Janie, Eva Mozes Kor, and Dr. Allan Aubrey Boesak receive honorary doctorates from Christian Theological Seminary in Indianapolis

We’re catching up a little here!

In May, Rev. Dr. Jane Adams Spahr, Eva Mozes Kor, and Dr. Allan Aubrey Boesak received honorary doctorates from Christian Theological Seminary in Terra Haute, IN.

Janie received her award for her thirty-five years of ministry and tireless work for justice for our Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Questioning and Queer community, as well as her steadfast advocacy and support for all oppressed communities claiming their freedom. Janie’s extensive bio and other information can be found in The Rev. Dr. Janie Adams Spahr Collection online at The Pacific School of Religion, Center for Lesbian and Gay Studies in Religion and Ministry. By the way, you can also find The Rev. Chris Glaser & Lazarus Project Collection at this site, as well.

When I called to congratulate Janie early this summer, she was extremely grateful for the award and to be honored in the company of Eva Mozes Kor and Dr. Allan Aubrey Boesak. Janie received an Honorary Doctorate of Divinity, Ms. Kor received an Honorary Doctorate of Public Service, and Dr. Boesak received an Honorary Doctorate of Ministry.

Eva Mozes Kor was recognized for her founding of CANDLES Holocaust Museum and Education and her message of forgiveness  A Holocaust survivor  Eva and her twin sister Miriam were among the children who endured experiments conducted by Nazi doctors during World War II.

In 1984, she founded CANDLES: Children of Auschwitz Nazi Deadly Experiment Survivors, choosing the name because she wanted to shed light on this chapter in history.

Demonstrating forgiveness, 50 years after the liberation of Auschwitz, Kor publicly forgave Nazi Dr. Hans Munich.

Dr. Allan Aubrey Boesak was honored for his impact in the religion and politics of South Africa against apartheid  His years of service began in January 1983 with his call for a united front, which resulted in the formation of the United Democratic Front (UDF), an umbrella organiation that swiftly became the main anti-apartheid group in South Africa.

According to the website South African History (sahistory.org.za), in Dr. Boesak’s address to the staff of the U.S. Consulate in Cape Town during a special event honoring Black History Month, Boesak linked the United States Civil Rights Movement and the struggle against apartheid. According to Boesak, in 1966, he heard a clandestine recording of a speech by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. in which King recounted the parable of Rip Van Winkle, who slept through the American Revolution.  The speech crystallized in Boesak a determination not to sleep through the social change that he was convinced would come to South Africa.  Instead, he devoted the next two decades of his life to a courageous fight against the apartheid system.

Front (UDF), an umbrella organization that swiftly became the main anti-apartheid group in South Africa.

Congratulations to these amazing leaders!

—–

Sources:

— Religion Briefs, Terra Haute, IN; http://tribstar.com/religion/x730868599/RELIGION-BRIEFS-May-4-201

– http://www.sahistory.org.za/people/reverend-allan-aubrey-boesak

 

.