HOUSTON, TX (April 24, 2006) - Holocaust Museum Houston's Cultural Bridges Committee will host distinguished Israeli Judge Hadassa Ben-Itto at a public lecture and reception on Monday, May 8.

Ben-Itto, author of the book "The Lie that Wouldn't Die: The Protocols of the Elders of Zion," will speak on the topic "The Protocols of the Elders of Zion: An Old Libel, a New Weapon." A free networking reception will begin at 6 p.m., with her discussion following at 7 p.m., at Holocaust Museum Houston's Herzstein Theater in the Morgan Family Center at 5401 Caroline St. in Houston's Museum District.

Of all the libels that have served as a means of incitement of hate against Jews and as intellectual justification of anti-Semitism, the myth of the so-called "Jewish Conspiracy" to gain domination of the whole world, as embodied in the forged "protocols" is probably the most dangerous and has been extensively analyzed by Ben-Itto.

Ben-Itto served as a judge in Israel for 31 years at courts of all levels. She served twice as a member of Israel's delegation to the U.N. General Assembly and on Israel's delegation to the UNESCO conference on human rights in Paris in 1982. As well as heading various committees, she has taught criminal procedure at Bar-Ilan University. Since 1988, she has served as world president of the International Association of Jewish Lawyers and Jurists. In 1999, she was awarded the Zeltner Prize, the highest prize awarded annually to a jurist in Israel.

Born in Poland, Ben-Itto immigrated to Palestine and went on to serve as an officer in Israel's battle for independence in 1948.

In 1960, she became the fifth woman to be appointed to the bench in Israel.  She served as a judge in courts of all levels, including the Supreme Court of Israel. She retired from the bench in 1991 to write "The Lie that Wouldn't Die," which has been published in nine languages.

The "protocols" is a known forgery printed in Russia during the early 1900s. The "protocols" falsely attribute to the Jews a plan to achieve global domination, but some individuals and groups around the world continue to view this work as factual.

Holocaust Museum Houston's Cultural Bridges group is comprised of young professionals whose mission is to share the values of diversity and inclusion with the leaders of tomorrow. This multicultural group fosters remembrance of the Holocaust and raises awareness of the relevance of its lessons to contemporary society through a variety of events.

Ben-Itto's lecture is underwritten by Marathon Oil Company with additional support by the Consulate General of Israel to the Southwest; Anti-Defamation League, Southwest Houston; and Continental Airlines, official airline of Holocaust Museum Houston.

Seating for the event is limited. To RSVP, call 713-942-8000, ext. 127 or e-mail scorey@hmh.org.

Holocaust Museum Houston promotes awareness and educates the public of the dangers of prejudice, hatred and violence against the backdrop of the Holocaust by fostering remembrance, understanding and education.

Holocaust Museum Houston is free and open to the public and is located in Houston's Museum District at 5401 Caroline St., Houston, TX 77004.

For more information, call 713-942-8000 or visit www.hmh.org.