–Yahad - In Unum News

No. 5April 2010


European Parliament presentation and exhibition

German MEP Elmar Brok addresses the assembly

Father Desbois presents to Members of European Parliament as Vice President Libor Roucek of Czech Republic listens

On April 7, Father Desbois made a special presentation regarding the work of Yahad-In Unum at the European Parliament in Brussels attended by 150 members of Parliament, staff and other dignitaries.  Czech Republic MEP, Libor Roucek, introduced Father Desbois and underlined the importance of Yahad’s work in documenting the atrocities of the past. Ukraine’s ambassador to the EU, Andri Veselovsky, expressed support for Yahad’s important work and expressed the hope that the Holocaust by Bullets exhibition, currently on display at the Musée de l’Armée in Brussels would one day come to the Ukraine.

Former Lithuanian President, Vytautas Lansbergis, (right) listens to statement by Ukrainian ambassador, Andri Veselovsky.

Father Desbois leads a tour of the Holocaust by Bullets exhibition at the European Parliament

German MEP Elmar Brok expressed appreciation to Father Desbois and Yahad “for reminding us of the duty we all have to future generations.”

The Parliament also hosted a special photo exhibition of Yahad’s work during the same week.  A video profile was posted on EuroparlTV, the Parliament’s television channel,  and translated into 21 languages.

Father Desbois’ presentation and the exhibition at the European Parliament
EuroparlTV’s profile story

Special presentation on the Vatican’s archives at “Thursdays at CERRESE” June 24 

Suzanne Brown-Fleming, a scholar of the Catholic Church and the Holocaust, will deliver a lecture “Research from the Vatican Archives,” discussing what is revealed by the partially opened Vatican Archives from the period of the Third Reich at a special “Thursdays at CERRESE” on June 24 in Paris.  Dr. Brown-Fleming is Director of Visiting Scholar Programs for the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum’s Center for Advanced Holocaust studies in Washington, D.C., and the author of “The Holocaust and Catholic Conscience: Cardinal Aloisius Muench and the Guilt Question in Germany.”

Note: there will not be a “Thursdays at CERRESE” session in May. The June 24 session on the Vatican archives will be held at the College of Bernardins in Paris.
more information

Yahad to share materials from research with CAEN Memorial

Video, artifacts and documents discovered during Yahad – In Unum’s research investigations in Eastern Europe will be on display to visitors beginning in May as part of the permanent exhibition at the CAEN Memorial in Normandy.  The Memorial is one of the leading European memorial sites welcoming annually 400,000 visitors.  The Memorial is dedicated to remembrance of 20th century conflict, including World War II, and to the theme of peace.
CAEN Memorial information

Fanya Heller

“Teenage Witness: The Fanya Heller Story,” narrated by actor Richard Gere and based on the memoir by Fanya Gottesfeld Heller, “Love In A World of Sorrow,” aired in April on the American PBS television network.  Mrs. Heller, an 85 year old Holocaust survivor, has made it her life’s work to share her unique story and message of hope with inner city teenagers. Father Desbois appears in a substantial segment of the film and Yahad – In Unum and Executive Director, Marco Gonzalez, are thanked in the film’s credits.
more information

Visit to Ben-Gurion University of the Negev

On April 12, Dr. Rivka Carmi, President of Israel’s Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, presented Father Desbois with the presentation of the Ladislaus Laszt Ecumenical and Social Concern Award as part of a moving Holocaust Remembrance Day observance at the University, attended by 5,000 people.  
more information

Meet Team Yahad

This month, we profile one of the dedicated team members who help make the work of Yahad – In Unum possible.

Paul Reckmann, a 22-year-old German native has been working at Yahad since September, conducting research on the German archives while also fulfilling his national civil service commitment prior to continuing his education. His sponsoring organization, Aktion Sühnezeichen Friedensdienste, offers young Germans the possibility to work on behalf of peace in countries involved in World War II. Fluent in French, English and German, Paul says, “I really like the international composition of the team and the opportunity to learn more about the cultures of other countries, including Poland, Ukraine, Russia – and France, of course!  I find the work of Yahad to be extremely important and I think Germany should be doing more to make this part of history better known.”  Paul will depart from Yahad this summer to return to school and he will be much missed by the team.  Come back soon Paul!

Correction

The March issue of YIUN incorrectly stated that Bella Gutterman, Director of Yad Vashem’s International Institute for Holocaust Research, replaced the late David Bankier.  In fact, Mr. Bankier had been head of the Institute and his successor has not been appointed.

Happy Birthday Yahad

May 11 marks the six year anniversary of Yahad – In Unum’s founding. During that time, the organization has undertaken 25 research trips, interviewed 1,200 witnesses, confirmed the location of 600 mass execution sites and made more than 500 presentations on the “Holocaust by Bullets.” Yahad thanks its supporters throughout the world for making it possible to continue this work.

Upcoming public events

• Los Angeles: Father Desbois will give a lecture at the Beth Jacob Congregation on May 4 at 8:00 p.m.
  more information
• Paris: “Thursdays at CERRESE,” welcomes Suzanne Brown-Fleming June 24 at College of Bernardins for a presentation on the Vatican archives.
  more information