A Conspiracy of Goodness: The Story of the Villagers of Le Chambon

 The Memphis area program will take place on Wednesday October 31, 2012 from 7:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. (CST) at the University Center on The University of Memphis Campus located at 225 University Center, Memphis, TN 38152.

This year’s program, “A Conspiracy of Goodness:  The Story of the Villagers of Le Chambon” examines the responses of the villagers of Le Chambon.  As generations before us have asked, “Who are our neighbors?”  That we find ourselves asking that question is itself a problem. The answer, as the history of genocides and our responses to them have shown, is complicated. Not every knock on the door by those seeking safety was ignored; not every prospective victim was left on the side of the road. Nelly Trocmé Hewett who was a teenager in Le Chambon and participated in the resistance efforts will introduce the film Weapons of the Spirit. This film is the story of the village of Le Chambon where, during World War II, in and around one village in Nazi-occupied France, 5,000 Jews were sheltered by 5,000 Christians. This is the story of a unique conspiracy of goodness. Not a single Jew who came there was turned away or turned in. It was not until decades later that the villagers spoke of what they had done—and even then, only reluctantly. This film will help present the challenge that Holocaust rescuers make to us, asking, “What would you have done?”

This one-day conference is open to the public and specifically designed for middle and high school teachers to provide them with additional knowledge and resources about the Holocaust. Educators are encouraged to identify up to four mature students to accompany them to the all day workshop for hands-on activities and interaction with survivors and educators in the field of Holocaust studies.   Teachers intending to bring students are required to contact the THC with the name and number of students who will attend the conferences.  A student registration form is attached to the panel on the left or click here.

• Lunch:  Lunch will not be provided as part of the conference.   We encourage participants to eat at the Food Court located on the first floor of the University Center.
• Parking: Two parking options are available to conference participants at the University of Memphis. 

Option #1- Park in the Zach Curlin Parking Garage located at 505 Zach H. Curlin Street, Memphis, TN 38152 .  The fee is $12.00 for the entire day.

Option #2- Purchase a parking pass allowing you to park in the general parking lots on campus for $2.00 for the entire day.  To receive this $2.00 pass you must fill out the parking pass request form by October 15, 2012.  On the morning of the conference you may you park in the closest general parking lot located on Zach Curlin across from the parking garage. A representative from the Holocaust Commission will be in the parking lot so that you can pay for and receive your parking pass.  Click here to fill out the attached form.

Please familiarize yourself and your students with all of the educational links found in the panel on the left.