“A Centenary of Survival: Enduring Lessons and Legacies of the Armenian Genocide” will be the focus of a lecture by Dr. Nicole E. Vartanian on March 19 at 7:00 pm at Jewish Federation Kopolow Building, 12 Millstone Campus Drive. Dr. Vartanian will discuss the history and lessons of the Armenian Genocide. Between 1915 and 1923, one and a half million Armenians were murdered or perished from harsh treatment and death marches. By 1923, Armenians had been completely eliminated from Asia Minor and historic Western Armenia. Four decades later, this systematic ethnic cleansing would be described as “genocide” by Raphael Lemkin.
Dr. Nicole E. Vartanian is the Acting Executive Director of the Children of Armenia Fund (COAF). Headquartered in New York City and Yerevan, Armenia. COAF has transformed the lives of nearly 28,000 rural youth and their families in Armenia via systemic reform efforts in education, healthcare, social and economic development. Having been awarded a U.S. Fulbright Scholarship to Armenia, Dr. Vartanian also serves on the advisory boards of The Genocide Education Project, Columbia University Armenian Center. Dr. Vartanian is Adjunct Assistant Professor at Hunter College, where she is instructing a graduate seminar on Multicultural Education.
Daniel Reich, Curator of the Holocaust Museum and Learning Center, noted the importance of understanding and recognizing the Armenian Genocide. “While some scholars consider the quotation apocryphal, in a speech only a month before the invasion of Europe, Hitler is quoted as saying, ‘Who, after all, speaks today of the annihilation of the Armenians.’ Just as we must remember the Shoah, we must also commemorate the early 20th century genocide of the Armenians.”
Educational materials regarding the Armenian Genocide will be provided. A light reception will follow the presentation; dietary laws observed. This lecture is free and open to the public, though reservations are requested. To RSVP, please call 314-442-3711 or email AGoldfeder@JFedSTL.org.
Sponsored by the Rubin (of blessed memory) and Gloria Feldman Family Education Institute of the Holocaust Museum and Learning Center, the Metro St. Louis Commemoration of the Armenian Genocide Centennial and the Jewish Community Relations Council.