Elie Wiesel (1928-2016) was the Andrew W. Mellon Professor in the Humanities at Boston University. He is the author of more than forty books, several of which have won international awards. His work on behalf of human rights and world peace earned Wiesel the Nobel Peace Prize (1986), the Presidential Medal of Freedom, and the United States Congressional Gold Medal, among many other honors.

Ariel Burger is the author of National Jewish Book Award-winner Witness: Lessons from Elie Wiesel's Classroom. He is the founding director and senior scholar of the Witness Institute, whose mission is to empower emerging leaders, inspired by the life and legacy of Elie Wiesel.