Max and Tessie Zelikovitz Centre for Jewish Studies CARLETON UNIVERSITY
Newsletter | Fall 2019 Director’s Message
“If you understand the why and wherefore of what you learn, you do not forget it quickly.” ~~ Talmud Yerushalmi, Berakot 5:1
and wherefore” of that time and place. of bringing the University and the communi- As I am writing this message, CHES, un- ty together with diverse and thought-provok- der the leadership of director Mina Cohn, ing sessions by and to scholars, educators, and her small army of dedicated volunteers students, and independent researchers. We is bringing outstanding scholars and ed- are delighted that anthropologist Professor ucators to be part of this year’s HEM (see Dani Kranz of Bar Ilan University, who has pp.17-27). Dr. Deborah Lipstadt’s insightful contributed so ably to the Israel course and compelling lecture, “Antisemitism: Old programming in 2018 and will do so again Wine in New Bottles.” stands out even in in 2020, will be visiting Ottawa to speak at such an impressive and dynamic roster of Limmud and Carleton University to share programming. With over 700 in attendance, her expertise around contemporary Jewish Dr Deborah Lipstadt’s engaging lecture life in Germany. traced the contours of the new anti-Semitism Dr Kranz is only one of over 40 scholars enhancing our understanding of this age-old around the world who are affiliated with the scourge and empowering a more thoughtful ZC. An important aspect of ZC’s mandate and strategic resistance. as envisioned by its first Director, Aviva Snow fell early this year, moving us dra- In February, the ZC and its partners will Freedman, was also to bring together schol- matically from the beginning of the Fall term welcome University of North Carolina’s ars working in Jewish Studies, through to already thinking about what will come in Kenan Distinguished Professor for Teaching the Winter. The early term was busy with Excellence in Early Judaism Professor Jodi the start of the new academic year, welcom- Magness where she will speak about the In This Issue ing new student staff to the team, developing important excavations at Huqoq. It is par- new programs, and preparing for Holocaust ticularly a pleasure to welcome Jodi Magness Director’s message ...... 1-2 Education Month and the Israel Travel / as she spoke at the ZC during our inaugural ZC Library...... 2 Study Course. year of the Israel Travel Course (2014). We Team ZC ...... 3 There is a saying that you should begin as know the public will feel fortunate to hear Faculty Members Corner...... 4-9 you intend to continue, and this year’s inau- engaging lecture style and are confident she External Research Affiliates ...... 10-13 gural lecture certainly set a high standard for will excite our next cohort of students about Kudos to Nick Arial...... 13 the year. In September, Professor Frances the archeology of Israel that they will expe- Professor Frances Malino...... 14 Malino shared her research into the lives of rience for themselves in a few short months Israel Travel Course 2020 ...... 16 Moroccan women who trained as teachers (see p.9). CHES News and Events ...... 17-28 in France, under the auspices of Alliance Israélite Universelle in the19th and 20th March 15, the ZC will once again partner centuries (see p. 14). Focusing on the lives of with Limmud Ottawa to celebrate Jewish Join the ZC mailing list to receive updates these women in particular and their experi- learning, thought, teaching, and culture (see invitations to our future events. Please send ences, we gained rich insights into the “why p.14). Limmud reflects ZC’s broader mandate an email to: jewish [email protected]
1 Newsletter of the Zelikovitz Centre for Jewish Studies Director’s Message teaching or research, and to expand the to come. I am looking forward to this year’s dia), Mirka Snopkowska (Financial conversation of scholarship beyond Carleton. experiential course Religion in Historical Administrator) and Associate Director Dr. With their diverse backgrounds and interests and Contemporary Contexts in the ‘Holy Susan Landau-Chark. these scholars and researchers enrich our Land’ / Religion and Public Life in the “Holy This year Giving Tuesday is Dec 3. teaching and research each year. The goal for Land where I will again travel with under- Donations sustain and support all our the ZC has been to create opportunities for graduate and graduate students as we learn programs. ZC affiliates to share their work. Webpages and travel together in Israel. I am particular- If you are interested in supporting one of have been created that reflect an affiliate’s ly excited to welcome Professor Betina Appel our individual programs, please view the ZC research, publications and interests. By turn- Kuzmarov (Dept Law and Legal Studies) and programs listed on the Futurefunders web- ing one’s name into an active link
This year Giving Tuesday is Dec 3. Donations sustain and support all our programs.
The ZC Library Collection: Creating an Online Catalogue
The ZC is fortunate that Maya small space we work with!). It will Ruckenstein is part of the ZC Team also enable the collection to be used this year. Maya will be working by local researchers beyond the ZC’s with MacOdrum Library’s George research affiliates. Duimovich to continue the task The ZC also houses copies of of cataloguing the various works Holocaust memoirs courtesy of the contributed to the Zelikovitz Centre’s Azrieli Foundation. The ZC would like library over the years. to enhance its collection with memoirs The ZC collection is small written by Ottawans. If you have comparatively speaking but contains written or know of a survivor who has George Duimovich and May Ruckenstein many unique books covering aspects written their memoir, the ZC would Photo by Michaela Bax-Leaney of Jewish life, culture, and history. love to be the depository for your The online catalogue will give published (or unpublished) work. the library can promote wider access additional public exposure to the The link to the ZC collection is to any digital initiatives, collections, donated works and will inform www.librarycat.org/lib/zclibrary or individual works related to your us about which books are widely Also please note that If you are a research, you may reach out to George available in libraries and those that research affiliate of the Zelikovitz Duimovich at the MacOdrum Library are unique to our collection (it’s a Centre, if you’d like to explore how [email protected].
2 Newsletter of the Zelikovitz Centre for Jewish Studies Welcome to the ZC Team 2019-2020
The ZC is pleased to welcome back with two minors, one in Religious library collection. She also undertakes Belle Riley Thompson and Shaked Studies, and the second in Canadian administrative and event-related tasks Karabelnicoff. Both Belle and Shaked and Indigenous Studies. Shaked is as needed. interned with the ZC last year through the ZC’s Social Media Coordinator, Michaela is in her third year of a the Developing Future Leaders promoting and posting ZC and CHES Combined Honours in Journalism and Program. events on ZC’s facebook page. History at Carleton. Belle is in her third year at Carleton Follow us on Facebook. Michaela is the ZC’s Communications in the Bachelor of Journalism and The ZC is also pleased to welcome Coordinator, responsible for Humanities program. She is the ZC’s two new members: Maya Ruckenstein maintaining the ZC website. She will Senior Administrative Assistant and and Michaela Bax-Leaney. Maya is also be continuing the work begun will be working closely with Dr. Butler in her second year at Carleton in last year by Lx Silver-Mahr and on the Israel Travel Course, as well the Bachelor of Cognitive Science Mirka Snopkowska on the online as undertaking various office and/or program. Maya is the ZC’s General Virtual Museum which will “hold” the event tasks as needed. Administrative Assistant; as noted artefacts and the stories shared by Shaked Karabelnicoff is also a third- above, she is working with Librarian their owners at the Pop-Up Museum, year student majoring in Journalism, George Duimovich to catalog the ZC’s in November 2018 as part of HEM.
From Left to Right: Belle Riley Thompson, Maya Ruckenstein, Shaked Karabelnicoff and Michaela Bax-Leaney Photo by John MacGillis
3 Newsletter of the Zelikovitz Centre for Jewish Studies Faculty Members’ Corner
SAVE THE DATE The Canadian Society for Jewish Studies (CSJS) will hold its 15th annual meeting in Ottawa on May 26 and 27, 2020 at Carleton University, hosted by the Max and Tessie Zelikovitz Centre for Jewish Studies.
The Canadian Society for Jewish Studies/ Société canadienne des etudes juives was founded in Winnipeg in 2004 with the goal of promoting and facilitating the development of Jewish Studies in Canada. CSJS provides a venue for the presentation of Jewish studies research Photo by Fangliang Xu for researchers in Jewish studies living in Canada and elsewhere. Individuals who Kimberly Stratton is an to explain the rupture between Jewish are interested in this field are encouraged Associate Professor in Humanities sects in response to the failed revolts to become more involved with the organ- and Religion. Her research covers the against Rome. ization and participate in its growth. fields of early Christianity, Rabbinic While other scholars have largely All sessions will be open to the public. Judaism, as well as Greco-Roman focused on identity formation or culture and religion and within those Christology as primary reasons for For further information, see the CSJS areas looks at religion, violence, and the separation of Christianity and website: www.csjs.ca/ social identity in Antiquity, ancient Judaism, Professor Stratton takes a magic and gender. different approach that considers the This past September (5-7) Professor need to restore coherence and hope Stratton presented a paper at a in the face of failed expectations for Library and Archives conference in Mainz, Germany, divine redemption. She draws on a Canada: Canada’s which focused on Religious (de-) diverse array of early Jewish texts Published Heritage Branch legitimization of Violence in Antiquity. (including those traditionally labeled Her presentation, “Religious Christian) to reveal continuity of n 2017 arrangements were made Legitimation of Roman Violence belief and eschatological expectation Ibetween the ZC and Digital & Theses, and the Making of Judaism and among followers of Jesus and other Published Heritage Branch for Library Christianity,” proposes that the Jews leading up to the Bar Kochba and Archives Canada for past Zelikovitz “parting of the ways” between gentile revolt (132-35 CE). Thereafter, she Centre Newsletters, as well as future (yet followers of Jesus and other Jews, identifies a sharp divide between (at to be created) newsletters to be archived including Torah-abiding followers of least some) gentile followers of Jesus on the LAC server. Jesus, was exacerbated by the need in Asia Minor and other Jews, which As Library and Archives Canada (LAC) to justify and explain the two failed is reflected in opposing exegetical migrated to a new library catalogue revolts against Rome (66-70CE and explanations for the failed war. The last year, the former catalogue number 132-35CE). This paper is part of a parting of the ways, Professor Stratton (44959949) no longer applies. book Professor Stratton is writing, proposes, was thus precipitated, or at The new catalogue number (OCLC From Babylon to Exodus: Violence, least exacerbated, by finger-pointing number) is 1083707022. The catalogue Story, and the Origins of Judaism and and laying blame for the catastrophic record is available at the following link: Christianity, that draws on insights Roman-Judaeo wars. She hopes to https://bac-lac.on.worldcat.org/ from trauma studies and anthropology complete the book by the end of 2020. oclc/1083707022
4 Newsletter of the Zelikovitz Centre for Jewish Studies In the same manner, the deeply believing decision to reject the common approach historian might well believe that God in introductions of Judaism, Christianity, is active in history, but in his academic and Islam: to have Jewish people work he would never use God to explain write about Judaism, Christians about how one or another historical event oc- Christianity, and Muslims about Islam. curred as it did. Religious studies is not Such textbooks imply that insiders are a unique discipline among all the other best situated to talk about their religion, disciplines of the academy. It must oper- and that is not the case. ate within the same framework. In this This position can be seen in a profound mode, a scholar of religion takes claims way in his book. It is common for insid- of divine intervention made in any par- ers to talk about their origins narratives ticular religious text – and there are so as historical. But origins narratives are many of them – as data to be studied, not almost always more theological than as descriptions of objective reality (such they are historical. Consider the Creation as it is). Human reverence for the gods, narratives and the Garden of Eden story human conviction that the gods guide of Bereshit. Consider the birth narratives eba Crook is a Professor in the and inspire their communities, and so on of Christianity, and Islamic stories in ZReligion Faculty, and the Greek and are data to be analysed. which Muhammad’s heart is removed Roman Studies faculty, in the College of The second guiding principle is to from his chest and cleaned by an angel. Humanities at Carleton University. maintain as sharp a distinction as pos- None of the stories describe events as His stated research interests focus on sible between insider and outsider dis- they actually happened. But they do tell concerns within Early Christian and course. The term ‘insider discourse’ has members of the communities that “own” New Testament Studies, for example, two parts: ‘insider’ refers to a member of them something important about God, Christian Origins, Historical Jesus, the religion being studied, and ‘discourse’ Jesus, or Muhammad. These stories are Social-Scientific interpretation of early refers to a manner of speech. Insider part of the theology of that religion, not Christian Writings, Representations of discourse refers to the way in which a part of that religion’s history. Most ac- Jesus in Modern Fiction. members of a religion speak about their ademics of religion know this, of course, However, for the past eight years he texts, their histories, their worldviews, and yet time and again, one finds these has been working on an introductory the significance and origins of their prac- stories in introductory descriptions of textbook on “western” religion. His text tices, and so on. Outsider discourse is a Jewish, Christian, and Muslim history. Religions of a Single God differs from way of speaking about a religion from This also explains the unique structure other introductory texts. How? He aligns the outside, and the academic study of of his history chapters. The starting his introduction to Judaism, Christianity, religion attempts to do this analytically. points of the book’s history chapters are and Islam – as well as Baha’i and Latter- We analyse the data, we do not condone, not the standard starting points of intro- day Saints – with the most contemporary replicate, uphold, reflect, or even merely ductory texts of the ‘western” religions. advances in the study of religion. describe it. This actually has nothing to The history of Judaism begins with the Professor Crook notes that he used do with membership in a religion. Non- building of the second temple (and the two guiding principles in his approach. members might well talk about a religion emergence of monotheism in Israelite The first is methodological atheism. For (or religion in general) with reverence religion). The history of Christianity example, a structural engineer might (think of how many non-Jewish people begins with Constantine’s favoring happen to be deeply religious, but she is talk about Kabbalah), and members of a of Christianity (and the emergence of not going to rely on divine intervention religion are entirely capable of rigorous the stand-alone Imperial religion of or favour when constructing a bridge. analysis of their own religion. The focus Christianity). The history of Islam begins The engineer goes about her work as if is therefore on the discourse, and not with the Constitution of Medina (and the there are no gods in the world who might the membership of the author. To this emergence of a politico-religious entity perform miracles on poorly built bridges. end, Professor Crook made a conscious called an Ummah in that city). Continued on next page
n October of 2018 Professor Jacob were recently posted online. Professor Japan Studies Association of Canada IKovalio presented a paper on E. W. Kovalio’s paper, “Four decades since the website, Publications/2018 Proceedings: Said’s Orientalism, at the 31st Annual publication of E.W.Said’s Orientalism: brief pp.109-124, can be read at this link: http:// Conference of the Japan Studies Association remarks on its ideological roots and impact buna.yorku.ca/jsac/jsac2018/jsac2018_%20 of Canada.The Conference Proceedings on Japan and Japan-related scholarship,” proceedings.pdf
5 Newsletter of the Zelikovitz Centre for Jewish Studies This book is also unique in that it boast around 5 million global members does not contain the ubiquitous “New and are now mainstream. Professor Religious Movements” as the closing Crook treats them more extensively than chapter. Often this chapter is a mix of is the case in any other introductory Hare Krishnas, Raelians, Falun Gong, textbook on western religion. These two and so on, treated along with Baha’is and are examples of the history of religious Latter-day Saints (Mormons). However, growth. Baha’is as an outgrowth of while Hare Krishnas, Raelians, and Shi’a Islam, and LDS is an outgrowth Falong Gong have only a geographic re- of Christianity. It is interesting, and lationship to “Western” religion (e.g. they something he alludes to in the book, that can be found here), they have no genea- Judaism does not have a similar modern logical relationship to western religion. outgrowth into a new religion. Perhaps The Baha’i religion and Latter-day Saints it is that Judaism has already had its out- should no longer be labeled new religious growth – Christianity. movements as both of these religions
and Mina Brussel. Jack Brussel was an Professor Barsky is now working on antiquarian bookseller and publisher in a book and also a documentary film, New York City, and was jailed in 1940 which will fill crucial gaps in our under- as a pornographer, for publishing an standing of early Zionism in America, uncut version of Henry Miller’s “Tropic and shed new light upon linguistic, of Cancer.” Mina was an accomplished scientific and political work that was sculptor, and both were much admired undertaken by students and mentors in the Barsky household. who had or would have ties to the New Drawn to the so-called New York York intellectuals (for example Nathan Intellectuals, and the Partisan Review Glazer, Seymour Melman), Jewish crowd, Professor Barsky, while still a organizations (especially Hashomer graduate student, began what has now Hatzair and the ZOA), and key figures turned into a 30+ year correspondence in psychoanalytic communities (espe- with Noam Chomsky. Through a seren- cially Erikson, Fromm, Horney, and dipitous friendship, the biographer Jay Rappaport). Assessing Avukah’s work Parini, recommended Professor Barsky, also provides new insight about Albert in light of his many conversations with Einstein and his direct milieus, because obert Barsky arrived at Noam Chomsky, to undertake writing members looked to him for guidance in RCarleton this past June to take on a Dr. Chomsky’s biography. That project their studies of Zionism, Arab-Jewish new position as a Tier 1 Canada Research grew into a life-long fascination on his relations, and, moreover, scientific Chair: Law, Narrative and Border Crossing part, and a very cherished friendship approaches to studies of language and in the Department of Law and Legal Studies. with Noam Chomsky. politics. He has a longstanding connection to Jewish Professor Barsky’s principle work From an historical standpoint, Studies, having taught in that program at has been around the milieus of Noam Professor Barsky’s forthcoming work Vanderbilt University for almost 20 years Chomsky and Zellig Harris, culminat- on Avukah is groundbreaking because (he is presently on leave from Vanderbilt). ing in a trilogy of books for MIT Press it will constitute the first and only One could almost say that his lifelong (Noam Chomsky: A Life of Dissent; full-length study of Avukah. The ideas interest in “the intersection of language The Chomsky Effect; and Zellig Harris: discussed herein will relate to histori- studies, literature and law, with appli- From American Linguistics to Socialist cal and contemporary Zionism in the cations to border crossings, language Zionism). In the course of all that work, United States, including approaches to theory, radical American milieus, and he undertook research on Avukah, the Arab-Jewish relations during the period literatures of the 19th and 20th cen- radical Zionist student organization that leading up to the creation of the state turies in English and French,” is part proposed alternatives to contemporary of Israel, socialist Zionism through the of his genetic heritage. Professor political and economic models by em- debates and affiliations that Avukah Barsky shared that his parents (moth- phasizing the potential role of worker had with Hashomer Hatzair and other er a non-practicing Protestant, father self-management, Kibbutzim-style co- Jewish organizations, the idea of the an orthodox Jew) were married by his operatives, and studies of the “frame of binational state in Palestine and, in the radical family members, Jacob (“Jack”) reference” that guides decision-making. Continued on next page
6 Newsletter of the Zelikovitz Centre for Jewish Studies heat of World War II, the collapse of should play as regards anti-fascism, as from the historical research into assess- Avukah on account of internal disagree- well as early Zionism and the unfolding ment of Avukah’s continued impact on ments about what role the organization Jewish Holocaust. The book will move American political and intellectual life through the remarkable figures who were associated with it, and through the legacy of work that was done under its auspices. A short list of eminent individuals that Barsky has interviewed for the project includes Noam Chomsky (Arizona), Judith and Robert Wallerstein, Irving London (MIT), Nathan Glazer (Harvard), Millie Katz (Brandeis), Murray Eden (MIT), to name but a few. For those who might recall the work of Avukah and its affiliates please feel free to contact Professor Barsky for further discussion [email protected].
Faculty News and Publications
Congratulations on receiving two I-Cureus Grants Dean and Assistant Professor in the She will be developing a media survey Department of Law and Legal Studies on the ways in which Jewish divorce, at Carleton University, and Deidre gett abuse and agunot are represented Butler, Assistant Professor, Religion at in Canadian media. Shaked shared her Carleton U and the Director of the ZC, excitement about this unique opportuni- began their collaboration to do the first ty to research an area she is passionate comprehensive interview-based study of about, while learning more hands-on Jewish religious divorce in Canada. research skills. Her I-CUREUS grant is As a result of succeeding with their supported through the Faculty of Public Congratulations to Jacqueline applications to I-CUREUS, Jacqueline Affairs. Morrison, Shaked Karabelnicoff, and Morrison and Shaked Karabelnicoff will Jacqueline is in her fourth year as Professors Deidre Butler and her co-re- be able to use their energies and skills to a Humanities major with a minor in searcher Betina Appel Kuzmarov (Law support this extensive interdisciplinary Biology. Jacqueline shared that she and Legal Studies) in obtaining two project. has always been interested in Jewish I-CUREUS grants. Shaked is in her third year, major- Studies. She was drawn to work with Internship-Carleton University ing in Journalism and minoring in this project as it explores a very impor- Research Experience for Undergraduate Religious Studies and in Canadian and tant intersection of religious and civil Students (I-CUREUS) offers students Indigenous Studies. Throughout her life. Jacqueline plans to pursue a career the opportunity to be paid while gaining studies here at Carleton, she has be- in healthcare: the fact that this research hands-on experience for faculty-su- come fascinated with understanding the addresses contemporary situations and pervised research. Students receiving complexities and nuances surrounding real family life, was also an important this grant are expected to share their religion and public life. Particularly, aspect of the research. She will be devel- I-CUREUS experience with other un- her main area of interest is Jewish oping a web site with resources (halakh- dergraduates through social media, studies, analyzing the role of gender in ic, scholarship, community based) Carleton websites and/or the Discovery Jewish life. Professors Butler and Appel about Jewish divorce in Canada. Her Centre. Kuzmarov’s research was particularly I-CUREUS grant is funded through the In 2015, Betina Kuzmarov, Associate intriguing to me as it discusses Jewish Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. divorce in the context of feminist theory.
7 Newsletter of the Zelikovitz Centre for Jewish Studies Faculty Members’ Corner Presentations and Publications ZC Faculty Affiliates Presenting at 51st AJS
In December the AJS (Association for 1898 essay “The Jewish Question,” his ing in a roundtable discussion on schol- Jewish Studies will be holding its 51st sense of affinity with Zionism and of a ars and activism. Annual Conference in San Diego, CA. shared history with Jews stemmed in Using case studies that include ZC Faculty Affiliates attending are part from his childhood contact with the European and North American anti- Professor Betina Appel-Kuzmarov, Sephardic Caribbean community of his semitism, the role of Diaspora Jewry in Professor Deidre Butler, Professor Sarah native island of St. Thomas. A member structuring debates on Israel/Palestine, Casteel, and Professor Mira Sucharov. of this community and contemporary anti-Mizrahi oppression, and abortion As part of the Gender, Law and of Blyden’s was the painter Camille law, the discussion will address whether Community panel, Professors Betina Pissarro, whose Caribbean Jewish ori- or not scholars should take on an activ- Appel-Kuzmarov and Deidre gins are often forgotten in art historical ist role? Why or why not? Butler, will present Klal Yisrael: accounts of French Impressionism. Questions to be addressed for example, Voicing Jewish Divorce in Canada Casteel’s paper considers the Danish include whether and how to incorpo- Across Denominations. Their presenta- colonial island of St. Thomas as a site of rate one’s activist subjectivity into one’s tion examines the phrase klal yisrael cross-cultural contact, influence, and scholarship, how to study, teach and (used variously to call for Jewish unity, inter-diasporic exchange in order to advocate for anti-oppression dynamics, worry over Jewish continuity, and give explore how the figure of Zion travels whether social media is a useful forum voice to the ethical imperative for Jews between Jewish and black intellectual for scholarly engagement or whether it is to care for each other) which often clash- and artistic traditions. part of the problem es with the conflicting imperatives for Professor Mira Sucharov is inclusion and halakhic unity. Their in- founding co-chair of the Jewish Politics terdisciplinary ethnographic project (get Division at the Association for Jewish abuse) draws on the understanding that Studies, a member of the AJS Board, As part of Jewish divorce extends across all de- and co-editor of AJS Perspectives, the the Ottawa nominational boundaries and operates Magazine of the Association for Jewish International at the intersection of civil and religious Studies. Professor Sucharov will be Writer’s law. Through interviews with women, leading a workshop and moderating two Festival, men, adult children, activists and rabbis roundtable discussions. The workshop, Mira who have experienced Jewish divorce, the Op-Ed Writing and Social Media Sucharov their research highlights the tensions Workshop, is designed to introduce and organized inherent in the notion of klal yisrael and guide participants through the ins and a panel to orthopraxy, the preference for what one outs of op-ed writing and social media discuss and rabbi called “the frummest common engagement. debate the denominator.” Professor Sucharov is moderating issues raised in her newest publi- Professor Sarah Phillips Casteel a roundtable discussion on Teaching cation Social Justice and Israel/ will present a paper entitled Blyden Palestine in the Context of Jewish Palestine: Foundational and and Pissarro on St. Thomas: Pan- Studies. This roundtable will address Contemporary Debates co-edited Africanism, Zionism and the Sephardic the question of Palestine within the con- with Aaron J. Hahn Tapper. The Caribbean in the panel “Jewishness text of Jewish Studies. These are just a collection of essays from 24 schol- and Caribbean Literary Culture”. The few of the questions to be raised: how ars and activists advance different nineteenth-century Afro-Caribbean can Jewish Studies faculty more fully perspectives; in some cases, they intellectual Edward Wilmot Blyden contend with the subject of Palestine in are complementary and in others (1832-1912), generally considered the our classrooms? Does the identity and they are oppositional. The editors father of pan-Africanism, was deeply ethnic and political subjectivity of the brought these essays together to influenced by Zionist thought. Blyden professor matter? What conversations help readers to make sense of the admired Herzl and believed that does it open up or foreclose within the politics surrounding the Israeli- Zionism could serve as a model for the space of Jewish Studies? Palestinian relationship. African diaspora. As he recounts in his She is also moderating and participat-
8 Newsletter of the Zelikovitz Centre for Jewish Studies SAVE THE DATE Kudos to Sunday, February 23, 2020, Professor 7pm. Pamela Walker Jodi Magness holds a senior endowed chair in the Department of Kudos and congratulations to Each year The Reacting Consortium Religious Studies at the University Professor Pamela Walker, ZC and Barnard College hosts a Summer of North Carolina at Chapel Hill: Carleton Faculty affiliate and ZC Institute which introduces new ways the Kenan Distinguished Professor Advisory Board member for win- (games) of approaching well-known for Teaching Excellence in Early ning (with Martha Attridge Bufton, topics, and through which several Judaism (since 2002). Interdisciplinary Studies Librarian) hundred instructors and adminis- Dr. Magness specializes in the the inaugural Brilliancy Prize from trators are trained in the Reacting archaeology of ancient Palestine the Reacting to the Past Consortium pedagogy. (modern Israel, Jordan, and the at Barnard College (Columbia Martha Attridge Bufton and Palestinian territories) in the University). newsroom.carleton.ca/ Professor Pamela Walker collabo- Roman, Byzantine, and early story/playing-games-pays-off-carle- rated to create the character Maud Islamic periods. Her research in- ton-ups-the-ante/ Malone, a librarian in Greenwich terests include Jerusalem, Qumran Pioneered in the late 1990s by Village in 1913. Described for the and the Dead Sea Scrolls, ancient Mark C. Carnes, Professor of game as a New York City librarian, synagogues, Masada, the Roman History at Barnard College, union organizer, and suffragette, the army in the East, and ancient Reacting to the Past (RTTP) con- character Maud is both a creative pottery., sists of elaborate games, set in the idea and a pedagogical practice. By She will be giving a public lecture past, in which students are assigned embedding Maud in the game—rath- at the SJCC Sunday Feb 23rd, 7 pm, roles informed by classic texts in er than relegating her to the tradi- on the excavations she has been the history of ideas. The RTTP cur- tional “one shot” library research directing, since 2011, in Huqoq in riculum seeks to draw students into session—Martha Attridge Bufton Israel’s Galilee. the past, promote engagement with and Professor Pamela Walker cre- These excavations have brought to big ideas, and improve intellectual ated a new role for librarians in the light the remains of a monumental and academic skills. Reacting roles Reacting pedagogy to support the Late Roman (fifth century) syna- do not have a fixed script and out- acquisition of core scholarly informa- gogue building paved with stunning come: students must devise their tion seeking competencies. The char- and unique mosaics, including bibli- own means of expressing their acter Maud appeared during game cal scenes and the first non-biblical character’s ideas persuasively, in sessions to offer research support, story ever discovered decorating an papers, speeches, or other public help students formulate research ancient synagogue. presentations as well as pursue a questions and navigate the library course of action they think will help resources. them win the game.
9 Newsletter of the Zelikovitz Centre for Jewish Studies Spotlight on our External Research Affiliates
C Affiliate Dana Murray is ZMuseum Registrar for the RCMP vided opportunities to delve into project documenting acquisitions and pro- Historical Collections Unit. In 2014, she management, curating, development, cessing loans, to assisting with exhibit took the Study Israel course with Professor and programming. The program was installations and putting up decorations Butler. She shared that the museums truly a well-rounded experience. for special events, RCMP Historical and historical sites visited during those Since graduating, Dana first worked Collections unit is responsible for the three weeks really opened her eyes to the underground for the Diefenbunker: care of the RCMP’s historical collection, messages museums share, and the power Canada’s Cold War Museum. Beginning including its artifacts, archives and li- they hold. Dana noted that while she was as Collections Assistant, she stayed on brary. The unit also shares a partnership always interested in and drawn to the to coordinate a collections re-organ- with the RCMP Heritage Centre. A reg- heritage sector, this experience decided her ization project thanks to a Museum istered non-profit, the RCMP Heritage trajectory. After completing her MA from Assistance Grant she helped acquire. Centre exists to tell the RCMP story, Carleton University’s Religion and Public As the Diefenbunker is a not-for-profit including the critical role the Force plays Life program in 2014, she applied to the (receives no government funding and in addressing contemporary issues. Faculty of Information at the University of relies on donations), she was constantly Together, they strive to be a unique mix Toronto to the Master of Museum Studies amazed and impressed by the innova- of educational institution, museum program. tive and inspiring projects the team was and tourist attraction. The Collection The Museum Studies program is a pro- able to develop without resources that unit rents space within the Centre’s fa- fessional degree integrating museolog- are available to larger, for-profit and/or cility, and as part of their relationship, ical theory with experience. Dana said national museums. Dana began working the unit’s collection is displayed in the that unlike her previous studies, much at the Diefenbunker immediately follow- Centre for the public to enjoy. of her time was spent in group work, ing her graduation from the Museum In addition, in the role of Registrar, presentations, placements and work- Studies program in the spring of 2017 Dana also fulfils research requests, shops. However, she still made the time until departing for Regina to work with some of which are from the family of to continue volunteering, serving as stu- the RCMP’s Historical Collections Unit retired RCMP members, and others are dent mentor to incoming students, act- in March 2019. for publication purposes. Her knowledge ing on student association committees, Dana now calls Regina and the and expertise is also required when the and assisting at the Bata Shoe Museum. Prairies home. As Registrar for the Unit, collection is lent to museological institu- Even though collections are her passion, Dana makes sure that its collections are tions throughout the country for exhibit. her program AND her volunteering pro- safely stored and accounted for. From
10 Newsletter of the Zelikovitz Centre for Jewish Studies Transformation, 1947–1955 (2015) [based belonging? How did they understand and on her PhD thesis] represents the first experience the adoption process? And, comprehensive analysis of the resettlement what, if anything, did it mean to be a and integration experiences of 35,000 child survivor and adoptee in a non-sur- Holocaust survivors and their families in vivor home? Through the consideration postwar Canada. She has also contributed to of a selection of case studies, this unique the publications Never Far Apart (2015) and child-centric approach sheds light on Too Many Goodbyes: The Diaries of Susan WOP participants’ experiences with adop- Garfield (2019), and edited the memoir, tion – promised, desired, or realized – in Always Remember Who You Are (2017). post-World War II Canada. Dr. Goldberg served as a consultant for The second project is entitled “Making the Azrieli Foundation and Facing History Present the Past: Canada’s St. Louis and Ourselves, and is a featured histori- Apology and Canadian Jewry’s Pursuit an for the Montreal Holocaust Museum of Refugee Justice,” was written against virtual exhibition, Building New Lives. the backdrop of Prime Minister Trudeau’s Her current research projects explore the November 2018 apology for denying the phenomenon of post-genocidal familial Jewish refugee passengers of the M.S. reconstruction, and the role of national St. Louis entry to Canada in 1939. This apologies in collective memory. research examines how Holocaust mem- The project exploring post-genocide ory, and the memory of the M.S.St. Louis dara Goldberg, PhD, is a family reconstruction emerged from her incident specifically, shaped Canada’s Asocial historian and director of involvement in the Yad Vashem working subsequent immigration policy and pop- the Holocaust Resource Center at Kean group on children after the Holocaust. ular responses to non-Jewish refugee University. After completing her doctorate in Her forthcoming article (Yad Vashem crises in the decades following the Second Holocaust History at Clark University (May Publications, December 2019) “’He’ll World War. It also considers how, through 2012), Goldberg held a prestigious Azrieli make a good companion for my son:’ War reference to the St. Louis, Canadian Foundation fellowship at Hebrew University Orphan Adoption in Postwar Canada” Jewish advocacy groups influenced for- (2016-2017), a postdoctoral post at Stockton provides a nuanced consideration of the mal Holocaust remembrance, redress, University (2017-2018), and served as declared aim of the War Orphans Project and restitution on a national scale as the education director for the Vancouver (WOP): the adoption of European Jewish part of a broader attempt to memorialize Holocaust Education Center (2012-2015). orphans into receiving Canadian Jewish Holocaust victims through changes to Recipient of the Marsid Foundation Prize homes. Research questions driving this anti-refugee attitudes and legislation. at the 2016 Western Canada Jewish Book analysis include the following: How did Awards, Dr. Goldberg’s book Holocaust being enveloped (or not) into a new fam- Survivors in Canada: Exclusion, Inclusion, ily impact the child survivors’ sense of
The ZC Welcomes Research Affiliates might be interested in becoming an short research statement, noting areas All Research Affiliates have full online active member of the Jewish Studies of interest as they pertain to Jewish and on-site access to Carleton University research community at the Zelikovitz Studies, which will be made public on libraries. In exchange, incumbents are Centre please encourage them to con- our website. expected to participate in one confer- tact us. Interested candidates should Applications should contain subject ence or event over the course of their email jewish.studies@carleton. ca with line: ZC Research Associate. 3-year term. If you know of anyone who a letter of introduction, CV, photo, and
11 Newsletter of the Zelikovitz Centre for Jewish Studies research/research-projects/deporta- To-date, transports from the tions.html. Reich (including Austria and This project was established in 2007 the Protectorate of Bohemia and by David Bankier (z”l), Head of the Moravia), transports from France and International Institute for Holocaust the Benelux countries, and transports Research from 2000 to 2010. Seven from Greece have been completed. multilingual researchers (most of whom The project has successfully identi- master at least three languages), com- fied 1,400 transports with a current prise the project’s team. The aim of the average of 100 transports per year. project is to reconstruct the transports Presently, the transports in the former of Jews, by the Nazi regime, from every Wartheland, the second largest prov- Jewish community during the period ince that the Nazis established from of the Shoah. This includes transports mainly annexed Polish territory are to assembly camps, forced labor camps, being researched. This includes trans- ghettos and extermination camps. The ports from Poznań and Kalisz, and intention is to collect reliable and de- from the Łódź ghetto to the Chełmno tailed information about each transport extermination camp as well as the such as its route, the bureaucratic sys- deportations to the forced labor camps tem, the socio-economic background along the planned Autobahn from of the victims, the assembly points, the Berlin to Warsaw, and the euthanasia police forces in charge, the collaboration transports in mobile gas vans to sever- of the different European railways and al mass burial sites. more. The research is meaningful but Once this information has been col- extremely challenging. There are lim- lected and analyzed, articles detailing itations in terms of time, scope and this information will be published on funds. Especially time as survivors the Yad Vashem website with links to and other witnesses are aging. In C Affiliate Chaim Moykopf deportation lists along with additional terms of finding physical evidence, Zworks with Yad Vashem. He began demographic data derived from dif- research in this part of what is now working there as a researcher in 2011after ferent archives. All available sources Poland, is much more difficult as In completing his PhD and a Post Doc in are being used, from official Nazi the Wartheland, the Nazis were suc- Comparative Literature and European documentation such as Gestapo and cessful in erasing most of the traces of Studies at the Universities of Tübingen, RSHA files, Reichsbahn documents, their crimes. Montreal (UdM) and at the Canadian to documentation from post-war trials Moreover, there is limited collabora- Centre for German and European Studies. and from the various commissions for tion with foreign archives. However, Yad Vashem has several projects in the Investigation of German crimes. with every additional transport the various stages of research at any given Testimonies, personal accounts of sur- project comes closer to its main task: time. Currently Professor Moykopf is vivors and various studies on deporta- returning as much identity to the vic- working on The Deportations of Jews tions carried out since 1945 are included tims as possible. Project https://www.yadvashem.org/ in this research.
Please share your Jewish Studies news about publications (articles and books), events (on campus and in the community), courses, etc. The newsletter is published every early fall with a supplement in early winter when warranted. Send your information to [email protected] at any time and it will be included immediately on our web site and in the next issue.
12 Newsletter of the Zelikovitz Centre for Jewish Studies External Affiliate Publications
Exclusion (eds.) Andreas Kewes et. al., in English in 2014 by Ronald P. Frye Dani Kranz, director of Two Foxes 221-242. Heidelberg: Springer, 2019. & Company to mark fifty years since Consulting and senior research fellow “It took me a few years until I un- Mayne’s first collection was published in at Bergische University Wuppertal, derstood that I am, as a matter of fact, Montreal. Cusp:Word Sonnets has also Germany is trained in anthropology, so- Jewish”: The third generation (writ been published in French, Portuguese, cial psychology and history. Her areas of small) going large as a generaction,” in and Spanish editions. expertise cover migration, ethnicity, law, Trauma, Resilience and Empowerment: Librarians and interested readers may politics and processes of statehood. She Descendants of Survivors of Nazi order copies of the book direct from the is particularly interested in various in- Persecution (eds.) Adina Dymczyk, Jost publisher, Silver Age, either via regular tersecting issues ranging from interfam- Rebentisch & Thorsten Fehlberg, 105- or e-mail communication: ilies, and interchildren, to citizenship to 125. Frankfurt: Mabuse Verlag, 2019. Silver Age (Серебряный Век) intergenerational transmission in Israel “Big baggage on small shoul- Fontanka River Embankment, 34 and Germany. Her most recent publica- ders? Children of Israeli/German Saint Petersburg tions reflect her broad range of interests. Interparentage in Germany,” in Les Russia “Thinking Big: Classical Jewish mariages mixtes dans les sociétés eu- 191014 Studies, Jewish Studies Past, Present, ropéennes, XVIIIe-XXIe siècles Pour E-mail: [email protected] Presence and Israel Studies Thought une histoire sociale de la mixité matri- Price: $10.00 U.S. Together,” in Intersections of Jewish moniale (eds.) Michael Gasperoni, Cyrile Studies and Israel Studies in the Grand and Vincent Gourdon, 286-312. 21st Century (eds.) Carsten Schapow Rome: Vialla, 2019. and Klaus Hördl, 217-246. Lanham: Seymour Mayne’s most recent Lexington Books book, Cusp: Word Sonnets, translated “Working Hands or Humans? by Mikhail Rykov with an introduction Temporary Migrants in Israel and by Natalia Vesselova, was recently pub- Germany: Between Acceptance and lished in Saint Petersburg, in a bilin- Rejection in the Social and Legal gual Russian edition, and is for sale at Spheres,” co-author Hani Zubida, in bookstores in the Russian Federation. Citizenship between Inclusion and This volume was originally released
ongratulations to Nick Arial, Jewish Studies. His main interest is Crecipient of the 2019-2020 Bergstein Christianity, and he felt it was impor- Memorial Bursary. Nick is in his fourth tant to study its Hebrew roots and the year of the Religion program at Carleton influences of Judaism on Christianity. and plans to begin the Religion and He also has long had a fascination Public Life one-year Master’s program with the Hebrew Bible. His program at Carleton next fall. at Carleton provided him with the op- While this degree focuses on religion, portunity to study the Bible in greater its inherent interdisciplinary approach depth it along with the traditions/ provides numerous engaging avenues of beliefs that it (the Bible) has inspired. exploration. The course work focuses on Nick commented that his study” has case studies related to how aspects of re- certainly given him a better under- ligion interact with the “public sphere, ” standing and appreciation of Judaism and then these case studies are then uti- as a whole”. lized to address how religious ideology Nick extended his heartfelt thanks and discourse interact with institutions and gratitude to Dr. Butler and the such as the law, the state, the economy, Zelikovitz Centre for Jewish Studies the media, and many others. for awarding him the Bergstein Nick shared how he was drawn to Memorial Bursary.
13 Newsletter of the Zelikovitz Centre for Jewish Studies SAVE THE DATE
Limmud Ottawa, will be presenting; Dr Tanhum Yoreh interchildren, to citizenship to inter- Sunday, March 15, 2020 queries the impact of religious values generational transmission in Israel and on environmental behaviors; Rabbi Germany, and Avi Benlolo, prominent Each year LIMMUD surprises with its Mike Moskowitz, trained at the Mir human rights activist, president, and broad range of ideas, presentations and Yeshiva, in Jerusalem, and Beth chief executive officer of Friends of the diversity of its participants Medrash Govoha (BMG) in Lakewood, Simon Wiesenthal Center for Holocaust LIMMUD Ottawa 2020 will provoke, New Jersey and who is a staunch Studies (FSWC), the Canadian branch of astound and delight. Following is just a advocate for trans rights; Professor the Simon Wiesenthal Center. hint of what will be an amazing day of Dani Kantz director of Two Foxes JOIN US to meet and learn from the learning. Consulting and senior research fellow remarkable presenters LIMMUD is “The most famous rabbi in America at Bergische University Wuppertal, bringing to Ottawa. (according to the Washington Post and Germany explores various intersecting Newsweek) Rabbi Shmuley Boteach issues ranging from interfamilies, and
Warm turn-out to hear Professor Frances Malino by Michaela Bax-Leaney
The Zelikovitz Centre would like to standing in French society at the time. Her research illustrates that there are thank Dr. Frances Malino and all Dr. Malino was given access to an parts of Jewish history and experience who came out on Sunday Sept. 22 for incredible trove of primary source let- that often go understudied. The hard Dr. Malino’s lecture, “Jewish Voices: ters which informed her research. She work and careful research by Dr. Malino Muslim Lands,” at Carleton University. received a large amount of AIU archives and others working in the area of Jewish from the archives of Moscow; in pristine women’s history and Sephardic history Dr. Malino joined us to discuss her condition, they have never been opened enrich and expand our understanding of research, which explores the lives of to researchers while residing in Moscow. Jewish history. the women who trained as teachers in These archives were able to provide a Professor Malino’s research high- France, and then returned to Morocco detailed and personal look at the lives lights some particular issues illustrated to teach under the auspices of Alliance these women led, from their training through the experiences of these wom- Israélite Universelle in the 19th and in France, to the day to day work they en. For example, the issue surrounding 20th centuries. performed. Given the abundance of child marriages. Should married chil- In the 1860’s a small group (6) of material, Professor Malino chose five dren be allowed to attend school? If the highly acculturated French Jews were women whom she followed through the schools accepted young students who motivated to assist Jews “living else- association, from studying to become are married, would this be viewed by where in the world” (beyond the borders teachers, to becoming teachers and the community as “support” for girls of Europe) “vocationally, linguistically, heads of the AIU schools in Morocco. being married young? However, if the morally, and spiritually.” There were Instead of taking a global look at the married student is not accepted, then particular concerns regarding the “pre- women, Professor Malino opted for a does it condemn that young child un- cariousness” of Jewish life in Muslim multi-generational look at one such necessarily to a lifetime of illiteracy? lands. So, while there was motivation to teacher, Claire, and her family. The arti- Professor Malino’s research also ex- help their brethren who were less well- cle Professor Malino published on these plores how the women brought with off, there was also interest in self-pres- findings is entitled “Prophets in Their them a stabilizing force to North Africa ervation, particularly of the middle and Own Land? Mothers and Daughters of upper middle Jewish class and their the Alliance Israélite Universelle.” Continued on next page
14 Newsletter of the Zelikovitz Centre for Jewish Studies in the early 20th century. The skills training and education they had re- ceived, coupled with having respected positions, encouraged a certain stabil- ity to French families living in North Africa. This in turn had implications for the roles of women in France. Her research explored important themes in the realms of gender and co- lonialism experiences in Jewish history. To what extent do sources direct how our research will unfold? The researcher must recognize that sources are gen- dered; when looking at the letters writ- ten by the male students and teachers, they show a very different experience from those written about by the women. A lively discussion period, touching on these themes and more followed her lecture. We’d again like to thank Dr. Malino for inspiring and engaging in these discussions with us over the course of the evening. We would also like to thank The Plenipotentiary Minister Mr.Lahoucine Rahmouni from the Embassy of Dr. Frances Malino and The Plenipotentiary Minister (Embassy of Morocco) Morocco in Ottawa for joining us! Mr.Lahoucine Rahmouni
The ZC actively reaches out to emerg- support and encourage the cross-fertili- tive link. As a number of affiliates have ing scholars, graduate students, and zation of ideas and approaches. overlapping interests, please browse the faculty at other universities, as well as For interested affiliates, the ZC has webpages already active to seek out and independent scholars to partner with undertaken to create webpages that re- share with colleagues who are engaged the ZC and our researchers. flect an affiliate’s research, publications in similar fields of research. Presently over 40 scholars and and interests. A number of affiliates now If you would like to “activate” your researchers with very diverse back- have their ZC page linked to their fac- name, all that is required is your per- grounds and interests are affiliated with ulty page and/or their personal website mission to create these links as well as the ZC. A primary mandate of the ZC is https://carleton.ca/jewishstudies/staff/ the (urls, etc) to make this happen. If to provide opportunities for these schol- external-affiliates/ you do not have a website, provide the ars to share their work with each other We would like to encourage all ZC information you would like to share, and and the larger community in order to affiliates to turn your name into an ac- a page will be created for you.
15 Newsletter of the Zelikovitz Centre for Jewish Studies “Only the lesson which is enjoyed can be learned well.” ~~ Judah HaNasi, Talmud
Anyone who has heard me talk about nation. The hardest part of this job is Suriname with sand on the floor. Why the Israel course knows that it is a la- knowing students would love to par- sand? One explanation is that it muffled bour of love for me. It is a “peak profes- ticipate, would get so much out of this the sound of footsteps so as not to at- sorial experience” where I get to connect transformative experience, but there is tract anti-Jewish violence; with students in an unprecedented way, one barrier to participation - they sim- sharing the subject matter that I love, ply can’t afford it. $144 for 9 students to enjoy sulfur delighted by growing excitement as they springs and slather themselves with immerse themselves in a place they have I hope that the University’s commit- mud at the Dead Sea (because learning only ever read about. ment to match your donations on Giving should be mixed with fun too!); Some students are seized by the histor- Tuesday (Dec 3rd) motivate you to sup- ical richness of this place. One student port our students’ dreams. $180 allows 3 students to share the from our last trip in 2018, summed it sabbath dinner with an Israeli family in up: “History surrounds us”. Whether Following is a breakdown of some of their home; it is an archeological dig for a day, or the costs of those extras that enhance clambering through a medieval crusad- the learning experience. $216 for 18 students to visit the Islam er fort in Akko, history is a large part of Museum; the attraction. But Israel is not a solemn $1.80 pays for a city bus ticket to travel museum or a library, it is a living place across Jerusalem; $504 contributes to the bus and driver where history and modernity come to- for one very long day of touring in the gether in strange and delightful ways. $18 for a student to experience sifting north. Every activity, from eating falafel in an Temple Mount rubble looking for ar- Experience tells us the students may open-air market to touring the tunnels chaeological treasures; be too excited to sleep, but since the next under the Western Wall, to hearing morning from LGBTQ activists, to visiting the $36 for one entrance fee to Hezekiah’s will take them to the biblical site of Tel inter-faith peace community Neve tunnel (wet feet from tramping through Dan, they’d better try! Shalom, juxtapose historical experience the ancient aqueduct is free) or for 5 stu- with contemporary debates and con- dents to explore Masada; $3600 lowers the cost of the trip for 18 cerns. As a professor interested in mod- students by $200 each; ern experiences of religion generally, $54 gains entrance for 18 students to and Judaism particularly, I always ask: visit the Pools of Bethesda where Jesus $6012 gives one student their most “How did we get here?” That question walked; beloved memory of learning at Carleton takes on new urgency walking in this University; place known as the “Holy Land.” $72 for the entrance fee for 7 students I began by saying it is a labour of love at the Israel Museum where students Remembering on GIVING TUESDAY to offer this course. It takes a tremen- can walk through synagogues from all your donation is matched by the dous amount of planning and coordi- over the world -including one transport- university. ed complete from
Join us on our virtual venture: Please share your Jewish Studies news about publications (articles and books), events (on campus and in the community), courses, etc. The newslet- “Like” us on Facebook at ter is published every early fall with a supplement in early winter when warrant- facebook.com/ ed. Send your information to [email protected] at any time and it will ZelikovitzCentre be included immediately on our web site and in the next issue.
16 Newsletter of the Zelikovitz Centre for Jewish Studies Centre for Holocaust Education and Scholarship
OPS and its partners understand anti- Commitment” below.) semitism through the ages. Specific case CHES Corner Launched in OJB Words studies deepened their understanding Despite four years of CHES program- of antisemitism and World War II and ing and outreach, the Ottawa Jewish society as it is evolving today. It touched community remains confused about from the on developing an understanding of cur- who we are and what we do. To improve rent issues of discrimination and helped awareness of our work and improve our Director to promote equality and diversity in standing, we believe that a dedicated our city (see “HEM Workshops Reach space in the Ottawa Jewish Bulletin Teachers and Police” below). (OJB) will be helpful. The idea was to Given the disturbing developments create a column in the OJB for CHES’ we witness around us, our work is ever voice to be heard; this proposal was de- more relevant and urgent. We know that clined by the OJB. CHES then decided building a society free from racism and to pay for space and thus was born the discrimination requires an ongoing, ½ page column, CHES’ Corner: News deeply rooted commitment to education. and Views from the Centre for Holocaust CHES will continue to support area ed- Education and Scholarship, with three ucators through our outreach to schools columns published to date. with more frequent local Teachers’ Powerful Symposium for 2nd and Workshops. 3rd Gens Partners Wanted An audience of 80 listened intently CHES recognizes that visitors to the as Artur Wilczynski, former Canadian Mina Cohn National Holocaust Monument need Ambassador to Norway and a 2nd Gen more details about the Holocaust to survivor, moderated a distinguished It was a hot and busy summer. enrich their experience and their under- panel of Holocaust experts on issues of Holocaust Education Month (HEM) standing of the legacy and lessons of the great relevance to children and grand- was fast approaching and CHES was Holocaust. Therefore, CHES is looking children of survivors. Break-out sessions excited to offer our community a full for local and national partners to devel- allowed participants to discuss their slate of programming that promised op a smartphone-based app to provide personal experiences and to learn about to be moving and enriching. We chose appropriate information. strategies on dealing with the myriad of “Antisemitism” as the theme of the Building for the Future issues that can arise as a result of their 2019 HEM, which featured renowned I recall 25 years ago when survivors, family circumstances. There was much Holocaust historian Professor Deborah who made up the majority of members enthusiasm and a feeling of urgency for Lipstadt. of the Shoah Committee, were seriously further action. Sadly, 80 years after the outbreak concerned with the question: “Who will “Thank you for the great event; it was of World War II, the world around us continue our work when we are not be a really powerful, educational day,” said seems to be in constant upheaval. The able to?” This year we are privileged Lorne Geller, a 3rd Gen participant. rise of far-right extremist groups, “fake” and proud to present HEM events that The strong message from the panelists news, and misleading information is of highlight the work done by 2nd Gens. stressed that the strength to confront great concern to all of us. The increase They reflect the talent and power that antisemitism and hate emerges from in antisemitism and racism, largely on- children of survivors can now bring to a sound grounding in Jewish identity, line, is particularly worrisome. Holocaust Education. a commitment that is lacking among Workshops Relevant and Timely It is important to note that for the many Jews. It is my hope that a grass- These troubling developments and first time three local descendants of roots organization will emerge as a re- the understanding of the need to share Holocaust survivors, who are not mem- sult of the symposium, which CHES will information prompted me to approach bers of the CHES committee, stepped up gladly support. the Ottawa Police Service (OPS) and to help us organize a symposium featur- Looking Ahead offer a workshop on racism and anti- ing four expert panelists. Thank you to We were very pleased with the excel- semitism. The response was positive Esther Rosenberg, Benita Siemiatycki, lent turnout at our events during HEM. and so, along with the annual Teachers’ and Marlene Wolinsky for joining our We hope to see more people engage with Workshop, CHES held an inaugural symposium subcommittee and for our events and topics and are looking Law Enforcement Workshop to help the their wonderful ideas and their dedi- forward with much excitement to 2020. cation (see “Family Reunion Inspires
17 Newsletter of the Zelikovitz Centre for Jewish Studies Centre for Holocaust Education and Scholarship
Bottner Event Attracts Large Audience
Sheila Osterer the country established a Jewish alliance and She explained that Andrée Guelen, a museum in Brussels to honour the memory of Brussels teacher who was horrified when More than 80 people braved the rainy Holocaust victims. Jewish children started wearing stars and weather to listen to Dr. Bottner. Mina Cohn Dr. Bottner shared an experienced she had then stopped coming to school, joined the welcomed her and Ambassador Johan after the birth of her son. She experienced ter- Belgium resistance helping to transport chil- Verkammen. Mina spoke about the impor- rifying, intrusive thoughts, imagining she was dren to the homes in which they were to be tance of 2nd and 3rd Gen survivors keeping living under Nazi occupation and wondering hidden. In the summer of 1942, she brought the memories of the Holocaust alive. how to evade the horrors. While she knew her Tammy’s father to a convent. Ambassador Verkammen stressed the im- parents were Holocaust survivors, she had Her aunt Irene, born in 1943, was adopted portance of CHES’ work. He described what avoided thinking about that. Years later, she by the parents of a priest in the resistance, Belgium has done to honour the victims of began learning about epigenetics and believes and also survived the war. The family was the Holocaust and explained that of 70,000 that what happened to her grandparents and reunited after the war, but it was excruciating Belgian Jews, about 25,000 were deported her father contributed to what she experi- as the daughter rejected her parents whereas during the war, and not more than 1200 enced when her son was born. her father was delighted to be reunited with survived. Most who did survive, he said, Dr. Bottner discussed the lives of her great them. were hidden by Catholic priests and nuns. grandparents before the war and shared the Dr. Bottner concluded by saying that “man He explained that Belgium adopted the first survival story of her grandmother and her never made any material as resilient as the laws that banned Holocaust denial, and that father. human spirit.”
Sharon Rosenberg (l) with Dr. Tammy Bottner (seated)
18 Newsletter of the Zelikovitz Centre for Jewish Studies Centre for Holocaust Education and Scholarship
2019 Holocaust Education Month Features Outstanding Programs Award-Winning Book’s Canadian Launch
Dr. Tammy Bottner, the child and grand- Carlat, and has two children, both now uni- Postscript child of Holocaust survivors, is the author versity students. Dear Mrs. Cohn, of Among the Reeds: The True Story of Her father was a hidden child in Belgium, It is for me to commend you for organ- How a Family Survived the Holocaust, spending half of the first five years of his izing this very meaningful and pleasant which is a best seller on Amazon. A bagel life separated from his family. In her book, gathering with a very captivating speaker. breakfast marked the Canadian launch of Dr. Bottner ponders the question of wheth- It was really enriching to hear her family’s her book and she took part in conversa- er the trauma of this separation ended with story. Indeed, I would like to inform my tion, discussion, and a book signing. Johan the conclusion of World War II. She is fasci- colleagues in the United States (Embassy Verkamen, the Ambassador of Belgium to nated by the science of epigenetics and the of Belgium in Washington and Consulate Canada, offered words of welcome. evidence for inter-generational transmis- in New York) about her book and ability to Dr. Bottner was born in Ottawa and as sion of trauma. make a such an interesting presentation. a child lived for several years in Israel. Among the Reeds is the author’s debut Perhaps there might be a mutual interest to However, most of her life has been spent book and earned her “best female author/ set up an event, given the Belgian connec- in the United States although she earned nonfiction” and the Reader’s Choice award tion. It was very nice to meet you and to get her undergraduate degree from McGill 2018. She has given talks all over America, acquainted with CHES. University. She lives in Newburyport, and in South Africa, and has pending en- Thanks again! Massachusetts, is married to Dr. Daniel gagements in Australia and New Zealand. Best regards, Johan Verkammen Ambassador of the Kingdom of Belgium
Several weeks ago, Noa Ogilvy contacted became an active volunteer for the Azrieli azrieli/images/cjn082318.jpg>. the ZC and expressed her interest in being Institute of Israel Studies at Concordia, As part of her program in Israel Studies, a volunteer for the ZC. Noa is doing her assisting with their events on campus. As she participated in the Azrieli Institute’s Master of Arts in International Affairs, part of a three-day conference dedicated to Summer in Jerusalem in July 2017, and in specialization in Security and Defense the interdisciplinary exploration of Israel it’s Summer in Israel in July and August of Policy, at Carleton’s Norman Paterson 70 years after the creation of the State, Noa 2018. The ZC is delighted with Noa’s offer to School of International Affairs. Her BA is prepared and curated a multi-media collage be a ZC volunteer. from Concordia where she did a double on the theme of “Israel at 70 Years” The article below is her perspective on Yuri minor in Chinese Language and Culture www.concordia.ca/content/dam/artsci/ Dojc’s ‘Last Folio.’ For more information on and Israel Studies. While at Concordia, she this excellent event see p.21 below.
19 Newsletter of the Zelikovitz Centre for Jewish Studies Centre for Holocaust Education and Scholarship
Yuri Dojc’s ‘Last Folio’: Cultural Memories of Jewish Life in Slovakia
On Sunday, the books “as tombstones”. By photographing better image to sum up the message of Dojc’s November and then later burying the books, Dojc and work and the mission it serves: to preserve 3rd, acclaimed his team were able to give the books and the and protect what remains, to acknowledge Slovakian- people who had owned them a beautifully and pay homage to what has been lost. Canadian art heart-wrenching memorial service through Although there is no question that Dojc’s photographer art. images are quite sobering, they also offer Yuri Dojc came to As an artist myself, I was especially moved viewers an incredibly poignant message the Kehillat Beth by the still life images of cultural objects and of the power of art in the face of the over- Israel Synagogue spaces in Last Folio. Dojc’s documentation of whelming tragedy of the Holocaust. At first and gave a pres- books, synagogues, and cemeteries, spoke to glance, the images of Slovakia’s crumbling Noa Ogilvy entation of his Slovakian Jewish history and, by extension, synagogues, aging Holocaust survivors, and project Last Folio, Eastern European Jewish history, in a way decaying Jewish books and cultural objects showing images and a short documentary that is uniquely their own. By showing us are extremely difficult to look at. It is hard that detailed the making of the work. Last these photographs of objects and places that to fully comprehend the extent of what was Folio is a series of photographs which aim have by now returned to dust, have crumbled lost, a loss that is made even more difficult in to capture, preserve, and memorialize the away, or have been buried beneath the earth, the context of knowing that three fourths of remaining pieces and fragments of what Dojc is able to paint a portrait of Slovakia’s Slovakian Jewry were killed during the War. Dojc calls “cultural memories of Jewish life Jewry by manner of omission; it is precisely Last Folio, through its photo preservation of in Slovakia”. The images are divided into in our search for people and faces in these many crumbling and endangered Slovakian five categories: books, buildings, cemeteries, photographs of Slovakian Jewish life that we synagogues, has been able to raise aware- fragments, and survivors. are made acutely aware of what has been lost. ness and lead the Slovakian government and The project began as a straightforward private donors to save some of the buildings. documentation of Slovakian Holocaust sur- Unfortunately, for the books and cultural vivors, but slowly transformed into an explo- fragments, Last Folio can only offer them a ration of Jewish cultural objects and spaces; final resting place, a memorial of what was. namely, books and synagogues. In his pres- Dojc named the project Last Folio because he entation, Dojc described his 2006 discovery knew that for many of the objects, places, and of what he called a “little heder”, a small people he photographed, his work would act room inside what had been a Jewish school in as the final closing chapter for them, and, by Eastern Slovakia. This little ‘heder’ was filled extension, for Jewish life in Slovakia. with Jewish books and Torah scrolls, all pet- Yuri Dojc’s work, not only as an artist, but rified in time. Simply flipping the pages of the also as an activist dedicated to Holocaust re- books or unraveling the scrolls would have (fig. 1)Yuri Dojc, “Book Fragments, membrance, is needed today more than ever, shattered many of them, and they would have ‘Hanishar’”, Bardejov, 2006 given the many different political and nation- turned to dust if not for the ink holding the One image that strikingly captures the alist groups attempting to re-write and bury parchment together. Dojc and his team began spirit of Last Folio is the image titled “Book the true history of the Holocaust. Last Folio, to document as many of these Jewish ‘frag- Fragments, ‘Hanishar’, Bardejov, 2006” (fig. using the power of image and the power of ments’ as they could, and he spoke of how the 1). art as activism, is able to visually remind us books themselves soon took on identities of The image shows decaying and torn book of the importance of understanding history their own; a few lines of simple handwriting pages, with Hebrew letters appearing in bits and the consequences of antisemitism. Each scrawled in a book’s front cover were able to and pieces. Near the bottom centre of the image speaks softly to viewers, quietly urging build identities for so many people for whom image, one word reads complete, hanishar, them to never forget. history has left us no names. Dojc described meaning ‘what remains’. Perhaps there is no
20 Newsletter of the Zelikovitz Centre for Jewish Studies Centre for Holocaust Education and Scholarship
Yuri Dojc: An Outstanding HEM Event
Mina welcomed the audience and books and religious items had remained that many of the synagogues Yuri photo- introduced Vit Koziak, the Slovakian intact, all of which he photographed for graphed in various stages of decay have Ambassador to Canada, who expressed the Last Folio. Each photograph was since been beautifully renovated and are appreciation to all who made the event haunting but one of the most moving was used as cultural centres by the Slovak possible. He explained that the story Yuri of a piece of a religious book that had be- people. He said the focus of his project Dojc tells is overwhelming and said that longed to his grandfather. was not the Jewish community of Slovakia Yuri is not only a photographer but is also Most of the questions from the audi- today, but the survivors who were alive a part of the story. ence came from survivors and 2nd and at the time of his numerous visits to Speaking calmly, Yuri Dojc explained the 3rd Gen survivors involving Jews from Slovakia. For more info visit: carleton.ca/ serendipitous manner by which he came Czechoslovakia. The appreciative audi- ches/wp-content/uploads/2019Yuri-Do- upon the survivors, the abandoned and de- ence learned that the books have since jc-article-OJB-191007_pg-18-002-PDF.pdf caying synagogues, and the school whose been buried in the Jewish tradition and
From left to right: Richard Zuker, Yuri Dojc, Mina Cohn and Ambassador of the Slovak Republic, Vit Koziak.
Inspirational Journey Captured for Posterity
Yuri Dojc, renowned art photographer, ed with slides, about his personal journey disciplinary project of photographs, inter- artist, and witness presented his pro- through Eastern Slovakia where he discov- views with survivors, a book, and a video ject, Last Folio, Memories of Jewish Life ered an abandoned Jewish schoolhouse, – all of which have been widely exhibited in Slovakia. The program included the untouched since 1942 when Jews from to great acclaim (https://www.amazon. screening of a documentary by Katya the area were deported to the camps. His ca/Last-Folio-Textures-Jewish-Slovakia/ Krausova and a talk by the artist, illustrat- journey was the inspiration for this multi- dp/0253223776 )..
21 Newsletter of the Zelikovitz Centre for Jewish Studies Centre for Holocaust Education and Scholarship
Acclaimed Holocaust Expert Comes to Ottawa
Sheila Hurtig Robertson, CHES Professor Lipstadt as the keynote speaker Netherlands, providing them with hid- Committee Member at the launch,” said Mina Cohn. “Given ing places and creating counterfeit food the current global upheaval, it was im- stamps and false identity cards. Because Professor Deborah E. Lipstadt, portant to bring to Ottawa one of the of his involvement with the Dutch under- Dorot Professor of Modern Jewish world’s foremost Holocaust scholars and to ground, he was arrested by the Gestapo History and Holocaust Studies, Emory learn from her how to confront and fight in 1943, brutally interrogated, and then University, was the keynote speaker at antisemitism.” imprisoned in a concentration camp for the HEM launch event. Her topic was (http://religion.emory.edu/home/people/ two years until liberated by the Canadian Antisemitism: Old Wine in New Bottles. faculty/lipstadt-deborah.html ) Armed Forces. He assisted the local police A world-renowned Holocaust historian For an excellent account of the launch with their investigations into war crimi- and author, Professor Lipstadt is perhaps event visit https://newsroom.carleton. nals and in 1946 appeared as a witness at best known for History on Trial: My Day ca/story/deborah-lipstadt-tackles-holo- a war crimes trial. In 1958, he and his wife in Court with a Holocaust Denier which caust-deniers/ emigrated to Ottawa where he lived quiet- was turned into the feature film Denial in Arie van Mansum Award ly until his death in 2014. 2016 and tells the story of how she won the Presented to Professor Jan Dr. Jan Grabowski, a deserving and libel suit brought against her by Holocaust Grabowski exceptional professor of history at the denier David Irving. Professor Lipstadt As part of the launch event, CHES ac- University of Ottawa, has demonstrated has been a consultant to the United States knowledged Professor Jan Grabowski for an ongoing commitment to teaching the Holocaust Memorial Museum and served demonstrating consistent excellence in history and legacy of the Holocaust and two terms on the United States Holocaust Holocaust Education with the Arie van ensuring that those terrible events are Memorial Council. Her most recent book is Mansum Award, initiated as a tribute to never forgotten. He continues to coura- Antisemitism Here and Now, “a penetrat- Mr. van Mansum, a Righteous Gentile geously withstand attempts to whitewash ing and provocative analysis of the hate from the Netherlands who lived in Ottawa. the history of the Holocaust in Poland, that will not die. During World War II, Mr. van Mansum teaching all of us to speak up and protect “CHES was honoured to welcome came to the aid of many Jews in the history. He is a founding member of the Polish Center for Holocaust Research in the Polish Academy of Sciences. He has been an invited professor at univer- sities in France, Israel, Poland, and the United States. In 2011, he was ap- pointed the Baron Friedrich Carl von Oppenheim Chair for the Study of Racism, Antisemitism, and the Holocaust at Yad Vashem. In 2016-17, he was the Ina Levine Senior Invitational Scholar in the Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel Center for Advanced Holocaust Studies at the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington. In 2020, he will be the Distinguished Fellow at the Institut für Zeitgeschichte in Munich, Germany. Dr. Grabowski has written and edited 16 books and published more than 70 arti- cles in English, French, Polish, German, Dr Deborah Lipstadt, on her right, Dr. Benoit-Antoine Bacon, President and Vice- and Hebrew. His book, Hunt for the Jews. Chancellor, Carleton University, and on her left, Irwin Cotler, Chair of the Raoul Betrayal and Murder in German-Occupied Wallenberg Centre for Human Rights and former Minister of Justice, and on his left, Poland was awarded the Yad Vashem Professor Jan Grabowski. International Book Prize for 2014.
22 Newsletter of the Zelikovitz Centre for Jewish Studies Centre for Holocaust Education and Scholarship
Amazing turn-out to hear Professor Lipstadt
His most recent work, Night Without of the Polish Government and Poland’s da posters. He encouraged us to evaluate End: Fate of Jews in Selected Counties of Institute of National Remembrance and primary sources for ourselves as well. He Occupied Poland, was published in April their efforts to silence him by criticizing is a truly insightful educator who focuses 2018, in Warsaw in Polish. His forthcom- his academic credibility and his personal on the evidence - even if the results are ing book, The Role of the Polish “Blue” integrity and accusing him of defaming controversial. Police in the Extermination of Polish Poland. Jewry, is scheduled for publication shortly. In contrast, some 180 Holocaust his- A meticulous scholar, Professor torians and other historians of modern Grabowski has written and spoken force- European history signed an open letter in fully about the violence perpetrated by his defence, addressed to the Chancellor Poles against their Jewish neighbours dur- of the University of Ottawa, stating that ing the Holocaust. A 2016 paper criticized “[h]is scholarship holds to the highest what he called “the history policy of the standards of academic research and Polish state”, arguing that “the state-spon- publication.” sored version of history seeks to undo the Carly Jevcak took a course on the “Professor Grabowski has inspired me findings of the last few decades and to for- Holocaust with Professor Grabowski in as an educator because I’ve seen firsthand cibly introduce a sanitized, feel-good nar- 2017 during her undergraduate degree at how engaged students can be when they rative.” He has deplored plans for a monu- the University of Ottawa. Her comments are able to interact with actual pieces of ment to rescuers of Jews, to be located in a capture the strengths of his teaching and history instead of being given chronolog- square that was part of the Warsaw Ghetto the reasons CHES chose him to receive the ical overviews. Using primary sources to which he sees as an attempt to inflate the award. She wrote: illustrate the journey Holocaust victims role of the rescuers whom he describes “Dr. Grabowski’s style of teaching is took is more impactful than a statistic. It’s as a “desperate, hunted, tiny minority”, what every history teacher should strive to also why survivor testimonies resonate the exception to the rule. The ghetto site achieve. He punctuates his lectures with with so many individuals. Reflecting on should be dedicated, he argues, to Jewish primary sources and often translates them one of these testimonies was our final pro- suffering, not to Polish courage. on the spot - no matter which language ject in his class. Professor Grabowski continues to be the document may be in. They could be “I cannot think of a better individual to resolute in his condemnation of the policy Einsatzgruppen records or Nazi propagan- educate the future generations about the Holocaust. I will never forget his class.”
23 Newsletter of the Zelikovitz Centre for Jewish Studies Centre for Holocaust Education and Scholarship
Dr. Deborah Lipstadt Visits Ottawa’s National Holocaust Monument
Renowned Holocaust historian Dr. don’t convey anything specific about the ration done by teachers before a student Deborah Lipstadt visited Ottawa’s Holocaust...This I think does an excellent visit. Holocaust monument for the first time, job,” Lipstadt said after her tour. Lipstadt thought the historical text prior to delivering the keynote event at “I think this has a very strong education- summaries found close to the entrance the CHES launch of the 2019 Holocaust al element built into the monument itself.” were particularly effective at presenting Education Month - and she said it im- Lipstadt said the educational component a complex topic in a way that’s easy to pressed her. is not always present at monuments, al- understand, and she said they were “very “Usually I’m very skeptical of Holocaust though the key to having an enriching ed- honest” about Canada’s role in history. memorials because some of them really ucational experience lies with the prepa-
24 Newsletter of the Zelikovitz Centre for Jewish Studies Centre for Holocaust Education and Scholarship
HEM Workshops Reach Local Teachers’ Teachers and Police Workshop Sheila Hurtig Robertson able people before they are drawn into the dark world of violent extremist movements.” Ottawa-area teachers and members of Farber is the CEO of the Canadian Anti- Reflections Annette Wildgoose, the Ottawa Police Service (OPS) and their Hate Network. His lengthy career has CHES Committee Member partners, which include the RMCP, and focused on human rights, anti-racism, Canadian Security Services, explored anti- pluralism and inter-ethnic/faith/race rela- An annual feature of HEM, the Teacher’s semitism in workshops led by Bernie Farber tions. A former chief executive officer of the Workshop was a dive into antisemitism, and Len Rudner, long-time colleagues who Canadian Jewish Congress, his expertise providing a wealth of information from an are recognized as experts on issues of hate has been sought by a broad range of organ- historical context to the present-day rise of and antisemitism. izations. An Ottawa native, Farber “cut his right wing antisemitic groups. “The last few years has seen an unprece- teeth” working as a social worker with the It was wonderful to see so many new and dented rise in antisemitism and many other Ottawa Jewish Community Centre in the returning teachers from both the Ottawa forms of hatred emanating from the far-right 1970s. Catholic District School Board and the white supremacist movement,” said Farber. Rudner, a member of the Canadian Anti- Ottawa School Board. Their willingness to “At the same time, we have also seen a more Hate Network, is a Principal at Len Rudner learn and participate in the roundtable dis- frequent transition from hateful words to & Associates, a consultancy focusing on cussions and to offer potential solutions to acts of racist violence. These workshops pro- community advocacy, diversity, and hu- case studies not only encouraged a healthy vide tools for those on the frontline to under- man rights. He is the former Director of discourse and sharing of ideas, but also stand the roots of hatred, discuss means of Community Relations and Outreach for the offered insight into the professional respon- recruitment, and identify young and vulner- Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs (CIJA). sibilities, teachers shoulder on a daily basis. Continued interest in the importance of including Holocaust Education in their cur- riculum is to be commended, as we all strive to reinforce the lessons learned and prepare future generations to understand the impor- tance of Never Again! OPS Workshop Reflections
Bernie Farber, Mina Cohn, Chief Sloly and Len Rudner At the Teacher’s Workshop A participant in the OPS session said: “I Farber on Facebook Post-Workshops have many more questions and will be con- Mazal tov to Mina Cohn of #CHES and Holocaust Education as a tool for learn- tacting Mina to get more information about all her volunteers who worked so diligently ing about diversity, anti-racism, and the gaps in my understanding of how antisemi- to provide Ottawa with one of the finest evil of bigotry cannot be overstated. As the tism differs from other forms of prejudice.” Holocaust Education Month programs on world turns more populist and demagogu- Added another: “I would like to know more the continent. Much thanks to all the spon- ery becomes more prevalent, the Jewish about what I can look for to determine a per- sors who have embraced and understood community has a special obligation born son’s antisemitic beliefs.” the vital necessity for Holocaust Education. out of the Shoah. All those who attend these programs We must continue to drive forward the should take note of the sponsors and thank need for “Never Again.” Ottawa’s Holocaust them for their support of this endeavour. Education Month is doing that and more”.
25 Newsletter of the Zelikovitz Centre for Jewish Studies Centre for Holocaust Education and Scholarship
Family Reunion Inspires Commitment
Marlene Wolinsky opportunity to create a new network of sup- be a valuable experience. port and action involving 3rd Gen survivors “Through this committee, I have met other The seed for my participation on the is an exciting prospect. 2nd Gen individuals living in Ottawa and committee to organize a symposium for Experienced members of the CHES com- played a role in organizing an excellent 2nd and 3rd Gen survivors during HEM mittee offered suggestions, sharing their symposium to gather other children of was planted in 2018 when I attended a re- vision of how the symposium could bring to- survivors to hear speakers with expertise union of my father’s family who were from gether different points of view through pres- in Holocaust and related areas. Children of Cologne, Germany. Prior to the reunion, entations by experts in Holocaust education survivors, while having much in common we were asked to record our family history, and how this forum could support 2nd and with the Jewish community, have an addi- supported by photos and letters, to docu- 3rd Gen survivors in Ottawa. It could also tional identity that can feel isolating.” ment the plight of seven surviving siblings. be an opportunity to create a new network Being a member of this committee and Our historical narratives were compiled and of support and action for those attending creating an event to bring other children of published in a family memorial book, which the symposium. Each committee member survivors together has been a very reward- was distributed during our reunion. shared the responsibility of reaching out to ing experience. It has given a voice to the This personal experience sparked my speakers who could help our community 2nd Gen committee members as we shared interest in becoming involved with CHES more clearly understand the impact of the our stories and helped to plan a meaningful as I gained new understanding of how dif- Holocaust on our family dynamics. Holocaust event that we hope educated and ferently each of us cope with the past and For Benita Siemiatycki, a 2nd Gen member will support community members. Equally the tragic loss of family members, and how of our planning committee, the experience important, it could provide the impetus for profound and long-lasting is the impact of has been personally rewarding. “As a child 3rd Gen descendants to network, share their our parents’ and grandparents’ Holocaust of Holocaust survivors, that horrific period families’ legacy, and educate others as we experiences, which affect family dynamics of history has played a major role in my continue the fight against antisemitism. in both positive and negative ways. Sharing life. Even 70 plus years after the end of the Committee member Esther Rosenberg our diverse stories brought our family closer war, the effects of limited family members, agrees. “I too am a child of Holocaust survi- together and gave us a sense of belonging. and the trauma experienced by my parents, vors and so it was very meaningful to work When I reached out to Mina Cohn, initially keep popping up in expected and unexpect- on developing a symposium that deals with looking for a place to display and share our ed ways. So, it was with this background issues that are relevant to 2nd and 3rd Gen family memorial book, I gladly accepted her that I felt I should contribute as a volunteer descendants. Also gratifying was spending invitation to meet with other 2nd Gen com- in Holocaust remembrance. When Mina time with the committee members who munity members. At this meeting I devel- Cohn asked me to sit on a committee specifi- share a similar background and were keen oped a more comprehensive understanding cally to plan an event geared to the 2nd and to make the event a worthwhile experience.” of what CHES is all about and how I could 3rd Gens, I felt it was my duty and would connect with 2nd Gen survivors in Ottawa and get involved in HEM. Planning a project to bring 2nd and 3rd Gen survivors together in 2019 would, I felt, be a great opportunity to share my experience with others and help community members develop a similar feel- ing of unity and support. The consensus was to organize a sympo- sium that would not only look back at how families survived and coped with profound loss but would also examine how to better understand the impact of these experiences on our own lives. With an aging population, we also wanted to look forward, to address how 3rd Gen survivors can be pro-active in their efforts to continue to educate future generations to counter antisemitism. The Marlene Wolinsky
26 Newsletter of the Zelikovitz Centre for Jewish Studies Centre for Holocaust Education and Scholarship
Symposium for Descendants of Holocaust Survivors: “Learning from the Past for the Future”
Sheila Hurtig Robertson of survivors. Moderator Artur Wilczynski is that there are very few abusers amongst the Director General of the Communications survivors, which she attributes to the love This unique, full-day symposium featured Security Establishment and former Head survivors experienced as children before the a panel discussion and break-out sessions of Canada’s Delegation to the International Holocaust. relevant to those whose family members Holocaust Remembrance Alliance when he Dr. Zelda Abramson, author of The survived the Holocaust. The symposium was Canada’s Ambassador to Norway. Montreal Shtetl: Making Home after the arose from a need expressed by descendants Symposium “Powerful, Holocaust, explained that in 1952 her par- of Holocaust survivors in Ottawa to under- Educational” ents immigrated to a neighbourhood in stand how family trauma affects them. Dr. Natalia Aleksiun’s topic was “Families Montreal where almost everyone was a The panellists included Dr. Natalia in the Holocaust: Prewar Life Shaping holocaust survivor. Even the Chinese dry Aleksiun who specializes in the social, Wartime Experiences”. She shared case cleaners spoke Yiddish. Her world view was political, and cultural history of modern studies of families before World War II and shaped by being surrounded by survivors. East European Jewry. Dr. Eva Fogelman is what they have taught us. She was determined to keep her private known for her pioneering work in healing “Developing Resilience to Historical and public lives separate but that changed Second Generation and Holocaust child and Trauma” was Dr. Eva Fogelman’s theme. She in 2005, a few months before her mother’s adult survivors and their families. Dr. Zelda blames media for generalizing the negative death, when she realized she wanted to learn Abramson has written about the displace- effects of trauma but says the resilience more about her parents’ lives. ment, migration, and resettlement experi- that exists is rarely discussed. For example, As her research progressed, she was left ences of Holocaust survivors who came to she said, people had no hope for a group of with the question of why Canadian Jews Montreal just after WW II. Daniel Brooks orphan children survivors liberated from dissociated from Holocaust survivors, who is vice president and founder of 3GNY, an Buchenwald, but they were able to thrive were often poor and marginalized and educational non-profit organization whose and evolve from victim to being a Jewish seemed to pose a threat to Canadian Jews mission is to educate diverse communities child. A prime example is Eli Wiesel and who felt successfully assimilated. She noted about the perils of intolerance and to pro- his emotional account of reciting Kaddish that the immigrant experience of survivors vide a supportive forum for the descendants with other Buchenwald orphans. She noted can be helpful in how we see our current policies on accepting refugees in Canada. On the one hand, we have increasing local pres- sure to accept people from war-torn coun- tries; on the other is American President Trump’s push-back on security grounds. Daniel Brooks’ topic was “The Urgency of Holocaust Education in the 21st Century “. When preparing for his bar mitzvah, he became aware that he had few relatives and so he started to learn as much as he could about the past. He discovered there was no programming or groups for grandchildren of survivors. Eventually he developed a mission to provide a forum to tell stories to the next generation. It grew from five people and now his organization, 3GNY, has 2,000 members. In sharing a personal story of his grandmother’s life in the ghetto, he said such stories are important for students, and can’t simply be learned in a textbook. There’s an Standing in the back from left Artur Wilczynski, Daniel Brooks, extra relevance in this link to a survivor. It’s Mina Cohn, Dr Zelda Abramson, Dr Natalia Aleksium-Madrzak and Dr. Eva Fogelman. about preserving and passing on the truth.
27 Newsletter of the Zelikovitz Centre for Jewish Studies Centre for Holocaust Education and Scholarship
Memorial candles dedicated to children who perished in the Holocaust were provided to each participant at the end of the program. The candles, a special project of the Symposium subcommittee, are a tangible way of remembering and of teaching about the Holocaust. Lighting such a candle makes the children come alive for 24 hours as we acknowledge their names in our homes in freedom.
Welcoming Kenra Mroz to the Commentary: CHES Committee Who Will “I am an English, Writer’s Craft, and the Canadian Society for Yad Vashem’s Remember? Special Education teacher at Sir Robert Summer Scholarship program (at the Dr. Art Leader, Borden High School in Ottawa. I am also International School for Holocaust Studies the school’s Equity and Diversity co-repre- at Yad Vashem). The seminars, workshops, CHES Committee Member sentative and the co-ordinator of its Social and field trips not only helped to expand Justice Club. Holocaust history and legacy and enrich my focus, but also inspired and “There are events of such overbearing have always been integral components of encouraged me to develop and strengthen magnitude that one ought to not re- my teaching practice. I firmly believe that my commitment to Holocaust education. member them all the time, but one must Holocaust education is a serious responsi- I am pleased to be actively working with not forget them either. Such an event is bility that requires ongoing personal and CHES and am looking forward to continu- the Holocaust.” The Rabbi of Bluzhov, professional development. ing to work with students, colleagues, and Rabbi Israel Spira, Hasidic Tales of the “This past summer I participated in communities in order to promote aware- Holocaust ness, empowerment, and positive change.” For Holocaust survivors, there is no forgetting. For everyone else, we need to capture survivor testimonies so we can Mosovic Speaks, an understanding of how the events of the remember. However, with each day, an- Students Listen Holocaust must be recognized and used other survivor and another eyewitness Kenra Mroz as a means of promoting positive change to the evils of the Holocaust disappears. in our world. We have made it a point to Today, the children of survivors and their examine and discuss how the legacy of the children must continue to remind soci- David (Dave) Moskovic Holocaust serves as an important remind- ety what the Holocaust meant to Jewish recently spoke with my er of the need to work towards a culture of families and mankind, and to combat the two grade nine classes. inclusion and kindness. antisemitic merchants of hate who deny We have finished an in- Both of Dave’s presentations went ex- the Holocaust. tensive Holocaust study tremely well and the experience was deep- To read more: https://carleton.ca/ches/ unit and the students have been applying ly meaningful to all of us. I followed-up wp-content/uploads/Art-Leader-PDF.pdf what they have learned and developed with class discussions and the students through this unit towards a greater under- commented how impressed they are with standing of the profound and lasting im- Dave’s courage, understanding, energy, pact of discrimination, as well as towards kindness, and open-hearted messages.
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