ANNOUNCEMENT
Background:
Five years of research by the non-profit organization, One Thousand Children, shown
beyond a shadow of a doubt, based on readily available historical documents, that
there was a “network of cooperation” that crossed religious and sectarian
groups and geographical boundaries over three continents and two oceans, that made
the rescues possible as early as 1934 and allowed them to continue into 1945 and
resulted in the rescue of over one thousand unaccompanied children — Jewish, Christian
and non-sectarian.
In the United States the groups included but were not limited to the Quakers, Unitarians,
Catholic and Protestant organizations, and Jewish welfare organizations. (see attachment).
Of course there were issues that existed and had to be overcome to make this “network”
work (as would undoubtedly be the case even today), but it is their very attempt
to work together and the success they found in doing so, that needs to be recognized
and honored and further researched by historians because it still remains virtually
unknown but demonstrates what diverse peoples and organizations working together
can accomplish and might have accomplished if US policy had been more supportive
at the time.
The One Thousand Children, their families and OTC rescuers are profoundly grateful
to the Natonal Museum of American Jewish Hisrtory for recognizing and honoring the
organizations and persons who made their rescue and resettlement possible and for
their commitment to making this history known to the American people. There are
important lessons for all of us to learn as Americans and parts of the family of man,
especially today as genocide continues to take the lives children and their parents.
Contact at One Thousand Children: Iris Posner 301-622-0321 iposner@ix.netcom.com
ANNOUNCEMENT REGARDING COLLECTIONS AT THE NATIONAL MUSEUM OF AMERICAN JEWISH HISTORY
AND THE ONE THOUSAND CHILDREN
The National Museum of American Jewish History (NMAJH), whose mission is to explore
and celebrate the history of Jews in America and to inspire people of all backgrounds
to a greater appreciation of the diversity of the American experience and the freedoms,
is located on the sacred ground of Independence Mall in Philadelphia, PA, in the
heart of the most historic square mile in America. They are in the midst of a capital
project to erect a landmark new building which will house their exhibitions and
programs, a theater, classrooms, and an education and resource center.
The Museum maintains and continues to expand its unique collection of original photographs,
documents, and artifacts relating to the experiences of Jews coming to and living
in America. In addition the Museum is developing a one-of-a-kind online catalogue
of artifacts, documents, and photographs pertaining to American Jewish history.
The NMAJH Registry, the most comprehensive searchable catalogue of objects about
the experience of the Jewish people in America, will serve as an important resource
for museums, scholars and the public. Their web site is http://www.nmajh.org and
includes the plans for the new museum.
I am very pleased to announce that the Museum has established a collection dedicated
to the history of “The One Thousand Children”(OTC) — the only unaccompanied
children rescued from the Holocaust by America, and in addition, will include artifacts
representing this history in the core exhibition space of their new hundred million
dollar state-of-the-art Museum. Many of the OTC children have already donated materials
to this OTC Collection.
In order to continue to document the history of Jews in America including the One
Thousand Children, the Museum welcomes donations of original material related to
life pre-immigration, the immigration process, and and life in America.
They welcome original documents, letters, diaries, artwork, music, photographs,
clothing, religious materials, memorial (yizkor) books, personal artifacts, toys,
historic film footage, home movies, and other artifacts that were kept with you,
created, and/or used before, during and after immigration to the US.
If you have materials that you would consider donating to the Museum, please provide
a description of the materials to:
Registrar
National Museum of American Jewish History
cpingel@nmajh.org
Curatorial Dept.
(215) 923-3811 extension 124
(215) 923-0763 fax
collections@nmajh.org
or send a letter or call,
The National Museum of American Jewish History
Independence Mall East
55 North 5th Street
Philadelphia, PA 19106-2197
tel 215-923-3811
fax 215-923-0763
Should anyone want to contact me, please email iposner@ix.netcom.com, and you
can visit our web site at http://www.onethousandchildren.org
Regards,
Iris Posner
President, One Thousand Children
http://www.onethousandchildren.org