Innocence Lost: FSW Observes Dr. Talbot Spivak Holocaust Memorial Week
Mar 17, 2016
MARCH 17, 2016 – FORT MYERS, FLA. – Florida SouthWestern State College (FSW) will observe the 20th annual Dr. Talbot Spivak Holocaust Memorial Week, March 21-25, with a series of events that focus on the year’s theme of “Innocence Lost.” Events are free and open to the public.
The mission of the Dr. Talbot Spivak Holocaust Memorial Week at FSW is to educate students and the community about the Holocaust, to honor its victims and survivors, to cultivate tolerance, and to promote awareness of modern-day genocide in support of the world's promise of "Never Again."
In partnership with The Holocaust Museum & Education Center of Southwest Florida, a Holocaust Boxcar will be on display for educational tours in the Building S parking lot, between the Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall and Building U, on the FSW Thomas Edison Campus now through March 31, and at the FSW Hendry-Glades Center April 1 - May 31.
Throughout the week, talks will be held with Holocaust survivors and local residents Fred Balfour, Rene Beddouk, Marcel Faschler, Steen Metz, Eva Sands, Curtis Sittenfeld and Irene Skolnick. In addition, a Survivor Round Table discussion will be held at noon on Wednesday, March 23. Round table discussion participants include Rene Beddouk, Marcel Faschler, Steen Metz, Eva Sands, Sabine Van Dam and Jacque Van Dam, and Rob Nossen.
Artwork by renowned Sanibel-based artist Myra Roberts will be exhibited at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, March 23, Building U, Room 102. Roberts has created more than 200 Holocaust-related paintings, collages and sculpture.
Other presentations include FSW student Michael Berube II, who will retell his great grandfather’s experiences as an American soldier in Germany, and FSW student Eduardo Santana will discuss the Rwandan Genocide. Dr. Sandi Towers, professor, First Year Experience, will speak about her recent visits to Krakow and Auschwitz-Birkenau. Dr. Bruno Baltodano, professor, Political Science, will present the lecture “Pluralistic Innocence in Genocide and Extreme Forms of Violence.”
“After 20 years, Dr. Talbot Spivak Holocaust Memorial Week continues to have a great impact on our students and local community,” said Dr. Rona Axelrod, mathematics professor and event co-chair. “While the Florida public K-12 school system mandates the teaching of the Holocaust, many of our students come from states and countries that do not. Holocaust Memorial Week is often the first time they learn about the atrocities first-hand from Holocaust survivors, and also serves as a way to keep alive the memories of family members many of us lost.”
The full event schedule is available at www.fsw.edu/holocaust.
For more information, call Cindy Campbell at (239) 489-9367, JoAnn Lewin at (239) 489-9429, or Dr. Rona Axelrod at (239) 489-9437.
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Florida SouthWestern State College is Southwest Florida’s largest and one of the most affordable institutions of higher education. Annually serving nearly 22,000 students globally, FSW offers a variety of nationally-ranked, career-focused academic programs with two- and four-year degrees, and professional certifications. Students are also active in clubs and programs catered to their interests. FSW debuted its intercollegiate athletics program in January 2016. Visit www.FSW.edu for more information.
Last Updated: March 17, 2016
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