02/07 to 06/30 - Time: see below

Exhibit: "Albanian Muslim Rescuers During the Holocaust"

The Ethnic Heritage Center is hosting an exhibit of photographs by Norman Gershman -- "The Albanian Muslim Rescuers During the Holocaust" -- from February 7 to June 30, 2010. This event is co-sponsored by Southern Connecticut State University, the Jewish Historical Society of Greater New Haven, and the Jewish Federation of Greater New Haven. This traveling 40-picture exhibit comes to us from the Hebrew Union College - Jewish Institute of Religion. 

EHC hosted an exhibit opening in February and a larger educational program in March to increase awareness of these charitable acts of kindness and to spark conversation and dialogue among the many ethnic groups in New Haven.

• On February 21, 2010, from 2-4 p.m., the opening was held at 270 Fitch Street, New Haven, featuring Yale Professor Dr. Paula Hyman as the keynote speaker discussing the historical understanding of the exhibit.
  
• On March 14, 2010, at 3 p.m., a program featured Dr. Ingrid Mattson, Director of the Macdonald Center for the Study of Islam and Christian-Muslim Relations, Director of Islamic Chaplaincy program, and Professor of Islamic Studies and Christian-Muslim Relations at the Hartford Seminary. After the presentation in the SCSU Adanti Student Center, guests were encouraged to view the exhibit across the street at the Ethnic Heritage Center.

Kosher refreshments were served at both events.

 

BACKGROUND TO THE EXHIBIT

When post-World War II Europe found itself devastated by the loss of its Jewish population, Albania was the only country to boast a larger number of Jewish people than it had housed prior to the Holocaust. Over 2,000 Jews from Albania, Greece, Austria, and Italy were hidden in the homes of Albanian Muslim families throughout the War. Norman Gershman, an American photographer fascinated by these stories, traveled to Albania and Kosovo to chronicle the tales of the righteous Albanians and their devotion to Besa, an Albanian code of honor, which means "to keep the promise."

The Ethnic Heritage Center is a unique association of five New Haven area ethnic historical societies: Greater New Haven African American Historical Society, Connecticut Irish-American Historical Society, Italian-American Historical Society of Connecticut, Jewish Historical Society of Greater New Haven, and Connecticut Ukrainian-American Historical Society. Founded in 1988, the Ethnic Heritage Center is the home for the papers and artifacts collected by our member societies. The Center is also the custodian of the New Haven Public Schools records dating back to the 1850s. In-house is an enormous doll collection with over 200 dolls in authentic ethnic costumes from around the world and in history. 

Visiting hours are Tuesday-Thursday from 9 a.m.-3 p.m., Friday from 9 a.m.-12 p.m., Sunday from 2-4 p.m., and by appointment. For more information about the Ethnic Heritage Center or the exhibit, call (203) 392-6126.

 

Admission: free

Location: Ethnic Heritage Center, 270 Fitch St., New Haven, CT

Directions: near the intersection of Fitch and Crescent streets

Contact Information: Ethnic Heritage Center, (203) 392-6126