Armenian Assembly of America
1140 19th Street, NW, Suite 600
Washington, DC 20036
Phone: 202-393-3434
Fax: 202-638-4904
Email: [email protected]
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PRESS RELEASE
CONTACT: Christine Kojoian
April 23, 2008
Phone: (202) 393-3434
Web:
E-mail: [email protected]
ARMENIAN ASSEMBLY OF AMERICA TO HONOR JCRC, NANCY KAUFMAN FOR RAISING
AWARENESS OF THE GENOCIDE
Washington, DC – The Armenian Assembly of America is pleased to announce
that it will honor Nancy K. Kaufman and the Jewish Community Relations
Council (JCRC) of Greater Boston for their continued leadership in the
affirmation of the Armenian Genocide during an award reception, May 9,
at the Grand Hyatt Regency in Cambridge, MA.
Kaufman and the JCRC are being recognized for their moral leadership in
affirming the Armenian Genocide at a time when others would not have
taken such a bold step.
"This event will be a great opportunity for supporters of both
organizations to come together to celebrate their accomplishments and
the growing relationship between our two communities," said Assembly
Public Affairs Chair Anthony Barsamian.
On April 18, Kaufman, who is Executive Director of the JCRC, spoke
movingly about the shared experiences of the Jewish and Armenian
communities in the last century, during the 93rd commemoration of the
Armenian Genocide at the Massachusetts State House.
"In the history of the world, the 20th century will be remembered as a
time of some good, some real evil, and many challenges, including
tragedy and transformation," Kaufman said. "Two of the most horrendous
events were the genocide of Armenians at the hands of the Turks in the
beginning of the century, and the Holocaust at the hands of the Nazis
during the middle of the century. It is our responsibility, as the next
generation, to tell the story of our ancestors who were the victims of
these atrocities."
"As a way of not letting the Armenian Genocide be forgotten, I would
like to bear witness – to testify, if you will – to that history," she
added. "It is particularly important for us, as Jews, to speak out in
support of your community’s efforts to fight denial."
She noted that the JCRC has been on record for many years in affirming
the Armenian Genocide and discussed why, almost 100 years after the
atrocities, it is so important for the crimes to be properly recognized.
"The simple truth is that unless crimes like these are accepted as
reality, the perpetrators [punished]…and fair compensation for the
victims and families [are provided], then we will continue to have
future genocides without any concern by the perpetrators that they will
face prosecution and be brought to justice," Kaufman said.
The annual remembrance event was led by Massachusetts State
Representatives Rachel Kaprielian (D-Watertown) and Peter J. Koutoujian
(D-Waltham) and Senator Steven A. Tolman (D-Boston), in conjunction with
the State House Commemoration Planning Committee.
For more information on the Armenian Assembly event honoring Kaufman and
the JCRC, or to register, please visit:
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Established in 1972, the Armenian Assembly is the largest
Washington-based nationwide organization promoting public understanding
and awareness of Armenian issues. It is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt
membership organization.
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NR#2008-043
Editor’s Note: Photographs can be viewed on the Assembly’s website at
the following links:
ges/PR_-_2008_April_-_May/2008
-043.jpg
Caption: Nancy K. Kaufman, Executive Director of the Jewish Community
Relations Council (JCRC) of Greater Boston with Charles Talanian,
Associate Trustee of the Armenian Assembly, at an event co-hosted by the
Assembly and JCRC last month. Photo Courtesy: Michael Dwyer.