Richard A. Koenigsberg at the Colloquium on Violence and Religion with René Girard

Richard A. Koenigsberg’s participation in the Colloquium on Violence and Religion (COV&R) is documented in History of the Library of Social Science, Volume VII, which recounts his 1999 lecture, “The Sacrificial Meaning of the Holocaust,” delivered at the COV&R meeting www.libraryofsocialscience.com.

Context of the event
COV&R is an international association of scholars founded in 1990, dedicated to exploring René Girard’s mimetic theory—the idea that human violence often stems from imitation and rivalry—and its relationship to religion, culture, and history papers.aarweb.org. The colloquium alternates between North American and European venues and often features Girard himself as a central figure
 

Koenigsberg’s lecture and Girard’s role
According to the account, Koenigsberg began his presentation by discussing the etymology of “Holocaust” (from the Hebrew olah, “burnt offering”) and its sacrificial meaning. He then examined Nazi ideology, including Hitler’s justification of mass death as a “sacrifice” for Germany, and the brutal conditions of deportations and concentration camps www.libraryofsocialscience.com. The lecture included vivid, harrowing descriptions drawn from survivor testimony, such as the squalid conditions in cattle cars and the psychological state of victims.

A notable moment occurred when Koenigsberg paused for questions. The audience was silent, and a young woman in the back tentatively raised her hand. Koenigsberg turned to René Girard, seated directly in front of him, and Girard stood up—trembling—affirming with “Yes, yes” that the question could be addressed. This approval sparked a lively discussion www.libraryofsocialscience.com.

Significance
The interaction illustrates Girard’s active role in COV&R as both a scholar and a facilitator of dialogue, engaging directly with participants on sensitive topics. Koenigsberg’s talk, in turn, applied Girard’s mimetic framework to the Holocaust, exploring how sacrificial logic and mimetic violence intersect in historical catastrophe.

Accessing the material
The full text of Koenigsberg’s original 1999 lecture, “The Sacrificial Meaning of the Holocaust,” is available in the History of the Library of Social Science archive www.libraryofsocialscience.com. COV&R’s official site also provides background on its mission, Girard’s influence, and the broader scholarly community

Colloquium on Violence & Religion.

In sum, this COV&R session combined historical analysis, theological reflection, and Girard’s mimetic theory, with Koenigsberg’s presentation and Girard’s direct engagement marking a memorable moment in the colloquium’s history.