Jonathan Petropoulos Comes to The Brenda Rosenfeld Scholars Series at Temple Beth Israel of Pomona

  Temple Beth Israel of Pomona was pleased to welcome Jonathan Petropoulos, the John V. Croul Professor of European History at Claremont McKenna College, as the featured speaker of the Brenda Rosenfeld Scholars Series on Friday, October 29, 2021. Dr. Petropoulos shared his expertise in the areas of Nazi art looting and restitution during his presentation, “What is Happening Today with Restitution to Holocaust Victims?”
    Dr. Petropoulos began working on the subject of Nazi art looting and restitution in 1983 as a graduate student in history and art history. He received his Ph.D. from Harvard University (1990). From 1998 to 2000), he served as Research Director for Art and Cultural Property on the Presidential Commission on Holocaust Assets in the United States.  As Research Director, he and his staff of researchers sought to better understand how representatives of the U.S. government handled the assets of Holocaust victims both during and after the war. 
    He is the author of many books including: The Faustian Bargain: The Art World in Nazi Germany (Oxford University Press, 2000; Artists Under Hitler: Collaboration and Survival in Nazi Germany (Yale University Press, 2014), and has helped edit a number of other volumes. He has a forthcoming book, titled “Göring’s Man in Paris: The Story of a Nazi Art Plunderer and his World,” which will be published next fall by Yale University Press.
    The Brenda Rosenfeld Scholars Series brings highly regarded guests to Temple Beth Israel. Ms. Rosenfeld, a 40-year member of Temple Beth Israel, was a founding member of the Temple’s Social Action Committee, chaired numerous Temple adult education events, and served on Claremont’s Human Relations Council. The Scholars Series continues to serve to affirm Brenda Rosenfeld’s values and to memorialize her tireless commitment to Jewish life, learning, and healing the world.
    Dr. Petropoulos shared his comments with those congregants who had assembled in person at Temple Beth Israel as well as those who chose to participate via online. Following his talk, attendees and online participants were able to submit questions, promoting an engaging discussion.