The Klinghoffers to Tell Stories Publicly for the First Time at Center for Jewish History, 10/8

On October 8, 1985, terrorists representing the Palestinian Liberation Organization stormed the Achille Lauro cruise ship, murdering Leon Klinghoffer, who was vacationing with his wife and friends. His tragic death became a rallying cry in the fight against terrorism. In the ensuing years the story was co-opted and retold through the lens of popular culture.

On the day of the 30th anniversary of their father's death, Ilsa and Lisa Klinghoffer will reveal their stories publicly for the first time. This exceptional event program will feature a conversation with composer Steve Reich, independent producer Carla Singer and other special guests, moderated by Justin Davidson of New York magazine. Panelists will ask, "Who does this story belong to?" and "What can we learn about and from the different, often contradictory, portraits and narratives of the Klinghoffer tragedy?"

This event will mark the transfer of the personal papers of the Klinghoffer family to a public archive in the American Jewish Historical Society at the Center for Jewish History. Through letters, photos, and other materials, audiences will come to understand Leon Klinghoffer as never before.

Inspired by the Klinghoffer case, a daytime blue-ribbon legal panel will discuss the difficulties faced in prosecuting terrorism against American citizens at home and abroad, including remedies through criminal and civil law. A limited number of seats will be available to the general public for this portion of the event earlier in the day. More information available at cjh.org/klinghoffer. RSVP required at: rsvp@cjh.org.

IF YOU GO:

Thursday, October 8

7:00 p.m.

Presented by the Center for Jewish History and the American Jewish Historical Society

Discussion

Tickets: $15 general; $12 Center for Jewish History/American Jewish Historical Society members, seniors, students

Details: http://cjh.org/event/2694

The Center for Jewish History is located at 15 West 16th Street in Manhattan.

The Center for Jewish History in New York City illuminates history, culture, and heritage. The Center provides a collaborative home for five partner organizations: American Jewish Historical Society, American Sephardi Federation, Leo Baeck Institute, Yeshiva University Museum, and YIVO Institute for Jewish Research.

The partners' archives comprise the world's largest and most comprehensive archive of the modern Jewish experience outside of Israel. The collections span 700 years, with more than 5 miles of archival documents (in dozens of languages and alphabet systems), more than 500,000 volumes, as well as thousands of artworks, textiles, ritual objects, recordings, films, and photographs.

The Center's experts are leaders in unlocking archival material for a wide audience through the latest practices in digitization, library science, and public education. As one of the world's foremost research institutions, the Center offers fellowships, a wide array of exhibitions, symposia, conferences and lectures. The Center is a Smithsonian Affiliate, and is a partner of the Google Cultural Institute.

The Center for Jewish History is home to the Lillian Goldman Reading Room, Ackman & Ziff Family Genealogy Institute, The David Berg Rare Book Room and The Collection Management & Conservation Wing. Public programs create opportunities for diverse audiences to explore the rich historical and cultural material that lives within the Center's walls.

The American Jewish Historical Society is the oldest ethnic, cultural archive in the United States. AJHS provides access to more than 25 million documents and 50,000 books, photographs, art and artifacts that reflect the history of the Jewish presence in the United States from 1654 to the present. It is the future of the American Jewish past.