edJEWcation Book Club

The Sunflower by Simon Wiesenthal

Welcome to the seminal edition of the edJEWcation book club. To usher in the monthly event, we read The Sunflower by Simon Wiesenthal.

During our wide-ranging discussion, we discuss:

• Some of the most impactful (both positively and negatively) responses to Wiesenthal’s conundrum

• The complexities of forgiveness, discussing various perspectives on the moral implications of granting forgiveness to those who have committed heinous acts

• How to navigate ethical questions in a world filled with pain and suffering

• The moral dilemmas faced by individuals in extreme situations

• The cultural and religious differences in understanding confession and regret, and the implications of compassion in conflict.

• Whether forgiveness can ever be truly granted in the face of such profound evil and suffering.

• The symbolism of the sunflower as a representation of humanity, identity, and individuality.

• The importance of memory in preventing the erasure of history

• Books referenced in this episode:

• The Sunflower by Simon Wiesenthal

• Ordinary Men by Christopher Browning

• The Pope at War by David Kertzer

If you ever want to check out the official book list for the edJEWcation podcast, you can find it here.

And remember, you can always send us a note to edjewcationpod@gmail.com or, if you want to see our good-looking punim, visit our YouTube channel.