WORLD PREMIERE FILM

CREATING HARMONY: THE DISPLACED PERSONS’ ORCHESTRA AT ST. OTTILIEN TO DEBUT

at the Museum of Jewish Heritage—A Living Memorial to the Holocaust

NEW YORK, NY — The St. Ottilien Displaced Persons’ Orchestra performed “classical symphonies… Jewish ghetto, folk and Zionist Hebrew songs to grief-eroded souls. It gave them a reason to go on,” according to Sonia Beker, daughter of Max Beker, the orchestra’s violinist. It was 1945 and Jewish survivors in displaced persons camps were struggling to come to terms with the incomprehensible reality of the Holocaust, while trying to hold onto their last shreds of hope and dignity. In this shadow of destruction, when spiritual resistance was more important than ever, something extraordinary took place. Creating Harmony: The Displaced Persons’ Orchestra at St. Ottilien (2007, USA, 75 minutes, DVD) is a remarkable documentary about renewal, resistance, and resilience. The world premiere will be shown on June 10 at 2:30 p.m. at the Museum of Jewish Heritage — A Living Memorial to the Holocaust. The screening will be followed by a discussion with co-producers John J. Michalczyk and Ronald A. Marsh.

The film tells the story of the Jewish orchestra at the St. Ottilien Displaced Persons camp in Bavaria. From 1945 to 1948, the orchestra played triumphantly in striped concentration camp uniforms, in front of a banner that read “Am Yisroel Chai,” (“The people of Israel live”). After garnering praise for their inspirational performances all over war-torn Europe, the orchestra was asked to perform for the International Tribunal during the Nazi trials in Nuremberg and for the first Zionist congress. David Ben-Gurion and Golda Meir were among the orchestra’s fans, and on two occasions the ensemble was joined in Germany by conductor Leonard Bernstein.

While the members of the St. Ottilien Displaced Persons’ Orchestra were extraordinary musicians in their own right, their contributions and experiences were far more than just musical. Henny Durmashkin — whose story is told through historic footage — was profoundly affected by her time as a musician in the orchestra. Ms. Durmashkin’s daughter, Rita Lerner, says, “Music nourishes the soul. My mother often spoke of how fulfilling it was to bring music back to the survivors, helping them to restore their faith and leading them down the long road to healing.

“When Leonard Bernstein came to work with the ex-concentration camp orchestra and accompany my mother on the piano as she sang, it was the most incredible and moving experience. For that brief moment in time Leonard Bernstein helped them feel that they could leave behind the hell they survived and soar into the magical world of music they loved so much. He left an indelible mark on her soul, as well as an amazing legacy,” says Lerner, who is interviewed in the film.

The uplifting history of the orchestra is documented in the film through photographs, archival footage, concert programs, and interviews with participants, audience members, and witnesses.

The film is screened in conjunction with the critically acclaimed exhibition, Daring to Resist: Jewish Defiance in the Holocaust.

Tickets to the film are $10 adults, $7 students/seniors, $5 members. Tickets may be purchased online at www.mjhnyc.org or by calling 646-437-4202.

About the Filmmakers

John J. Michalczyk’s other films include: The Cross and the Star: Jews, Christians and the Holocaust; In the Shadow of the Reich: Nazi Medicine; and Displaced: Miracle at St. Otillien. He is also professor/co-director of Film Studies and current chair of the Fine Arts Department at Boston College. A documentary film producer since 1991, and founder of Etoile Productions, he has produced and directed 12 documentaries, scripting eight of them. Several of his films have received regional Emmy awards among other distinctions. Creating Harmony is the much-awaited sequel to the acclaimed Displaced: Miracle at St. Ottilien.

Ronald Marsh was responsible for archival and bibliographical research for the film, as well as co-producing.

About the Exhibition

Daring to Resist: Jewish Defiance in the Holocaust
April 16, 2007-July 2008

“An important exhibition…” The New York Times

During the Holocaust, Jews throughout Europe, through individual and collective acts of resistance, sought to undermine the Nazi goal of the annihilation of the Jewish people. Jews engaged in a range of resistance activities with the aim of preserving Jewish life and dignity despite unimaginable difficulties. Their efforts powerfully refute the popular perception that Jews were passive victims. Through testimony, archival footage, and authentic artifacts, the exhibition helps visitors to understand the dilemmas that Jews faced under impossible circumstances. Whether praying clandestinely, documenting the experiences of Jews in the ghettos, or taking up arms to fight, these responses took many forms, but each and every one was a courageous act of resistance.

This exhibition is made possible through major funding from: Conference on Jewish Material Claims Against Germany, the Elizabeth Meyer Lorentz Fund of The New York Community Trust, the Edmond J. Safra Philanthropic Foundation, and the National Endowment for the Humanities,* as well as generous leadership gifts from: Frank and Cesia Blaichman, Patti Askwith Kenner and Family, George and Adele Klein, Ingeborg and Ira Leon Rennert, David and Klara Ringel and Family, Shalom and Varda Yoran. Additional support from: The David Berg Foundation, Nancy Fisher, Robert I. Goldman Foundation, The Blanche and Irving Laurie Foundation, L’Oréal USA, Righteous Persons Foundation, and Gil and Claire (Israelit) Zweig. Media sponsorship provided by The Jewish Week.

*Any views, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this exhibition do not necessarily reflect those of the National Endowment for the Humanities.

Pets of Holocaust Victims
I believe in the Sun,
Even when it is not shining.
I believe in love,
Even when I am alone.
I believe in God,
Even when He is silent.
(Author unknown – inscription found on a wall in Auschwitz)

The Holocaust, one of the most horrible events in recent history, has yet one untold chapter–the pets owned by the Holocaust victims.
Today we understand the depth of the human/animal bond, but no one has told the stories about what the pets of Holocaust victims meant to them.
When researching this topic, survivors said that they were glad someone cared enough to ask about their pets. The fact that they needed to share their stories is testimony to how much their pets meant to them.
The account below is a dramatization of actual events as told to the author.

Hungary
By K. R.

It was around 1939 when my father brought a small, furry puppy home. His eyes were like liquid chocolate and he would give us little kisses. All five of us, my parents, older brother, sister and me, loved to hold him and bury our face in his soft, shiny fur. Bogar, a 20 pound, all black mixed breed dog made us laugh and followed us everywhere. He was a constant source of joy, amusement and companionship to us. I felt very close to Bogar and told him all of my secrets.
Our family managed to survive the first five years of the war. But the war had affects on us all; even Bogar hated the sound of planes and shooting. Before we could hear it, Bogar would growl and raise the hair on his back when an airplane approached.
In June of 1944 we were marched to the Ghetto. We left Bogar free at home, hoping that he would survive, but he followed us to the Ghetto. Since dogs were not allowed in the Ghetto, we had no idea where he was or what happened to him. Even though we were afraid and uncertain about our own fate, we all worried about Bogar. Who would take care of him? How would he survive?
After three weeks we were herded out of the Ghetto and forced to walk to the train station in Hajduhadhaz. To our surprise, when we left the Ghetto, Bogar was right there beside us. He had waited outside of the Ghetto for us. I was thrilled to see that he was alive, but he followed us all the way to the train station where we had to leave him again. What would happen to our precious Bogar?
For an entire year, through all of our trials and tribulations, we wondered and prayed for Bogar. Then on one glorious June day in 1945, we were free!!! We went back to our home and looked for Bogar, but he was no where to be found. Though we were glad to be alive, we mourned the loss of one family member, Bogar.
A month later, I was walking down the road about a mile from home when I saw a dog that looked like Bogar. My heart skipped a beat and I held my breath as I called his name. The dog stopped and looked, frozen in place. Then like a shooting star, he ran to me, jumping and licking my hands and face. It was Bogar, my sweet, wonderful Bogar!
The two of us ran home and I burst through the door shouting to the family, “Bogar’s home! Bogar’s Home!” We hugged and kissed him, then gave him some of our precious little food, water and a soft, warm place to sleep. After we got over our excitement we saw that Bogar had had a rough life while we were gone. He was thin, his coat did not shine and it seemed that there was a haunting look in his eyes.
We found out from people in our neighborhood that he had lived on the street, stealing food when he could. Bogar lived for a year or so and then at a little over seven years of age, got sick and died. We all mourned, but for one glorious year our family was complete and that meant a lot to us.

Note: If any reader knows about a Holocaust pet, please contact the author at susanb21@juno.com or write to her at 15 Hemlock Dr., Jim Thorpe, PA 18229.

THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
(Edison, New Jersey)

________________________________________________________________

For Immediate Release May 30, 2007

President George W. Bush today announced his intention to nominate five individuals and designate two individuals to serve in his Administration:

The President intends to nominate J. Christian Kennedy, of Indiana, to be accorded the Rank of Ambassador during his tenure as Special Envoy for Holocaust Issues. Mr. Kennedy, a career member of the Senior Foreign Service, currently serves as Special Envoy for Holocaust Issues. Prior to this, he served as Senior Advisor of the Career Development Program in the Bureau of Human Resources at the Department of State. Earlier in his career, he served as Minister-Counselor for Political Affairs in Mexico City. Mr. Kennedy received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Chicago.

The President intends to nominate James L. Caswell, of Idaho, to be Director of the Bureau of Land Management at the Department of the Interior. Mr. Caswell currently serves as Administrator of the Office of Species Conservation for the State of Idaho. Prior to this, he served as Forest Supervisor of Clearwater National Forest. Earlier in his career, he served as Acting Deputy Regional Forester for the Northern Region of the United States Forest Service. Mr. Caswell received his bachelor’s degree from Michigan State University.

The President intends to nominate William J. Garvelink, of Michigan, to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Mr. Garvelink, a career member of the Senior Foreign Service, currently serves as Principal Deputy Assistant Administrator of the Bureau of Democracy, Conflict and Humanitarian Assistance at the United States Agency for International Development. Prior to this, he served as Mission Director for Eritrea at the United States Agency for International Development. Earlier in his career, he served as Deputy Director of the Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance at the United States Agency for International Development. Mr. Garvelink received his bachelor’s degree from Calvin College and his master’s degree from the University of Minnesota.

The President intends to nominate Roderick W. Moore, of Rhode Island, to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Republic of Montenegro. Mr. Moore, a career member of the Senior Foreign Service, currently serves as Deputy Chief of Mission at the United States Embassy in Serbia. Prior to this, he served as Deputy Chief of Mission at the United States Embassy in Bulgaria. Earlier in his career, he served as a State Department Fellow and taught at the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University. Mr. Moore received his bachelor’s degree and master’s degree from Brown University.

The President intends to nominate Ronald Jay Tenpas, of Maryland, to be Assistant Attorney General (Environment and Natural Resources Division) at the Department of Justice, and to designate him Acting. Mr. Tenpas currently serves as Associate Deputy Attorney General at the Department of Justice. Prior to this, he served as United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois. Earlier in his career, he served as Branch Chief and Deputy Criminal Chief and Assistant United States Attorney in the United States Attorney’s Office of the District of Maryland. Mr. Tenpas received his bachelor’s degrees from Michigan State University and Oxford University and his JD from the University of Virginia.

The President intends to designate Senator Ted Stevens, of Alaska, to be Personal Representative of the President of the United States at the 47th International Paris Air Show.

The Associated Press Published: May 29, 2007

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina: The Red Cross-issued passport used by high-ranking Nazi Aldolf Eichmann as he escaped to Argentina after World War II has been turned over to the Holocaust Museum in Buenos Aires after a judge stumbled up it in a musty court file.

Eichmann, a leader of a campaign of mass deportation of Jews to extermination camps in Nazi-occupied Eastern Europe during the war, fled to Argentina in 1950 under the alias “Ricardo Klement.”

The passport was left behind when Eichmann was abducted by Israeli agents in 1960 from a Buenos Aires suburb where he lived. He was taken to Israel, tried for crimes against humanity and hanged in 1962.
MORE.

My parents from Australia will be in New York the last week of June and they have asked me to place an announcement to locate survivors from Wolbrom, Poland.

My father, Morris MAJTLIS born in Wolbrom, Poland (may have been known as Moniek or Moyshe Majtlis) and currently living in Melbourne Australia, is seeking people who may have been his neighbours in Wolbrom, Poland in the 1920’s or 1930’s.

If you know any Survivors and can assist, please contact Morris Majtlis between Friday June 22 and Friday June 29. 2007.

g at The St Regis Hotel Telephone 212 753 4500).

David Rosenbaum