Photo Credit: Dr. Tomasz Herzog

Where: on ZOOM (University of Maine at Presque Isle)

When: April 24, 2024;  5:30 p.m. 

Registration required:

https://maine.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZIkcOGgpzouHtyRof2g1s6RA79N5x8Fdv9B

University of Maine at Presque Isle to Host a Virtual Film Screening With Guest Speakers

The University Times

Belen Dougherty

Editor: Opinion

PRESQUE ISLE: Traditionally, Universities are the first place where students can enter civic engagement. Higher education serves as a medium for complex conversations about current events affecting the world today. Although our campus is tucked in the upper northern corner of the United States (U.S.), faculty and staff at the University of Maine at Presque Isle (UMPI) make an effort to bring in broader content and information for students. 

As the semester is closer to the end, Dr. Tomasz Herzog, professor of social foundations of education and social studies, has secured a virtual film screening this week. The documentary will focus on the tragic event that occurred in a Pittsburgh synagogue in which a gunman opened fire, killing eleven people and becoming one of the deadliest anti-semitic attacks in American history. Centralized in the aftermath,  A Tree of Life: The Pittsburgh Synagogue Shooting is a film that tackles healing after tragedy. 

This film couldn’t be more timely. As international news and national leaders continue their focus on the events developing between Israel and Palestine, Herzog wrote, “The film conveys a powerful and universal, not limited to Jews, message. As the late Chief Rabbi of the United Kingdom Jonathan Sacks used to remind us on many occasions: The hatred that begins with Jews never ends with Jews’.”

Viewers will also have an opportunity for a Q&A after the film. The guest speakers will be Rabbi Sam Weiss from “Congregation Beth El” and a representative from “The Christian Congregational Church” from Presque Isle. 

 To learn more about this event please contact Dr. Herzog. A link is provided to register to view the screening. These topics are sensitive, we appreciate everyone’s respect as we tackle global sensitive issues.