Showing posts with label Concordia. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Concordia. Show all posts

Monday, October 25, 2010

The Inspirational Elie Wiesel

Eliezer "Elie" Wiesel KBE (English pronunciation: /ˈɛli vɨˈzɛl/; born September 30, 1928) is a Romanian-born Jewish-American writer, professor, political activist, Nobel Laureate, and Holocaust survivor. He is the author of 57 books, including Night, a work based on his experiences as a prisoner in the Auschwitz and Buchenwald concentration camps.



I had started reading the book "Night" by Elie Wiesel at the beginning of the school year but got side tracked with the hustle and bustle of the semester. However, when I found out this exceptional man was coming to speak at Concordia University during peace week I couldn't pass up the opportunity.

A man know as the 'messenger of mankind', Elie Wiesel's words stuck with me that night at Concordia...

"The world clearly isn't ready to learn. U can tell by all the tragedies caused by man."

"I don't like living in a world where my hope is someone else's despair."

"I believe in man in spite of man."

Question from a student: How did u keep ur sanity?
"From my first orphanage I plunged into study. I have a passion for learning, still today. I love being a teacher."

Elie Wiesel is a remarkable 82 year old man with a sense of humor, passion for life, learning and sharing lessons in hopes of preventing future generations from making the same mistakes. He mentioned how he once in Germany in front of all the parliament members asked why no one had ever apologized to the Jewish people for the holocaust and distress caused. A week later, the German president made a public apology. Just one amazing thing Mr. Wiesel has done for the Jewish community and people at large.

I Thank You Elie Wiesel for coming to Concordia University, Montreal and for blessing us with your incredible story and kind words. A man truly meant to spread the word across the world.