Current Events

Please join us for the Cohen & Malad, LLP Symposium titled "Holocaust and Remembrance: Social Justice in Today’s World" to be held on Friday, November 10th.

We are at capacity for this event. Registration is now closed.

Overview of Symposium:

Holocaust victims and survivors are the best teachers of so many lessons—for all humanity and for all time. No matter what culture or era, profound lessons can be learned. While top Nazi masterminds orchestrated and planned the Holocaust, many steps were taken before the Final Solution occurred and everyday citizens were often part of the genocide. Propaganda, education systems and indoctrination were all key parts of the crimes against humanity, as were by-standers and lower level civil servants.

What lessons can we learn and how can those be applied to our modern world? What critical thinking should be instilled and what education can be provided to young people to teach building bridges instead of creating hate? Through legal, and historical perspectives and education, to present day interfaith efforts and education, participants will learn why and how the Holocaust contains lessons for all of humanity today and for all time. Today we will embrace all cultures, ethnic groups, faiths and the building of community through historical lessons and the many efforts to build bridges in the diverse and welcoming city of Indianapolis.

Agenda:

• Around the Atrium All Day—Tables with information for several human rights/social justice organizations

Session Descriptions:

The Rise of Hate Groups in America
Dr. Bryan Fair, Professor of Law, University of Alabama and Board Member, Southern Poverty Law Center

The dramatic rise in the activity and number of hate groups of all kinds in the United States in recent months is alarming, as will be described in this session. A nation leader in the work to track hate crimes and their activities, the Southern Poverty Law Center will discuss Neo-Nazi groups, offshoots of the KKK, groups focused on African Americans, Muslims, Jews and many other organizations aimed at intimidation, committing hate crimes and superiority of particular ethic groups. Not only are these groups found across the state, but they are also active and located here in Indiana. The Southern Poverty Law Center will educate participants about these organizations, how they operate, and why people join or support them.

Litigation against Bayer and Swiss Banks— Seeking Civil Justice for Holocaust Survivors and Families—History, Moral and Legal Theories
As a key leader and litigator in the effort to bring social justice to survivors of the Holocaust and their ancestors, Richard Shevitz, partner at Cohen and Malad, was instrumental in the historic cases against companies such as Bayer and others who directly utilized and benefited from, the slave labor of the concentration camps. In addition to a discussion of the background and legal theories of these cases, Richard will educate participants about the cases involving Swiss Banks and the epic struggle to obtain justice for survivors who had no death certificates for loved ones murdered in the Holocaust, thus
leaving them unable to access monies and valuables held in these accounts which were thought to be safe and secure when placed in Swiss banks by Holocaust victims.

The Importance of Holocaust Education K-12 and University—Lessons for All Humanity, for All Time—States’ Legal Requirements and New Legislative Initiatives across the Country
Maya Shmoel, Hasten Hebrew Academy, Jennifer Thuma, Esq., IU McKinney School of Law.

Holocaust education is required in schools in Indiana through legislation passed several years ago. While most states require by law that the history of the Holocaust be taught in schools, new initiatives across the country to teach genocide education have been launched in response to the dramatic and alarming increase in hate crimes against Jewish, Muslim and other minority communities, in addition to crimes against ethnic groups. The approach and way in which Holocaust education is taught is important and will be discussed in this session. An overview of new legislative initiatives across the country will be discussed, as well as international legal requirements and approaches to education on this important topic.

Over and Update of Critical Cases in U.S. Federal Courts—Hungarian Holocaust victims and survivors

Robert Pavich, of Pavich Law Group, P.C., will provide an overview and update of critical cases in U.S. federal courts seeking justice for victims of the Hungarian Holocaust of 1944. The cases seek to hold the Hungarian State Railway and various banks responsible for the transport of hundreds of thousands of Hungarian Jews from Budapest to Auschwitz and the confiscation of their assets. Those who survived lost most family members; entire Jewish communities were extinguished. Confiscation of all assets made return difficult or impossible. Through an update of recent developments in these cases, symposium participants will learn of the roles railroads and banks played in victimizing those who suffered and died in the Holocaust.

Efforts to Combat Discrimination and Hate in Today’s World: Promoting Positive Social Change: The Anti-Defamation League
In this session, Jessica Gall, Associate Regional Director for the Anti-Defamation League in Chicago, will discuss a program launched by the Illinois Governor with the ADL, to train the Illinois State Police in identifying and investigating hate crimes. The program is part of a plan to battle crimes against persons because of race, religion or national origin. She will share the work of the ADL to highlight work on behalf of many groups, including Syrian refugees, African Americans, Muslim, Jewish and many other minority groups.

A Discussion of Key Cases Involving Constitutional Issues and Refugees
Legal Director of the ACLU Indiana, Ken Falk, has been at the forefront of legal efforts to protect minority communities and refugee programs in the United States. In this session, Mr. Falk will provide an overview of the legal issues at hand in key cases involving refugees in the United States, as well as provide an update on the status of these cases, both at the state and federal level. Participants will learn about key constitutional issues involving holdings of federal courts on protection from discrimination based upon national origin.

Legal Aspects of Cases of the Guilty and the Righteous--Perpetrators of the Holocaust—Leaders, Participants, By-Standers and the Resistance
Jennifer Thuma, Esq., of IU McKinney School of Law, While many of the top Nazi leadership were prosecuted at the Nuremburg trials, and many tribunals were held in subsequent years to try members of the S.S., concentration camp guards, the Einsatzgruppen, and others who held prominent positions in the regime, thousands participated in the perpetration of crimes against humanity in Germany and in other countries. Who were they? They were lawyers, teachers who taught hate through Nazi prescribed materials, transportation workers, conductors who brought trains of victims to the camps, and many other “average” people. This session will focus upon legal theories and aspects of actual cases to illustrate the applicability of law to these instances, as well as discuss examples of the Resistance in various countries, and the Righteous Among Nations.

Building Bridges Through Interfaith Work—Standing United—Hate Crimes Legislation in Indiana
Waseema Ali, Esq., Executive Director of the Desmond Tutu Center, Hazen Bata, Esq., former ISNA Executive Director, Faryal Khatri, ISNA Communications Director, Amy Nelson, Executive Director of Fair Housing Center of Central Indiana, and IU McKinney law student Puruda Kothari will discuss efforts to advocate for hate crimes legislation in Indiana. These key community leaders will share the strong inter-connectedness of the social fabric of Indianapolis in working to advance education and combat discrimination. When the Islamic Society of North America was attacked and vandalized, the Jewish, Catholic, and many other Christian denominations and other community leaders publicly supported efforts to educate the community to stand united against hate crimes. The panel will discuss ways in which faith communities have not only supported each other, but have worked diligently to educate the public about the importance of standing together against hate and to build bridges of community.

Parking:

Parking is available for a nominal fee at the campus Gateway Garage, located on the corner of Michigan and California Streets (Address is 525 Blackford Street). Due to road construction on or near campus, we also recommended parking at the IU Indianapolis Sports Garage at 875 West New York Street.  Please note this is a change from previous years.

Please note that New York Street is a two-way street as of January 2016.

Special Accommodations:

Individuals with disabilities who need special assistance should call 317-274-8036 no later than one week prior to the event. Special arrangements can be made to accommodate most needs.