Confronting Genocide and Antisemitism - Identifying the Warning Signs

“The history of man is the history of crimes, and history can repeat. So information is a defense. Through this we can build, we must build a defense against repetition.” - Simon Wiesenthal, Holocaust Survivor

The past becomes prologue if societies do not learn the right lessons and take preventative action. With plenty of examples throughout history, the world has ample evidence of what leads to genocide in all of its forms, yet there are at least a dozen current genocide emergencies in the world today, as defined by Genocide Watch.

Join the NH Fulbright Association and the World Affairs Council of NH, in partnership with the Lantos Foundation and the Portsmouth Public Library, for an important discussion with Dr. David Livingstone Smith, Professor of Philosophy at the University of New England. Audience members will discuss the warning signs of an impending genocide and what can societies, communities, and individuals do to prevent the attempted eradication of a people. Discussions will also focus on the recent global rise of antisemitism, the dangers of communities denying genocides, and what the international community can do to amplify support for ending genocides. 

About the Presenters
David Livingstone Smith received his Ph.D. in philosophy from the University of London, Kings College. He is the author of ten books and numerous articles. His book Less Than Human: Why We Demean, Enslave and Exterminate Others (2011) was awarded the Anisfield-Wolf award for nonfiction. He has given numerous presentations and public lectures in the US and Europe. David is an interdisciplinary scholar, whose work is cited not only by philosophers, but also historians, legal scholars, psychologists, anthropologists, and others. David has been interviewed and cited on numerous occasions in the national and international media and was a guest at the 2012 G20 economic summit, where he spoke about dehumanization and mass violence.

Peggy Shukur serves Interim Regional Director of ADL New England where she is engaged in all aspects of ADL’s mission to “stop the defamation of the Jewish people and to secure justice and fair treatment to all”. She is actively involved with ADL New England’s program delivery and initiatives that advocate for justice, equity, and fair treatment in the collective fight against hate and antisemitism.

Rabba Kaya Stern-Kaufman joined Temple Israel as a spiritual leader in July 2020. She is dedicated to the development of a meaningful Jewish community rooted in Jewish wisdom traditions and focused on contemporary needs for tikkun olam — repairing the world. Before moving to Portsmouth, she served as interim rabbi at synagogues in New England from 2016-2019. Rabba Kaya is the founder of Rimon: Resource Center for Jewish Spirituality, where she served as executive director and spiritual leader from 2012 to 2016.

Registration is required. This is a hybrid event and will be offered in person at the Portsmouth Public Library and online.  

This program is the first of three programs in the T. Williams and Patricia Ayers Global Tipping Point Series - Confronting Genocide and Antisemitism. The second and third programs will be held offsite. Learn more about the series at The World Affairs Council website.