Please reference the Course Guide for Educators for a listing of courses or see below.

Dr. Lena Allen-Shore is the founder of the Lena Allen-Shore Center for the Advancement of Human Potential in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Philosopher, poet, writer and educator, she is the author of 13 books and publications and has composed over 100 songs, including a cantata performed in Poland for the anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz. 

Dr. Lena Allen-Shore meets Pope John Paul II with her son, Jacques Shore.

Dr. Lena Allen-Shore combines knowledge of life with the art of communication. Her philosophy is the harvest of experience and study in various universities and cities of several countries. Her lectures and television appearances have earned her the praise of students and educational professionals. She calls herself "just a little woman who dreams about a better world." What sets this woman apart is that she shares her dreams with the Pope. In 1978, just after Karol Wojtyla was elected Pope, Ms. Allen-Shore wrote a letter urging him to use his position to make a difference.

Dr. Allen-Shore also travelled to Jerusalem in 2000 when John Paul broke new ground in Catholic-Jewish relations, and to Assisi when the Pope and other leaders of world religions prayed for peace in 2002.

In a new book, Building Bridges, Dr. Allen-Shore tells her story of growing up in Poland, and of her relationship with the man she describes as "a man in white robes who is making a difference in the whole world." Like the Pope, Dr. Allen-Shore -- who would say only that she's younger than John Paul, who is 83 -- is also a philosopher, and a Pole. But while he was studying for the priesthood in an underground seminary during the Second World War, her Jewish family was desperately trying to evade being shipped off to Auschwitz. Despite the differences in their life stories, Dr. Allen-Shore says she and the Pope had a similar upbringing, and similar teachings on ethics, mythology and classical philosophy. "It didn't matter that he was going to a church and I was going to a synagogue."

In 1946, Dr. Allen-Shore and her husband, Sigmond, immigrated to Montreal, where they launched an import-export business and started a family. After 28 years in Canada, and her first husband's death, she moved to Philadelphia where she earned her doctorate in philosophy and established the Lena Allen-Shore Center for Human Potential. She has since authored 13 books, including works on the Holocaust and Rembrandt, and composed a variety of music, including a cantata performed at Auschwitz at a celebration of the liberation of the death camp.

Dr. Allen-Shore is the acclaimed author of the following:

• Bread and Peace
• Rendezvous with Love
• Man and his Aspirations
• The Little Shoes
• 40 Years of Darkness
• Ten Steps in the Land of Life
• Who Was Leonard DaVinci
• Art and Happiness
• Chagall
• Somewhere in Florence
  
• The Little Don Quixote
• Co-author of Roots and Wings
  

Fall Semester 2008
 

Fighting Prejudice through Education

History shows the importance of conscience of every individual. How can we promote understanding among people of different cultures, ethnic groups and religions? Differences and similarities? This course will be given by the recipient of a Humanitarian Award for continuing efforts in creating bridges between peoples of all races and religions.
Ed A4711
3 credits (G)
September 17, 18, 22, 23, 24
3:20 pm–10:55 pm

NEW! Building Bridges through Education and Understanding—Part I

Can understanding be promoted?  We can enhance the quality of human relationships through mutual respect for different cultures, different religions and different upbringings. Aspirations of human family are similar; longing for peace, dignity and sense of equality. Every human being has his or her uniqueness but also has the responsibility to contribute to building bridges to a better future. Our world of today can exist and go forward only if every individual will feel responsible for the progress based not only on knowledge but also our conscience. 
Ed A4712A
3 credits (G)
October 27, 28, 29, 30, November 3
3:20 pm–10:55 pm

Teaching About Self-esteem and the Meaning of Life in Order to Implant Student Self-esteem

How to instill self-confidence and establish constructive relationships with one’s self and the surrounding world. This course emphasizes the importance of one’s own identity and helps to meet challenges as a member of the family of man.
Ed A5288B
3 credits (G)
November 4, 5, 6, 10, 11
3:20 pm–10:55 pm

Teaching About the Holocaust from the Perspective of the Humaneness of People

The study of the Holocaust serves as a base for the awakening of the conscience of contemporary men and women by showing how many victims remained humane in the inhuman conditions. Discussions on such questions as: Can we teach dignity? Conscience? Feeling?
Ed A5509
3 credits (G)
November 12, 13, 24, 25, December 1
3:20 pm–10:55 pm

NEW! Building Bridges through Education and Understanding—Part II

Can understanding be promoted? We can enhance the quality of human relationships through mutual respect for different cultures, different religions and different upbringings. Aspirations of human family are similar; longing for peace, dignity and sense of equality.  Every human being has his or her uniqueness but also has the responsibility to contribute to building bridges to a better future. Our world of today can exist and go forward only if every individual will feel responsible for the progress based not only on knowledge but also our conscience. 
Ed A4712B
3 credits (G)
December 2, 3, 4, 8, 9
3:20 pm–10:55 pm

Michelangelo as a Teacher of Teachers: Touching Eternity Through His Works

Explore the world of Michelangelo: a worshiper of beauty and sculptor, who knew how to endow stone with a soul; a painter, who knew how to awaken feelings of wonder and fear; a poet, who knew how to reveal his love for the creation of the world.
Ed A5838
3 credits (G)
December 10, 11, 15, 16, 17
3:20 pm–10:55 pm