“I was born April 23rd, 1929 in Vienna, Austria. My father’s name was Isadore Roth and my mother was Marjian Rubin. I have an older sister, Regina. My younger siblings, Susie and Irwin, are both deceased. Prior to Germany’s invasion, I recall a happy family life. My father made a comfortable living as a linen importer. We lived in a beautiful apartment. The centerpiece of our home was a Steinway piano on which I took lessons. My mother lit candles every Shabbat and my siblings and I always received new clothes on Passover. Antisemitic attitudes in the public school I attended indicated that horrific times were just ahead.”

Herta recalled Germany’s invasion of Austria

“On March 13th, 1938 Hitler marched into Vienna and our lives were forever changed. It was Sunday and the entire family was seated in the dining room when all the terror began. A wave of violence and deportations against the Jewish community followed in Vienna and other cities throughout the German Reich during the spring, summer and autumn of 1938 culminating in the Kristallnacht riots and violence in November. My father was arrested at the Czech border when he tried to enter Poland without the proper documentation to sell his merchandise. He was released after being imprisoned for six weeks. After a gentile dentist took over our apartment, my mother, siblings and I moved into my uncle’s much smaller apartment. In the summer of 1939, my mother made arrangements for Regina, Susie and I to immigrate to America.”

Herta reflected on her move to America

“In August 1939 when I was 10 years old, my mother made arrangements for my sisters and I to move to New York where my Uncle Herman lived. My mother was able to obtain visas for us since we were born in Austria. She was originally from Poland, so she was unable to join us. When we boarded a train at the station in Vienna it was the last time we saw my mother and brother. They stayed behind and we found out years later that they were killed in a concentration camp. I never saw my father again either. Years later I discovered that my father had tried unsuccessfully to get my mother and brother released by offering to trade jewels for their freedom. After boarding the train in Vienna, my sisters and I traveled to Paris where one of my uncles met us. We were hungry and I remember my uncle serving us onion soup. From Paris we boarded a train to Le Havre, France, a  major port city located on the banks of the English Channel. We crossed the English Channel by ferry. I remember the Channel currents being very rough. In Liverpool, England, we boarded The Laconia, a British ocean liner that took us across the Atlantic Ocean. My sisters and I arrived in New York on August 23rd, 1939 and stayed for a few days with my Uncle Herman. Susie and I went to live with another uncle (my father’s brother) in Brooklyn while Regina stayed with my mother’s friends. When my aunt received news that my paternal grandmother was moving to America from Europe, Susie and I had to find another place to live.”

Herta recalled moving to the Pleasantville Cottage School

“With the help of the Jewish Federation, Regina, Susie and I moved into the Pleasantville Cottage School located in Westchester County. Regina lived with the older girls while Susie and I remained with our age group. PCS was founded by the Hebrew Sheltering Guardian Society and is located on 160 acres. I remained at PCS until I was 13 and then moved into a foster home located in the Bronx.”

Herta recalled living in foster homes

“Susie and I lived together in a foster home owned by a milkman and his wife. I remember my foster mother ordering me to wash the kitchen floor at 11 o’clock in the evening when I had school the next morning. I responded by saying, ‘I’m night going to wash the floor tonight and be too tired to go to school tomorrow.’ I was taught never to speak back to adults, but what she was asking of me wasn’t right. In my second foster home I was a babysitter for my foster parents. Everything was fine until one day the husband put his arm around me when no one was home and told me how much the family liked me. I was scared and called the social worker. She reassured me that I would be safely placed in another home within 24 hours. She also told me not to report the incident since the couple had been married more than 30 years. I didn’t like to lie and told the couple that I had to leave without any further explanation. In the third foster home I lived in, I was very happy and remained there until I was married.”

Herta recalled life following foster care

“After finishing high school I enrolled in business school and got a job working for an import/export company. I met my husband, Leonard, when I went with two girlfriends to the Jersey Shore for the weekend. Through a chance encounter I met Leonard who was accompanied by his two friends while I was out walking with my friends. Leonard and I married on March 26, 1950. Leonard was a second generation American who had flown 35 missions over Germany while serving in the US Air Force during World War II. I loved the fact that he had bombed Germany. We lived in Little Neck and then bought a home in Plainview, Long Island. We lived in Orlando after moving to Florida. Twenty years ago we moved to South Florida. We have three children (two sons and a daughter), six grandchildren and four great grandchildren. Leonard passed away in 2015 after 65 years of marriage.”

Herta shared her words of wisdom

“Be happy, smile and don’t let your troubles get the best of you.”

“Between The Temples” is slated for national theatrical release the following day, giving South Florida audiences a first glimpse at the film.

According to the film synopsis: Ben (Jason Schwartzman) is a cantor who’s lost his voice, faith and purpose following his novelist wife’s sudden death. His obtuse rabbi (Robert Smigel), his doting mother (Caroline Aaron) and his overeager stepmother (Dolly de Leon) are all very ready for him to snap out of it, maybe date a little and re-engage with his community. But Ben, beset on all sides by miseries, large and small, is not convinced that his mothers’ sneak-attack is the way forward. After fleeing Shabbat services and re-listening to his dead wife’s voice messages, he half-heartedly attempts to throw himself under a semi-truck. The truck driver instead drops him off at a bar where drunk on mudslides, Ben confronts a loudmouth who knocks him flat. Carla (Carol Kane) helps him to his feet and gets him a proper drink. They discover they once knew each other: Carla was Ben’s music teacher in elementary school. Learning of his profession, Carla starts to pursue Ben for bat mitzvah lessons. It’s Carla who gives Ben a much-needed kick in the behind, inspiring him to reconnect with humanity while, simultaneously, he leads her to reconnect with her faith.

The Boca International Jewish Film Festival is a nonprofit, all-volunteer organization offering year-round programming, discussions and special events.

For free RSVP tickets, sponsorship opportunities and more information, visit JFilmBoca.org.

“I was born May 17th, 1939 in Amsterdam. My father, Joseph Maykels, was an antique book dealer and my mother, Elizabeth Vanderhorst, was a designer of men’s clothing patterns. The Germans invaded the Netherlands one week before my first birthday on May 10, 1940. My father feared he would be apprehended by the Nazis and hid in a nearby monastery. My mother, on the other hand, was a native of Paterson, New Jersey and assumed being American-born would keep her from harm. My father came out of hiding when he found out that my grandparents were being arrested and deported. My parents and I were soon apprehended as well.”

Lazarus recalled being deported.

“My parents and I were first transferred to Westerbork. The camp was originally established in 1939 by the Dutch before the German invasion of the Netherlands. It began as a refugee camp for German Jewish refugees who had fled Nazi persecution. In 1942, German officials took over and transformed Westerbork into a transit camp for Dutch Jews. Westerbork became a site where Jews (including my family) were temporarily held before deportation to killing centers and other concentration camps. Only 5,000 Jews out of more than 100,000 who passed through Westerbork survived. From Westerbork we were deported to Bergen-Belsen Concentration Camp. My mother and I were imprisoned in the women’s barracks where my mother worked in the kitchen. My father was confined to the men’s quarters. At night my mother would look through the barbed wire fence to get a glimpse of my father. One night a man approached the fence and handed my mother a note containing the address of a family that was caring for his child. He feared that he wouldn’t survive, and asked my mother to seek out the family if she survived. My father did not survive the war. My mother actually married the man who lived at that address following the war.”

Lazarus recalled the horrific conditions in the camp.

“The camp was unable to accommodate the sudden influx of thousands of prisoners and all the basic services. The lack of food, water and sanitation led to an outbreak of typhus. My mother came down with typhus and was suffering from the disease when the Germans decided to move us out of the camp. The Germans intended to drown us in the Elbe (one of Central Europe’s major rivers) and transferred us by train bound for the river. The train was intercepted by American and Canadian soldiers and my mother and I were saved. Out of 267 family members, only my mother, two cousins and I survived. Both of my cousins live in Israel.”

Lazarus reflected on life after liberation.

“Following liberation, my mother and I traveled home to Amsterdam where my mother was placed in a hospital to treat her bout with typhus. When I went to visit my mother, she was delirious from her illness and did not recognize me. She kept telling the hospital staff that I died during the war. My mother eventually recovered and recognized me again. During the time that my mother was treated, I remember walking in an open field and seeing a plane flying closely overhead. To this day I still have a fear of loud airplane engines. I also have a fear of elevators and basements due to my enclosed confinement during the war. HIAS assisted us with a place to live since our former home was occupied. After living in Amsterdam for a while, my mother and I moved to Haarlem, a port city located outside of Amsterdam in the northwest Netherlands. We lived in Haarlem for two years and I enrolled in school for the first time in my life.”

Lazarus recalled moving to America.

“My great aunt who lived in Paterson, New Jersey sponsored our move to the US. In Paterson, I completed my public education and became interested in art. As an artist my work includes watercolor paintings and sculpting. I met my first husband and we moved to Boston where we raised our two daughters. After my husband died I remarried and moved to Florida in 2003. My second husband died in 2013. 10 years ago I met my boyfriend, Irwin. I have four grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.”

Lazarus shared her words of wisdom.

“Enjoy everyday to the fullest. I’m lucky to live in Florida where everything is green, colorful and clean.”

“The title of my book, ‘From Miniskirt to Hijab’ encapsulates a profound personal and cultural transformation that I experienced firsthand. When brainstorming for a title, I wanted something to convey the dramatic shift in societal norms and personal identity during the Iranian Revolution. The term ‘Miniskirt’ represents the era of relative freedom and modernity that existed before the revolution, a time when Western influences and more liberal cultural practices were prevalent. It symbolizes a period when personal expression and style were more open and less restricted. In stark contrast, ‘Hijab’ represents the fundamentalist shift that followed the revolution. It signifies a period marked by strict dress codes and a dramatic overhaul of personal freedoms and societal norms under the new Islamic theocracy. This transition illustrates the profound changes in both daily life and individual identity that I and many others had to navigate. The title juxtaposes these two elements to highlight the stark contrast between the pre-revolutionary era and the post-revolutionary reality.”

Saper shared what she plans to speak about during the Retreat.

”I plan to address several crucial themes that draw from both my personal experiences and broader historical context which I explore in my book. These topics are particularly relevant given current global events and ongoing discussions. First and foremost, I will discuss the theme of immigration which is especially pertinent in the 2024 presidential campaign. I will share insights from my own experiences as an immigrant, highlighting the challenges and opportunities of leaving one’s homeland in search of safety and a better life. Another key aspect of my presentation will be fundamentalism. I will recount my firsthand experiences of witnessing the transformation of Iran from a secular monarchy to a fundamentalist Islamic theocracy. I will also cover the profound impact of the Iran-Iraq War, an eight-year conflict that resulted in the loss of hundreds of thousands of lives and left a lasting scar on the region. The repercussions of the Iranian Revolution on the Jewish diaspora, particularly the ancient Persian Jewish community will be another focal point.”

”In addition, I will delve into the transformation of US-Iran and Israel-Iran relations from allies to adversaries,” Saper continued. ”This shift has had significant implications for international diplomacy and regional security, and understanding this evolution is crucial for navigating current geopolitical landscapes. Lastly, I will address two critical issues: antisemitism and women’s rights. Antisemitism continues to be a pervasive and dangerous force globally, and discussing it is essential for raising awareness and promoting solidarity. Equally important is the discussion of women’s rights, particularly in contexts
where fundamentalists and ideologies can severely restrict women’s freedoms and opportunities.”

Saper shared details of her life prior to the revolution.

”My family lived in the upscale northern Tehran neighborhood of Yousef Abad. My father taught metallurgy (a branch of science that studies the nature of metallic elements) at the Elm-o-San University (Iran University of Science and Technology) and at Tehran Polytechnic, the first established technical university in Iran. People in the Persian culture held individuals with advanced degrees in high regard, so my father, who had two advanced degrees in chemical engineering and meteorology was respected wherever we went. Strangers would lower their heads and call him ‘Ostad’ (Professor). My mother worked at the airport as part of the ground crew. She got all the perks that flight attendants had. One of them was discounted tickets. So, we traveled a lot. The country’s cosmopolitan nature was also evident in its fashion and lifestyle. As a young girl living in Tehran in the 1960s and 70s, the most modern of Iranian cities, I wore miniskirts and the latest fashions, attended a Jewish day school, and had many friends of different faiths and nationalities. I watched American movies, listened to the syndicated radio music program Casey’s Top 40 and had a crush on Elvis Presley. There were many Americans, Europeans and Israelis who worked and lived in Iran. Life in pre-revolutionary Iran offered a sense of freedom, opportunity and cultural richness that defined my formative years.”

In contrast, Saper recalled the ”Worst of Times.”

”The ‘Worst of Times’ for my family and me during the Iranian Revolution was marked by a series of profound and harrowing challenges. One of the darkest moments occurred when the new regime in 1979 executed Habib Elghanian, a prominent Jewish businessman and community leader. His death was a chilling reminder of the regime’s brutality and the precariousness of our safety. My experience in Iran, where espousing Zionism could have led to arrest or even death, profoundly deepened my connection with Israel once I left. This stark denial of Zionism and the oppressive environment faced by tens of thousands of Jews who remained in Iran underscored the value and significance of the Jewish homeland for me. Before the revolution, I had visited Israel several times and had personal connections through Israeli friends and their children. This early exposure only strengthened my bond with the land. The eight-year Iran-Iraq War, which began in 1980, further compounded our hardships. We faced daily uncertainty and fear as the conflict claimed the lives of many and brought economic and social turmoil. The American hostage crisis, which began in November 1979 when Iranian students seized the U.S. Embassy in Tehran and held 52 American diplomats and citizens hostage for 444 days further isolated us. The crisis strained international relations and fueled anti-American sentiment, exacerbating the climate of hostility and making it even more difficult for us to find safety or support. The revolution, the war and the ongoing hostility against Zionism altered our reality, leaving an indelible mark on our lives and shaping our perspectives in profound ways.”

”The Iranian government implemented restrictions,” Saper recalled. ”During the civil unrest, the authorities established martial law and imposed a curfew that prevented us from leaving our homes between 8 p.m. and 8 a.m. The country was at a standstill, as almost every establishment, including companies, businesses and universities was on strike. All schools were closed. Gasoline was scarce, power and water shortages were rampant, leading to chaos on the streets. During that time, people lived in profound uncertainty and fear with disrupted everyday rhythms of life and a precarious future. As an American citizen, I now live in a democracy where I can exercise my voice. Whenever I stand in line to vote, I remember standing in line in Tehran to express my opinion on whether my country would become the Islamic Republic. Back then, I had to cast my ‘Yes’ ballot under the watchful gaze of armed guards, where anyone in the room could see how each person voted. The flag received a new emblem and they revised the constitution. This convergence led to the implementation of discriminatory laws against religious minorities, LGBT citizens and women, to name a few. The morality police enforce strict dress codes and behavior. Today, the ‘Woman, Life, Freedom’ movement, sparked by the tragic murder of Mahsa Amini, has galvanized many women and girls in Iran to dissent en masse against the mandatory hijab. Iran’s population has more than doubled since the revolution. Most Iranians today do not recall Imperial Iran, the revolution, or the early years of the Islamic Republic. They were either not born yet or were children at the time. Therefore, I belong to an exclusive generation that fully experienced Iran in its three eras: the monarchy, the revolution and the Islamic Republic. My memories are a bridge to a past that many in my homeland only
know through stories and history books.”

Saper expressed the similarities between the Iranian Revolution to what is happening now in Israel.

”When reflecting on the events in Iran during my youth and comparing them to the current situation in Israel, several key parallels and distinctions emerge.
During the Iranian Revolution, many people, including young activists, chanted slogans like ‘Independence, Freedom and the Islamic Republic’ driven by a desire for change and dissatisfaction with the existing monarchy. However, they needed a more comprehensive understanding of what the Islamic Republic would mean in practice. This lack of clarity about the future governance and the complexities involved in transitioning from a monarchy led to unforeseen consequences and a repressive regime. Fast-forward to today, we see a similar pattern in the pro-Palestinian, anti-Israel protests that have emerged on US college campuses since October 7th. Many protest participants are motivated by a genuine desire for justice and peace. Yet, they may need to fully grasp the complexities of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict or the broader implications of their actions. This lack of comprehensive understanding is reminiscent of the situation in Iran decades ago. During his recent visit to Israel, actor Michael Douglas spoke about the wave of pro-Palestinian, anti-Israel protests that have swept US college campuses since October 7th. He suggested the students involved underwent ‘brainwashing… because when you try to talk to many of them, there is no education, there’s no knowledge.’  Also, during his speech to the joint meeting of Congress on July 24, 2024, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin
Netanyahu said, ‘I have a message for these protestors, when the tyrants of Tehran who hang gays from cranes and murder women for not covering their hair are praising, promoting and funding you, you have officially become Iran’s useful idiots.'”

Saper shared her experience of coming to the US after fleeing Iran.

”When I arrived in the United States, I was a young mother of two with a high school degree and a new immigrant. I did not allow the hurdles of life to pull me down. We left all our property and belongings behind in Iran and had to start from zero. At times, I worked three jobs simultaneously and studied at night. I did everything I could. My husband had to study and pass many exams to regain his position as a physician in the United States. I was grateful for the many opportunities that I could pursue. I studied accounting and practiced as a CPA. Today, my daughter is a lawyer and my son is a doctor. What they have accomplished here, they could not have accomplished in Iran.”

For more information regarding the National Jewish Retreat, visit jretreat.com or call 1-877-573-8732.

“I was born in Plebanówka on October, 27th, 1935. My father’s name was Israel Hellner and my mother was Dvora Kahanah Hellner. I had a younger sister, Betty, who is now deceased. When I was born, Plebanówka was part of Poland. Following Germany’s occupation of Poland, Plebanówka became part of Ukraine. My father was a glazier who was skilled at cutting, installing, and removing glass. Due to his position as a well-respected businessman, my father connected with several of the village leaders. My father was also educated and would keep people up-to-date regarding world news by reading the newspaper to them. What I remember fondly, prior to the war, was my mother thoroughly washing the floors in our home as she prepared for Shabbat. We weren’t religious, but did follow the traditions and prayers.”

Hellner recalled the start of the war.

“After Germany invaded Poland in September 1939, the lives of the country’s Jews were constantly threatened. My father was marched down the village’s main muddy road and rounded up with other Jewish men in the center of town. I recall that all of Plebanówka’s roads were made of mud. Due to the unpaved streets I can’t recall ever seeing a car when I was a child, only trucks. My mother was very smart and resourceful. After my father was apprehended, my mother proceeded to sit on a town official’s front stoop and managed to get my father released. As more Jewish people were being rounded up, my father knew we would have to hide if the family was to have any chance of survival. We first hid in an underground shelter in our home. After fleeing Plebanówka, my parents, sister and I hid in a cattle stable. When my parents would leave the barn to search for food they always walked backwards so their footprints would appear to be leaving the structure as opposed to entering it. My parents were very resourceful. We would never have survived without their quick thinking. My sister and I would often look out at the children playing with the animals wishing we were free like them. I recall the time German soldiers investigated the barn by poking sticks through the hay and stomping on the ground with their boots. Through some miracle my family wasn’t discovered. After leaving our hiding place in the barn, my family hid in an abandoned factory that manufactured bricks. We also hid in other locations until the war ended.”

Hellner reflected on life following the war.

“After the war, my family returned to my grandfather’s home that was occupied by my uncle. I remember playing in an abandoned German tank with other children my age and my mother being worried I could hurt myself. Russians loved whiskey and vodka, so my father provided for us by selling alcohol. My family tried to live a life of some normalcy in those post war years as we traveled to Hungary, Austria and eventually to Italy for three years before sailing on a former military vessel bound for New York. After arriving in America, my family lived in Far Rockaway (Queens) where my father found work as a window cleaner. After living for a while in Brooklyn and the Bronx, my father decided to buy a poultry farm in Vineland, New Jersey. My family was among a significant number of  Holocaust survivors (most of them Polish and Ukrainian Jews) who settled in Vineland and other southern New Jersey towns to try and create an American facsimile of their lost eastern European communities. After a few years of living on the chicken farm, my father decided to move back to the Bronx where he went into the window cleaning business. After serving in the US Army, I took over my father’s business and moved to Queens. I married my wife, Chava. We have a son and daughter.”

Hellner shared his words of wisdom.

“As a Holocaust survivor, I have learned to take one day at a time. Unfortunately, my children are seeing the same hate and antisemitism I experienced. I never thought this would happen again.”

The gift includes the donation of authentic artifacts from the Holocaust, as well as funds to build the interior of the museum and construction of display cases. Items on display will include the tools used for a eugenics study in a Nazi run laboratory, as well as concentration camp uniforms from Mauthausen and Ravensbruck.

“The museum will be a legacy to the Weiners’ tireless work in educating future generations about the importance of standing up against all forms of hate, prejudice and bigotry through Holocaust education,” said Michael Horswell, Ph.D., dean of the Dorothy F. Schmidt College of Arts and Letters. “The museum will also be a distinctive addition to the Wallach building’s prominence as an educational and cultural destination.”

Craig Weiner explained the similarities and differences between the NSU and FAU museums.

“This Craig and Barbara Weiner Holocaust Museum of South Florida at FAU will be similar in its theme and mission to the museum at NSU in that the objective of both Holocaust museums is to learn how critical it is for all of us to stand up against ALL forms of hate and prejudice. The museum itself, however, will be quite different from the museum at NSU in that the interior design, the exhibition space and the curated artifacts will differ significantly. Being a brand new facility allows us to create the design and environment of the museum from scratch as compared to adapting to existing space as we do at NSU. In this way, it will also encourage visitors to visit both museums as they will see substantially different artifacts at each museum.”

“Dimensions in Testimony: the interactive method of speaking to and asking questions of a pre-videoed Holocaust survivor created by the Shoah Foundation for all future generations to use will also be part of the overall museum presentation at FAU,” Weiner continued. “The building design includes a separate theater in which this presentation will be available to visitors and schools to use during their visit.”

Weiner shared the significance of creating the FAU museum.

“Our experience with FAU has been nothing short of fabulous. The university is very committed to this education and has been so welcoming and  accommodating to the needs of the new Holocaust museum. All aspects of interior design, space needs, environmental considerations, preservation of artifacts, security needs and providing classroom space for Holocaust education instruction to our exact needs have been accommodated within the building plans. Additionally, FAU will be hiring a Museum Director that we will train to assure the continuation of all Holocaust education programs we currently conduct.”

“Being a part of a major university is something that is very important to a museum for several reasons,” Weiner continued. “Universities are here forever. University museums don’t close like so many museums do for lack of funds. The museum gains an immediate audience of 30,000 students and faculty, and the university itself is well known within the community as an important institution. The ability to have classroom space for Holocaust education programs, exhibit halls for special exhibits and support staff such as information technology right on hand, makes a university the ideal location on which to establish a permanent and prominent Holocaust Museum. Both of our museums at NSU and FAU have already been funded in perpetuity assuring that they will never, ever close. This was critical to us in establishing the Holocaust Museum of South Florida.”

Both museums service public and private schools for Holocaust education and there will be no charge to visitors.

For more information, visit www.fau.edu or holocausteducationfund.com.

For further information, contact Laurie Carney at lcarney@fau.edu

“I was born in Brussels, Belgium on August 12th, 1941. The war began in Belgium following Germany’s conquering of the country in May 1940. I have no recollection of my mother, Ida Farkas, since I was orphaned when I was only eight months old. Through archival documentation that was discovered in a vault at the Jewish Museum of Deportation and Resistance (JMDR), I was able to confirm my mother’s birthday, the day she was deported to Auschwitz as well as the day she was murdered. The JMDR opened in 1996 in Mechelen, Belgium. The museum was the result of a collaboration between the Jewish Central Consistory of Belgium and the Association of Jewish Deportees. The museum’s mission was to digitize all archival collections related to the Holocaust in Belgium and to make these documents available to the public. In 2012, the museum was renamed Kazerne Dossin Memorial, Museum and Documentation Center on Holocaust and Human Rights. It is located at the site of the former SS-Sammellager Mecheln, better known as the Dossin barracks. Between 1942 and 1944, 25,000 Jews from Belgium, including my mother, were deported to Auschwitz. Fewer than 2,000 deportees survived the Holocaust.”

Mendelson shared recollections of going into hiding.

“In the months following my birth, my mother and another Jewish woman named Rosa made a pact. The two women decided that if one of them was killed, the other would take care of their children. Rosa had a daughter my age named Renee. After my mother was captured, Rosa fulfilled the agreement she made with her. Rosa was street smart, you had to be to survive. She was a very humble and compassionate person and treated me as if I was her own son. Rosa took me to a family who owned a Flemish farm located about an hour’s distance from Brussels. Flemish is a combination of Dutch, French and German influences. Julia was the woman who owned the farm. She was later honored by the State of Israel for saving me and other Jewish children during the war. When I visited the town where the farm was located a few years ago, I reconnected with Julia’s daughter and grandchildren who told me my name had come up in conversation just prior to my surprise visit. After I had been living on the farm for some time, Rosa took me to a convent in Brussels where I spent a year. She moved me there fearing that Julia’s Nazi sympathizer husband might turn me over to the Gestapo. I remember Rosa reminding me that I was Jewish and to try to refrain from engaging in Christian practices.”

Mendelson recalled life following the war.

“In January 1948 when I was six years old, I sailed on an ocean liner named Aquitania bound for Halifax, Nova Scotia. From Halifax I traveled by train to Montreal where I was placed in a Jewish orphanage. Shortly afterwards I was adopted by a couple who also adopted two Canadian children. My adoptive parents were givers and never asked for anything in return. When I first arrived in Canada I could only speak Flemish. I learned English in the public school I attended. I was mocked by the other children for being a foreigner. I didn’t even know what a telephone or light switch was. When I was 13 years old I joined the B’nai B’rith Youth Organization. Joining BBYO was the turning point in my life where I was finally able to identify as a Jew. When I was a teenager I took any job I could to try and make money which included delivering everything from newspapers to milk. As I got older I worked in the family’s second hand merchandising business and became familiar with buying and selling antiques, art and jewelry. Years later I used this knowledge to go into the jewelry business myself after moving to Florida. I have three sons from my first marriage and a daughter from my second marriage.”

Mendelson shared his words of wisdom.

“The experiences I lived through have given me a greater appreciation for life. I believe what happened during the Holocaust should be passed down from generation to generation and never forgotten. Unfortunately, today’s society has not learned from history.”

Professor Ashery shared details regarding his background and research.

“As head of the learning and memory lab, I lead an interdisciplinary research team focused on elucidating the molecular mechanisms of learning and memory and their link to neurodegenerative diseases. Educated at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, I completed my Bachelor of Science in 1990 in biology and
chemistry with distinction and my PhD in 1996 in neurobiology cum laude under the supervision of Prof. Micha Spira. I completed my postdoctoral studies in Prof. Erwin Neher’s lab at the Max Planck Institute for Biophysical Chemistry in Germany in 2001 before returning to Israel to join TAU. In 2011, I spearheaded the establishment of the Tel Aviv University Sagol School of Neuroscience, a unique multidisciplinary ‘ecosystem’ and served as Head of School until 2020. The Sagol School is now Israel’s largest and leading neuroscience institute with over 100 research groups led by internationally renowned scientists and clinicians. I have also published over 70 papers including publications in top journals like Neuron, Acta Neuropathologica, PNAS, Nature Communication, Nano Letter and have been awarded several honors including the Bernard Katz Prize for Neurosciences and the Rector list for best lecturer at TAU. My work is supported by major grant agencies including ISF, BSF, Teva, Brightfocus and NIH. My lab focuses on two of the most common neurodegenerative diseases in an aging society that affects learning and memory: Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease. Both diseases are without any cure and there are also no early detection methods available.”

Professor Ashery expressed why he choose Neuroscience as his field of research.

“The way our brain works was for me always a mystery. Therefore, understanding brain function and dysfunction has been one of my main interests since my second year as a Bachelor student. I joined a lab pursuing electrical recordings of nerve cell activity which led me to continue my research in neuroscience.”

Professor Ashery shared his groundbreaking research in the early detection of Parkinson’s.

“In a significant step forward in the Parkinson’s research field, my team has developed a new technology for tracking the early stages of aggregation of alpha-
synuclein, a hallmark of Parkinson’s disease, using super-resolution microscopy and analysis. Further, the team has demonstrated how a specific drug impacts on this protein aggregation. The team is now working to implement its discoveries in a minimally invasive manner among family members of Parkinson’s disease patients. The goal is to detect, track and treat the disease before symptoms have even been detected and thus to slow down the onset of symptoms and offer hope to those with a predisposition to the disease. Early detection is being developed using peripheral human tissues like skin and tear or by tracking a-syn aggregation in induced- neurons from a Parkinson’s patient’s skin fibroblast.”

Professor Ashery shared details regarding his Alzheimer’s research.

“I’m pursuing a revolutionary research approach for Hyperbaric oxygen treatment (HBOT), a medical administration of 100% oxygen at environmental pressure greater than 1 Atmosphere absolute to ease the symptoms experienced by patients with Alzheimer’s. My team has built a custom-made hyperbaric oxygen chamber which has already demonstrated a dramatic improvement in brain inflammation, brain pathology, blood flow and, most importantly, behavior in animal models. This exciting breakthrough has great potential to be translated into an effective therapy for correcting the physical and behavioral deficits associated with this devastating disease. We are currently examining the effects of HBOT on AD-related animal models, mitochondria function and the effects on neuropsychiatric AD-related behavior and depression.”

Professor Ashery expressed what he considers most challenging regarding his work.

“Investigating brain diseases requires state-of-the-art platforms allowing quantitative and detailed measurements including electrophysiology, super-resolution imaging and advanced analysis. Therefore, the two most challenging elements are purchasing the most up-to-date equipment and recruiting the most brilliant and motivated students.”

Inspired by actual events, this powerful drama takes audiences on a haunting journey through one of the most infamous trials in history, examining the depths of human evil and the quest for justice.

The play revolves around the trial of Adolf Eichmann, one of the principal architects of the Holocaust who orchestrated the systematic murder of millions of Jews during World War II.

Set in Jerusalem in 1961, the story follows the trial of Eichmann, a former Nazi officer captured by Israeli agents in Argentina and brought to Israel to face justice.

As the courtroom drama unfolds, audiences are confronted with the moral dilemmas faced by the prosecution, defense and the international community. Eichmann’s unapologetic defense, which hinges on his claim of “just following orders,” sparks intense debates about responsibility, collaboration and the nature of evil. The play delves into the legal and ethical complexities of the trial exploring how the pursuit of justice can intersect with the need for closure, healing and reconciliation in the aftermath of unspeakable atrocities.

Aside from being the play’s director and producer, David Serero is also cast in the role of Gideon Hausner, the Attorney General of Israel. Hausner led the team of prosecutors at the Eichmann trial.

Ahead of the world premiere, Serero shared his inspiration for making the play.

“I always thought this trial needed to be transmitted to the new generations to understand how evil was created. From a theatrical point of view, there is not a minute of this trial that is not dramatic. Bringing it to the stage and condensing it to a  one hour and 20-minute play was challenging. I started to write this play on and off in 2019 and finished it in early 2024. I went through all the sessions of the trial (over 120), translated them into English and prepared the play. This trial is full of surprises and turning points. The end is very emotional as it connects to what is still happening today.”

Serero explained how the pursuit for justice intersects with the need for closure and healing.

“The trial enabled Jews to speak for the first time about what they saw during the Shoah as back then it was a taboo thing. No one spoke about it, and people thought you were crazy to talk about it. It was important that Israel chose to bring to justice a Nazi criminal. Every day, everyone in Israel listened to the radio and it was broadcast worldwide. The trial was completed on many levels which included the legal strategy from both the Eichmann and Gideon Hausner sides as well as the complete investigation. It also brought a strong message that you will be found accountable no matter where you commit a crime. Indeed, this trial brought international attention to the Holocaust and what Jews have endured. It was the first time we could hear these victims’ testimonies.”

Serero expressed how the play challenges audiences.

“It brings audiences to the heart of the trial and the answers to so many interrogations. We discover who Eichmann is and the strategies of Gideon Hausner, the Attorney General I portray on stage to make Eichmann accountable. The play forces audiences to confront difficult questions about justice, responsibility and the nature of evil. It explores whether individuals like Eichmann are inherently evil or are products of the systems they operate within. It brings to life a pivotal moment in history, compelling audiences to grapple with the atrocities of the Holocaust and the complexities of prosecuting war crimes. This historical engagement can be both educational and emotionally taxing. The play delves into the legal intricacies of the trial, examining the processes of international law and the concept of crimes against humanity. It questions the adequacy of legal systems in delivering justice for such vast atrocities. By presenting Eichmann not as a monstrous figure, but as an ordinary bureaucrat, the play challenges the audience to understand how regular individuals can commit heinous acts. This humanization can be disturbing as it blurs between good and evil. The testimonies and evidence presented in the play can evoke strong emotional responses, particularly from those with personal connections to the Holocaust or other genocides. It taps into deep wells of pain, memory and trauma. The play may provoke thoughts on forgiveness, revenge and reconciliation, prompting audiences to consider how societies can heal after such profound wounds. It often portrays the interactions between Eichmann, his accusers and the survivors, highlighting the personal and interpersonal dynamics of the trial. This can lead to a nuanced understanding of human behavior in extreme circumstances. Engaging with these themes, ‘The Trial of Eichmann’ encourages audiences to reflect deeply on the past and its implications for the present and future making it a challenging and thought-provoking theatrical experience.”

Following the world premiere at The Center for Jewish History, Serero shared his aspirations for the play

“I’m planning to bring the play to South Florida in the near future. Locations and dates will be announced in the Jewish Journal.”

The Center for Jewish History is located at 15 West 16th Street (between 5th and 6th Avenue) in New York. For ticket information visit app.gopassage.com/events/thetrialofeichmann or call (855) 688-7277 (ext.1).

“I was born June 27th, 1935 in Hayange, France. The town is located in the Lorraine region of France. My father’s name was Pierre Baruch and my mother was Erna Walarsky. During the war she changed her name to Marianne. My older brother, Gilbert, passed away last year. When I was three years old my family moved to Dijon (my father’s hometown). Dijon is the capital city of the historical Burgundy region in eastern France, one of the country’s principal wine and mustard making areas. My paternal grandfather owned a butcher and deli shop and my father worked with him. My mother earned income working in a 5 & 10 store”.

Kaufman recalled Germany’s invasion of France.

“I was four years old when ‘The Battle of France’ resulted in Germany’s invasion of France. My father served in the French army before marrying my mother. After war was declared in France, he was called back into service to fight against Germany. Shortly afterwards he was captured by the Germans as a prisoner of war. After escaping the enemy, my father returned to Dijon. I remember the day the Germans marched into our city. A friend and I crossed the street from my home to pick some flowers. Suddenly I heard my mother screaming at me and she subsequently spanked me. ‘The Germans are coming, the Germans are coming’ she yelled as she scolded me. Chanoine Kir, a powerful politician and Catholic leader, who was a family friend, suggested that my father escape to England. My father chose to remain in Dijon and became involved in the ‘Resistance’ movement. I remember the Gestapo coming to our home in February 1942 and arresting my father and taking him to a local prison. My mother spoke fluent German and tried in vain to get my father released, unfortunately he never was. In May 1942, my father was sent to a transit camp. In June 1942 he was deported to Auschwitz and murdered there in September. He was only 39 years old. Since the Germans recorded details of their victims, I have documentation that confirms the date of my father’s death.”

Kaufman recalled moving to Lyon.

“In July 1942 with the help of Chanoine Kir, my mother, grandmother, brother and I traveled to Lyon. My mother had a friend who worked for a Jewish organization that was protected by the Gestapo, therefore my mother was fortunate to find work. Living in Lyon we were always fearful of the unknown. I remember the constant interruption of siren alarms and lying flat in the street as bombs fell nearby when I couldn’t get to a shelter. Food was scarce, however, I remember the school providing us with a cookie each day that contained vitamins. As the bombings became more intense, my mother placed me in the care of an older couple who lived outside Lyon. She soon became fearful that the couple would betray me and came to bring me back to Lyon. In 1945 Lyon was liberated by the Americans. The Germans retreated by blowing up most of the city’s famous bridges.”

Kaufman reflected on life following liberation.

“My family and I returned to Dijon after the war. We moved into the apartment that my grandfather owned. My grandmother who took care of my brother and I while my mother worked died when I was 11 years old. Since my mother couldn’t take care of us, my brother and I were able to live in a children’s home in LeMans where my grandfather was in charge of all the food orders. The home was a château that resembled a Renaissance castle. During the time I lived there I learned to appreciate cultural arts including music and art. In 1948 I moved into a home for girls near Paris.”

Kaufman recalled moving to America.

“In March 1949 after our visas became valid, my mother, brother and I sailed to New York aboard the SS Sobieski. The vessel was a Polish ship that was used during the war. After arriving in New York, we traveled by bus to San Francisco and moved in with my uncle. Three months later we returned to New York and settled into an apartment located near the Museum of Natural History. I enrolled in high school where one of my assignments from the English Department included interviewing Dick Haymes, a famous singer of that era. In 1952 I enrolled in The City College of New York (CCNY) and started a French Club. I graduated in 1956. I got a job as a bookkeeper and was hired as a French/English translator after a client who owned a Japanese import company heard my accent. My mother and I became involved in the French colony. It was a network of clubs and organizations whose members were natives of France. In 1954 I met my husband, Maurice. We were married on June 24th, 1956 and were blessed with three daughters, a son, four grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. We moved to Paramus, New Jersey in 1958 where I worked for 25 years as a French language teacher. I also served as an advisor to the National Honor Society. In 1990 I co-authored a test book for students that was implemented throughout the country. Maurice worked in his uncle’s embroidery factory in New Jersey and later for a lampshade manufacturer. During our vacations and following our retirement, Maurice and I enjoyed traveling around the world. He died last year after we were married for 67 years.”

Kaufman shared her words of wisdom.

“Love and respect people regardless of their faith and heritage.”