Virtual Presentation by Lauren Bairnsfather
Executive Director of the Holocaust Center of Pittsburgh
Reservations Required

VINELAND, NJ – When we see a grievous wrong being committed, should we, rather than being bystanders, intervene? What can be done to overcome the tendency to not intervene? How does this reflect the behavior of some during the Holocaust?

These issues and others will be discussed in a Zoom presentation, free and open to the public, on Tuesday, June 1, from 7 to 8:15 p.m., on the use of an acclaimed series of comic book heroes, “Chutz-POW! Superheroes of the Holocaust” to teach these lessons.

This presentation, followed by a question-and-answer session, is presented by South Jersey Holocaust Coalition and by New Jersey Commission on Holocaust Education, with additional funding from One Jewish Community—Jewish Federation of Cumberland, Gloucester & Salem Counties.

The presenter will be Lauren Bairnsfather, Executive Director of the Holocaust Center of Pittsburgh, PA. This facility is the creator and publisher of this educational comic series. She will tell how, through this comic series, we can be “upstanders,” rather than bystanders, when we see wrongs committed.

The bystander effect occurs when the presence of others discourages an individual from intervening in an emergency situation, against a bully, or during an assault or other crime. The greater the number of bystanders, the less likely it is for any one of them to provide help to a person in distress. People are more likely to take action in a crisis when few or no other witnesses are present. The intervention of bystanders is often the only reason why bullying and other crimes cease. The social and behavioral paralysis described by the bystander effect can be reduced with awareness and, in some cases, explicit training. Secondary schools and college campuses encourage students to speak up when witnessing an act of bullying or a potential assault.

This is illustrated as part of the mission of the comic series–to place stories of UpStanders’ courage, resilience, and sacrifice at the forefront of Holocaust awareness. Each volume is an anthology by award-winning creative collaborators, telling true-life stories of heroic survivors who brought light into some of the darkest recesses of World War II–UpStanders instead of bystanders. Copies of these Graphic Comic Books can be ordered at https://hcofpgh.org/chutzpow/.

Prior to serving in her present position, Bairnsfather served as Research Analyst and Assistant to the Associate Dean for Research and Graduate Studies of the College of Liberal Arts at The University of Texas at Austin. Prior to that she was archivist at the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum Photo Archives, in Washington DC. This was followed by being Coordinator of Museum Operations at the Spertus Institute of Jewish Studies, in Chicago, IL.

The chairperson of Holocaust Coalition is Harry Furman, a former Social Studies teacher who pioneered the first New Jersey high school semester course on the Holocaust and genocide, The Conscience of Man.

Educators, students, and the public are invited to take part and, for professionals, 1.5 Professional Development (PD) hours will be granted by New Jersey Commission on Holocaust Education.

Registration (password protected) is required. Please register by visiting the Coalition website—www.holocaustcoalition.com.

Donations to Jewish Federation to help support the work of Holocaust Coalition may be sent to 1015 E. Park Ave., Vineland, NJ 08360.

For more information on this and all South Jersey Holocaust Coalition events and activities, please visit the Coalition’s website at www.holocaustcoalition.com. Please see their Facebook page at “South Jersey Holocaust Coalition” for interesting articles and information about the Holocaust and related subjects. You may also email holocaustcoalition@gmail.com.