Elie Wiesel scheduled to speak in Lakewood

LAKEWOOD - Georgian Court University, the Strand Theater and the Jewish Federation of Ocean County will present "Against Indifference," an afternoon with Nobel Prize-winner Elie Wiesel on Nov. 4 at 1:30 p.m. at the Strand Theater.

The afternoon with Wiesel will bring to the forefront the importance of standing up to those who would spread prejudice and hate, rather than giving in to indifference.

"This presentation launches Georgian Court's Nonviolence Awareness Week, a series of lectures, speakers and panels against violence in all forms. Nonviolence is one of the major platforms of the Sisters of Mercy," said Ruth Ann Burns, vice president of marketing and external affairs for Georgian Court University.

"Bringing Elie Wiesel to Lakewood gives the community the opportunity to hear a man who lives the Mercy core values of justice, respect, compassion, service and integrity every day of his life. He is an incredible role model for standing up for people who have no voice and using his power to focus attention on their plight," she adds.

According to a press release, Wiesel, a survivor of the Auschwitz and Buchenwald concentration camps operated by the Nazis during World War II, has worked on behalf of oppressed people for much of his adult life. After the war, Wiesel became a journalist and was persuaded to write about his experiences in the death camps. The result was his internationally acclaimed memoir, "La Nuit" ("Night"), which has since been translated into more than 30 languages.

"I know the audience will be inspired by seeing and hearing a Nobel Peace Prize winner who lives his life with such courage and stands up for people around the globe who have no voice. This event promises to be an exciting afternoon, and hopefully will make people think about what they can do to make the world a better place," said Danny Goldberg, executive director of the Jewish Federation of Ocean County.

In addition to educating people around the world of the horrors of the Holocaust, Wiesel has also defended the cause of Soviet Jews, Nicaragua's Miskito Indians, Argentina's Desaparecidos, Cambodian refugees, the Kurds, victims of famine and genocide in Africa, of apartheid in South Africa, and of war in the former Yugoslavia, according to the press release.

Very limited tickets went on sale Aug. 1. VIP tickets, which include center orchestra seating, admission to a pre-event guided art exhibit and a private post-event reception with Elie Wiesel at the Georgian Court Mansion, are $150 each. General seating tickets are $35 each (a $4 service charge will be added to the cost of each ticket).

Tickets may be purchased at www.strand.org or by calling (732) 367-7789, Monday through Friday, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. All major credit cards are accepted, and all sales are final.