2021 Powell-Heller Conference for Holocaust Education:
“Holocaust Distortion And Denial”
Presented by Dr. Yehuda Bauer and Dr. Christopher Browning, experts in Holocaust studies.
Oct. 27, 2021 | On-campus and Virtual
Thanks to the generosity of donors this event is free and open to the public.
The 2021 Powell-Heller Conference for Holocaust Education at PLU is proud to announce that this year’s conference will be the first collaboration with the world’s leading Holocaust center, Yad Vashem, in Jerusalem. This monumental event, Holocaust Distortion and Denial, will feature the foremost experts in Holocaust studies, Dr. Yehuda Bauer and Dr. Christopher Browning.
Dr. Bauer, Professor of Holocaust Studies at the Avraham Harman Institute of Contemporary Jewry at the Hebrew University, Jerusalem, is the doyen of Holocaust studies. At the age of 95, Dr. Bauer continues to drive academic discussion and research with his numerous publications and lectures. Dr. Browning, Frank Porter Graham Professor Emeritus of History at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, North Carolina, began his academic career in 1974 at PLU, offering the university’s first college-level Holocaust course. Dr. Browning’s research and teaching excellence put PLU on the academic landscape of Holocaust and Genocide Studies. His work continues to influence the field of Holocaust scholarship worldwide.
This year’s conference will be offered both in a virtual and in-person format, with registration for both. In-person attendance is limited and attendees will need to show proof of vaccination (or proof of negative COVID-19 PCR test taken within 72 hours of the start time). PLU will continue to follow Washington State and CDC’s COVID-19’s guidelines for the safety of our community. For more details on PLU’s policy, please see the Public Events on PLU Campus page.
PLU’s mission to support the education of our students and larger community on issues of diversity and justice are intimately connected to the study of the tragedy of the Holocaust. Students can see that marginalization of a minority group, such as the Jews of Nazi Germany, can lead to life-threatening situations culminating in one of the world’s modern genocides. Issues of distortion and denial make the process of reconciliation and healing less likely and serve as an insult to the memory of all those whose lives were destroyed in the Holocaust.
Schedule
All Times Posted are Pacific Standard (PST)
8:30-8:45am: Coffee and Gather
Outside of Regency Room, Anderson University Center
8:45-9:00am: Greetings
Introductions by President Allan Belton, Prof. Dan Michman, Head of The International Institute for Holocaust Research and Incumbent of the John Najmann Chair of Holocaust Studies, Yad Vashem, and Nancy Powell, Powell Family Foundation.
9:00-10:00am: “Holocaust Distortion and Denial``
Dr. Yehuda Bauer, Professor of Holocaust Studies at the Avraham Harman Institute of Contemporary Jewry at the Hebrew University, Jerusalem
Introduction by Dr. Christopher R. Browning, Frank Porter Graham Professor Emeritus of History at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, NC
10:00-10:30am: Commentary and Q&A
Hosted by Dr. Christopher R. Browning, Frank Porter Graham Professor Emeritus of History at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, NC
10:30-11:00am: BREAK
11:00-12:00pm: “Holocaust Denial in the Courtroom: the Zuendel and Irving-Lipstadt Trials”
Dr. Christopher R. Browning, Frank Porter Graham Professor Emeritus of History at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, NC
Introduction by Dr. Robert P. Ericksen, Mayer Chair of Holocaust Studies Emeritus, PLU
12:00-1:00pm: Presentations from the Mayer Summer Research Scholars
Sahara Jones ’23 – “‘Although Humanity Hates Us, Our Life is Beautiful’: A study of the Nazi Persecution of Lesbian and Transgender Women During the Holocaust”
Brooklyn Sudnikovich-Eddy ’23 – “Music in the Holocaust”
Introduction by Natalie Mayer and Lisa Marcus, Chair of Holocaust and Genocide Studies and Professor of English, PLU