
Williams Hall Presentation
February 23 @ 10:00 am - 11:00 am
Join us for an enlightening lecture exploring the complex history of Christian antisemitism and its impact on Jewish-Christian relations through the ages. This thought-provoking discussion will also delve into the potential for reconciliation, mutual understanding, and collaborative futures between these two faith communities. Gain insights into historical contexts and contemporary perspectives that can inspire meaningful dialogue and progress. Don’t miss this opportunity to engage in an important and timely conversation.
An award-winning educator and sought-after presenter, Brendan Murphy is the founding director of the Bearing Witness Institute for Interreligious and Ecumenical Dialogue at Marist School. He has taught history at Marist since 1994 and continually demonstrates for his students and colleagues a strong commitment to fostering understanding and collaboration among diverse communities of faith. Murphy is actively involved in developing educational initiatives and created a compelling “History and the Holocaust” seminar at Marist that is complemented by cocurricular international field trips to sites in Europe that were significant during the Holocaust. Over the years, high demand for Murphy’s thought-provoking antisemitism presentations at churches and synagogues in Atlanta, Georgia and across the country spurred the creation of the Bearing Witness Institute.
Murphy is a thought leader on religious solidarity and an advocate for combating hate and prejudice by drawing communities together. His contributions to education and interfaith dialogue are widely recognized and embody Pope Francis’ call to use discourse as a “privileged path to the growth of fraternity and peace in our world”. Murphy has received numerous awards, including the Outstanding Educator Award from the Anne Frank Center in New York, the ADL’s Abe Goldstein Human Relations and Unsung Hero Awards. His dedication to excellence in teaching has been acknowledged at Marist School with awards such as the Goizueta Chair of Excellence Award, the Faber-McKinley-Stadler Award, and the Frank P. Hagan Memorial Coach’s Award and, on the state level, with the Distinguished Service Award from the Georgia Independent School Association and twice with the Georgia Outstanding Educator of the Year Award from the Georgia Commission on the Holocaust. He also has been recognized as Teacher of the Year by the University of Notre Dame. Additionally, Murphy has participated in prestigious programs such as the Museum Teacher Fellowship at the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington, D.C. and the Lerner Fellowship at the Jewish Foundation for the Righteous in New York City. Recently, he was selected to participate in Leadership Atlanta’s Class of 2025.
In addition to serving as director of the Bearing Witness Institute and teaching his Holocaust seminar, Murphy moderates a Peace by Piece group, which brings students from Christian, Jewish, and Muslim communities together to foster friendship and understanding. In the coming years, he will replicate this Peace by Piece model in communities and schools across the nation. Previously, Murphy was head coach of Marist’s varsity boys soccer team and led them to two state championships.
A native of Atlanta, Georgia, Murphy earned a bachelor’s degree in education and history from the University of Notre Dame and holds a master’s degree in theology from Spring Hill College. Through his leadership, scholarship, and dedication to fostering interreligious dialogue and understanding, Brendan Murphy exemplifies the values of Marist School and continues to make a significant impact on the lives of students, educators, and communities both at home and abroad.