Department of Social work to host Holocaust Day of Remembrance on April 18

The annual Holocaust Day of Remembrance is spearheaded by Associate Professor of Social Work, Dr. Pam Richmond. In 2013, Dr. Richmond studied at the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington, D.C., and attended the Curt C. and Else Silberman seminar to learn how to teach about the Holocaust. “Following my time in Washington, D.C. I felt duty-bound to honor the millions that perished,” Dr. Richmond said. “As a social worker and professor, I am saddened by the loss of millions of lives, horrified by the immense hatred against individuals perceived as different, and perplexed at the inability of people to recognize propaganda and strive to advocate for the oppressed.”  

Dr. Richmond has led the annual Holocaust Day of Remembrance with support from faculty, staff and community members since 2014. During the pandemic, the remembrance was hosted online. 

The Day of Remembrance begins at 8 a.m. with a personal testimony from Ms. Helena Atlas-Acuna. Following her address, there will be a virtual tour of Auschwitz-Birkenau accompanied by a live tour guide at 9:30 a.m. A memorial service will be led by Rabbi Becker at 11:40 a.m. with musical accompaniment provided by Professor of Music Dr. David Volk. Associate Professor of Psychology Dr. Krista Bridgmon will present on post-traumatic stress and the Holocaust at 12:45 p.m. There will be a brief intermission before a screening of the 1965 documentary, Night and Fog, with a discussion facilitated by Associate Professor of History Dr. Grant Weller. A discussion on book banning, plus a child and adolescent Holocaust book display will be presented by Savannah Cassares, a graduate student in the master’s of social work (MSW) program. The day concludes with a presentation by Lara Gribble, MSW graduate student, on LGBTQ+, Disability Groups and the Holocaust. 

All events are open to the public and campus community. The sessions will be held in the lower level of the Occhiato Student Center in the Tundra Room. Attendees are encouraged to park in the N-2 and N-3 lots located behind the OSC. 

Questions regarding the events should be directed to Dr. Pam Richmond at pam.richmond@csupueblo.edun