Renowned historian to speak at Annual Campaign event

Deborah LipstadtThe name Deborah Lipstadt probably rings a bell. Lipstadt is an internationally renowned scholar and the Dorot professor of Modern Jewish History and Holocaust Studies at Emory University in Atlanta. She has written many books about anti-Semitism and about being sued by David Irving. She will be coming to Providence to share her story at the Jewish Alliance of Greater Rhode Island’s 2016 Annual Campaign event, co-chaired by Lezli and Jamie Pious and Amanda and Jeremy Isenberg on Nov. 1.  

In 1993, Lipstadt wrote a book, “Denying the Holocaust: The Growing Assault on Truth and Memory,” naming Irving as a Hitler apologist and Holocaust denier. She pointed out that Irving had minimized the Holocaust’s impact, and hadn’t even acknowledged its existence for years.

Three years after the book’s launch, Irving sued Lipstadt for libel and defamation of his reputation as a historian. During the trial, documents were released with witness statements and reports detailing Nazi atrocities, Auschwitz’s use as a concentration camp, and Irving’s anti-Semitic leanings and cooperation with right-wing extremists.

Judge Charles Gray found that Irving had manipulated historical data to skew it in favor of Hitler and the Third Reich, instead of laying out the facts. Gray ruled in favor of Lipstadt, ordering Irving to pay court costs and denying subsequent appeals.

The trial prompted Lipstadt to write “History on Trial: My Day in Court with a Holocaust Denier.” The book talks about Lipstadt’s legal battle with Irving and sheds light on anti-Semitism and racism in general. Her book also tells how historians manipulate the truth to show their own biases and how that can alter the course of history.

In an interview with Lipstadt, she remarked, “As academicians, we must use our scholarship to support historical truth. It is our responsibility.”

This poignant topic has sparked interest in Hollywood, and a movie about Lipstadt’s victory over Irving is currently in production, starring Hilary Swank as Lipstadt and Tom Wilkinson as Irving.

Learn more about Lipstadt’s work at the Jewish Alliance’s 2016 Annual Campaign event on Nov. 1 at 7 p.m. at Temple Beth-El, in Providence. Lipstadt will discuss the trial and anti-Semitism today.

Event co-chair Amanda Isenberg said, “I hope that there is a strong community presence at this event because I think it’s an important topic –  and it’s so nice to have everyone come together to support the Alliance.”

Co-chair Lezli Pious agreed. “I am honored to be co-chairing such an important event for our community with a world-renowned speaker like Deborah Lipstadt,” she said.

There will be a pre-reception for Silver Circle donors – who have given to the Alliance’s Annual Campaign for 25 years or longer – at 5:45 p.m., as well as a Double Chai Society pre-reception, beginning at 6 p.m.

For more information about this event, or to RSVP, contact Michele Gallagher at mgallagher@jewishallianceri.org or 401-421-4111, ext. 165.

Hillary Schulman is a development associate with the Jewish Alliance of Greater Rhode Island.