Hidden during Holocaust, Sophia Veffer to speak May 1

Insight and reflection into the Holocaust will be brought to SUNY Fredonia on Tuesday, May 1, by Sophia Veffer, a survivor of the Nazi campaign that resulted in the deaths of nearly six million Jews in Europe during World War II.

Veffer's presentation, to be given at 12:30 p.m. at the Dods Hall Multipurpose Room, will conclude the month-long observance of Jewish History Month on campus. A question-and-answer session will follow her presentation.

Born in Holland, Sophia was hidden during the genocide that Adolph Hitler waged against Jews in Nazi-occupied countries.

Her presentation was made possible by the Holocaust Resource Center of Buffalo, a non-profit agency that provides educational outreach about the Holocaust in Western New York. Jewish History Month activities were coordinated by the Jewish Student Union, Center for Multicultural Affairs and Honors Program.

Previous events of the Month:

The campus observance of Jewish History Month began April 4 with a Matzah Ball.  The Jewish History Month series is sponsored by the Hillel/Jewish Student Union.

Chocolate Seder, an all-chocolate dinner featuring food items that would be served during a traditional Passover Seder, will be served Wednesday, April 11, at 8 p.m. in the Horizon Room.  A brief explanation of Passover will also be given and posters hung around the room to educate those who might be unfamiliar with the custom, allowing guests the opportunity to learn while they eat. Games and activities are also planned.

Next, “A Rugrats Passover,” an episode from the animated television series, will be screened Thursday, April 12 at 7:30 p.m. in the Disney Lounge. Traditional Passover food will also be served and a traditional game will be played.

Holocaust Remembrance Day, also known as Yom HaShoah, will be observed Wednesday, April 18 at 7 p.m. in W101 Thompson Hall. The film, “The Pianist,” will be shown, followed by a candle-lighting ceremony to honor those lost in the Holocaust. 

A hands-on workshop on challah baking and candle-making with Lorie Rakov Rudolph, founder of Cooks in Training, will be held Thursday, April 26 at 7 p.m. at the Newman Center, located just off campus at 222 Temple Street.