Migration and Refugees Topic for ODU's Sonenshine Lecture, March 26

Tony Kushner, author and professor of Jewish/Non-Jewish Relations at the University of Southampton, Great Britain, will offer the Helen and Daniel Sonenshine Endowed Lectureship in Jewish Studies titled, "Jewish History and the Forgotten Transmigrant" at 8 p.m. Wednesday, March 26 in Chandler Recital Hall, Diehn Fine and Performing Arts Center.

Kushner will speak about migration and refugees coming through Great Britain, particularly Jewish refugees in the World War II period. Migration and immigration are critical issues now that citizenship and membership in a state are contested, particularly with regard to the assimilation or lack of assimilation of minority groups and the rights of immigrants to live, work or reside as foreigners in European (or American societies).

Kushner specializes in contemporary British Jewish History, immigration issues and responses, and the Holocaust. He is the author of numerous books including "Remembering Refugees: Then and Now" and "We Europeans? Mass-Observation, 'Race' and British Identity in the Twentieth Century." Kushner is chair of the Working Party in Jewish Archives; a trustee of the Anne Frank Educational Trust, UK; and co-editor of two journals, Patterns of Prejudice and Immigrants and Minorities.

Established in 2007, the Helen and Daniel Sonenshine Endowed Lectureship in Jewish Studies is one of two endowed lectureships that form the centerpieces for The Institute for Jewish Studies and Interfaith Understanding's community lectures each year.

For more information, contact the Institute's academic director, Maura Hametz at mhametz@odu.edu or 683-3946.