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    Categories: 2018

“Inheriting Genocide: Lessons from Intergenerational Transmission of Trauma” to Be Held at the Museum of Tolerance

For Immediate Release 
 
 

 
 
USC INSTITUTE OF ARMENIAN STUDIES
University of Southern California
Los Angeles, California, USA
Contact: Syuzanna Petrosyan, Associate Director
Armenian@usc.edu
213.821.3943
 
 
“Inheriting Genocide: Lessons from Intergenerational Transmission of Trauma” to 
Be Held at the Museum of Tolerance
 
A full day symposium featuring academics and service providers focusing on 
trauma transmission among Holocaust and Armenian Genocide survivors and their 
descendants will take place at the Museum of Tolerance on February 7, 2018. 
 
The program, entitled “Inheriting Genocide: Lessons from Intergenerational 
Transmission of Trauma in Holocaust and Armenian Genocide Survivor 
Populations,” is organized by the USC Edward R. Roybal Institute on Aging, the 
Jewish Family Service of Los Angeles, The Jewish Federation of North America, 
and the Museum of Tolerance. 
 
Salpi Ghazarian, director of the USC Institute of Armenian Studies, and 
Holocaust survivor Lya Frank, will share their personal stories of inheriting 
genocide and trauma in the day-long program. 
Opening remarks will be made by Charles Kaplan, Research Professor and 
Associate Dean of Research at the USC Hamovitch Center for Science in the Human 
Services. He will be followed by Swedish-born Israeli psychologist Dr. Natan 
Kellermann and psychiatrist Dr. Andrei Novac. 
 
During the second part of the symposium, marriage and family therapist Christie 
Tcharkhoutian will give a talk on clinical interventions for descendants of the 
Armenian Genocide.
 
The program will continue with a panel entitled “Voices from the Trenches.” The 
panel will feature service providers Cally Clein of the Jewish Federation & 
Family Services, Dr. Selina Mangassarian from Harbor UCLA Medical Center, 
Sheila Moore of the Jewish Family Service, and clinical psychologist Dr. 
Charles Pilavian.
 
Registration is required for symposium attendees at 
https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__inherited-2Dexperience.eventbrite.com&d=DwIGaQ&c=clK7kQUTWtAVEOVIgvi0NU5BOUHhpN0H8p7CSfnc_gI&r=LVw5zH6C4LHpVQcGEdVcrQ&m=JHSxK3kcEBRQkIpeNKFsyrFTRDeCs1w_23NZgLVTKXY&s=06HzTLGfdTGhVPI6iaaa9mlj-JJJYKKdTVgj030At5U&e=.
 Admission is free. Program will take place from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm on February 
7, 2018 at the Museum of Tolerance (9786 West Pico Blvd., Los Angeles, 
California). Free underground parking is available at the Museum. 
 
Light breakfast and lunch will be provided. Three Continuing Education Units 
available for therapists and social workers. 
 
For inquiries, write to Armenian@usc.edu or call 213.821.3943.
 
 
# # #
 
About the Institute:
 
Established in 2005, the USC Institute of Armenian Studies supports 
multidisciplinary scholarship to re-define, explore and study the complex 
issues that make up the contemporary Armenian experience—from post-genocide to 
the developing Republic of Armenia to the evolving diaspora. The institute 
encourages research, publications and public service, and promotes links among 
the global academic and Armenian communities. 
 
 
 
 




Emil Lazarian: “I should like to see any power of the world destroy this race, this small tribe of unimportant people, whose wars have all been fought and lost, whose structures have crumbled, literature is unread, music is unheard, and prayers are no more answered. Go ahead, destroy Armenia . See if you can do it. Send them into the desert without bread or water. Burn their homes and churches. Then see if they will not laugh, sing and pray again. For when two of them meet anywhere in the world, see if they will not create a New Armenia.” - WS