Why Should I Care? Lessons From The Holocaust

WHY SHOULD I CARE? LESSONS FROM THE HOLOCAUST

AZG DAILY
22-12-2009

Holocaust and Genocide Studies

The Wordsmithy recently published a book titled "Why should I care?

Lessons from the Holocaust". The book uses a new approach to Holocaust
and Genocide Studies that engages students in their communities and
their future–using a frame of reference they understand to help them
build the "content of their character."

Using popular culture and the internet, and written in clear language
that engages teenagers, "Why Should I Care? Lessons from the Holocaust"
by Jeanette Friedman and David Gold provides information students can
use when confronting broader issues of life and suffering. This book
stresses the importance of character and virtues.

Among other points it makes, the authors respect Catholic contributions
to rescuing children during the Holocaust and clearly expresses,
in Pope Benedict XVI’s own words, the Catholic Church’s emphatic
rejection of Holocaust denial.

In addition to conventional Holocaust and Genocide
Studies resources listed on the book’s companion web site,
, there are clips from "Star Trek",
"The Twilight Zone," a song from the movie "Borat," Wu Tang Clan’svideo
by Remedy, Grammy Award Winner Miri Ben Ari and even one of Edward R.

Murrow interviewing Dr. Jonas Salk on CBS and much, much more.

The authors felt that young people couldn’t relate to the story
of the Holocaust. They believe that the purpose of Holocaust and
Genocide studies must focus on how people treat each other in their
own neighborhoods-and how they, as individuals, have a profound effect
on our global society.

Attached is a flyer with a list of chapter titles and book reviews.

Also attached is the first chapter of the book, Silence = Death, that
describes the murder of Kitty Genovese in 1964 and also talks about
Stephen Colbert’s invention of the word Truthiness, a word that aptly
describes what Hitler relied on when he differentiated segments of
society and turned them into targets of discrimination and destruction.

Why Should I Care? is an ideal solution to a programming/teaching
budget problem – time and money budgets. A teachers have just so
much time to include these studies in the class room. The book covers
everything quickly and in simple English. The website is free access
and can be projected into a classroom. Students can access it at home
and use it to find current events and do reports. Why Should I Care?

is inexpensive compared to other programming materials. It’s how you
solve two problems with one solution!

The book contains appendixes, a bibliography and an index. For
bulks inquiries, contact The Wordsmithy, 201-986-0647 or email
[email protected] also available from
and amazon.com.

www.whyshouldicareontheweb.com
www.teachersdiscovery.com

International Conference On "Perspectives To Reach Gender Equality I

INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON "PERSPECTIVES TO REACH GENDER EQUALITY IN ARMENIA: POLITICAL AND LEGAL ASPECTS"

armradio.am
21.12.2009 18:50

A three-day international conference on "Perspectives to reach gender
equality in Armenia: political and legal aspects" opened today in
Tsakhkadzor Writers’ Union House. It was jointly organized by the
Association of Women with University Education (AWUE), the United
Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and Open Society Institute Assistance
Foundation-Armenia.

The conference is conducted under the auspices of the RoA National
Assembly, the UN Armenia and OSCE Yerevan offices.

The draft of the RoA law "On provision of Equal Rights and Equal
Opportunities for Women and Men," drafts of the RoA Gender Policy
Concept and its implementation strategy, as well as reports on the UN
strategy and the European institutional policy in the field of gender
equality were presented to the participants for further discussion.

At the opening of the conference, Ms. Arevik Petrosyan, the
Vice-Chairman of the RoA National Assembly, Ms. Laylee Moshiri, the
UN Resident Coordinator a.i., Ambassador Sergey Kapinos, Head of OSCE
Office in Yerevan, as well as Ms. Jemma Hasratyan, the President of
AWUE welcomed the participants.

Welcoming the guests,Ms. Laylee Moshiri. said, "Although the
principles of equal rights and equal opportunities are reflected in
major international agreements, there is still a long way to go to
ensure due enforcement of these principles in real life. This is a
reality for the countries worldwide, as well as for Armenia.

Gender-related stereotypes, domestic violence and discrimination
persist, and women remain largely underrepresented in top
decision-making on all levels and all branches of the government."

She further stressed that "We, the United Nations family, are
standing by to support the National Assembly, the Government of
Armenia and the civil society to promote gender equality. This work
is a shared responsibility, and the joint initiatives of UN Agencies,
the National Assembly, the government and the civil society are an
important manifestation of this effort."

The conference featured participation of parliamentarians,,
representatives of the RoA Government, political parties, and the
civil society, as well as prominent scientists, experts and public
figures from Armenia and other CIS countries.

Boxing: Martirosyan impresses on Pavlik-Espino undercard

Ring TV
Dec 20 2009

Martirosyan impresses on Pavlik-Espino undercardPosted Dec. 19, 2009 at 11:40pm

By RingTV.com editorsBuzz up!

Junior middleweight contender Vanes Martirosyan (26-0, 17 knockouts)
showed that he’s ready for a title shot in 2010 by dominating tough
southpaw Willie Lee (17-6, 11 KOs) to a third-round stoppage to claim
two regional 154-pound titles on the Kelly Pavlik-Miguel Espino
undercard at the Beeghly Center in Youngstown, Ohio on Saturday.

After stunning Lee with a laser-accurate straight rights and hooks in
the opening round, Martirosyan, THE RING’s No. 10-rated junior
middleweight, dropped the game Louisianan with a counter right in the
third round. Lee got up but Martirosyan’s follow-up attack prompted
referee Randy Jarvis to step in and stop the bout at 2:13 of the
round.

Martirosyan, 23, appears to have come into his own this year, boxing
and punching with more fluidity, accuracy and power than ever

The Glendale, Calif.-based Armenian’s trainer Freddie Roach believes
that he is ready to challenge one of the major junior middleweight
beltholders and it targeting Yuri Foreman, who is promoted by Top Rank
along with Martirosyan.

Former heavyweight titleholder Samuel Peter was also in action on the
Pavlik-Espino undercard. Peter (33-3, 26 KOs) stopped 360-pound Gabe
Brown (18-13-4, 12 KOs) at 2:58 of the fourth round in an entertaining
fight.

Two of Top Rank’s most talented prospects were also on the undercard
and part of the pay-per-view broadcast.

Featherweight Miguel Angel Garcia (19-0, 16 KOs) dropped journeyman
Yogli Herrera (22-13, 16 KOs) for a 10-count with a perfectly timed
straight right in the third round of their scheduled eight rounder.

Southpaw middleweight prospect Matt Korobvov (9-0, 7 KOs) stopped
journeyman Ken Dunham (6-12-1, 4 KOs) the third round of their
scheduled six rounder after a series of right hooks to the body that
was punctuated by a mean left cross to the head.

_impresses_on_pavlikespino_undercard/

http://www.ringtv.com/blog/1439/martirosyan

Yet Another Fair Featuring Extravagant Merchandise

Yet Another Fair Featuring Extravagant Merchandise Takes Place in Yerevan

Tert.am
12:29 – 19.12.09

The Elite Life Company, the business behind the glamour magazine Elite
Life, has organized the second Elite Life Fair this year.

According to the fair’s official website, the aim of the trade fair is
to gather companies in Armenia selling luxurious merchandise and
offering high-class services all under one roof. During the two-day
fair, high-end brands and services, which have been officially
launched in Armenia, will be showcased to consumers.

The first Elite Life Fair took place in June of this year. Organizers
stated that due to the success of the first fair and interest by
participating companies, they decided to organize a second such event
only six months later.

Armenian schools to be closed till Dec. 28

news.am, Armenia
Dec 19 2009

Armenian schools to be closed till Dec. 28

15:23 / 12/19/2009RA Education and Science Minister Armen Ashotyan
signed a decree on closing down kindergartens and schools till Dec.
28.

The decision was made based on proposal of the RA Health Minister
Harutyun Kushkyan, RA Education Ministry press service informed
NEWS.am.

The grades for the first semester will be assigned in January, 2010.

Educational institutions in Armenia are closed since Dec. 9 due to flu
epidemic.

K.M.

Fears ‘genocide’ memorial could cause split

Sydney Morning Herald (Australia)
December 16, 2009 Wednesday
First Edition

Fears ‘genocide’ memorial could cause split

by Amy Corderoy and Ellie Harvey

MORE than 200 members of Sydney’s Turkish and Assyrian communities,
separated by riot police, shouted threats and abuse outside the
Fairfield Council offices last night after the council approved plans
for a monument commemorating what was called the Assyrian genocide.

At least 40 riot police stood between the two groups as the council
considered plans for the first ever Australian memorial to Assyrians
killed by Turkish forces during World War I and subsequent conflicts.

A local group, calling itself the Assyrian Universal Alliance, had
proposed to build a 4.5-metre-high memorial to victims of the Assyrian
genocides in a reserve under construction opposite Bonnyrigg Park.
However, the move is bitterly opposed by the local Turkish community,
which disagrees with the Assyrians’ interpretation of the past.

At least 100 Turkish Australians bearing signs critical of the
proposal gathered at the front of the council building while at least
as many Assyrians draped in Assyrian and Armenian flags stood on the
other side.

At 7.30pm the council voted to approve the monument, producing a
spontaneous outburst by the Assyrians. "Winner, winner, winner – thank
you Australia," one jubilant Assyrian said.

A Turkish protester Gokhan Tugcu, 25, said the monument was divisive
and should never have been allowed. "Australia, being a multicultural
society shouldn’t have things like this that divide the different
cultures that live here. [It’s] a statue now, it could be in the
school curriculum later on," Mr Tugcu said.

As the crowd left the council emotions grew. One man standing with the
Turkish group called out "Ottomans" and slid his fingers across his
throat.

Hermiz Shahen, the deputy secretary of the Assyrian Alliance, said
that the monument was never intended as an insult.

"If you respect the ANZACS, you are not insulting the Turkish people,"
he said. "We just want to erect a monument to respect the victims of
genocide". But local resident, Adem Cetinay, who has a Turkish
background, believes that the memorial is already causing a split.

"We’re dividing the community and that has never happened before," he said.

Within two days of hearing about the proposed memorial, Mr Cetinay
obtained more than 800 signatures for a petition opposing it.

"If it goes ahead, our kids are going to grow up here with this
monument in their faces," he said. The Local Government Association of
NSW has formally recognised that genocide was perpetrated against the
Assyrians since World War I.

But neither the NSW Government nor the Federal Government have come to
the same conclusion.

Public Opinion Poll In Yerevan: 49.9% Of Respondents Against Ratific

PUBLIC OPINION POLL IN YEREVAN: 49.9% OF RESPONDENTS AGAINST RATIFICATION OF ARMENIAN-TURKISH PROTOCOLS

ArmInfo
2009-12-18 12:00:00

ArmInfo. Party "Human Rights – 96" has published the results of the
public opinion poll on the Armenian-Turkish Protocols. The party
polled 600 residents of the Yerevan city communities on December 11-15.

Thus, 23.5% of the respondents welcome ratification of the Protocols,
and 49.9% oppose. Another 27% could not answer. 26.5% of the polled
believe that improvement of economic situation in Armenia was the
reason that made President Serzh Sargsyan initiate normalization of
relations with Turkey, another 7.7% highlighted the necessity of
peace in the region, 14.2% called it an attempt to overshadow the
presidential election of 2008 and another 34.8% believe the president
intends to confirm his status.

17.2% of the polled explain the activities of ARF Dashnaktsutyun
against ratification of the Protocols with the national ideology of
the Party. 21.5% believe that ARFD is pressured by Diaspora, another
23.3% think that ARFD is afraid of losing the source of financing and
finally 16.5% of the polled say ARFD tries to support Serzh Sargsyan’s
initiative through anti-propaganda.

Gagik Minasyan: Turkey Will Never Take A Decision Countering Its Int

GAGIK MINASYAN: TURKEY WILL NEVER TAKE A DECISION COUNTERING ITS INTERESTS
Anna Nazaryan

"Radiolur"
18.12.2009 15:30

The passing year was significant for two processes – the Karabakh
settlement and the Armenian-Turkish normalization. Turkey will never
make a decision countering its interests, Republican MP Gagik Minasyan
told a press conference today.

Yesterday Turkish reporters were trying to convince their Armenian
counterparts that Turkey was in a deadlock, and that the domestic
situation in the country was tense after the decision of the
Constitutional Court to ban the pro-Kurdish Democratic Society Party .

There are pressures from Baku, the US President has made it clear
the US could recognize the Armenian Genocide.

Commenting on this, Gagik Melikyan said "Turkey will be guided by
its national interests and will not yield to anyone’s pressure."

As for the gesture Turkey expects from Armenia, Gagik Minasyan said
"Armenia has already made a gesture with its willingness to establish
relations without preconditions." "Turkey will find itself in a worse
situation if it fails to ratify the protocols," he said.

If Turkey drags the ratification of the protocols until April, will
Armenia view it as a violation and a non-reasonable timeframe? "I
think it can be viewed as violation of the reasonable timeframe of
ratification. I hope there will be some progress before then, because
practically there is no issue that needs to be clarified. What is
necessary here is political will and an ability to take a decision."

Sarkisian To IAGS President: No To Commission Of Historians, Yes To

SARKISIAN TO IAGS PRESIDENT: NO TO COMMISSION OF HISTORIANS, YES TO ELIMINATING CONSEQUENCES OF GENOCIDE

Armenian Weekly Staff
December 14, 2009

Below is the response of Armenia’s President Serge Sarkisian to
the letter of IAGS President William Schabas on the issue of the
historical commission.

***

Prof. William Schabas, Ph.D President, International Association of
Genocide Scholars Washington, D.C.

Nov. 13, 2009

Dear Mr. Schabas,

I am grateful for your letter and the concerns raised in it.

We, in Armenia, are well aware of the unbiased scientific research
conducted for many years by your Association on the crime of genocide,
including the Genocide of Armenians, and we attach great importance to
it. Your contribution to the cause of the international recognition of
this crime and keeping the international community informed regarding
the issue is invaluable.

Today, Armenia has chosen the path of establishing normal relations
with Turkey without any preconditions. Nevertheless, any relation with
neighboring Turkey does not question the fact of the Armenian Genocide
and deprivation of Homeland. The Genocide of Armenians committed by
Ottoman Turkey in 1915 is an acknowledged fact and must be recognized
and condemned by progressive people.

As for the matter of the establishment of the inter-governmental
sub-commission aimed to discuss the historical dimension, envisaged by
the Protocols signed by Armenia and Turkey, I should assure you that
it is not a commission of historians. The purpose of that commission
is to give an opportunity to Armenian and Turkish peoples to find
common grounds for mutual trust and dialogue. I fully agree with your
approach that the contribution to the elimination of the consequences
of the Genocide should be the goal o the sub-commission’s work,
and the fact of the Genocide itself can in now ay become a subject
of discussion within the agenda of the commission.

With this exact perception, we signed the Protocols with the Turkish
side, and this was what I stated in my address to the nation prior
to the signing.

Once again, I thank you and the International Association of Genocide
Scholars for conducting principled, unbiased and objective activity,
and would like to assure you that the Republic of Armenia, alongside
you and other organizations conducting scientific research, will be
in the vanguard of those pursuing the cause of the struggle against
the crime of genocide. We believe this is the moral duty of every
nation that survived genocide.

Sincerely, Serge Sarkisian