Multimedia Lecture Program: Speaking Truth To Power

SPEAKING TRUTH TO POWER: SOPHIE SCHOLL AND THE WHITE ROSE ANTI-NAZI RESISTANCE – ROLE MODELS IN THE FIGHT FOR FREEDOM TODAY

DR. JUD NEWBORN, who served as Founding Historian and Curator of New York's Museum of Jewish Heritage, presents SPEAKING TRUTH TO POWER: SOPHIE SCHOLL AND THE WHITE ROSE ANTI-NAZI RESISTANCE – ROLE MODELS IN THE FIGHT FOR FREEDOM TODAY. This multimedia lecture program is based on his new book about the remarkable students who resisted Hitler, SOPHIE SCHOLL AND THE WHITE ROSE, and provides the full story treated briefly in the 2006 Oscar-nominated German film, “Sophie Scholl: The Last Days.”

Using music, historical photographs and suspenseful storytelling, Dr. Newborn recounts how Sophie Scholl and her brother Hans--former fanatical Hitler Youth leaders--transformed uniquely to become the greatest heroes and Christian martyrs of the German anti-Nazi resistance. “We will not be silent,” their wartime leaflets declared. “We are your bad conscience. The White Rose will not leave you in peace!” On February 18, 1943, they mounted a gallery high above the University of Munich’s vast atrium and scattered hundreds of leaflets down upon the heads of astonished students. It was the only public protest against Nazis ever to be staged. But Dr. Newborn’s program does not remain in the past. Relating the White Rose story to today’s most compelling current events, from genocide and human rights violations to the suppression of dissent, he then presents an array of “White Rosers” today--inspiring heroes of all backgrounds, abroad and at home--who risk themselves for freedom and our shared humanity.

NOTE: Young German voters in a TV competition to choose the top ten most important Germans of all time catapulted Sophie and Hans of the White Rose into fourth place—winning over Bach, Goethe, Gutenberg, Bismarck, Willy Brandt and Albert Einstein!

In addition to acclaim by The New York Times and Newsweek, Library Journal singled out Newborn’s book for a starred review in 2008, declaring it “superbly written” and “essential for public and academic history collections.”

Jud Newborn: SPEAKING TRUTH TO POWER, April 1, 2010

Here's the gorgeous poster for my lecture on April 1, 2010, designed by award-winning graphic artist Aaron Moore, on staff at Slippery Rock University, PA. My hosts were Prof. Richard Martin of the Poli-Sci Department & Dean Bruce Russell. It was an astonishing, sudden 83 degrees - all the students were asking their Profs if "classes were cancelled" - as if it were a snow day! - or if they could hold classes outside. Some just cut. Yet this is a testimonial I was delighted to receive:

“Attendance was excellent- especially considering you were here on the first beautiful day in early spring, when most students might have preferred to be outside in the sunshine – but instead came inside to hear your presentation on the White Rose.” --LISA M. SMITH, DEPT. OF POLITICAL SCIENCE STAFF, SLIPPERY ROCK UNIVERSITY PA.

Also, this past September: *“A stellar presentation!”--MAUREEN McNEIL, ANNE FRANK CENTER USA