Aspecialeditionof GeddyLee:InConversationfromMy Effin’ Life, presentedbytheStanGreensponCenterincommemorationof InternationalHolocaustRemembranceDay2025.
Monday, January 27 I 7pm
Sarah Belk Gambrell Center for the Arts and Civic Engagement
International Holocaust Remembrance Day is observed annually on January 27 to honor the memory of the six million Jews and millions of others who were persecuted and killed during the Holocaust by Nazi Germany and its collaborators. The date marks the 1945 liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau, one of the largest and most notorious concentration and extermination camps.
In 2025, the observance holds special significance as it marks the 80th anniversary of Auschwitz’s liberation, offering a powerful opportunity to reflect on the atrocities of the Holocaust and reaffirm the importance of preserving its memory. This day is a reminder of the catastrophic consequences of hate, racism, and intolerance, and serves as a call to ensure that such horrors are never repeated.
Geddy Lee is a Canadian musician and songwriter, best known as the lead vocalist, bassist, and keyboardist for the Canadian rock group Rush. Lee joined Rush in September 1968, at the request of his childhood friend and guitarist Alex Lifeson.
An award-winning musician, Lee’s style, technique, and skill on the bass guitar have inspired many rock musicians. In addition to his composing, arranging, and performing duties for Rush, Lee has released a solo record, My Favourite Headache, in 2000.
Lee is regarded as one of the greatest rock bassists, whose style has influenced numerous musicians across genres. He has received multiple awards and accolades including induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2013.
Lee supports many causes through personal and band donations. He is known as an avid baseball fan and wine connoisseur. Lee has been married to Nancy Young for over 35 years and they have 2 children. Lee has a deeply personal connection to the Holocaust which he explores in his memoir, My Effin’ Life. Born Gary Lee Weinrib in 1953 in Toronto, Canada, he is the son of Holocaust survivors, Morris and Mary Weinrib, who were both survivors of Auschwitz. Lee has spoken about how his parents’ experiences have had a profound impact on his identity and artistic journey.
We would like to extend our sincere gratitude to all of our generous sponsors for their invaluable support. Tonight’s programming was made possible through the support of the following sponsors:
Limelight - $25,000
Stan Greenspon and Maureen O’Keefe
Closer to the Heart - $10,000
Wells Fargo
Spirit of Radio - $5,000
Gary and Jodi Michel
Lori and Eric Sklut
Free Will - $1,800
Blumenthal Arts
Paige and Mark Cohen
Roz Greenspon and Marty Birnbaum
Tom Sawyer
Heather and Ben Braun
Elaine and Harry Chernotsky
Larry Farber
Shirley Frank
Keith Greenspon
Matthew Gromet and Phyllis Schultz
Mitch Rifkin
David Rose
Phil Warshauer
Emily & Sam Zimmern
Queens Hillel
Queens Spiritual Life
TheStanGreensponHolocaustandSocialJusticeEducationCenter providestransformationaleducationalexperiencesthathonorthehistory andlessonsoftheHolocaust,encourageempatheticandcross-cultural understanding,andempowerindividualstostandagainstinjusticeinallits forms.
Rootedinhope,ourthreebranchesbearthefruitofourwork:
Deliveringexemplarytraining,resources,andprogrammingforregional Holocausteducators,students,andthecommunity.Building empoweredcommunitiesbyteachingandhonoringthehistory,stories, andlessonsoftheHolocaust.
ConnectingthousandsofyearsofJewishtexts,history,andwisdomto today’sworld.SupportingJewishLifeatQueensUniversitybyproviding opportunitiesforyoungadultstoexploreJudaismandbuildinterfaith bridgesinthecommunity.
Providingeducationandcommunity-basedresearchthatadvances socialjusticeandcommunityorganizing.Buildingtransformative relationshipsacrosslinesofdifference. www.stangreensponcenter.org stangreensponcenter@queensedu 704-688-2775
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10,000+
students engage with Greenspon Center programming annually
100+
educators from the Southeast engage with our professional development each year
1,000+
individual engagements with our Jewish Life programs in 2023-2024
500,000+
North Carolina students receive Holocaust education influenced by our Center
20+
educators graduate with a Certification in Holocaust Pedagogy and participate in a learning experience in Poland
50+
grassroots organizers make real change in our local communities through our Social Justice programming
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