Sympathizing with Syrian Refugee Children
Lucia Weitzman has much in common with the children who are flooding into Europe from Syria. Weitzman was born during the Holocaust, and her parents placed her with a Polish-Catholic family in an attempt to save her life. Despite being known in her hometown as Jewish, Weitzman was raised Catholic in a hostile environment.
On September 6, 2015, Pope Francis called on all European Catholics to aid Syrian refugees, creating a sense of urgency quite different than the Pope of the 40s. Hearing this support come from the Vatican has prompted Weitzman to ponder her past, and how life could have been different had the Pope Pius XII been less neutral.
On October 28th, 1965, the Vatican issued a Declaration on the Relation of the Church to Non-Christian Religions Nostra Aetate. This document rejects the charge that the Jews of Jesus’ time, or those alive today, are collectively guilty of Jesus’ death.
Talking with Lucia Weitzman
Lucia Weitzman is able to have an expressive, thoughtful and energetic interview that includes the following topics:
- Her reaction to the Nostra Aetate Declaration in 1965, after her move from Poland to the United States and transition to Judaism
- Thoughts on the idea that the Nostra Aetate Declaration could have prevented the Holocaust
- Her childhood experiences in her church, school, and neighborhood; how she dealt with significant questions, guilt, and bullying.
- Growing up knowing that she is Jewish, but practicing Catholicism in her post war Polish hometown
- From the Catholic Church back to her Jewish heritage; what were her biggest challenges and how did she overcome them?
To schedule an interview with Weitzman, contact:
Sarah Gilbert | 856-489-8654 x317
sarah.gilbert@smithpublicity.com