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Christian Witness, Perspective, Political, , , ,

Dr. Laurence Vance – Christianity and War, Other Aspects of the Warfare State

Dr. Laurence Vance will address the Institute On The Constitution as part of its First Friday program. The program will take place on Friday, June 5, 2009, at 7pm. As with past “First Friday” lectures, this one will be held at 8028 Ritchie Highway, Suite 315, Pasadena, Maryland 21122. Doors open at 6:30pm and the lecture will begin promptly at 7pm. The event is free but because of limited space please RSVP to 1-866-730-9796. Refreshments will be provided.

Dr. Vance’s address will be streamed live, at no cost, on the Internet, June 5 at 7pm (EST).

Dr. Laurence M. Vance is a Bible-believing Christian author, freelance writer, and book reviewer. He holds degrees in history, theology, accounting, and economics. He has written and published sixteen books on the diverse subjects of theology, biblical languages, Bible history, economics, politics, and war. Dr. Vance regularly contributes articles and book reviews to both secular and religious periodicals. He is a regular columnist for LewRockwell a member of the Society of Biblical Literature, the editor of the Classic Reprints series, the director of the Francis Wayland Institute, and an adjunct scholar of the Ludwig von Mises Institute.

The “Institute on the Constitution (IOTC)” is an educational effort sponsored by the Law Office of Peroutka and Peroutka of Pasadena, Maryland. It is neither an instrument of, nor an advocate for, any particular political party. Rather, it advocates the restoration of our Constitutional Republic by offering classes, lectures, and products designed to re- acquaint the American people with our history, our heritage, and our Constitution, which is the very foundation of our Republic. You will not find smoke, mirrors, or political correctness filters at our presentations — just real American history, the way it was, the way it ought to be taught.

The following is a presentation by Dr. Vance on Christianity and War at the 2008 Austrian Scholars Conference:

Poland - Polish - Polonia, , , ,

Columbia University establishes Endowed Chair in Polish Studies

From Columbia University: Professorship will focus on research and education within university’s East Central European Center

Columbia University recently completed a $3 million fundraising effort to establish its first endowed chair in its Polish studies program at the university’s East Central European Center.

—The new chair in Polish studies reflects not only Poland’s historical contributions to art, literature and the sciences as the birthplace of such notable figures as Czeslaw Milosz, Frederick Chopin, Marie Curie and Pope John Paul II, but also recognizes its current prominent position as a member of the European Union,— said Nicholas Dirks, Columbia’s vice president and dean of the faculty of arts and sciences. —Students will benefit from the wide array of studies we offer that pay tribute to the remarkable achievements that Poland has realized culturally, economically and politically.—

Following an international search to fill the professorship, a scholar specializing in one of the social sciences as it pertains to Poland and its neighbors will join Columbia’s faculty.

The announcement of the endowed chair took place in Warsaw on Wednesday, March 25. A formal ceremony was organized by Poland’s Consulate General in New York and the Foundation for Polish Science. It was attended by Radoslaw Sikorski, Poland’s minister of foreign affairs, Bogdan Zdrojewski, minister of culture and national heritage, and Aleksander Grad, minister of state treasury, among others.

During the ceremony, Foreign Minister Sikorski thanked the institutional and individual donors and emphasized that he was personally —touched and proud— that a project that was so important for Poland was successfully completed.

—The Polish studies chair provides a marvelous and timely opportunity to engage our Polish and central European colleagues in the university’s planned worldwide network of Columbia Global Centers, which are designed to mobilize scholarship around the globe to address the multiple challenges facing us all,— said Kenneth Prewitt, vice president for Global Centers at Columbia.

John S. Micgiel, director of the Columbia’s East Central European Center, led the five-year fundraising program that culminated in a final transfer of funds last month.

—Our ability to reach out successfully to Polish business was the direct result of the engagement of Consul General Krzysztof W. Kasprzyk of the Polish Consulate General in New York, Professor Wlodzimierz Bolecki of the Foundation for Polish Science in Warsaw, and especially Polish Consul Dr. Ewa Ger,— said Micgiel. —Their connections and determination to make links between Poland and Columbia built on our earlier efforts to establish a Polish studies professorship among Polish-American institutions and individual donors.—

The Kosciuszko Foundation, which promotes Polish culture, education and history in the United States, was one of the original proponents of the Polish studies chair at Columbia and helped facilitate fundraising, along with Warsaw’s Semper Polonia Foundation.

The Brooklyn-based Polish Slavic Federal Credit Union, headed by Bogdan Chmielewski, was the first corporate donor to the project, contributing more than $500,000. The credit union capped off the effort with an additional check for $181,000.

—This is a truly historic and prideful day for Polonians and all Polish-Americans,— said Chmielewski, who attended the ceremony in Warsaw. —Poland’s visibility within the hallowed halls of U.S. academia will increase greatly. Furthermore, there will be heightened awareness of Poland’s vast contributions to world culture.—

Other major donors include the Warsaw Stock Exchange, led by Ludwik Sobolewski; The National Depository for Securities, headed by Elzbieta Pustola; ENEA, an energy conglomerate led by Pawel Mortas; Poland Energy Group, led by Tomasz Zadroga; the Special Economic Zones of Katowice, Warmia and Mazury, Pomorska and Kostrzyn-Strubicka, and the Malopolska Agency for Regional Development, with Piotr Wojaczek, acting on behalf of the regional zones; and the Bogdan Fiszer Silesia Capital Fund, led by Bogdan Fiszer.Antoni Chroscielewski coordinated fundraising efforts on behalf of the Polish Army Veterans Association.

Poland - Polish - Polonia,

Nothing and no one should be forgotten

Robert Strybel, Warsaw Correspondent for Polish American World and other periodicals reported recently on the “Restoration of Forgotten History” project.

The project, the brainchild of Professor Andrzej S. Kaminski of Washington’s Georgetown University and Professor Daria Nałęcz, Rector of Warsaw’s Lazarski School of Commerce and Law, is aimed at correcting the omissions, misinformation, and inaccuracies about Poland as found in textbooks used in the United States.

“American textbooks are issued in millions of copies and used by all students in the U.S.. I have come to the conclusion that 29 years after the end of the cold war it’s high time for the information they contain to be truthful” Kaminski said.

The group has held a series of conferences attended by American authors, publishers and scholars, Their participants have included publishers and historians from Yale, Georgetown, and the University of California, among them British (Welsh) Professor Norman Davies, one of the most prolific non-Polish historians dealing with Polish affairs.

“Our meetings are fairly straightforward. We simply sit down and go through the relevant passages of textbooks page by page, pointing out their shortcomings and errors,” Kaminski explained.

“Corrections have already been introduced into a number of books, and others are being worked on. The program of each meeting also includes an excursion to places of historical interest in such cities as Kraków, Sandomierz or Gdańsk. Our guests are enchanted by our country which they hadn’t known before. One of the biggest impressions on Americans is made by the fact that Poland already had a parliamentary system at the turn of the 16th century, nearly 300 years before America declared its independence.”

A major reason for the present state of affairs has been the relatively low level of interest in Central and Eastern European history among English-speaking historians.

“l do not attribute this to ill-will or sloppy scholarship on the part of American authors,” said Professor Nałęcz. “They are simply unable to check every detail and have to rely on the research of others, preferably sources available in English. The works of Polish authors have not been translated into English that much.”

Professor Nałęcz advises: “We must read what others are writing and alert authors to errors so that new editions get corrected. They usually do. And we must do what other nations are doing: attend historical congresses and conferences as well as holding our own. Such personal contacts are the best way to convey one’s point of view. Unfortunately, we are not all that present at the world’s history salons.”

The title above is taken from a book published by the Czech National Archives: Nothing and Nobody Should Be Forgotten (Aby na nic a na nikoho nebylo zapomenuto).

Poland - Polish - Polonia, , , , ,

Dancing with your children

Two Friends Author New Book on Dance and Songs for Children

twofriendscoverMaria Bielski and Janina Dobkowski have recently co-authored and published a book of Polish children’s singing games and dances entitled “Two Friends, They Went A’ Dancing.”

The book contains the lyrics of ten popular singing games in both English and Polish as well as a vocal music score with chords. Clear step by step movement and dance instructions are outlined with the text. In addition, a CD of the recorded songs with accompaniment is included so that parents, grandparents, teachers, and children can immediately enjoy the songs and games. Each page has an original “wycinanki” (Polish cut-out style) illustration designed by the artist, Joanna Bielska, which can be reproduced for coloring or craft projects.

The authors created this book as a resource for anyone interested in folk culture. They hope it assists parents and grandparents in passing Polish traditions on to their children and grandchildren. Teachers, occupational therapists, ethnic dance directors, whether Polish or not, can use this book to enrich their classroom program, physical education curriculum, music and dance classes, and children’s events. The CD can be used during assemblies, parties for both children and adults, car trips, and sing a longs.

Both authors are teachers by profession and have an extensive background in Polish folk art, music, and dance. They have danced with the Polish American Folk Dance Company and organized countless folk dance workshops all over the New York Metropolitan area. They are members of the Polish American Teachers Association, which has its headquarters at the Kosciuszko Foundation, and the Marie Sklodowska-Curie Professional Women’s Association.

Ms. Bielski has been on the teaching staff of the Krakowianki and Gorale Children’s’ Dance Group of Greenpoint for the past several years. Ms. Dobkowski is a member of the National Dance Association and Dance and the Child International which fosters dance opportunities for children. Mana and Janina have been friends since their teenage years in the Polish Scouting organization. They have been dancing and singing together their whole lives. The authors invite everyone to grab a friend, young or old, and dance.

Poland - Polish - Polonia,

Scholarships for Polish-American high school seniors

From Polish American World:

Scholarship Money Available!

American Polish Council of Long Island announces that it will award a “Leon Young Scholarship” for 2009.

The application deadline is May 27th, and is fast approaching! More information and applications are available for download at the Council’s website or by calling toll free 1-877-455-4344 to request an application via U.S. Mail.

The American Polish Council of Long island is proud to support Polonian youth and help with their continued success. For more than 40 years the Council has awarded an annual scholarship to a deserving high school senior, and for the last few years has awarded two $1,000 scholarships to Long Island graduating seniors.

The Council invites all graduating seniors of Polish decent to submit an application for this year’s scholarship.

Scholarships Available!

The President of the Polish American Cultural Association, Joe Brala along with Chairperson Irene Wierzbicki, announced the opening of the Association’s application period for its annual scholarship award.

There will be a one time award of $1,000 given to a high school senior attending college in September 2009. In addition, the President of the General Pulaski Foundation, Michael Bibla, announces an $800 scholarship is also available.

To qualify for these awards, a student must be of Polish ancestry, well rounded academically and a responsible community minded citizen. For an application, call the Polish American Cultural Association at 516-883-5553 or Chairperson Irene Wierzbicki at 516-671-7081.

Christian Witness, Current Events, Media, Poland - Polish - Polonia, , , ,

The Courageous Heart of Irena Sendler

Premiering Sunday, April 19 (9:00-11:00 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network

0416_hm_10416_hm_20416_hm_3

Based up the true story of Irena Sendler, a Polish Catholic social worker in the early 1940s who is credited with saving the lives of 2,500 Jewish children during World War II.

During the war Irena Sendler was able to move women in and out of the Warsaw Jewish Ghetto disguised as nurses working for the Warsaw’s Health Department. With the ruse of containing the spread of Typhus and Spotted Fever, Ms. Sendler and her fellow “nurses” were actually sneaking children out (with the consent of the Jewish parents) of the Ghetto by sedating them and hiding them inside boxes, suitcases and coffins as a way of saving them from deportation to German death camps. Once the children were snuck out they were given new identities and placed with Polish families or in convents to protect them. Ms. Sendler kept a record of all the children’s birth names and where they were placed hidden so once the war was over the children could be reunited with their families.

Unfortunately in 1943 Ms. Sendler’s deception was discovered and she was arrested and tortured by the Gestapo resulting with her feet being broken. She was scheduled to be executed but on the day of her execution she was rescued by “Zegota,” the same underground network she worked with to save the Jewish children. By the end of the war all of the 2,500 children she smuggled out were never betrayed or discovered by the Nazi German occupation forces.

Current Events, ,

Scholarship opportunities – Making smART Connections: Artist / Educator Collaborations

A day-long conference for educators and teaching artists

Scholarship opportunities exist – Applications due April 17th

Thursday May 7, 2009, 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., The High Peaks Resort Lake Placid, NY

The New York State Alliance for Arts Education, in conjunction with the Adirondack Arts in Education Partnership, Champlain Valley Educational Services and the North Country Teacher Resource Center is proud to present a day-long Arts-in-Education (AIE) conference.

This conference is designed for all educators: general classroom teachers, sequential arts & music teachers, school administrators, teaching artists, cultural organization education coordinators, school librarians, and interested parents.

Participants will gain insight and strategies on bringing the arts into the classroom and infusing and enriching the curriculum in all subject areas through the arts. Those new to AIE will discover where to begin the journey, and where to turn for resources. Veterans will gain new techniques for the planning, execution and evaluation of AIE programs. Our goal is for everyone to come away with a renewed passion for ensuring that the arts are an integral part of every student’s education.

To register online – click here.

Current Events, , ,

Second Annual Student Art Exhibit

Featuring VSA arts of New York City ‘Murals Program’ & NYS Alliance for Arts Education ‘Side by Side Program’ (a VSAarts Sponsored Program)

April 27 – May 8, 2009, Empire State Plaza – South Annex East Wall, Albany, NY

Opening Reception: April 29, 2009, 1:00 – 3:00 PM

VSA arts is proud to present this Collaborative Exhibit highlighting the artwork created by students in the NYC ‘Murals on Parade’ and ‘Side by Side’ programs.

VSA arts is an international, nonprofit organization founded in 1974 by Ambassador Jean Kennedy Smith to create a society where all people with disabilities learn through, participate in and enjoy the arts. For more information on VSA arts in NYS click here.

Poland - Polish - Polonia, ,

Essay contest for Polish-American students

New York District 2 of the Polish Army Veterans Association in conjunction with the Kosciuszko Foundation is sponsoring an essay contest on the subject: The Worldwide Significance of the 1939 Invasion of Poland.

The contest is open to Polish-American students between the ages of 18 and 22. A first place prize of $2,000 and a second place prize of $1,000 will be awarded.

The contest will be judged by Maria Szonert-Binienda, Professor Donald Pienkos of the University of Wisconsin and Professor Thaddeus Gromada, President of the Polish Institute of Arts and Sciences.

The deadline for entries is July 1, 2009. Results will be announced September 1, 2009.

Information is available by calling 330-666-7251 or from the Kosciuszko Foundation, 15 East 69th St., New York, NY 10065.

Further details, specific instructions, and applications are available here.

Everything Else, ,

Schools of Distinction in Arts Education – nominations due

Know a New York School that Goes Above and Beyond in Arts Education? Nominate them for the Schools of Distinction in Arts Education Award!

Deadline: Friday, March 27, 2009.

The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts Schools of Distinction in Arts Education awards program provides an important outlet for expanding recognition of the role individual schools play in providing a creative learning environment for outstanding student achievement.

This award provides a great opportunity for the New York State Alliance for Arts Education to highlight a New York school that has developed exemplary arts education programs. State winners are submitted for consideration at the national level, where they receive an honorarium, a plaque for display, and the opportunity to perform at the Kennedy Center in Washington D.C.

To be considered for the State level of this award, your school’s arts education program should have most of the following characteristics:

  • Your school should teach all the arts (music, dance, visual arts, and theatre) as specific disciplines as well as integrated into other subject areas.
  • Your program should use creative approaches to learning, provide appropriate learning environments for teaching the arts, and recognize that the arts are critical and essential to education.
  • Your program should provide opportunities for parental involvement in the educational lives of their children.
  • Your program should provide students various opportunities for learning about other cultures through the arts, enabling them to explore differences in ways that are devoid of cultural bias.
  • Your program should provide community connections that build value and respect for the community by offering students diverse experiences beyond the classroom.

To learn more about this award, and to download an application, please go to the NYSAAE projects website.

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