By Lian Bunny
Staff Writer
St. Bonaventure’s “Memoria: Assisi and the Jews” display will be showcased at New York University’s Kimmel Center for University Life through Jan. 10, 2014.
This exhibition of historical pictures and texts tells the story of how Catholic clergy, private citizens and a German officer helped rescue Jewish refugees. The events took place in Assisi, Italy after the German occupation during World War II.
The presentation was first unveiled at the Regina A. Quick Center for the Arts in 2007. It was also displayed at St. Francis College in Brooklyn the Jewish Museum in Newark, N.J. and at St. Francis University in Fort Wayne, Ind.
Joseph LoSchiavo, former director of the Quick Center, organized the work with the secretary of Don Aldo Brunacci.
Brunacci was a priest of the Diocese of Assisi and assisted in rescuing more than 200 Jewish refugees during World War II. He helped oversee the hiding of refugees in friaries, convents and monasteries in Assisi with cooperation from the clergy and their supporters.
Because people like Brunacci helped, 300 Jews survived in Assisi. Brunacci was arrested before the Allies liberated Italy in 1944, but Israel awarded him with the medal of “Righteous Among the Nations” in 1977.
Brunacci visited St. Bonaventure on two occasions before his death in 2007. He was granted an honorary degree in 2002 and was awarded the National Gaudete Medal in 2004. He received this award for exemplifying the spirit of St. Francis of Assisi.
Sister Margaret Carney, O.S.F., university president, spoke at the opening reception of the exhibit in The Kimmel Center’s Stovall Gallery on Thursday, Dec. 5. She talked about St. Bonaventure University’s association with the people of Assisi and with Brunacci.
The occasion was possible because of the university’s relationship with Jonathan Ross, the director of operations of the Kimmel Center.
“We do about a dozen shows a year, some featuring the work of NYU students and others featuring loaned works,” Ross said. “This is the second show we have had on loan from the Quick Center, thanks to Ludwig Brunner. Mr. Brunner been very generous with his time and cultural connections; we at Kimmel appreciate his effort. We hope to continue our relationship with St. Bonaventure in the future.”
Brunner expressed his appreciation for the opportunity to connect with NYU.
“The exhibition will be seen by many students, faculty and outside visitors,” Brunner said. “The Kimmel Center is connected with NYU’s Global Center for Spirituality and the Catholic Center. Their students, faculty and visitors will also be able to view the exhibition. It is a great honor to be present at New York University and we are very grateful for this opportunity.”
According to Ross, The Kimmel Center is a campus hotspot for students and faculty alike. More than 5,000 people pass through the building each day.
“The show has been delivered but not yet installed, so I have not seen it. However, our history with the Quick Center has shown that we can expect a beautifully produced, expertly curated exhibit,” Ross said. “The historical content is somewhat unusual for our gallery program, which tends towards contemporary artists, so we are looking at “Memoria” as a welcome change of pace.”
