2021 German Campus Weeks – Time To Act

This year’s UMW German Campus Weeks overarching theme is “Time to Act.” Through exhibitions, discussions, talks, and film screenings, we will explore three major themes: The German Elections in September, 1700 Years of Jewish Life in Germany, and the German Nazi-Resistance Group The White Rose. Watch this page for updated event notifications.

I. The German Elections in September

September 10-24, Bridge Connector between Simpson Library and HCC

Exhibit on the German and U.S. electoral systems

Discover the German electoral system, which is quite different from the U.S. system.
Title photo by Photo by ajaegers on unsplash.com

 

September 13, 3pm, Digital Auditorium:

Panel Discussion The German Elections – What to Expect

How do the respective political parties in Germany differ from each other and from the U.S. parties? Which party has the best chances? How does the German election system work? Join our panel Discussion with Martin Jungius, Press Secretary of the German Embassy in Washington, D.C. and Professor Marcel Rotter, UMW. Q&A to follow. Photo by Bianca Ackermann on unsplash.com

II. 1700 Years of Jewish Life in German-Speaking Lands

October 13 to November 8, M-Th 10am-4pm, UMW Hillel, 1500 College Ave.

Exhibit: 1700 Years of Jewish Life in German-SPeaking lands

Discover 1700 years of Jewish life in Germany. Through this exhibit, you will explore the rich history of Jewish communities and the vibrant lives of German Jews, both before and after the catastrophe of the Holocaust. You may visit the exhibit “1700 Years of Jewish Life in German Speaking Lands” at the Silver Hillel Center (across from the UC) between 10:00 and 4:00, Mondays through Thursdays. Use the arched entry way from the side street.

October 27, 4pm, HCC Digital Auditorium

“A Weak Flickr of Hope” – The Fate of the Jewish Hess Family in Nazi Germany

Growing out of a translation project of letters by Ida and Nathan Hess to their children abroad, Professor Marcel Rotter (UMW, German program) outlines the fate of the parents as well as their children during the Nazi time in Germany.
Photo by Joanna Kosinska on Unsplash

© SWR/Filmakademie Baden-Württemberg, honorarfrei – Verwendung gemäß der AGB im engen inhaltlichen, redaktionellen Zusammenhang mit genannter SWR-Sendung bei Nennung “Bild: SWR/Filmakademie Baden-Württemberg” (S2+). SWR Presse/Bildkommunikation, Baden-Baden, Tel: 07221/929-22202, foto@swr.de

November 15, 5pm, UMW Hillel, 1500 College Ave.

Screening of the German short film Mazel tov Cocktail

followed by discussion.
The main character of the film is Dmitry Lieberman (actor Alexander Wertmann). A young emigrant from the former Soviet Union, he lives in Germany, in the Ruhr region. He is suspended from school after an unpleasant incident. In response to the anti-Semitic antics of his classmate Toby, he hit him hard, breaking his nose. As punishment, Toby is sent to wash the street pavement, namely the metal tiles that perpetuate the memory of the victims of the Holocaust. And from Dmitry, the school administration and his parents demand that he apologize to the offender. The guy reluctantly heads to Toby’s house, meeting a variety of people along the way. (Source: Cryptojoker)

III. Sophie Scholl and the Nazi-Resistance Group The White Rose

11/10-24, Bridge Connector between Simpson Library and HCC

Exhibit:  Sophie Scholl And the White Rose

Learn about the life of Sophie Scholl and her brother Hans who were part of the White Rose non-violent resistance group in Nazi Germany. Their leaflets tried to call the German people to action against the Nazi regime. Caught and sentenced to death in a hasty trial, they died under the guillotine in 1943.

 

November 10, 10am HCC Digital Auditorium

Screening of the film Sophie Scholl – The Last Days (2 hours)

The Final Days is the true story of Germany’s most famous anti-Nazi heroine brought to life. Sophie Scholl is the fearless activist of the underground student resistance group, The White Rose. Using historical records of her incarceration, the film re-creates the last six days of Sophie Scholl’s life: a journey from arrest to interrogation, trial and sentence in 1943 Munich. Unwavering in her convictions and loyalty to her comrades, her cross-examination by the Gestapo quickly escalates into a searing test of wills as Scholl delivers a passionate call to freedom and personal responsibility that is both haunting and timeless.—Diaboyos (IMDB.com)

All events were made possible through the generous support of the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany and in cooperation with the UMW Hillel.
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