July 5, 2016
The Paulist Fathers join all those who mourn the passing of Elie Wiesel, the author, educator and activist who died Saturday, July 2, 2016. A recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize, he was a source of light after surviving one of the darkest chapters in history.
Wiesel’s 1956 book “Night,” an account of his time in the Auschwitz and Buchenwald concentration camps, has become a key piece of literature related to the Holocaust.
“If you read his first book, ‘Nuit,’ you got it all,” said Paulist Fr. Thomas Stransky, referring to the French title of “Night.” Fr. Stransky, a veteran of Jewish – Christian dialogue, twice shared the lecture stage with Wiesel.
Paulist Press also had a connection with Wiesel that began in 1976 with its publication of Harry James Cargas’ book In Conversation with Elie Wiesel.
In 1988, Paulist Press published The Six Days of Destruction: Meditations Toward Hope that Wiesel co-wrote with Rabbi Albert Friedlander.
In 1999, the firm presented the English-language translation of Hope Against Hope, a German book featuring interviews with Wiesel and Catholic theologian Johann-Baptist Metz.
These three books are part of Paulist Press’ long history of presenting works designed to foster greater understanding and dialogue between Christians and Jews. This area of concentration has for decades been supported by the Stimulus Foundation and Paulist Press’ books in this subject area carry the Stimulus Books imprint.
“A very important part of publishing is to build bridges and heal wounds,” said Paulist Fr. Kevin Lynch, who served as president of Paulist Press from 1969 to 1998.
Fr. Lynch noted that the Stimulus Foundation was founded and endowed by Helga Croner (1913 – 2007), who was herself an editor of books and other writings related to Jewish – Christian relations.