Jewish American Heritage Month

Posted By admin on March 5, 2024

In a touching tribute during Women's History Month, the New Haven Museum celebrated the life and legacy of Laurel Vlock, an influential journalist and the pioneering founder of the Fortunoff Video Archive for Holocaust Testimonies at Yale University. The event, co-hosted with the Jewish Historical Society of Greater New Haven, drew speakers from Vlock's family and collaborators who shared personal and professional insights into her impactful work.

Laurel Vlock, whose life was tragically cut short in a car crash in 2000, left an indelible mark on Holocaust education and remembrance through her visionary work. The event featured heartfelt anecdotes from her son, Daniel Vlock, and sister, Marian Fox Wexler, alongside virtual contributions from Stephen Naron, director of the Fortunoff Archive, and Paul Falcone, reflecting on Vlock's enthusiasm for life and dedication to her mission. An exhibit showcased personal photographs and the Emmy Award she won in 1981, recognizing her as a trailblazing figure in the documentation of Holocaust testimonies.

Vlock's career achievements include the creation of "Your Community Speaks" for Yale's WYBC radio station and the acclaimed "Dialogue with Laurel Vlock" on WTNH Channel 8, where she interviewed a range of figures from local activists to global personalities like Hillary Clinton and Elie Wiesel. Her collaboration with the University of New Haven led to the production of over 230 programs, cementing her legacy in the field of educational broadcasting. The event also highlighted her instrumental role, alongside psychiatrist Dori Laub, in founding the Holocaust Survivors' Film Project, which evolved into the Fortunoff Video Archive for Holocaust Testimonies, now housing over 4,400 interviews.

Stephen Naron's remarks underscored the critical importance of Vlock's work in founding the Fortunoff Archive and the establishment of a fellowship in her name, supporting filmmakers in residence to continue the mission of Holocaust education. The archive's extensive collection serves as a testament to Vlock's foresight and dedication to preserving survivors' stories. The event concluded with a reflection on Vlock's belief in the power of visual testimony and the urgency of documenting Holocaust survivors' experiences, a legacy that continues to inspire new generations of educators, historians, and filmmakers.

As the New Haven Museum displays items from Vlock's life and career throughout March, her story serves as a powerful reminder of the impact one individual can have on preserving history and educating future generations. Her work, celebrated and remembered, continues to resonate, ensuring that the voices of Holocaust survivors are heard and their stories never forgotten.

Read more from the original source:

New Haven Museum Honors Laurel Vlock: Trailblazer in Holocaust Testimony Preservation - BNN Breaking

Category: Holocaust
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