Remembering the Holocaust through art

The Lee Campus of Edison State College observes the Dr. Talbot Spivak Holocaust Memorial Week March 22 through 26. This year commemorates the event’s 15th anniversary.

“Holocaust Through the Arts” focuses on the influences that the arts and the Holocaust have had on each other. Theme-related activities include showing of the films “Defiance,” and “The Pianist,” which illustrate Hollywood’s portrayal of two true Holocaust stories, and a film /discussion on “Creating Harmony,” a documentary about musicians in the St. Otillien displaced persons camp. Dr. Robert Hilliard, who while a G.I., was instrumental in improving conditions for the camp residents and was interviewed for the documentary, will lead this discussion.

In conjunction with Holocaust Memorial Week, the theater department presents C. P. Taylor’s play “Good.” Using music and humor, this production reveals a poignant journey into the memory of Professor John Halder and his exploration of the nature of good and evil in Hitler’s Germany. Tickets are $7 for adults and $5 for students. The Thursday, March 25, production will be followed by a talk back with the director and cast. The show runs at 8 p.m. March 18 to 20 and March 25 to 27 and at 2 p.m. March 21 and 28.

The week opens with historical lectures, a philosophical discussion and a review of the book “Maus.” The first day’s activities end with a talk by Herbert Kohn, a Holocaust survivor and father of local resident, FrankKohn. Mr. Kohn is a member of the speakers council of the Breman Jewish Heritage Museum and the AJ Weinberg Holocaust Center in Atlanta.

The program is named in memory of Edison State’s long-time professor, Dr. Talbot Spivak, who founded the event in 1996 and passed away shortly after his retirement in 2006.

The program has grown

to include discussions by survivors and faculty members, art exhibits, films, dramatic and student presentations, a memorial field of flags, reading of the names of victims, and a special event designed for

high school and homeschooled

students. Fifteen local survivors will contribute to the week’s program by leading sessions or participating in round table discussions.

Interest in Holocaust awareness has spread college-wide. Additional Holocaust Memorial activities will take place on each of the Edison State College campuses. The Southwest Florida Holocaust Museum box car will be on the Collier campus during its Holocaust Memorial Week March 15 to 19 and will be on the Hendry-Glades Campus for its activities March 29 to April 1. Charlotte campus events will take place March 24 and March 29 to April 1. For more information and program schedules, visit www. edison.edu/holocaust or call Professor JoAnn Lewin at 489-9429 or Professor Rona Axelrod at 489-9437. 