Theologian, Author Rabbi Harold Kushner is Keynote Speaker for Holocaust Awareness Week at Colorado State University

Note to Editors: Photos of Rabbi Kushner and Tim Toyama are available. To arrange for interviews with Tim Toyama, please contact Karen Wheeler at (970) 491-6435.

Rabbi Harold Kushner, author of best-selling books "When Bad Things Happen to Good People" and "When All You’ve Ever Wanted Isn’t Enough," will be the keynote speaker for this year’s Holocaust Awareness Week at Colorado State University.

Rabbi Kushner will give a presentation from 1-2 p.m. April 13 in Room 228 Lory Student Center, followed by a book-signing and reception from 2-3 p.m. in the University Club on the Colorado State campus.

Kushner has helped to bring consolation and inspiration to millions of people worldwide with his unique insight, warmth and wisdom. His presentation will explore "the possibilities and limits of forgiveness" in its many forms. The talk is based on his chapter in Holocaust survivor Simon Wiesenthal’s thought-provoking book, "The Sunflower." Kushner’s visit is sponsored by the Sturm Lecture Series, presented by Hillel Council of Colorado.

Holocaust Awareness Week will be observed from April 12-16. All events are free and the public is welcome. Throughout the week, the CSU Bookstore will have a Holocaust book display, "Stop Hate" buttons will be distributed in the Sunken Lounge of the Student Center and flags representing different groups murdered in the Holocaust will be on display on the lawn of the Natural Resources building on campus.

For more information on events, call Colorado State University Hillel at (970) 491-2080.

• Monday, April 12 11 a.m.-3 p.m., LSC Plaza, "Plant a Seed for Tolerance." Based on Holocaust survivor Simon Wiesenthal’s book, "The Sunflower," participants are invited to plant a sunflower seed in remembrance of victims of the Holocaust and other hate crimes. Planting stations will be set up, providing paper cups, seeds and soil. 7 p.m., D.C. Bottoms, Durrell Center, film: "Swing Kids." This film, set in Nazi Germany, dramatizes the movement among German teens who refused to join the Nazi Youth Organization and rebelled by following American swing music and dance. Co-sponsored by PAC.
• Tuesday, April 13 1-2 p.m., Room 228, Lory Student Center, "The Possibilities and Limits of Forgiveness." Featured speaker Rabbi Harold Kushner has brought enlightenment and inspiration to millions with bestsellers "When Bad Things Happen to Good People," "When All You’ve Ever Wanted Isn’t Enough" and "How Good Do We Have to Be?" 2-3 p.m., University Club, LSC, book signing/reception, Rabbi Harold Kushner. 7 p.m., Cherokee Park Room, Lory Student Center, "Chosen People/Chosen Targets." Marlene Hines, director of the Colorado/Wyoming Project of the NW Coalition Against Malicious Harassment, will speak on modern bigotry movements from Neo-Nazis and Skinheads to mainstream perpetrators of bias crimes. The presentation will include a discussion of the resistance to passage of bias crimes legislation in Wyoming and Colorado. Co-sponsored by GLBT Student Services.
• Wednesday, April 14 12-1 p.m., Cherokee Park Room, Lory Student Center, film:"When I Was Fourteen-A Survivor Remembers." An inspiring documentary about Gloria Hollander Lyon, a Jewish Czechoslovakian, who survived six concentration camps before being liberated by the Swedish Red Cross. Presented by the Women at Noon series. 7 p.m., North Ballroom, Lory Student Center, Holocaust Survivors Panel. Two survivors–Al Koppel from Fort Collins and Fred Marcus of Denver–will share their personal stories of the Holocaust. Fred Marcus was born in Berlin and emigrated to Shanghai in 1939, where he was interned in the Shanghai ghetto. Most Americans are totally unaware of China’s pariticpation in the Holocaust. Al Koppel, who escaped to America with his brother Walter, left his mother, sisters and brothers behind in Germany. After almost 50 years of silence, he has just started to talk about his personal experience. "My children knew almost nothing about it. My granddaughter asked about the pictures of children on the wall (siblings who perished in the camps) and I realized I was getting old."
• Thursday, April 15 12:30-1:30 p.m., Room 210, Lory Student Center, "Lessons Learned from Survivors." Colorado State Professor Mona Schatz will examine how psychologists and social workers understand their roles in helping Holocaust survivors and children of survivors, addressing what is termed "Concentration Camp Syndrome" and important issues in second-generation survivor families. 7 p.m., Room 228, Lory Student Center, film: "Visas and Virtue." Winner of the 1997 Oscar for Best Short Film, this documentary chronicles the story of Chiune Sugihara, Japanese Consul General to Lithuania, who in 1940, against orders, wrote 2,000 visas to help Jews escape the Nazis and was then transferred from his post in disgrace. The film’s executive producer, Tim Toyama, will be on hand to introduce the film and facilitate discussion after the viewing. Co-sponsored by A/PASS, Office of International Programs, Japanese Student Association and Asian Studies Program.
• Friday, April 16 2-3 p.m., Lory Student Center Art Lounge, Memorial Service. A service of remembrance with readings, songs, prayers and a candle lighting.