppose the Third Reich, while most remained faithful until the end. At the New Graduate Students Center, he will turn to the social and The Center is pleased to welcome four political developments in the German incoming students for fall 2008. Three of military establishment from 1871 to the the students will enter the program in his- present, with an emphasis on the army’s tory. The fourth, holding the Robert Weil professional military culture and conduct A keen participant in the Fellowship, will inaugurate a new stream of war during the Third Reich. rich life of the Center as of doctoral study: the psychology of geno- an undergraduate, Daniel cide. The Center and Clark’s renowned Natalya Lazar comes to the Center from Roberts ’07 took advantage of Clark’s fifth year Psychology Department join forces in an Chernivtsi, Ukraine. She will hold the program to earn an M.A. initiative that introduces an innovative way Hevrony Family Trust Fellowship, gifted in history in May 2008. to study genocide that will prove fruitful to by Mr. Nathan Hevrony in memory of his He wrote his thesis, “Why strategies for prevention and intervention. father’s history. Lazar leaves her position We Fight”: The American of Assistant Professor in the Department of Experience and the Cristina Andriani will hold the Robert Political Science and Public Administra- Mythology of ‘Liberating’ Concentration Camps, Weil Fellowship. A Ph.D. student in the tion at Fedkovych Chernivtsi National under the direction of Conflict Analysis and Resolution Program University where she taught courses on Professor Thomas Kühne. at Nova Southeastern University in interethnic relations and minority rights Florida, the Swiss-raised Andriani sought protection in Central and Eastern European the unique opportunity to study the psy- countries. Her many research interests chology of genocide offered by the include ethno-politics, Holocaust com- Strassler Center and the Psychology memoration policy and memory, and Department. Andriani is a licensed Mental identity politics. During 2007, Lazar held Health Counselor, specializing in trauma a fellowship at the Center for Holocaust and specifically Post-Traumatic Stress and Genocide Studies at the University of

STRASSLER FAMILY CENTER FOR HOLOCAUST AND GENOCIDE STUDIES 508680 Text 8/16/08 7:56 AM Page 28

28 GRADUATE STUDENT NEWS

Amsterdam studying the character of continued from page 15 interethnic relations during the Holocaust, Center in the Mail 2007–2008 particularly in Ukraine, and undertaking I read the beautiful report you send out, and a major research project on the Jews of am totally impressed by all the many things Bukovina during the Holocaust. the Center and the students are doing. Professor Atina Grossman, Cooper Union Joanna Sliwa, born in Poland, earned her B.A. in Political Science and Jewish There were two areas of your “Year-End Studies and her M.A. in Holocaust and Activities Report” that struck home. One Genocide Studies from Kean University. A was Beth Cohen’s book “Case Closed.” Her seasoned participant in several comple- description of the reception that refugees mentary programs, Sliwa has a robust received from their relatives and the American resumé. As a Dorot Summer Research Jewish community was exactly what happened to my cousin, Nina Morecki.... Assistant Fellow at the United States It was almost as if Beth interviewed Nina. Holocaust Memorial Museum, she used Bob Messing ’59 her Polish and German language skills to research, write, and edit encyclopedia I attended Professor Hovannisian’s presenta- entries on the ghettos of Nazi-occupied tion last night and write to congratulate you Poland. She participated in the Lipper on a wonderful program.... Internship Program at the Museum of I have heard so much about the Strassler Jewish Heritage—A Living Memorial to Center for Holocaust and Genocide Studies the Holocaust. A fellow of the Auschwitz and was so happy to have finally gotten up to Jewish Center, she spent the summer one of your programs....Congratulations on all of your good works in the past and best studying Polish-Jewish relations and the wishes for the future.... Holocaust. Drawing upon the findings Harry N. Mazadoorian, Distinguished Senior of her master's thesis, Children in the Fellow, Center on Dispute Resolution, Krakow Ghetto, Sliwa intends to focus on Quinnipiac University School of Law the Holocaust in Poland, paying special attention to the fate of Jewish children, I’ve heard nothing but raves about your won- ghetto life, and rescue efforts. To that derful presentation! Thank you so much for offering your scholarship and your thoughtful end she conducted research and provided presence to our worship experience. translations for the forthcoming PBS Eliza Blanchard, Minister of the Unitarian documentary film about the recently Universalist Society of Grafton and Upton, deceased Polish rescuer Irena Sendler, Mass., to Center graduate student Jody Manning titled In the Name of Their Mothers: The Story of Irena Sendler. As a participant of the JFR Summer Institute, ■ Mary Jane Rein I want to thank you for your presentation the final day. I found your ideas thought-provok- ing and refreshing amidst the flurry of schol- ars who claim to know the root and cause of the Holocaust. If one cannot admit the pro- found depth and complexity of the Holocaust, it defeats the purpose of studying it. Thank you, and I anxiously await your book. Rob Hamel, Gorham N.H., to Thomas Kühne

continued on page 32

STRASSLER FAMILY CENTER FOR HOLOCAUST AND GENOCIDE STUDIES 508680 Text 8/16/08 7:56 AM Page 29

GRADUATE STUDENT NEWS 29

Disk Project: Daniel Roberts ’07, M.A. ’08

More than 20 years ago, Professor Debórah unrecorded sections at the beginning and Dwork recorded the histories of hundreds end of each tape and make audio adjust- of Holocaust child survivors on audio tape. ments. The result is a better quality audio Now the tapes themselves must be pre- recording and more efficient access to served. Thanks to a generous grant from the pertinent sections of the oral histories. Shillman Charitable Trust, I served as “As a result of this project Professor Dwork’s research assistant, The floppy disk transfers, while less time I have discovered the updating these tapes along with matching consuming, were more complicated. Many value of audio recording transcripts on floppy disks to a contempo- of the disks storing the typed transcripts and even used oral history in my own work rary CD format. Technology had moved no longer function with contemporary interviewing an American apace, and CDs and computer files now computers. Initially, a professional data veteran of World War II... provide more dependable longevity, easier recovery company seemed the only option. The experience demon- access, and greater storage capacity. These Again, however, with guidance from Clark strated for me that advances offer valuable tools for historians Information Technology Services, I moved technology can increase but demand costly efforts to ensure contin- along without outside intervention. Using a both the humanity and efficiency of the ued usability. program downloaded from the Internet, historian’s craft.” I converted the files from their dead pro- My initial plan to engage professionals gramming language on obsolete floppy —Daniel Roberts ’07, who specialize in audio and data transfer disks into Word format on data CDs. M.A. ’08 proved too costly and the risk of outsourc- ing original materials too great. Collabo- This project taught me much about rating with historical archives in order to recording oral histories. Professor Dwork subsidize the project was rejected, too, due devoted thousands of hours to the initial to confidentiality issues. Professor Dwork interviews, at locations throughout Europe and I met a professional project manager and America. Audio recordings preserve who, for a substantial fee, proposed super- much of the emotion recalling lived history vising two students who would do all of the evokes, while the human presence is often audio transfers via computer. I believed lost in the formality of written language I could go forward without a middleman and the constraints of print. As a result of and, with Professor Dwork’s unwavering this project I have discovered the value of faith in my ability, I pursued my own audio recording and even used oral history course in transferring the audio tapes in my own work interviewing an American and data files. veteran of World War II. Using my hard won knowledge of the process, I recorded With the help of Clark University’s Infor- the interview directly into the computer. mation Technology personnel, particularly The experience demonstrated for me that Daniel Roberts ’07, M.A. ’08 Academic Technology Coordinator Anthony technology can increase both the humanity and Center Director Debórah Dwork Helm, I learned to reformat recordings and and efficiency of the historian’s craft. transcripts using multiple computers, new computer applications, and audio cassette Voices of the Holocaust disappear daily. recorders. My system: Original tapes are Although the historical record includes entered into a database; the tapes are memoirs, documents, and pictures, the played via a recording device routed to voices of survivors convey an intimate, a computer; a program records what is human dimension. This project maintains played and creates a MP3 (computer audio those voices for generations to come. file). This program allowed me to edit out ■ Daniel Roberts ’07, M.A. ’08

STRASSLER FAMILY CENTER FOR HOLOCAUST AND GENOCIDE STUDIES 508680 Text 8/16/08 7:56 AM Page 30

30 UNDERGRADUATE STUDENT NEWS

Undergraduate Student News

Students in the undergraduate concentra- Other Internships tion in Holocaust and Genocide Studies • Sarah Richard ’11 served as the (HGS) pursue a rich course of study across English-speaking tour guide at the Lidice a variety of disciplines. Internships and Museum and Memorial in the Czech co-curricular activities allow HGS students Republic and as escort for English speak- to put their learning and research into ing diplomats at the museum’s June 10 practice and provide them with opportuni- memorial events. ties to contribute to the Center’s mission of • Kristin Spooner ’08 interned at the shaping a more peaceable future. Jewish Foundation for the Righteous (JFR). Rebecca Dash ’09, Naomi Spooner worked with the JFR’s Summer Sully ’08, Voices from Darfur speaker Abu Assal, HGS Internships Institute for Teachers at Columbia Georgiana Mora ’08, and The Holocaust and Genocide Studies University, among other activities. Voices from Darfur speaker (HGS) program offers summer internship Marwa Abdalla stipends every other year provided by the Clark students STAND Arthur and Rochelle Belfer Fund, the against genocide Debra I. and Jeffrey A. Geller Student STAND, a student coalition against geno- Research Fund, and the Ina R. and cide, is the student arm of the national Haskell R. Gordon Fund. Following a Genocide Intervention Network. Clark’s competitive review process of the largest chapter of STAND, advised by HGS Coor- applicant group to date, the following three dinator of Undergraduate Activities and students received HGS internship stipends. Sociology Professor Shelly Tenenbaum, • Jesse Mattleman ’11 is the first HGS held events aimed at educating the Clark student to travel to Latin America through and Worcester communities about the a funded internship. She assisted Primeros genocide in Darfur and other areas of vio- Pasos (a nongovernmental organization lence in the world, such as Burma and the based in Guetzaltenango in the highlands Democratic Republic of Congo. STAND of Guatemala) in its mission to empower hosted a “Voices from Darfur” event at the Mayan people through access to health- which two genocide survivors described care and a community education program. their experiences to an audience of about • Lindsay Danforth ’09 worked at the 200 Clark and Worcester community mem- Hatikvah Holocaust Center in Springfield, bers. In December, they held a “Day for Mass., studying coping mechanisms used Darfur” fundraiser that encouraged stu- by Holocaust survivors today. Last summer, dents to donate the cost of a Clark meal to Danforth participated in the Prague/Terezín help protect Darfuri women from attacks study abroad program (see page 31). when they leave the refugee camps in • Margaret Kettles ’11 taught English search of firewood. In the spring semester, and diversity acceptance skills to Bosnian, STAND focused on educating the Clark A STAND letter-writing Serb, and Croat children at an orphanage community about divestment. We are campaign in Mostar, Bosnia. In some cases, these pleased to report that Clark University workshops presented the first positive con- does not have direct investments in com- tact Bosnian children had with adults of an panies identified by the Sudan Divestment ethnicity other than their own. Kettles also Task Force as directly funding the Darfur worked for Training Workshops Internation- Genocide. al, which plans long-term stays for Ameri- ■ Judith Jaeger can and Bosnian interpreters in orphanages.

STRASSLER FAMILY CENTER FOR HOLOCAUST AND GENOCIDE STUDIES 508680 Text 8/16/08 7:56 AM Page 31

UNDERGRADUATE STUDENT NEWS 31

Studying the Holocaust Outside the Classroom: Prague/Terezín/Auschwitz Program 2007

The popular undergraduate Prague/Terezín Ashley Borell ’07 and Center graduate history course wound its way across student Jody Manning were invaluable Europe for the fourth time in May 2007. program assistants. Led by the Center’s Program Manager Dr. Tatyana Macaulay, participants in “The The students met with the Director of the Czech Jews: From Prague to Terezín to Terezín ghetto, Dr. Vojtechu Blodig, for an Auschwitz” traced the tragic progress of informal lecture and discussion. Two days the destruction of one country’s Jewry from of student research culminated in a stimu- the Nazi transit camp/ghetto Theresienstadt lating afternoon of presentations. Arianna (Terezín) to the Auschwitz I and Birkenau Schudrich ’09 interviewed Terezín’s first complex. cook, survivor Edgar Krása, and baked cookies based on a Terezín recipe. She The program opened for 19 Clark under- explained how food was cooked and dis- graduate students with a five-day lecture tributed in the ghetto. Abby Weiner ’09, series. Unforgettable were two compelling presented a penetrating analysis of an as presentations: former participant Daniel yet unpublished diary by a child inmate, Roberts ’07, M.A. ’08 discussed the history Pavel Weiner. of the Sudeten Germans in pre-war Czecho- slovakia and the impact of the detrimental Leaving Terezín, the group traveled to Munich Pact; and Terezín survivors Hana Auschwitz where Manning, a frequent and Edgar Krása of Newton, Mass., spoke intern at the Auschwitz Museum, lectured

movingly about their camp experiences on the history of the nearby city of and post-war reintegration. O´swiecim,c and the impact of living in the shadow of a former death camp on its The second segment took place in Prague. inhabitants. Guided tours of both camps

u Eva Kuzelová, of the Jewish Museum, led by a scholar of Auschwitz, Robert Nowak, Center Program Manager tours of the Jewish Quarter’s synagogues were enhanced by special lectures by Dr. Tatyana Macaulay and its Judaica treasures. Students attend- Teresa Wontor-Cichy on lesser-known pris- (seated front row, left) with ed Mozart’s opera Clemenza di Tito in the oner groups: Jehovah’s Witnesses, Soviet students in the May 2007 Prague/Terezín/Auschwitz stunning Theater of the Estates and a con- POWs, and the Roma and Sinti. The group Program cert in the baroque St. Nicholas Church in Prague, both events made possible by a gift from Greg Tomeo ’06. Roberts guided the group through Lidice, a Czech village destroyed by Nazis in ferocious reprisal for the assassination of a Nazi official. Later, the group followed in the footsteps of Czech Jewish deportees with Anna Hájková, a student of the Holocaust in the Czech Lands. During the third segment, in Terezín, Hájková conducted seminars on the establishment of the ghetto, its Jewish self-administration, and tensions among various prisoner groups. Terezín Memorial educators, Nad’a Seifertová and Petra Penicková,u u led hands-on workshops.

STRASSLER FAMILY CENTER FOR HOLOCAUST AND GENOCIDE STUDIES 508680 Text 8/16/08 7:56 AM Page 32

32 UNDERGRADUATE STUDENT NEWS

continued from page 28 also had the rare opportunity to tour the Center in the Mail 2007–2008 museum’s restoration and preservation departments. All academic programming It was my great pleasure to listen to your won- derful words. I am teacher of Polish language in Auschwitz was generously supported by and literature in high school. I teach seniors Lillian Freedman of Newton, Mass., in about [the] Holocaust, too....Thanks to expres- memory of her late husband, Harry Freed- sion of language of literature I try to awaken man, whose many relatives perished in the in students' minds the interest of the world Holocaust. which existed in Poland, and which [is] irretrievably [lost]. [As] you have told, we The group’s visit to the Auschwitz Jewish teachers have to build the bridge between Center, facilitated by Center friends Fred today [and the past]. Schwartz and Gregg Mashberg, focused on Maria Magdalena Dziejma of Bialystok, Poland,

to Debórah Dwork O´swiecim’sc pre-war Jewish community. In Krakow, Chief Rabbi Michael Schudrich I have to thank you, again, for accepting me led a tour of Krakow’s Jewish Quarter, into the program in 1998. I received such a Kazimierz, and spoke about the renewal stellar and unique education that I could not of Jewish life in Poland. have obtained anywhere else. You really gave me/us a comprehensive program—courses, The course reconvened in October 2007 conferences, contacts—I would not be here for a festive reunion. A former Terezín (obviously) without the program—and not only am I enjoying my job (which may be child prisoner, Michael Gruenbaum of a problem because I am dealing with the Brookline, Mass., organized a panel of Holocaust and it doesn’t seem quite right), but Terezín survivors. The panel complemented I do believe that I am making a difference research conducted by Naomi Sully ’08 (albeit small). in Prague on the post-war reintegration Beth Lilach (ABD) of Jews who returned and remained in Director of Education, Holocaust Memorial and Czechoslovakia. Harry Osers of Caracas, Tolerance Center of Nassau County Venezuela, Jan Strebinger of Sao Paolo, Preparing a program on “Acknowledging Brazil, and Michael Kraus of Brookline, the Armenian Genocide” I have organized Mass., described their paths to their adop- for Monday, I came across your letter to the tive countries, struggles with language, editor of the Globe. You wrote, “Once again, and successful studies and careers. for those of you who missed this history lesson: “I paid for this program Harry is a well-known professor of civil The genocide of the Armenian people by the out of my own pocket, and engineering. Jan established a paint factory. Turks under cover of World War I is a settled I got my money’s worth. Michael became a respected Boston matter among historians and genocide schol- Thank you, Dr. Macaulay!” architect. All three men lost family in ars. The jury has long been in on this ques- tion.” Very well said! With your permission the Holocaust and successfully rebuilt —Kristin Spooner ’08 I will pass it along to the panel I have put their lives. together. I learned from you that everything can be a teaching opportunity–especially Students described the program as life current events. changing, but intense. When some clam- Morgan Blum ’02 ored for more free time, Kristin Spooner Head Educator, Holocaust Center of Northern ’08 rose to her feet and said, “I paid for California to Debórah Dwork this program out of my own pocket, and ...Dan [Roberts ’07, M.A. ’08] was an I got my money’s worth. Thank you, Dr. excellent intern and I can only hope that Macaulay!” we soon benefit from the presence of a similarly talented intern. M. Cervencl, Director of the Lidice Memorial in the Czech Republic continued on page 39

STRASSLER FAMILY CENTER FOR HOLOCAUST AND GENOCIDE STUDIES 508680 Text 8/16/08 7:56 AM Page 33

ALUMNI NEWS 33

To Change the World, To Make a Difference Life After the Center

As Holocaust museums and memorials volunteers. She expects to complete her proliferate, Center alumni are poised to dissertation, The Women of Birkenau, assume leadership positions. Indeed they a social history of the women’s camp at are doing just that as they continue to Auschwitz-Birkenau, in the fall. Her embrace opportunities for further research exploration of this material serves as a and public service. As the sole program to basis for some of her public outreach. She provide doctoral education in Holocaust presented “Women during the Holocaust” Embarking upon a new history and genocide studies, the Center and “The Concentration Camp System” project, Beth Cohen Ph.D. is proud to serve as a training ground for at a summer institute organized by the ’03 received the Hadassah- future curators, education directors, and HMTC and Hofstra University. Her profes- Brandeis Institute Senior historians who will advance the field and sional development will continue at the Scholar Award to support her research on the role of enhance the education of teachers, stu- fall Lessons and Legacies Conference where American Jewish women in dents, and the public. Their activities, she will co-chair a workshop on teaching assisting child survivors reported below, attest to the value of the about women in the Holocaust. “The Myth after the Holocaust. Center’s enterprise of rigorous doctoral of Never Again” is the theme of a work- education. shop series Cushman conducts on genocide throughout the 20th century. Graduate Alumni News Beth Cohen Ph.D. ’03 is the interim As Assistant Director for Jewish World coordinator of Jewish Studies at California Watch (JWW), Naama Haviv M.A. ’06 Sara Cushman (ABD) is State University, Northridge. In the past (and ABD) has established herself as a the Assistant Education Director at the Holocaust year she has also served as Ross Visiting leading activist in the effort to halt geno- Memorial and Tolerance Scholar, Chapman University; lecturer, cide. With a focus on Darfur and Chad, Center of Nassau County UCLA; and consultant for the Jewish Los-Angeles based JWW is engaged in (HMTC) where she works Foundation for the Righteous. Following humanitarian relief, education, and advo- alongside another Center the 2007 publication of Case Closed: cacy. Haviv developed an initiative called ABD candidate, Beth Holocaust Survivors in Post-War America, ACT (Activist Certification and Training) Lilach. she has been in demand as a speaker at to officially recognize young people trained events around the United States and as activists. Her education in comparative abroad. Embarking upon a new project, genocide studies at the Center prepared Cohen received the Hadassah-Brandeis her well for her policy work and risk Recognized for her ability Institute Senior Scholar Award to support assessment of conflicts around the world. to inspire and train others, Naama Haviv M.A. ’06 her research on the role of American She drew on this expertise further as she (and ABD) was invited to Jewish women in assisting child survivors contributed to the curriculum developed join the 2008 New Leaders after the Holocaust. Her article “Holocaust for mid-level government officials partici- Project, a program of Survivors in America” appeared in pating in the Genocide Prevention seminar the Los Angeles Jewish the spring issue of New York Archives at the Raphael Lemkin Center at the Federation aimed at magazine. Auschwitz Institute for Peace and Reconcil- increasing the civic partici- pation of young Jewish iation. (See entry on Tiberiu Galis, pg 23.) professionals. Sara Cushman (ABD) is the Assistant Education Director at the Holocaust Recognized for her ability to inspire and Memorial and Tolerance Center of Nassau train others, Naama was invited to join the County (HMTC) where she works alongside 2008 New Leaders Project, a program of another Center ABD candidate, Beth the Los Angeles Jewish Federation aimed Lilach. Cushman oversees educational at increasing the civic participation of programs and supervises personnel and young Jewish professionals.

STRASSLER FAMILY CENTER FOR HOLOCAUST AND GENOCIDE STUDIES 508680 Text 8/16/08 7:56 AM Page 34

34 ALUMNI NEWS

Rachel Iskov (ABD) continues to write and Touro Law Center. As director of the her dissertation, Jewish Family Life in Holocaust Summer Institute for Educators Lodz Ghetto while remaining active in at Hofstra University she presented public service in Toronto. She served as “Learning about Nazi Antisemitism to co-chair of Holocaust Education Week at Solve Today’s Bullying and Prejudice.” At the Holocaust Centre of Toronto and was the Association of Holocaust Organizations Rachel Iskov (ABD) served invited to present her doctoral research. Summer Conference, In the Aftermath of as co-chair of Holocaust Further opportunities to share her disser- the Holocaust, she presented “New Voices Education Week at the tation findings include the forthcoming in Holocaust Education: Problems and Holocaust Centre of Toronto and was invited publication, “Jewish Refugees from the Challenges.” Lilach also continues to write to present her doctoral Surrounding Communities in the Warsaw her dissertation, Aftermath of Liberation: research. and Lodz Ghettos,” in Memory, History, Jewish Life in Displaced Persons Camps, and Responsibility: Reassessments of the Germany 1945-1957. Holocaust, Implications for the Future, Conference Proceedings Volume for Lessons Ilana F. Offenberger (ABD) is making and Legacies of the Holocaust, IX. She also excellent progress on her dissertation The presented “Childbearing and Abortion Nazification of Vienna and the Response of in the Lodz Ghetto” at the Association for the Viennese Jews. Living in the Boston Jewish Studies 39th Annual Conference. As area, Offenberger continues to be active in a teaching assistant at Ryerson University, the Center’s academic community. She was Beth Lilach (ABD) is Iskov continues to develop her professional honored to introduce Dr. Sophie Freud, Director of Education at portfolio. granddaughter of the famous Dr. Sigmund the Holocaust Memorial Freud, to a Center audience. (See page 9.) and Tolerance Center of Robin Krause (ABD), working toward The USHMM also invited her to speak Nassau County and is chiefly responsible for the completion of her dissertation, German about her research at the Boston Public historical content of the Opposition to Genocide: The Case of the Library. She introduced Leslie Swift, from Center’s new museum. Herero, 1904-1907, revised “Genocide in the USHMM film and video archives German Sudwest Afrika: An Overview of department, who screened rare archival the Discussion it Generated” for publica- footage filmed by an American family tion. Delivered at a Sheffield University caught in Vienna directly after the Nazi conference in 2006, Robin’s paper will be takeover in March 1938. The Baker included in the forthcoming publication Family Footage Collection provides unique of the conference proceedings. In addition, insight into daily life in Vienna during Krause has turned her attention to Nazi and after the Nazi takeover—precisely newsreels, viewing reels acquired from the issues Offenberger addresses in her International Historical Films in order to dissertation. assess the relationship between anti- Jewish content and the progress of the Lotta Stone (ABD) spent the past year Final Solution. as Director of Education at the Center for The USHMM invited Holocaust and Humanity Education in Ilana Offenberger (ABD) to speak about her Beth Lilach (ABD) is Director of Educa- Cincinnati while continuing to work toward research at the Boston tion at the Holocaust Memorial and completing her dissertation Seeking Public Library. Tolerance Center of Nassau County and is Asylum: German Jewish Refugees in South chiefly responsible for the historical con- Africa, 1933-1948. She presented the tent of the Center’s new museum. She is a paper “Flight to South Africa: A Tale of valuable resource for her community, Two Ships” at the Holocaust Studies speaking at numerous public events, serv- Conference at Middle Tennessee State ing on county committees, and collaborat- University in the fall. She recently moved ing with local institutions such as Hofstra to New York to take up the position of University, Nassau Community College, Director of Education for the Jewish

STRASSLER FAMILY CENTER FOR HOLOCAUST AND GENOCIDE STUDIES 508680 Text 8/16/08 7:56 AM Page 35

ALUMNI NEWS 35

Foundation for the Righteous (JFR). student Tiberiu Galis. Her Center relation- ships continued to flourish this winter as Sara Brown ’05 will attend Stone replaces Christine Schmidt Ph.D. she hosted her former advisor Center the Raphael Recanati ’03 in this important position and thus Director Debórah Dwork in San Francisco International School of the had the opportunity to collaborate closely for a well received talk on The Terezín Interdisciplinary Center in Herzliya, Israel this fall. with Center faculty teaching in the JFR’s Album of Mariánka Zadikow, for which 2008 Summer Institute. Schmidt is fully Dwork authored the historical introduction engaged in revision of her pathbreaking and entry annotations. dissertation, The Plateau of Hospitality: Jewish Refugee Life on the Plateau Sara Brown ’05 will attend the Raphael Vivarais-Lignon, in book form. Her review Recanati International School of the Inter- of Escape from Hell: The True Story of disciplinary Center in Herzliya, Israel this Auschwitz Protocol by Alfred Wetzler will fall. She plans to pursue a master’s degree At the July 2007 conference, appear on H-German in the fall. in Diplomacy and Conflict Resolution hosted by the University of Studies. Her experiences in Africa, both Sarajevo’s Institute for the Research of Crimes Against Undergraduate Alumni News as the recipient of an undergraduate Humanity and International The Strassler Center undergraduate pro- internship and as a volunteer following Law, Morgan Blum ’02 gram boasts a rich roster of courses that graduation, are valuable in her current had the happy occasion to attracts a huge number of Clark students. work with Catholic Charities of Dallas. connect with Center doctoral Some choose to take on the challenge of She helps resettle refugees, many of whom student Tiberiu Galis. the Holocaust and Genocide Studies have fled conflict and persecution in (HGS) undergraduate concentration, in Africa, in the Dallas metropolitan area. addition to their major. HGS alumni are well prepared to use their education and Joshua Franklin ’06, M.A. ’07 com- training to pursue meaningful professional pleted his first year of rabbinical training opportunities or advanced academic at Hebrew Union College’s Jerusalem degrees. Here are a few examples: campus. Drawing upon his master’s thesis, he published “German-Jewish Refugees Lotta Stone (ABD) spent the past year as Director Morgan Blum ’02 is the Head Educator in the American Armed Forces during the of Education at the Center at the Holocaust Center of Northern Second World War” in the summer 2007 for Holocaust and Humanity California. Her professional experiences issue of Stammbaum. Following an aca- Education in Cincinnati served as the foundation for a paper she demic fellowship at the Manhattan College while continuing to work presented in Sarajevo, Bosnia at the Holocaust Resource Center during the toward completing her International Association for Genocide summer, he will resume rabbinical studies dissertation Seeking Asylum: German Jewish Refugees in Scholars, “The Future of Genocide Edu- at the Cincinnati campus of Hebrew Union South Africa, 1933-1948. cation at the High School Level.” At College. the July 2007 conference, hosted by the University of Sarajevo’s Institute for the Sara Levy ’01 completed her second Research of Crimes Against Humanity year of the University of Minnesota’s doc- and International Law, she had the happy toral program in curriculum and instruc- occasion to connect with Center doctoral tion; she is focusing on HGS education and how teachers approach this subject. Christine Schmidt Ph.D. ’03 Writing to her former adviser Debórah is fully engaged in revision Dwork in March, she explained that she of her pathbreaking had just “got back from Macedonia. I have dissertation, The Plateau of Hospitality: Jewish Morgan Blum ’02 a research assistantship this year with one Refugee Life on the with Center of my advisors who leads the evaluation Plateau Vivarais-Lignon, graduate student of a project called ‘Deliberating in a Tiberiu Galis in book form. Democracy,’ which implements democratic learning techniques in classrooms here in

STRASSLER FAMILY CENTER FOR HOLOCAUST AND GENOCIDE STUDIES 508680 Text 8/16/08 7:56 AM Page 36

36 ALUMNI NEWS

Holocaust and Genocide Studies Program Faculty The Center is fortunate to have the follow- the US and in new democracies in Europe. ing faculty from six academic departments While I was there I did interviews and teach in its interdisciplinary undergraduate concentration in Holocaust and Genocide observations at three schools.” An un- Studies. Following an academic expected delay in Prague on her return fellowship at the journey prompted Sara to remember: Taner Akçam, History Department, Manhattan College “Somewhere, I have a picture of four Kaloosdian/Mugar Associate Professor of Holocaust Resource Czech police standing in front of the Armenian Genocide Studies and Modern Center during the summer, main synagogue there, which says Armenian History Joshua Franklin (’06, something, though I’m not yet sure Paul Burke, Foreign Languages and M.A. ’07) will resume Literatures Department, Professor of rabbinical studies at the what. One of my Macedonian colleagues Cincinnati campus of shared her experience of the Macedonian Classics Hebrew Union College. Holocaust Remembrance event, which Debórah Dwork, History Department, is held every year on the anniversary Rose Professor of Holocaust History, of the deportation of the Macedonian Director of the Strassler Center Jews—and I had not even told her of for Holocaust and Genocide Studies my background and interests.” Jody Emel, Professor of Geography, ■ Mary Jane Rein Graduate School of Geography Everett Fox, Foreign Languages and Literatures Department, Allen M. Glick Professor of Judaic and Biblical Studies, Direcor of the Jewish Studies Program Beverly Grier, Government and International Relations Department, “One of my Macedonian Associate Professor of Government colleagues shared her Thomas Kühne, History Department, experience of the Strassler Professor of Holocaust History Macedonian Holocaust Remembrance event, Olga Litvak, History Department, which is held every year Leffell Associate Professor in Modern on the anniversary of the Jewish History deportation of the Robert Melson, History Department, Macedonian Jews– Cathy Cohen Lasry Distinguished Professor and I had not even told her of my background Srinivasan Sitaraman, Government and interests.” and International Relations Department, Assistant Professor of Government —Sara Levy ’01 Valerie Sperling, Government and International Relations Department, Associate Professor of Government Shelly Tenenbaum, Sociology Depart- ment, Professor of Sociology, Coordinator of Undergraduate Activities in Holocaust and Genocide Studies Concentration Jaan Valsiner, Psychology Department, Professor of Psychology Kristen Williams, Government and International Relations Department, Associate Professor of Government

STRASSLER FAMILY CENTER FOR HOLOCAUST AND GENOCIDE STUDIES 508680 Text 8/16/08 7:56 AM Page 37

GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT 37

Growth and Development

The vision and mandate of the Strassler and foundation leaders support the Center’s Center resonate strongly with a diverse goal to address the complex issues of group of donors. Many are constituents of genocidal violence. Like Bob and Shirley the University who recognize that the Siff, several are rooted in the Worcester Center’s mission is consistent with the community, and they remain constant and University’s goal: to challenge convention generous. Others, such as Robin Heller and change the world. These “Clarkies” Moss, a trustee of the New York-based appreciate the renown the Center brings to Buster Foundation, have no connection to the University in areas of known excellence, Worcester. In her case, her great regard for such as graduate education. And they value Dr. Richard P. Cohen ’71, led her to fund the strength the Center adds to Clark’s a graduate fellowship in his honor. Gifts psychology, geography, and international from colleagues at peer organizations are a relations programs. Such Clarkies include warm vote of confidence. We are grateful to trustee David Chaifetz ’65 whose wife Edie Stanlee Stahl, executive vice president of marked his 65th birthday with a surprise the Jewish Foundation for the Righteous, party and directed dozens of their friends for her continued support, both moral and to celebrate the occasion with gifts to the financial. Center in his honor. It is our pleasure to salute everyone who The Center is equally honored to count made gifts in the 2007-2008 fiscal year. many friends beyond the Clark network as ■ Mary Jane Rein donors. With their gifts, these individuals

The following list includes outright gifts, pledges, and pledge payments made between June 1, 2007 and May 31, 2008.

Golden Benefactors Patrons ($50,000 to $99,999) ($10,000 to $24,999) Conference on Material Claims Against The Buster Foundation Germany Marlene and David Persky Sue B. Reamer Benefactors Stephanie Rein and Edward J. Stern ($25,000 to $49,999) Ralph and Shirley Rose Charitable Fund Diana Bartley Shirley S. ’70 and Robert Siff Hanne and Howard Kulin Cathy Cohen ’83 and Marc Lasry ’81 Sponsors Shillman Charitable Trust ($5,000 to $9,999) Lorna M. and David H. Strassler The Jaffe Foundation Mildred Suesser Charles F. Kriser Albert M. Tapper

STRASSLER FAMILY CENTER FOR HOLOCAUST AND GENOCIDE STUDIES 508680 Text 8/16/08 7:56 AM Page 38

38 GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT

A Valued Member of the Community: Friends Margie Glazer ($1,000 to $4,999) Anonymous Margie Glazer has long been interested in the Stefanie Bradie and Peter Herman Holocaust. She taught the subject for 16 years Nancy and Joseph Blum at Congregation B’nai Shalom in Westborough, Dorothy and Herbert Carver Mass. And when the Strassler Center opened Melvin S. Cutler Charitable Foundation nearly a decade ago, Glazer became a regular Pamela M. Davis and Randy W. DiTata attendee of Center lectures and exhibits. Susan G. ’60 and Martin A. Fischer ’58 With her retirement from her teaching career, Francesca P. and Michael I. Glazer knew she wanted to spend her new- Freedman ’64 found free time at the Strassler Center. Laura and Wayne B. Glazier Lois Green ’78 Since summer 2007, Glazer has served as Karyn Ginsberg and Bruce M. Greenwald a volunteer in the Center’s Rose Library, Michael Gruenbaum which houses a growing collection of books, Marianne V. and Robert A. periodicals, and documents related to the Kaloosdian ’52 Holocaust and genocide. Among her tasks, James Kalustian Glazer proofread two manuscripts, one of them Iris J. Katz a diary kept by a boy during his three years Jane L. and Robert J. Katz at Terezín, the Nazis’ “model” camp. She also Thomas L. Kelly worked with Center librarian B.J. Perkins to Nancy Kolligian process hundreds of books donated by Diana Roxanne Kupfer Bartley this year, adding to a collection that Patricia and Murray Liebowitz has grown to several thousand volumes over Leslie and Glenn G. Parish ’71 the past decade. Dianne Parrotte Pamela Phillips ’74 “I just feel it’s an honor to be able to hold Stanlee J. Stahl these books in my hands,” Glazer says. In Lois E. and Herman O. Stekler ’55 one day, she recalls processing a collection Abbie Strassler of daily reports from Nazi commander Jürgen Elizabeth B. Tromovitch ’56 Stroop about the destruction of the Warsaw Ghetto; a document that recorded the names Supporters ($500 to $999) of people who were killed at Auschwitz; and Elaine C. ’63 and David Feingold Center volunteer Henry Ford’s antisemitic editorials published Catherine A. and Barry J. Glick Margie Glazer in the newspapers he owned in Dearborn, Peter Maier Michigan. Osvanna ’58 and R. Mirhan Mooradian ’58 Glazer did not lose relatives to the Holocaust Sandra and Norman Rich or genocide, yet she recognizes these tragedies Patrician Spargo and Mark Tobak as a loss for all of humanity. As a retired edu- Erika Tobak cator, she is drawn to the subject, the Center Suzanne Tobak and its books. Through her gift of time, she is helping to advance the Center’s mission to bring about a brighter future through educa- tion about the past. ■ Judith Jaeger

STRASSLER FAMILY CENTER FOR HOLOCAUST AND GENOCIDE STUDIES 508680 Text 8/16/08 7:56 AM Page 39

GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT 39

Donors continued from page 32 ($100 to $499) Center in the Mail 2007–2008 Anonymous Malouf Abraham I just want to tell you how impressed I was Patricia M. and James H. Agger with your talk last night and the thorough Adele Beverley research you must have done to gain such Sondra and Michael Bloch comprehensive knowledge about Terezín— truly amazing! And thank you for taking Parouhi and Torkom Boyajian the time to talk to me about what got you Fay and Julian J. Bussgang interested in the subject of the Holocaust in Sandy and Wilfred Calmas the first place and how you got interested Ethel and Harry Chaifetz in writing about Mariánka’s album. Deborah R. Clain ’82 and Jordan Michael Gruenbaum, child survivor of Terezín, Kreidberg to Debórah Dwork Michael Coburn Herbert S. Cremer ’61 Your presentation was so interesting, and I Linda and Terry Dellerson know that our school community will benefit Zita and Milford M. Desenberg from the knowledge gained from your lecture. Catherine H. and Joseph S. Dorison This upcoming spring, after I complete my Wendy B. ’80 and Michael Doyle AP U.S. History course, we are assigned a Joel C. Fedder long research paper. I am hoping that I will Rudy Freddie be able to explore and learn more about Manoushag L. and Charles Garabedian genocide awareness as part of my project. Albert Glassman If so, I would love to stay in contact with you for any additional information. That Eleanor R. ’61 and Melvyn Glickman would be so helpful. Thank you again for Roz Goldberg everything. You were great! Emily M. and William Gottlieb ’92 Laura Montross, student and member of the Alan J. Holz ’85 local Amnesty International Chapter in Fiskdale, Bonny Israeloff Mass., to Center graduate student Jody Manning David Kahan Gail R. and Bernard H. Katz ...I have had numerous conversations and Robert G. Kinosian ’68 e-mails about the weekend seminar. The Ruth and Robert D. Haddon teachers were extremely enthusiastic about Sonya and Clint O. Holdbrooks your presentations and felt they gained Jane F. ’54 and Gerald J. Huffman a great deal that they could add to their Ruth Kaprelian classrooms. This was, of course, our hope Bruno Keith in designing the seminar—so many, many thanks for making that happen... Arnold Konheim ’63 Gayle Olson-Raymer, Humboldt State University, Carol Kopelman and Bernard H. Ehrlich to Thomas Kühne Robert H. ’56 and Ruth Lander Phyllis S. ’50 and Harry H. Manko continued on page 41 Judith A. ’53 and Eugene Mann Robert G. Marx Irene and Frederick M. Molod Susan R. and William H. Moore Howard L. Naslund Mary and Stephen B. ’68 Novak

STRASSLER FAMILY CENTER FOR HOLOCAUST AND GENOCIDE STUDIES 508680 Text 8/16/08 7:56 AM Page 40

40 GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT

Investing in history to shape a brighter future An entrepreneur, Al Tapper has invested in many businesses. His ability to recog- nize the value and potential of a good idea has been key to his success in venture capital. He brings the same intelligent Al Tapper, approach to philanthropy. The Strassler entrepreneur Family Center has been a source of whole- and friend hearted interest since Clark Trustee Mel of the Center Rosenblatt first introduced him to Debórah Dwork shortly after she arrived at the University. Since that meeting, ship. His support fosters growth at a criti- Dwork and Tapper have enjoyed a lively cal moment in the Center’s development— friendship nurtured by an ongoing something Tapper can appreciate as a suc- exchange of ideas and a mutual commit- cessful businessman. Having made his ment to education about the Holocaust first gift in 1997, he has seen a substantial and other genocides. return on his investment as the first doctoral students have received their “Al is passionate about history,” says degrees and entered the field as profes- Dwork, “and he is committed to finding sionals. But he also understands that a way forward. He gets it—that investing growth requires continued capital and in doctoral education will save lives his business acumen points to the need because our students will effect change for building on the success achieved by educating the public and influencing in the Center’s first decade. public policy.” Indeed, Dwork hopes that Center students will eventually “run the A profile of Tapper must honor his love State Department.” Tapper clearly appre- for music and theater. An accomplished ciates the enthusiasm and vision evinced musician and writer, he has written sever- by Dwork, the founding director of the al musicals for the New York stage. The Center. And he has shown it with an humor and lightheartedness displayed in endowed doctoral student fellowship, a that work are far removed from the deep grant to defray Dwork’s research costs concern he feels for those in need, from for her latest book, The Terezín Album Hurricane Katrina victims to Darfuri of Mariánka Zadikow, and continuing refugees. But the passion that inspires generous support of the Center’s operating him clearly underlies his many interests. budget. ■ Mary Jane Rein

Unrestricted funding such as he provides is a solid measure of Tapper’s great confi- dence in the Center and Dwork’s leader-

STRASSLER FAMILY CENTER FOR HOLOCAUST AND GENOCIDE STUDIES 508680 Text 8/16/08 7:56 AM Page 41

GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT 41

Jacob C. Nyman ’01 continued from page 39 Paula and Melvin G. Ostroff Center in the Mail 2007–2008 Ruth Preminger Rebecca and Thomas Rockoff Just to put my impressions of your talk on Martha and Melvin M. Rosenblatt ’53 paper... your description of Mariánka and Lois and Sheldon Ross your knowledge of Terezín made it worth for Phyllis A. and Samuel Rubinovitz all those present in the audience to attend. Sharon Schneier Edgar Krasa, for Hana too Survivors of Terezín. Edgar wrote an entry Celia L. Schulhoff ’54 in Mariánka Zadikow’s Terezín Album on Ruth and Robert Shapiro 24 November 1944. Alice and Martin M. Surabian Elissa R. and Aaron Tessler The accolades keep coming. It was a pleasure Ghislaine Vaughn having you on campus and I look forward to Mary L. and Edward B. Winnick the release of your new book. Gerry Melnick, Director of the Kean University Contributors Holocaust Resource Center, to Debórah Dwork (up to $100) I am the editor of the Armenian Weekly. I Barbara R. and Gary Ackerman just wanted to thank you for your letter to Stephen Adamson the Boston Globe. The Armenian community Thea Aschkenase appreciates your support in this struggle Margery and Chuck Barancik which is key for genocide recognition. Herbert Bard Khatchig Mouradian to Debórah Dwork Marcia S. and Irwin Becker Helen Berman Thank you for sending me the Year End Marcia and Jerome Berman Activities Report. I am delighted to see that Toby and Philip Berman the Center keeps going from strength to Vivian and Neil Bernstein strength. As always it was a pleasure to read Carol and Gerald A. ’54 Bloomgarden not only about life at the Center, but also Fran S. Braverman about how so many make a difference “after Florine and Leo Bretholz the Center.” Barbara Brizdle and Larry Schoenberg Gijs de Vries, former European Union John F. Burke anti-terrorism coordinator Cora L. and R.W. Cain Betty Charnam Sandra L. and Edward C. ’57 Cooperman Barbara A. and Paul Davis Marlene S. Dorison Elizabeth T. and John W. Edelglass Alice Eisenberg Marilyn R. and Marvin Engle Helen Feingold Mary Ann and Martin L. Fine Karen and Rabbi Stephen Franklin

STRASSLER FAMILY CENTER FOR HOLOCAUST AND GENOCIDE STUDIES 508680 Text 8/16/08 7:56 AM Page 42

42 GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT

Johnny Freund Laurence Orbach Ruth H. and Owen H. Gailar Ina and Jack Polak Thomas I. Geiger Susan D. Ralston Ronald M. Gilbert Diane S. and Rabbi Mark R. Raphael ’74 John E. Gilcrease Iris Rappaport Gayle B. Golden Sandra and Steven Rifkin Elaine R. Goldman Elizabeth and Milton Rome Miriam Goldman Arline and Barry Rotman Nancy J. Graver ’72 Ruth R. and Alvin Rubin Susan M. and Richard Grilli Joan and Robert Sadoff Marcia and Gilbert Hammer Suzanne and Robert Schernwetter Sona Hargrove Marc Schloss Carol Harootian Howard M. Siegerman Ruth N. and Henry C. Heppen Naomi K. and Leonard Skirloff Phyllis and Charles ’57 Hersch Selden K. Smith Betsy and Harvey Hinrichs Carol and Steve Smolinksy Bette G. and Arnold S. Hoffman Shirley L. and Bertrand L. Stolzer S. B. and Ralph V. Hovanesian Arleen Tarutz Marlene B. and John A. Isaacs Margaret W. and Richard P. Traina Betty R. and Alfred Jaffe Carol and Alan A. Wartenberg Diana J. Johnson Joan M. Winblad and David S. Levine Stephen Kamzan Timi J. and Larry Wolov Barbara and Alan F. Katz Isabelle Wright Lisa and Robert E. Katz Fred and Kathy G. Zaltas Irene and Mark Kauffman Melvin L. Zwillenberg Marcia B. and Edward S. Kersch Knights of Vartan Carl S. Klorman ’71 Oxford High School Student Linda G. and Carl R. Koch Activities Fund Miriam A. and Herbert Korman Paul Kuttner Rhona and Elliott Lehem Annette R. and Arthur M. Leon Herman Lesser Marion and Bernard Levine Carol and William Levine Bernard Loev Ada V. and Stuart Mandell Shirley Mayer Elaine R. and William F. McClure Shirley A. and Melvin Merken Alan M. Miller Morris W. Milman Leonard Mushin

STRASSLER FAMILY CENTER FOR HOLOCAUST AND GENOCIDE STUDIES 508680 Text 8/16/08 7:56 AM Page 43

Rose Library addition to Cohen Lasry House, home of the Strassler Family Center for Holocaust and Genocide Studies. Architect: Julian Bonder. 508680 Text 8/16/08 7:56 AM Page 44

44 SAVE THESE DATES

SAVE THESE DATES Please join us for our exciting array of upcoming public programs! Call 508-793-8897 for further information, or visit the Center’s online calendar of events, www.clarku.edu/departments/holocaust/events/index.cfm, for a complete listing.

FALL 2008 SPRING 2009

SEPTEMBER 10 • 7:30 P.M., TILTON HALL MARCH 19 • 7:30 P.M., TILTON HALL “In Search of an Arab Schindler” “Facing History: A Threat to National Robert Satloff Security? The Relationship Between Executive Director Turkish and United States National The Washington Institute of Near East Policy Security Concepts and the Armenian Genocide” SEPTEMBER 17 • 4 P.M., ROSE LIBRARY Taner Akçam “Jewish ‘Headships’ (Judenräte and Robert Aram and Marianne Kaloosdian Judenvereininungen): The Emergence and and Stephen and Marian Mugar Chair Application of an Administrative Concept in Armenian Genocide Studies and in Nazi Anti-Jewish Policies” Modern Armenian History Strassler Center, Clark University Dan Michman Professor of Modern Jewish History APRIL 23 • 7:30 P.M., TILTON HALL Chair, Finkler Institute of Holocaust Research, Bar-Ilan University; “Holocaust and Genocide— Chief Historian Two Concepts or Part of Each Other?” Yad Vashem, Jerusalem, Israel Yehuda Bauer Professor Emeritus of Holocaust History, OCTOBER 22 • 4 P.M., ROSE LIBRARY Hebrew University, Jerusalem; “Integrating the Holocaust into a Academic Advisor, Yad Vashem; European History of Violence” Member of the Israeli Academy of Science Israel; Donald Bloxam Former Distinguished Visiting Professor Professor of Modern History Strassler Center, Clark University The University of Edinburgh, Scotland

OCTOBER 23 • 7:30 P.M., TILTON HALL “Death and the Maydl: Jewish Femininity and the Denial of Beauty in the Art of Marc Chagall” Olga Litvak The Michael and Lisa Leffell Chair in Modern Jewish History, Clark University

NOVEMBER 12 • 4 P.M., ROSE LIBRARY A New Book: The Holocaust on German-Occupied Soviet Territory and the Response by Soviet Jewish Intellectuals Joshua Rubenstein Northeast Regional Director Amnesty International; Associate, Davis Center for Eurasia and Russian Studies, Harvard University

STRASSLER FAMILY CENTER FOR HOLOCAUST AND GENOCIDE STUDIES 508680 Cover 8/16/08 7:23 AM Page 3

One of the pleasures of reviewing each year’s activities is the appreciation it engenders again and anew for the community near and far upon which the Center’s success rests. I am delight- ed to have this opportunity to thank Center staff for their collegiality and helpfulness to each other and warm welcome to all who visit. Administrative assistant Margaret Hillard sets a superior standard of calm dispatch and kindliness; bookkeeper Ghi Vaughn’s budgets and accounting documents are utterly reliable and crystal clear to the penny; program manager Tatyana Macaulay runs top-notch events, shepherds the graduate students through each stage of the doctoral program, and runs a world-class Prague/Terezín study abroad program; librarian Betty Jean Perkins brings professional order to an amazing book collection; executive director Mary Jane Rein, fulltime as of 1 April 2008, is wrapping her arms around the whole of the Center operations with dedication and purpose.

It goes without saying — but I say nevertheless — that I know how fortunate I am, and the Center is, with my colleagues Thomas Kühne and Bob Melson. Bob has decided to retire from teaching, but the graduate students have not let him go and he will continue to serve as an advisor and mentor. I thank, too, my colleagues in other departments who generously mentor our doctoral students. This past year, Clark professors Beverly Grier, Nina Kushner, Walter Schatzberg, and Jaan Valsiner served as key advisors to Center students. They were joined by colleagues at other universities: Frank Bialystok; Kate Brown; Evan Bukey; Eric Gordy; Barbara Harff; Richard Menkis; Antony Polonsky; Milton Shain; Robert Jan van Pelt; Eric Weitz; and Piotr Wrobel. And the generous souls to whom our students turn for informal help or advice: Yehuda Bauer; Michael Berenbaum; Atina Grossman; Peter Hayes; Larry Langer. AUTHORS Giving the gift of time and expertise, each enriched the intellectual universe of the student, Elizabeth Anthony, Emily and thus enriched the entire community. Dabney, Adara Goldberg, Alexis Herr, Stefan Ionescu, Professor Shelly Tenenbaum has taken on the new position of Coordinator of HGS Under- Jody Russell Manning, graduate Activities, and I am deeply appreciative of her bold new initiatives and creative Judith Jaeger, Ilana Offenberger, Mary Jane Rein, ideas. I am grateful, too, to Associate Provost Nancy Budwig for her engagement with and Dan Roberts ’07, M.A.’08, support of the Center and its mission. Raz Segal

As always, I thank Sandy Giannantonio for her elegant design; creative services manager Kay Hartnett for her great eye; and photographers Rob Carlin, Karen Kaufman, and Tammy EDITORS Judith Jaeger, Mary Jane Rein Woodard for finding their subjects’ “right side.”

Warmest thanks to Judith Jaeger, Director of University Communications at Clark until June CREATIVE SERVICES 2008, the editor-in-chief of this Report, and the miracle worker who effected an ever smoother MANAGER production system as the document grew ever more complex. A role model for every aspiring Kay Hartnett writer, Judith served as a fulltime director by day and, author by night, she published one novel, The Secret Thief, and wrote another during the years we worked together. All of us at PHOTOGRAPHY the Center will miss her keenly. Rob Carlin, Karen Kaufman, Jeffrey Koerber, Tammy Woodard

DESIGN Giannantonio Design

PRINTER LVI 508680 Cover 8/16/08 7:23 AM Page 4

Strassler Family Center for Holocaust and Genocide Studies Clark University 950 Main Street Worcester, Massachusetts 01610-1477

508-793-8897 508-793-8827 (fax)

e-mail: [email protected] www.clarku.edu/departments/holocaust