Professor Aarons One of the Keynote Speakers at Conference Marking Humanitarian’s 80^th Birthday.

Victoria Aarons, professor and chair of English

November 2008 - Speakers came from all over the world and included Hasidic and Talmudic scholars as well as Holocaust literature scholars.  There were also writers, lawyers, teachers, and at least one politician. They gathered to celebrate the 80^th birthday of humanitarian Elie Wiesel, Holocaust survivor, illustrious writer, and a Nobel Peace Prize recipient who continues to be a champion of the oppressed. 

Among the 30 scholars invited to speak at the international conference, which was held in October at Boston University, was Victoria Aarons, professor and chair of English at Trinity University. Professor Aarons, whose specialties are American Jewish literature and Holocaust literature, said she was honored to be chosen to commemorate the life and work of Mr. Wiesel.

“This is a man of upmost humility and, as he put it, gratitude for every moment he’s been alive against all the odds,” said Professor Aarons. “He is not only a spokesperson for the Holocaust and for keeping the memory of the Holocaust alive, but he is a person who spoke out against apartheid in South Africa and against genocide in Bosnia and in Darfur.”

The conference was organized to recognize all facets of Mr. Wiesel’s work including his scholarship as a leading interpreter of the Bible and the Talmud, his contributions to Holocaust literature, and his efforts to promote peace and understanding in the world.

Victoria Aarons visits with Elie Wiesel

“There were sessions all day long.  It was so intense.  No sessions were concurrent, and each session had about five scholars,” said Professor Aarons, who added, “Elie Wiesel attended every single talk and sat right in the front row of this big lecture hall.”

Professor Aarons was on a panel devoted to Mr. Wiesel’s award-winning fiction, where she presented a paper about his writing. “He came up to me after my paper and we spent a lot of time talking,” she recalled.

One of the high points of the conference was the chance for the presenters to learn from one another. Discussions continued between sessions and at meals, said Professor Aarons, who added that Mr. Wiesel often joined in on the conversations.

 “I really feel that, for me, it was the most rewarding and meaningful experience of my professional life,” said Professor Aarons.

Returning to Trinity, Professor Aarons looked forward to sharing her experiences with students in her Literature of the Holocaust class.  This semester the students read a memoir by Mr. Wiesel as well as some of his short stories.  “It is an excellent class with excellent students who are engaged in the material and who are so open to discussing really difficult work,” she said.

The invitation to be a keynote speaker at the Elie Wiesel conference is not the only honor Professor Aarons has received this year.  She has also been named as the next Mitchell Professor of English beginning in the fall of 2010.

© 2008 Trinity University