This past Monday Marlene W. Yahalom, PhD, our Director of Education, and I had the pleasure and honor to observe a talk that Lawrence Burian, ASYV Board member, gave to 100 students, faculty and staff at Brooklyn College. Lawrence spoke about the book that his father Andrew wrote, A Boy from Bustina A Son. A Survivor. A Witness.
The President of Brooklyn College, Michelle Anderson, reached out to Lawrence. They were classmates at Yale University Law School. When I asked President Anderson why she initiated this program, she told me that over the past two years, she had seen an increase in hatred of all kinds on campus. Fortunately, it has not reached a crisis level, but she feels it is time to be proactive. President Anderson felt that Mr. Burian’s story was a compelling message that students, faculty and staff needed to hear.
The entire afternoon was extraordinary and powerful. It was a standing room only crowd. The students, a cross section of cultures, ethnicity, and religious backgrounds, were captivated by Lawrence’s presentation and their questions were thoughtful. The program lasted one hour, but I have no doubt that the students would have stayed for another hour. The fact that at the conclusion of the talk, students gathered around Mr. Burian and wanted him to sign his book was testimony to the impact that programs like this can have.
Additionally, we had the opportunity to display the traveling BESA: A Code of Honor exhibit, which highlights Muslim Albanians who rescued Jews during the Holocaust. The exhibit, coordinated by Marlene Yahalom, was prominently installed in the School Library lobby in a manner that was extremely professional and impressive. I believe the exhibit has garnered attention and the school was very appreciative.
Following the talk, President Anderson sponsored a reception for faculty, student leaders, community leaders, and Hillel and Chabad representatives. During the reception, the President shared with me her desire to have this type of program again next year.
A week ago, the American Society for Yad Vashem hosted five representatives from universities as well as student leaders to discuss the role that Yad Vashem can play on our campuses in the coming months. The power of education, as was demonstrated at Brooklyn College, can make a difference.
Happy Thanksgiving!
Stanley H. Stone, Executive Director
American Society for Yad Vashem
