Monthly Archives: April 2013
University of Florida Hillel Raises Genocide Awareness
By Gillian Stoney
Alligator Contributing Writer
The opening ceremony of the “From One Witness to Another: Genocide Awareness Series” began Sunday on Bo Diddley Community Plaza at the University of Florida (UF).
The series will continue through Wednesday as UF Hillel recognizes Genocide Awareness Month.
(Also on FLArmenians: 98th Anniversary Armenian Genocide Commemorations in Florida)
Genocide is traditionally defined as the deliberate killing of a large group of people, particularly those of a particular ethnic group or nation.
Rabbi Daniel Wolnerman, of UF Hillel, lights a candle at a memorial ceremony commemorating genocide victims on Bo Diddley Community Plaza on Sunday. April is Genocide Awareness Month. Photo courtesy Tony Sadiku, Alligator
During the opening ceremony, UF students Sarah Pila, a 22-year-old psychology senior; Kimmie Klaiman, a 20-year-old economics and family, youth and community sciences senior; and Stefani Pila, a 22-year-old history major; read testimonies of survivors from the Armenian genocide, the Rwandan genocide and the Cambodian genocide. UF Hillel Rabbi Daniel Wolnerman spoke about being the grandson of Holocaust survivors.
The series is an effort to inform the community of the acts of hatred that have occurred in 43 countries, Sarah Pila said.
“I think it’s very special that here at the University of Florida, we’re able to not only acknowledge the Holocaust, which affected predominantly the Jewish population, but also able to incorporate that into the larger scheme of genocide awareness,” Wolnerman said.
Five candles were lit to commemorate the billions of deaths. White ribbons were handed out to represent people lost to genocide.
“It’s important because we always say, ‘Never again,’ and it’s still happening,” said Katie Gillen, a 21-year-old UF telecommunication senior.
This story originally appeared in the Alligator and is reprinted with the permission of the author.
Armenian Church of America’s Annual Diocesan Assembly to Convene in Boca Raton May 2-5
Mr. & Mrs. Edward & Janet Mardigian to be honored at May 3 banquet as Diocesan “Members of the Year”
Boca Raton, FL – The Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern) is pleased to announce the details of the 111th Diocesan Assembly, scheduled to convene May 2 through 5, 2013, in Boca Raton, Florida.
St. David Armenian Church will host the Diocesan gathering, which will bring together several hundred Armenian Church leaders from throughout the Eastern Diocese—including clergy, parish delegates and parish council chairs, the Diocesan Council, leaders of Diocesan organizations, and members of the Diocesan staff.
His Eminence Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Diocesan Primate, will preside over all the gatherings and events.
A highlight of the week of activities will be the annual Diocesan Assembly awards banquet, on the evening of Friday, May 3. At that time, Mr. and Mrs. Edward and Janet Mardigian will be honored as the Diocese’s 2013 “Armenian Church Members of the Year.” Natives of the St. John Armenian Church of Southfield, Michigan, Edward and Janet Mardigian have been heroic benefactors of the Diocese and the Fund for Armenian Relief (FAR), and are continuing the grand legacy of leadership, participation, and support established by Edward’s late parents, Mr. and Mrs. Edward and Helen Mardigian.
The “Friend of the Armenians” award will be presented to former Florida Governor Jeb Bush, who visited Armenia in the wake of the 1988 earthquake.
Prior to the Assembly itself, clergy from across the Diocese will meet for their annual Clergy Conference and retreat, from Monday, April 29 through Wednesday, May 1.
The Diocesan Women’s Guild General Assembly also convenes during the week. This year, leaders of parish Women’s Guilds will begin their annual meeting on Thursday, May 2, at 10:00 a.m. under the presidency of the Primate, with all Diocesan clergy participating. The Women’s Guild Central Council’s fourth annual Woman of Wonder (WOW) Appreciation Luncheon will be held on Saturday, May 4. This year’s honorees are Carol Norigian, Nina Stapan, Claudette Sarian, Rose Kazanjian, and Naomi Davitian.
The Diocesan Assembly will convene on Thursday, May 2 at 4:00 p.m., with sessions continuing to the afternoon of Saturday, May 4. In addition to the regular business sessions and reports from the Diocesan Council, FAR, and various Diocesan organizations, one entire morning session will be devoted to a presentation of the new Diocesan theme for the coming year: “Living the Gospel of Christ.”
On Sunday, May 5, the Primate will preside over a special Divine Liturgy at St. David Church for the Assembly attendees.
The host parish, under the leadership of the Very Rev. Fr. Nareg Berberian, has arranged for accommodations at the Marriott Boca Raton Hotel (5150 Town Center Circle, Boca Raton, FL 33431), where the sessions will also take place. To register, please click to print out the forms below and follow the instructions for submission.
Florida Armenians 