29th Annual Colloquium 65 Years of Bearing Witness: Our Commitment to Human Rights-May 12, 9:30 AM

When Leon Bass, an African American soldier in a segregated US Army unit, entered Buchenwald Concentration Camp, he brought freedom to Holocaust child survivors Abe Chapnick and Robbie Waisman. It was liberation not only for the victims but also for the victor.

You can be there when they reunite to share their unforgettable story.

On May 12, 2010, the Holocaust, Genocide & Human Rights Education Center (HGHREC) at Brookdale Community College will present The 29th Annual Colloquium, 65 Years of Bearing Witness: Our Commitment to Human Rights.  This program not only addresses diversity and the impact of eywitness testimony in education, but also demonstrates the strength of the individual to survive adversity and subsequently make a lifelong commitment to confront injustice. No doubt it will also prove to be an extremely moving personal and educational experience for all who attend.

The keynote prsentation will begin at 9:30AM and end by 11:00AM. Following the keynote address, each participant in the Colloquium will have the opportunity to attend of of forty workshops on topics related to prejudice, genocide, human rights, and activism.

Leon Bass was serving as a soldier in a segregated US Army unit in WWII, when at the time of the camp's liberation, he was asked by an officer to accompany him to Buchenwald. Leon will share testimony of his life under the constraints of segregation as a civilian and a soldier, the impact of witnessing Buchenwald, and the pivotal moment when he dedicated himself to become an educator, to fight prejudice, and to serve as a spokesperson for human rights.

Abe (age 13) and Robbie (age 12) met in a slave labor camp shortly after they found out that their brothers had been murdered. They became "lager brothers" (camp brothers) staying together for the remainder of the war. They were liberated by US Forces in Buchenwald Concentration Camp on April 11, 1945. Leon was the first American soldier Robbie saw, and this was the first time he saw a black man. Robbie and Abe were sent together for "rehabilitation" to France and separated when Abe came to the US to live with relatives, and Robbie was adopted by a family in Calgary, Canada. While Abe now lives in Monmouth County and Robbie in Vancouver, Canada,  they are still as close as brothers. During the program, Abe and Robbie will provide powerful testimony of their experiences, their bonds to each other, and their connection to Leon Bass.

If you would like more information on the presenters, the film, Beyond the Fence, features Leon, Abe, and Robbie and their experiences together. Boys of Buchenwald, the film story of the boys' "rehabilitation" in France after the war features Abe and Robbie. Both films are available at the Holocaust, Genocide & Human Rights Education Center.

This program is recommended for middle and high school students.
Space is LIMITED. 
Admission is $5 per person.
Groups must pre-register.
Individuals may pay at the event. No credit cards will be accepted at the door.

Colloquium Registration Form

For more information please contact HGHREC at 732-224-2769 or email holo-center@brookdalecc.edu

This program is located at the Robert J. Collins Arena at Brookdale Community College, Lincroft Campus.

 
HGHREC is a  Registered Professional Development Provider with the
NJ State Department of Education