From: Phil deHaan (dehp@calvin.edu)
Date: Thu Jan 09 2003 - 10:11:50 EST
January 9, 2003 == MEDIA ADVISORY
This month Calvin College will host a man who knows the real meaning of
survival. Not the kind that's become popular thanks to reality TV. Rather the
strength that comes during a nearly year-long imprisonment in solitary
confinement in Lebanon.
The man is former CNN bureau chief Jerry Levin, the first of the so-called
"forgotten" hostages in Lebanon in the mid 1980s. Kidnapped on March 7, 1984,
he spent 11 months in solitary confinement until his escape on Valentines Day,
1985. While a hostage, Jerry experienced a spiritual transformation from a
"culturally assimilated Jewish-American atheist" to becoming a follower of
Jesus. And since May 2002, he has worked with Christian Peacemaker Teams in the
occupied territories.
On Monday, January 20 Levin will speak about his work in the middle east. The
talk, to be held in the Commons Lecture Hall at 7:30 p.m., is called "Healing
the Dysfunctional Family of Abraham."
After his escape to freedom, Jerry Levin embarked on a campaign of writing and
lecturing that focused generally on what is described as ". . . the futility of
violence as a means of resolving individual, social, cultural, or political
issues." He is currently working on a book that reflects on the experiences that
led him to that viewpoint. The book's working title is "The Futility of
Violence: Essays and Reflections on 'Love your Enemies.'" Levin's story was
told by his wife, Dr. "Sis" Levin, in the book Beirut Diary. That book was
later made into a movie called Held Hostage.
Levin will take part in a number of events while in Grand Rapids. Between his
arrival on Sunday, January 19 and his departure on Wednesday, January 22 he will
not only present his formal lecture, but also will speak to Calvin classes, do a
seminar on non-violence for a group in Holland, address students at Grand Rapids
Christian High School, meet with seniors at a local senior citizens home and eat
dinner with a Calvin student peace activist group.
Levin's talk is sponsored by the Paul B. Henry Institute for the Study of
Christianity and Politics. For more information on
the Henry Institute and other upcoming events, please visit
http://www.calvin.edu/henry
Contact Corwin Smidt at 616-957-6233
-end-
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