Washington University Commencement Order of Exercises and Procession, 2011

This letter, dated October 13, 2007, is from Jimmy Carter to Elie Wiesel. Carter expresses pleasure and honor for a recent meeting with Wiesel and Marion, thanking them for accommodating the visit despite their grandson's presence. He values Wiesel's insights and advice on the Middle East, particularly concerning the constructive role of "the Elders" and strategies to improve relations with Jewish leaders in both Israel and the United States. Carter emphasizes their shared objective of ensuring a peaceful coexistence for Israelis and their neighbors, highlighting Wiesel's letter "To a Young Palestinian Arab" as particularly moving. He also expresses interest in being informed about the work of the Elie Wiesel Foundation for Humanity and hopes his book "Beyond the White House" will adequately describe projects undertaken by The Carter Center. The letter concludes with a friendly closing.

This document is a confidential draft itinerary (Draft 2, dated December 9, 2013) detailing the schedule for "The Story and the Storyteller: A Week with Elie Wiesel," an event series held at Chapman University from April 6 to 13, 2014. Elie Wiesel, a Nobel Peace Prize Laureate and Distinguished Presidential Fellow, is the central figure, with the itinerary outlining his comprehensive engagements. The schedule includes his travel arrangements, welcome receptions, a variety of academic sessions (seminars, lectures, and conversations with students and faculty on topics such as Ecclesiastes, Holocaust literature, identity, and memory), press interviews, and private social events. The document specifies timings, locations within Chapman University (e.g., Leatherby Libraries, Samueli Holocaust Memorial Library, Wallace All Faiths Chapel), and lists participants like professors, administrators, and student groups involved in the week's activities. It reflects a detailed organizational plan for a significant academic and public engagement.

This document is a transcript of remarks made by President Barack Obama at the White House on February 25, 2010. During the event, the National Humanities Medal and the National Medal of the Arts were presented to a group of distinguished individuals. President Obama acknowledges various guests, including Speaker Nancy Pelosi and the chairmen of the NEA and NEH. He emphasizes the profound importance of the arts and humanities in enriching the mind, nourishing the soul, and strengthening the character of the nation. Obama highlights how these pursuits foster understanding, preserve America's cultural legacy, and celebrate its dynamism and diversity. He references historical figures and celebrated artists, connecting their contributions to the broader American cultural inheritance. The President then names and offers brief citations for the 2009 National Humanities Medal recipients, including Elie Wiesel, Robert A. Caro, and Annette Gordon-Reed, and the 2009 National Medal of Arts recipients, such as Milton Glaser, Maya Lin, and John Williams, praising their significant impact on American culture and human rights. The remarks conclude with an expression of gratitude to all honorees for their contributions to citizens' lives.

This email from Roger Fajnzylberg of OSE (Oeuvre de Secours aux Enfants) to Elie Wiesel, dated December 1, 2008, expresses the sender's pleasure in organizing events on November 12 and 13. Fajnzylberg mentions upcoming meetings with Raphy, Edmond, and Jean-François, and contact with Josette Kiesermann to coordinate efforts in Marseille. The purpose of the email is to request Elie Wiesel's permission to incorporate themes from his speech on human rights, delivered in Taverny, into OSE's year-end greetings card. They also wish to reproduce a portrait of Wiesel taken during the inauguration of a children's home, as a way to commemorate the significant events of November 12 and 13. Fajnzylberg assures Wiesel that a mock-up would be sent for approval before printing and asks him to convey respects to his wife, Marion. The email also indicates that a photo of Wiesel in Taverny and an excerpt of his Taverny speech are attached.

This document is a transcript of a benediction delivered by Jonathan Strum at the Hamilton College Commencement on May 27, 1979. Strum's address reflects on the transition from academic life to the external world, describing it as a paradoxical place filled with both conflict and hope. He emphasizes the importance of commitment, working for the betterment of others, and actively shaping one's destiny rather than passively accepting it. The benediction highlights that true achievement lies in responding and caring for others. Strum quotes Elie Wiesel, stressing that indifference is a betrayal of humanity. The speech concludes with a hope that the graduating class will promote peace and freedom globally.