The Strochlitz Holocaust Resource Center will host its annual Encountering Programs dinner on December 18 at the Weller Center at Mitchell College in New London. This event is sponsored by The Jewish Federation of Eastern CT and is funded by a grant from Shine A Light.

Following greetings by Ella Sackett, Encountering Programs Coordinator and a welcome by JFEC Executive Director, Rachel Levy, dinner will be served. The featured speaker for the evening is Mitchell College Visiting Professor Kevin Booker, Jr. The topic of his address will be “Shining a Light on Antisemitism & Hate – Can we do better?”

This annual event is held as a thank you to teachers from area schools who have participated in the Encountering Survivors and Encountering Differences programs in the past and currently. With their help, JFEC is building a network of teachers dedicated to Holocaust studies, fighting hate/racism, and promoting human rights.

Kevin L. Booker, Jr. is the founder and CEO of Booker Empowerment, LLC, established in 2007, specializing in leading training workshops around topics of leadership development, climate and culture, diversity, equity, and inclusion. He has been an educator for over 20 years, teaching high school and college level classes.

Mr. Booker is a training facilitator with the Anti-Defamation League and a full-time visiting professor at Mitchell College in New London, CT. He has facilitated a wide range of community conversations across the country on various social issues.

The motto he lives by is “Get comfortable being uncomfortable.”