Through History of Genocide, Professor Leaves Legacy of Understanding

2/25/2008

Dr. Sondra Perl, noted lecturer, author and professor of English Literature at Lehman College, will present “Inheriting the Holocaust: A Legacy of Hatred or Hope?”, a discussion and book signing on Wednesday March 5, at 7:30 p.m. in Smith Hall of the Administration Building. The lecture is based upon her book, On Austrian Soil: Teaching Those I Was Taught to Hate.  The book and the lecture, which is part of a series, are designed to foster understanding in the struggle between the author’s weighted history as a Jew, and the Austrian students she teaches, some of whom are the descendants of Nazis.  This event is free and open to the public, and free parking is available on campus.

The event is sponsored by the University of Mount Saint Vincent Values Committee which is composed of faculty, staff and administrators who devise programs intended to promote understanding among people of diverse backgrounds.  Dr. Ed Zukowski, professor and chair of the Philosophy and Religious Studies department, is a member of the Values Committee and teaches a course on Genocide.  “The Genocide course and these types of programs are invaluable for students and the community to learn more about the concrete experiences of real people in the Holocaust and the modern day implications of those atrocities,” said Zukowski.  Participants of the course also learn about horrors in Rwanda and Darfur and the Armenian Genocide.

Dr. Perl has taught throughout Austria, was chosen by the Carnegie Foundation as New York State Teacher of the Year, and was the winner of a Guggenheim Fellowship.  It is her desire to create an understanding among victims and survivors of these types of atrocities, and create a public dialogue.  The community is encouraged to attend this free lecture.

To learn more about this event please contact the Public Relations Office.