HAMBURG, N.Y. – On November 8 Hilbert College will pay tribute to those who lost their lives and survived the Holocaust with a Holocaust Remembrance Day event. The Holocaust Remembrance Day has been planned by students as part of a service learning project in their Representations of the Holocaust class with professor Dr. Amy Smith.
The day’s events begin at 9:30 a.m. in the West Herr Atrium with a poster display of significant people and events associated with the Holocaust including Elie Wiesel, the Kindertransport, young adult literature about the Holocaust, and others.
At 9:45 a.m. in the West Herr Atrium, Dr. Herman Stone will discuss his experiences during Kristallnacht, a wave of violent anti-Jewish attacks against individuals, businesses, and religious institutions that occurred on November 9 and 10, 1938. Dr. Stone was born in Munich, Germany and is currently a member of the Speakers Bureau of the Holocaust Resource Center of Buffalo. The presentation date of November 8 was chosen because of the closeness to the anniversary of Kristallnacht. Refreshments will be provided.
An exhibit featuring works of art and literature created during and in memory of the Holocaust will open at 12:30 p.m. in the lower level of the McGrath Library. The exhibit, put together by Sarah Karn, will show how the Holocaust has been represented in a variety of moving and powerful ways.
The events of the day will conclude with the showing of the film, “The Boy in the Striped Pajamas,” at 3:15 p.m. in Bogel Hall, room 160. The movie portrays WWII as seen through the eyes of Bruno, an eight year-old boy and the son of a commandant at a concentration camp, who befriends a Jewish boy in the camp. A discussion about the issues and consequences that occur from the boys’ friendship will take place afterwards.
Immediately following the film and discussion, a candlelight memorial honoring the millions of lives lost during the Holocaust will take place in the Quad area (rain location will be in the back foyer of Bogel Hall).
Holocaust Remembrance Day events are free and open to the public. Additional information is available by contacting Jerrell Mason, student coordinator/event supervisor, at jmason@hilbert.edu, or Dr. Amy Smith at 716-649-7900, ext. 354, or email asmith@hilbert.edu.
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