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'Mourning and Memory' conference explores Jewish, Christian perspectives

By Elizabeth Child
October 7, 2002

Many of us continue to mourn the tragedies of Sept 11, 2001. Throughout life, we must cope with personal losses. Whether it is a unifying event or a personal one, people seek ways to mourn and remember.

St. Olaf College is presenting a conference, "Mourning and Memory: Jewish and Christian Perspectives," to be held from All Saint's Day on Friday, Nov. 1, to Founders Day at St. Olaf on Wednesday, Nov. 6. Linked events on the St. Olaf campus will explore the human response and traditions surrounding loss through music, literature, architecture, theology and religious life. The events are free and open to the public.

"Religious traditions shape both how we mourn and how we remember," says L. De Ane Lagerquist, St. Olaf College associate professor of religion and chair of the religion department. "These events offer opportunities to explore the resources Judaism and Christianity offer to the common human experience of loss."

"Mourning and Memory" features leading theological thinkers and authors from colleges nationwide and from St. Olaf College. The event blends their viewpoints with sacred music, worship services and an architectural exhibit that mines the relationship of sacred spaces and contemplation.

Guest presenters include:

· Mary C. Boys, author of Has God Only One Blessing: Judaism as a Source for Christian Self-Understanding and Skinner and McAlpin Professor of practical theology, Union Theological Seminary. She will address "Remembrance, Repentance and Renewal," at 3:30 p.m., Monday, Nov. 3.

· Jon D. Levenson, Harvard Professor of Jewish Studies and author of The Death and Resurrection of the Beloved Son: The Transformation of Child Sacrifice in Judaism and Christianity. He will speak on "Mourning and Rejoicing with Jerusalem," Monday, Nov. 4, at 7 p.m.

Mourning and Memory launches St. Olaf's Ditmanson Program in Religion and the Humanities, a series of conferences in honor of former St. Olaf religion professor Harold Ditmanson, who died in 1988. Ditmanson is remembered for his humanity and for his contributions to the Jewish-Christian dialogue.

The Mourning and Memory theme was also selected in recognition of the dramatic losses of life and illusion on Sept. 11, 2001, as well as the deaths of five members of the St. Olaf class of 2003.

Finally, Mourning and Memory honors the college's mission. St. Olaf College strives to be an inclusive community, respecting those of differing backgrounds and beliefs. The college views education and spirituality as central to the development of the whole person in mind, body and spirit.

Schedule of Events for "Mourning and Memory"

Friday, Nov. 1, 10 a.m.: Worship, Boe Memorial Chapel

Sunday, Nov. 3, 10:30 a.m.: Eucharist, Boe Memorial Chapel

Sunday, Nov. 3, 2:30 p.m.: "Why Have You Forsaken Me?: Jews, Christians and the Problem of Suffering," James Hanson, associate professor of religion, St. Olaf College, Urness Recital Hall, Christiansen Hall of Music

Sunday, Nov. 3, 4 p.m.: "Mozart's Requiem," Alice Hanson, professor of music, St. Olaf College, Urness Recital Hall, Christiansen Hall of Music

Sunday, Nov. 3, 7 p.m.: "Past Tense Present: Memoir and Sacred Space," Edward Adners Sovik, architect Room 305, Dittmann Center

Monday, Nov. 4, 10:10 a.m.: Worship, Rabbi Joseph Edelheit, Boe Memorial Chapel

Monday, Nov. 4, 11 a.m.: "Stories, Memories and Meaning in the Context of 'Dit,'" Howard Thorsheim, professor of psychology, St. Olaf College, Sun Ballroom, Buntrock Commons

Monday, Nov. 4, 2 p.m.: "Mourning, Memory and Nature in Recent Autobiography," Mark Allister, associate professor of English, American Studies and Environmental Studies, St. Olaf College, Sun Ballroom, Buntrock Commons

Monday, Nov. 4, 3:30 p.m.: "Remembrance, Repentance and Renewal: Confessing Our Finitude, Reclaiming Our Grandeur," Mary C. Boys, Skinner and McAlpin Professor of practical theology, Union Theological Seminary, Sun Ballroom, Buntrock Commons

Monday, Nov. 4, 7 p.m.: "Mourning and Rejoicing with Jerusalem," Jon D. Levenson, Professor of Jewish Studies, Harvard, Sun Ballroom, Buntrock Commons

Tuesday, Nov. 5, 11:10 a.m. Worship, selections from Mozart's "Requiem," Chapel Choir directed by Robert Scholz, professor of music, St. Olaf College, Boe Memorial Chapel

Tuesday, Nov. 5, 3:30 p.m.: Kaddish (film by Steve Brand). Introduction by William Sonnega, assistant professor of theater, director of media studies, St. Olaf College, Viking Theater, Buntrock Commons

Tuesday, Nov. 5, 5 p.m.: "Poetry and Memoir: A Reading," Ruth Brin, poet, Viking Theater, Buntrock Commons

Wednesday, Nov. 6 (Founders Day), 10:10 a.m.: Worship, Rev. Mark Ditmanson, Boe Memorial Chapel

Wednesday, Nov. 6, 1:30 p.m.: "Remembering St. Augustine," Walter Stromseth, Professor Emeritus of Philosphy, St. Olaf College, Sun Ballroom, Buntrock Commons

Wednesday, Nov. 6, 3:30 p.m.: "Memory, the Foundation of Hope," Darrell Jodock, Drell and Adeline Bernhardson Distinguished Professor of Religion, Gustavus Adolphus College, Sun Ballroom, Buntrock Commons

Wednesday, Nov. 6, 7:30 p.m.: "Concert Preview," Urness Recital Hall, Christiansen Hall of Music

Wednesday, Nov. 6, 8:15 p.m.: Concert, "Music of Block and Messiaen," featuring St. Olaf College music professors Andrea Een, violin; David Carter, cello; JoAnn Polley, clarinet; and Nancy Paddleford, piano, Urness Recital Hall, Christiansen Hall of Music

For maps and more information visit: www.stolaf.edu/events/ditmanson or call 507-646-3080.

Contact David Gonnerman at 507-786-3315 or gonnermd@stolaf.edu.