2023 Kristallnacht Lecture: "Australia’s Response to the Holocaust" featuring Suzanne Hampel

Lecture Description: How did Australia respond to the events that were taking place in Nazi Germany and Europe during and after the Second World War? Australia has a long history of accepting migrants to its shores from all parts of the world.However, there has also been a deep-seated suspicion of, and animosity towards, "foreigners" as exemplified by the White Australia Policy. In this lecture, we will examine the complex relationship that exists when it comes to Jewish migration, focusing on the Australian response to the rise of Nazism, the Evian conference and Kristallnacht, as well as other key developments. In the post war period, discriminatory policies against Jewish migration continued, even after knowledge of the mass murders of Europe's Jews. Despite these exclusionary policies Australia did eventually receive the most Holocaust survivors on a pro rata population basis. These individuals had a lasting impact on shaping both the Jewish and broader Australian communities.

About the speaker: Sue Hampel OAM is a well-known public speaker and lecturer. She holds a Masters degree in Holocaust and Genocide Studies (2010) and is the co-President of the Melbourne Holocaust Museum, Australia. Sue has been recognized for her teaching and community service by receiving numerous awards including a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for service to the community through the promotion of understanding and tolerance. As the daughter of a survivor, Sue places importance on remembering the past to create a more tolerant future. Sue is a member of the Australian delegation to the IHRA and served as the International Chair of the Education Working Group in 2021. She also is a member of the National Archives of Australia advisory council.

This lecture will be presented in person and also via Zoom. Please note that, in order to attend this event, you must reserve a seat ahead of time. We expect strong turnout for this event and will not be able to admit anyone who has not previously registered. The registration system will go live on Tuesday, 10/10, and free tickets are available on a first come first served basis.

Doors will open for this event beginning at 4:30pm. If you are attending in person, please give yourself plenty of time to arrive, pass through security, and be seated.

This event is hosted by the Cohen Center for Holocaust and Genocide Studies at Keene State College as part of our 40th anniversary event series. Learn more about the anniversary here and please consider sponsoring our existing and emerging programs if you are able.

If you have any questions, please contact cohencenter@keene.edu. We look forward to seeing you in person or online for this exciting lecture!

This event is part of the Cohen Center calendar.