Author, educator to answer “Why Care?” at Holocaust Conference

by | Jul 12, 2013 | What’s Happening

Aug. 5-6

In his 2006 book Sophie Scholl and the White Rose, co-author Jud Newborn explores the actions of a group of college students in Nazi Germany who protested against the human and civil rights violations they saw occurring in their country.

Despite certain death—and indeed, Sophie and fellow members of the underground White Rose movement were executed by their government—the young people could not remain silent about the horrors they were witnessing.

Newborn will speak to educators and community members as one of the keynote speakers featured at the Holocaust Commission of the United Jewish Federation of Tidewater’s 11th Biennial Educators’ Conference on Aug. 5 and 6.

The author, lecturer, and expert on extremism and the fight for human rights will share why the legacy of the White Rose movement remains relevant today, and answers the Conference’s theme question: “Why Care? Human Rights: Past, Present & Future.”

Also speaking at the conference will be Linda Hurwitz, an educator and child of Holocaust survivors who was the director of the Holocaust Center of the United Jewish Federation of Pittsburgh for 17 years and the director of Pittsburgh’s Solomon Schechter Middle School.

“In presenting this conference, we’re able to bring in exceptional speakers who we usually can’t hear locally, giving educators specifically, as well as community members who attend, the opportunity to impact students, other educators, and the general public,” says Elena Barr Baum, Holocaust Commission director.

Baum says the conference also serves to create connections between the education community and the Holocaust Commission, and to provide educational resources—including a visit to the Virginia Holocaust Museum in Richmond, an excellent regional resource according to Baum. Conference attendees will receive a book, DVDs, a CD from the United States Holocaust Museum, and the opportunity to meet Holocaust survivors—an opportunity Baum says does not come along that often anymore.

The Aug. 5 schedule is 7:45 am–3 pm and includes the keynote speakers, breakout sessions, and a special presentation of the Holocaust Commission’s What We Carry program at the Tidewater Community College–Norfolk Student Center. Aug. 6 hours are 7:45 am–5 pm, which includes the Museum trip, an award-winning film, and an Anti-Defamation League guest speaker.

Registration for the two-day conference is $100 and includes all materials, meals, transportation, and classroom resources. The conference is open to interested community members, as well as to all educators. Continuing education hours will be awarded to attendees.

Call 757-965-6125, email info@holocaustcommission.org or visit http://jewishva.org/holocaust-educator-conferences for more information and to register online.