"Templeton Symposium: Holocaust Survivors, Stories of Resilience"
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
UTOPIA Theatre, School of Social Work
Free admission. Space is limited. RSVP
Registration for CEUs available: Social Work, LPC, LMFT

"Remember - One for Each Million." Fused glass by Rubin Samelson, 2006

The University of Texas at Austin School of Social Work will present the findings of the study on "Forgiveness, Resiliency and Survivorship Among Holocaust Survivors" led by Dr. Roberta Greene, who holds the Louis and Ann Wolens Centennial Chair in Gerontology and Social Welfare in the School of Social Work. Greene's three-year study replicated another one originally conducted in Israel. Her team interviewed Holocaust survivors living in Texas, New York, New Jersey, California, Minnesota, and Washington, D.C.

Greene and Dr. Marilyn Armour, associate professor of social work, are principal co-investigators of the study. They will be joined by invited panelists who will report and discuss the research results, which will provide a better understanding of how the powers of forgiveness and natural healing contribute to recovery following trauma. They will also discuss how the research results can be applied to clinical practice.

The following are scheduled to appear as invited panelists:
William Meinecke Ph.D., US Holocaust Memorial Museum Educator
Maxine Cohen, Director, Holocaust Memorial of San Antonio
Walter Kase, Holocaust survivor, lecturer
Anna Rado, Holocaust survivor, lecturer
William Samelson, Ph.D., Holocaust survivor, professor, and author
Judith Sokolow, LMSW, Senior Programs Coordinator, Jewish Family Service
Mary Lee Webeck, Ph.D., Holocaust Museum Houston, Education Director

Greene's study was funded by a grant from the John Templeton Foundation. The mission of the John Templeton Foundation, established in 1987, is to serve as a philanthropic catalyst for discovery in areas engaging life's biggest questions. These questions range from explorations into the laws of nature and the universe to questions on the nature of love, gratitude, forgiveness and creativity.

The "Templeton Symposium: Holocaust Survivors, Stories of Resilience" is co-sponsored by Jewish Community Association of Austin and Texas Hillel.

For more information or to RSVP, contact:
Liz Nowicki, Director
Office of Professional Development, 512-471-2886
lbnowicki@mail.utexas.edu