Holocaust center doesn't stop at World War II education STAFF REPORT Posted:11/18/09
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Thirty one years ago, the Holocaust, Genocide & Human Rights Education Center at Brookdale Community College became the first-ever holocaust studies facility in the Garden State.
While the Holocaust of World War II is extensively catalogued by the center, time does not stop there for its work. "The genocide continues in Darfur and the crises in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Tibet and Burma," noted center President Al Zager recently in center literature.
Each year, the center features lectures by scholars, educators and human rights activists who address Holocaust, genocide and human rights crises around the globe. During the period between 2008 and 2009, speakers included: Mark Hanis; Vera Goodkin, EdD; Stanlee Stahl; Terry Konn, PhD; Jean Bernard Rutagarama; Harry Reicher; Mary Johnson, PhD; and Gregory Djanikian.
In addition, more than 300 Monmouth County law enforcement officers have participated in the annual collaborative training program with the Monmouth County Prosecutor's Office and the US Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington, DC. Notably, 68 juvenile bias crime offenders have graduated from the center's 12-session education program since its inception six years ago.
The Holocaust, Genocide & Human Rights Education Center was awarded the Community Champion Award by the Monmouth County Arts Council for The Exhibit: A Journey Into Life. Other awards include: the Silver Gull Award from the Monmouth-Ocean Development Council and the Community Service Award from the Bias Crime and Gang Officers Association.
