On Sunday, March 23, 2025, in a packed hall, the presentation of the essay entitled “The Burden of Being a Jew” by Aris Emmanouil took place at the Community Center of the Athens Community Center. A distinguished panel consisting of Mr. Thrasyvoulos Papastratis (lawyer-researcher of Jewish Hellenism), Ms. Ariella Asser (psychoanalyst and translator), Mr. Mino Moysis (mathematician) and Ms. Luna Emmanouil (field coordinator in a Program for the Reception of Unaccompanied Minors), spoke in detail about the essay.
The speeches highlighted the author-anthologist's personal testimony through the synthesis of excerpts from works by well-known –mainly Jewish– writers and essayists, in his attempt to illuminate elements of Jewish identity and to speak about the burden that follows it. At the same time, they traced the author's introspective reflection that leads to self-knowledge and –why not?– to a kind of catharsis.
The speeches were followed by statements from those attending the event.
Some reported that they identified to a great extent with the content of the essay that was available for free in the entrance area.
Source: facebook I.K. Athens, 2.4.2025