Baylor's Center for Jewish Studies Host Holocaust Luncheon, Stations of the Cross

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The Center for Jewish Studies will host "Father, Forgive Us: Stations of the Cross After the Holocaust," an artistic expression of the stations of the cross, at 9:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 31 in the Heschel Room in Marrs McLean Science Building on the Baylor campus. The center also will host a Holocaust Luncheon at noon Thursday, April 8 in Truett Seminary on the Baylor campus.

This year's luncheon guest speaker is Sister Carol Rittner, a member of the Sisters of Mercy from the Dallas, Pa. regional community. She received a master's degree in Theological Studies from St. John's Seminary, Detroit, Mich.

"The lecture is geared towards women in the holocaust and how women suffered," said Marlene Frazier, administrative associate and conference coordinator for the Center for Jewish Studies at Baylor.

Rittner is the recipient of the Richard Stockton College of New Jersey's Ida E. King Medallion for outstanding scholarship and international service to the human community. She was appointed distinguished professor of religious studies and of holocaust and genocide studies at the Richard Stockton College of New Jersey where she currently teaches.

The artistic expression of the stations of the cross was inspired by Keas Keasler, evangelical preacher and former Baylor student.

Eight artists will use sculptures, paintings, photography and film to create 14 stations. Each station will compare what Jesus Christ went through during his final days to the Jewish people's experience in the holocaust.

Stations of the cross dates back to early Christians who visited Jerusalem in order to literally follow the way Jesus went to the cross. In 1342 the Franciscans were given sole responsibility of maintaining the Stations which developed an anti-Semitic character, Keasler said.

"Anyone who comes, will not go away untouched in a spiritual way," Frazier said.

This project aims to communicate three different theological points: Christian history and the sufferings of the Jewish people in the Holocaust, the character of God as seen in the suffering of the crucified Jesus, and the future of Christianity and where the church will choose to be in respect to the sufferings of the world Keasler said.

For more information contact, (254) 710-2866.

by Jessica Puente, student newswriter, (254) 710-6805