Camarillo, California: Our 2013 White Rose conference

We Solved All the World's Problems. Or, Short Report Regarding 2013 White Rose Conference. A quick look back.

For almost two beautiful weeks, it seemed that peace must have come to the world. At least in our corner of it, Russian, German, and various American-accented voices debated, discussed, and wondered about matters of history, politics, philosophy, and (when we were most brave) religion. And we did so without a world war breaking out.

But then of course, we were seeking common ground. All of these “strange” people assembled at California State University-Channel Islands (CSUCI, see photograph) from July 7 to 17, 2013, coming early and staying late for the 7/11-7/14 conference. Each person brought insatiable curiosity combined with openness and willingness to learn. The first night, our discussion was supposed to end around 9:30, but we kept going till almost midnight. It was that kind of week.

Of course we didn’t solve all the world’s problems. But we did tackle some of the thornier issues that plague Holocaust research and most specifically projects that involve German resistance. From application of the historical process to oral history, to the reasons that legend can usurp historical fact, we wrestled with entrenched notions and floated solutions.

On our “Shoah Foundation” day, we learned from Karen Jungblut, Dan Leshem, and Crispin Brooks that a few of the topics we care about have technical obstacles. For example, Harold Marcuse suggested a Wiki type version of the oral histories in the Shoah Foundation’s video archives. Dan pointed out that with over 50,000 videos, manual transcription would require more man-hours than are available. Harold asked about voice recognition software - but Dan and Crispin noted that most testimonies have been given by people who have strong European accents when speaking English, so voice recognition software wouldn’t even hit its usual 80% accuracy mark.

The snapshot that matters most here is this: The same conversations that brought us together and made us close could have transpired completely differently. Without exception, we came to the table with differing viewpoints, backgrounds, and goals. We could have turned every debate into a shouting match.

It is to the credit of the individuals who came to this year’s conference that each person consciously chose to seek common ground. We want our respective projects to succeed. Somehow, we lucked into a group of people who want those projects to succeed, but not to the detriment of someone else’s project. Somehow, we lucked into a group of people who understand that often success is commingled, mine with yours, yours with mine. And we had fun in the process.

Now if only our microcosm could go macro.

2013 Awards

Center for White Rose Studies presented four remarkable individuals with prizes recognizing their accomplishments.

2013 Volunteer of the Year: REV. DAVID GREEN of Oakland, California. David is translating Henriette Davidis's 1879 cookbook, one of the CWRS portals that introduces people to our work through the back door. He enthusiastically talks about our work on his Facebook page. - Note that Exclamation! Publishers will release this cookbook in 2025/2026 as a fundraiser for Center for White Rose Studies.
2013 NextGen Award: DOMENIC SALLER of Munich, Germany. If every child and grandchild of those who had been in the resistance took the same care to document their family’s legacy, our world would be a better place.
2013 Johann Forster Award: DR. IGOR KHRAMOV of Orenburg, Russia and MICHAEL KAUFMANN of Munich, Germany. Igor's work building bridges for peace, and Michael's efforts to protect and assist White Rose families, while ensuring their memories are accurately preserved, are exemplary. We cherish our partnership with both of these men and their organizations.

In closing

There is no better way to end this post-conference newsletter than with our sincerest thanks for all the assistance, encouragement, and plain old help that we received.

Clare Colquitt, Gwen Miertschin, Ernst Martin Jr., Brenda Rich, Bill Widmer, Tom Speelhoffer, Ashley Horner, Lester and Cheri Neal - for being a sounding board on more than one occasion and for keeping me honest.
Lisa Racine and her wonderful staff of Summer Conference students at Cal State Channel Islands (CSUCI) who made it happen, and who moved beds, and picked up trash, and made beautiful white rose arrangements for the banquet. We heart you guys.
Bruce Somers, Christian Dorris, and Carrie Kuhlman of Strategic Information Resources who healed a sick computer just in time for printing programs.
Harold Marcuse, who gave Igor, Dilya, Oleg, and Domenic an unforgettable day in Santa Barbara, and who added his Prius to the carpool, and convinced [read, allowed] Oleg to drive!, and whose wit and wisdom brightened many a conversation.
Karen Jungblut, Dan Leshem, and Crispin Brooks, Shoah Foundation, who opened their doors wide, shared a meal, and taught us much.
Terese de Jager in Camarillo, who found us insurance at half the price we were expecting, then turned around and made a donation! And attended the conference! And became a friend.
Daniel B. Markind and Lauren Schwimmer, Weir & Partners - nuff said.
Mark Pierce, Mike de Martino, Tracy Lehr, and John Parker, for filming the Thursday and Saturday events, and who then joined in the conversation. You’re part of the future. (And thank you too to John Fraser who put it all in motion.)
Tim Pompey, whose article about the conference captured the essence and passion of our work (not just Center for White Rose Studies, but all of us).
Wendy Leung, Ventura County Star, who ensured that we got advance publicity. Thank you.
Gina and Steve Jaeger - for continuing the conversation begun with Sherry. Anticipating a unique and long-lasting partnership with Girl Scouts of Central California!
Our amazing scholars - Igor Khramov, Dilyara Rakhmatullina, Oleg Vasilyev, Domenic Saller, Kim Kartinen, Tom Speelhoffer, Harold Marcuse, who made the conversations interesting for everybody else.
And those who gave real money, the cash that made this possible (in alphabetical order): Clare Colquitt, David Dowdey, Paul and Daphne Laudadio, Ernest and Julia Martin, John and Gwen Miertschin, Armin Mruck, Lester and Cheri Neal, Jo Schmidt, Pete Schwager, and Terese de Jager.

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Image credits: Top photograph--Cal State Channel Islands (CSUCI). Photo © 2011 Denise Heap. Second photograph--Shoah Foundation. Photo © 2013 Denise Heap. Bottom photograph--Igor and Harold. Photo © 2013 Denise Heap. Please contact us for permission to use these photographs.

To order digital version of White Rose History, Volume I: Coming Together (January 1933-April 30, 1942), click here. To order digital version of White Rose History, Volume II, click here. WRH1 is © 2002, 2003, 2007 by Denise Elaine Heap. WRH2 is © 2002, 2007 by Denise Elaine Heap.

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