Rabbi Byron L. Sherwin, an internationally renowned educator, ethicist, theologian and scholar will discuss the spiritual heritage of Polish Jewry at 1:30 p.m. Feb. 21 at the DePaul University Center, 1 E. Jackson Blvd. Room 8005. The lecture is part of the Memory and Conscience Series, which is sponsored by the International Human Rights Law Institute at DePaul.

     An expert in the area of Jewish philosophy, Sherwin has worked tirelessly to improve Polish-Jewish relations. He was the first recipient of the Man of Reconciliation Award given by the Polish Council for Christians and Jews. The Republic of Poland also awarded him a medal for his work in this arena.

     Educated at Columbia University, New York University, the University of Chicago and the Jewish Theological Seminary of America, Sherwin is an active participant in interreligious dialogues and was the first rabbi to teach at Christian theological seminaries in Poland.

     Sherwin is the author or editor of more than 20 books including "John Paul II and Interreligious Dialogue," "Sparks Amidst the Ashes: The Spiritual Legacy of Polish Jewry," and "Jewish Ethics for the Twenty-First Century."

     DePaul started the Memory and Conscience series in 1996 to provide a forum for the university and the greater Chicago area to participate in discussions offered by noted experts and survivors of historical events with distinct human rights overtones. The series is on-going.

     Past series speakers have included Gerda Weissmann Klein, Holocaust survivor and an Academy Award and Emmy winner for a documentary about her life; Miles Lerman, chairman of the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Council; and Wladyslaw Bartoszewski, former Polish Foreign Minister and Auschwitz survivor.

     The lecture is free and open to the public, but reservations are required. They can be secured by calling Kay Dabrowski at 312/362-5728.

     Note to Editors: Media interested in covering the event should call Valerie Phillips in Media Relations at 312/362-5039.