The Ackerman Center Podcast

In this episode, Dr. Deborah Fripp, executive director of Teach the Shoah, joins Dr. Mehak Burza for a powerful conversation on the role of storytelling in Holocaust education. Together, they explore what it means to honor voices that are no longer with us, how to responsibly share survivors’ stories, and why storytelling continues to be one of the most moving tools for remembrance in a post-witness era. From the emotional toll of deep listening to strategies for guiding students beyond passive learning, Dr. Fripp reflects on how story becomes both a vessel for memory and a call to moral engagement.

What happens when memory meets machine? In this episode, Dr. Mehak Burza speaks with Dr. Todd Presner, Chair of UCLA's Department of European Languages and Transcultural Studies and author of "Ethics of the Algorithm: Digital Humanities and Holocaust Memory" (Princeton, 2024). Together they unpack the growing role of digital tools and artificial intelligence in shaping Holocaust remembrance. Moving beyond traditional memorials, this conversation dives into algorithmic ethics, data obfuscation, and ensuring that digital Holocaust projects remain transparent, respectful and human-centered.

This is a two-part series exploring the life and legacy of Rutka Laskier, through music, memory and family. Rutka, a 14 year old Jewish girl chronicled three months of her life in her diary in 1943. In Part I- Dr. Nils Roemer talks to Amy Langer and David Schwarz- the producers of "Rutka: A New Musical". They delve into the making of the musical- a moving adaptation of Rutka's diary that invites audiences to experience her teenage voice through song and performance. In Part II- Dr. Mehak Burza speaks with Prof. Zahava Scherz, Rutka's half sister, who learned of Rutka's existence decades after the Holocaust. Zahava's poignant reflections open a rare and deeply personal window into the legacy of a sister she never met and a life cut short during the Holocaust. As we commemorate the birthdays of both Anne Frank and Rutka Laskier, this episode is not a comparison but a convergence- a tribute to two young girls who documented their truth in the face of unimaginable darkness.

In this episode, Dr. Mehak Burza interviews Mr. Maziar Bahari—acclaimed journalist, filmmaker, and author of "Then They Came for Me", a New York Times best seller. Mr. Bahari discusses the Sardari Project, an initiative shedding light on Abdol Hossein Sardari, an Iranian diplomat who saved Jews during the Holocaust. Mr. Bahari explores his pioneering work with IranWire, a platform for citizen journalism, and the challenges of telling nuanced, untold stories from marginalized communities. He further reflects on the power of storytelling to shape memory, justice, and resilience in the face of censorship and repression.

We had the honor of speaking with Dr. Suki John, a choreographer, scholar, and activist, about her powerful initiative "The Sh’ma Project". In this episode, Dr. Hanno Berger dives deep into the origins, meaning, and impact of this interdisciplinary work that blends dance, memory, and healing. The Sh’ma Project is more than a performance — it’s a journey through trauma, resilience, and cultural legacy.

Join Julie Brill in an evocative conversation with Dr. Nils Roemer and Dr. Mehak Burza as they embark on a powerful journey through her new memoir, Hidden in Plain Sight: A Family Memoir and the Untold Story of the Holocaust in Serbia. Brill uncovers long-buried family secrets, tracing the harrowing experiences of her father in Nazi-occupied Serbia. Brill reflects on how these revelations not only reshape her understanding of the past but also her very identity. This intimate dialogue illuminates the intersection of personal history, trauma, and the haunting legacies of war, revealing stories that have remained hidden in plain sight for generations.

In this insightful 13 minute conversation, Dr. Mehak Burza sits down with Mr. Ron Schwarz, the author of "Quiet Strength of Resilience" who briefly discusses the book, sharing the inspiration behind it and the powerful story of his father's journey. He works in the information services area and owns two companies: one that publishes directories for the legal sector and another that publishes different databases for the pharmaceutical industry. He serves on an advisory board to the Dean of the School of Education at the University of Wisconsin and on the advisory council to the Director of the Ackerman Center for Holocaust Studies at the University of Texas at Dallas.

In this special episode, Dr. Shilyh Warren, Associate Professor of Film Studies and Associate Dean of Graduate Studies in the Bass School at UTD, speaks with Professor Emerita, Dr. Irene Kacandes, The Dartmouth Professor of German and Comparative Literature at Dartmouth College until 2024, about her research trajectory and her commitment to extending the lessons and ambitions of the humanities to crucial controversies we face in and beyond the academy.

Dr. Kacandes discusses her initiative, Humanities for Humans, a collaborative project with the Walter de Gruyter Foundation, which aims to engage humanities scholars in public conversations about today’s complex human challenges, from climate collapse and migration to violence and human rights. Throughout the conversation, she emphasizes the unique power that humanities methods and approaches have to encourage deep reflection, collaborative thinking, and the imagination required to conceptualize the world otherwise. Her discussion reflects on key historical crises, including the Holocaust, that continue to shape our understanding of ethics, memory, and the consequences of division and isolation.

Dr. Irene Kacandes was the keynote speaker for the Dean's Lecture Series held in October 2024. This podcast was recorded in conjunction with her visit to UT Dallas.

Join us for a compelling journey through the ruins of the Nazi reign of terror. In this walking tour episode Dr. Roemer leads Dr. Katie Fisher through the memorial site at Auschwitz and then the Topography of Terror memorial site in Berlin. Beginning in Auschwitz, they confront the horrors of the Holocaust, standing where so many suffered and perished and then in Berlin, they trace this terror back to its epicenter of control—the Topography of Terror—where the Nazi regime orchestrated its atrocities.
This episode offers a deep, thought-provoking conversation that brings history to life. These sites, both haunting remnants of the past, serve as powerful reminders of the consequences of unchecked hatred and authoritarianism. Adding to this immersive experience, the UTD choir provides a moving musical tribute, amplifying the emotional weight of these historic locations. Walk with us as we explore the echoes of the past and reflect on the lessons they hold for the future.

In this episode Dr. Nils Roemer hosts an engaging conversation with Mr. Marc Masurovsky. Mr. Masurovsky is the the co-founder of the Holocaust Art Restitution Project (HARP) in September 1997 and served as its Director of Research. He explores the challenges of ownership, the role of museums, and how institutions should handle disputed artworks.