History Comes Alive

The Holocaust Memorial Resource & Education Center of Florida utilizes an array of creative programming to fulfill its mission and spread its message of hope for all humanity. Programs include eye-opening educational exhibitions; beautiful film, art, and music presentations; and inspirational talks by Holocaust survivors and other speakers. Lately, the intimacy and impact of live theater has become one of the nonprofit organization’s most effective methods of communicating the history and lessons of the Holocaust to create just and caring communities that eschew anti-Semitism and any prejudice or bigotry.

“We are trying to be very culturally well-rounded,” says Lisa Bachman, the Holocaust Center’s assistant director. “Our goal is to ensure that we’re touching all the senses with our programming, and theater is one way to do that. Theater allows people to see, hear, and feel the emotion being portrayed on stage.”

This year alone, the Holocaust Center has brought a touring production about Anne Frank and Martin Luther King, Jr. to Central Florida audiences, commissioned an original play to honor a local woman, and participated in post-show panel discussions at area theaters.

In early 2020, the Center will partner with Orlando Shakes for its production of Becoming Dr. Ruth, about Holocaust survivor and renowned sex therapist Dr. Ruth Westheimer.

“The themes of these plays are very relevant to our mission,” Lisa says. “All of these performances highlight the history of the Holocaust and/or showcase the triumph of the spirit under difficult circumstances.”

In September, the Holocaust Center participated in a panel discussion after a performance of Ragtime: The Musical at the Garden Theatre in Winter Garden. Set in early 20th-century America, the musical weaves the stories of several characters, including a Harlem musician and a Jewish immigrant.

Melissa Braillard, the theater’s director of patron development, says more than 100 audience members stayed after the performance for a discussion of the show’s historical themes and its relevance to modern times.

“From an educational perspective, having the Garden’s panel conversation moderated by Holocaust Center employees encouraged a more thoughtful, impartial discussion on how we as a community can bridge racial divides,” Melissa says. “The Holocaust Center employs expert team members who are passionate about promoting a community free of hatred and injustice.”

In October, the Holocaust Center partnered with the Central Florida Urban League and the Rotary Club of Maitland to present Letters from Anne and Martin at the Orlando REP and a church in Eatonville. The show, an outreach program of the Anne Frank Center for Mutual Respect in New York City, illustrates the parallels in the lives of Anne Frank and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

“They both faced prejudice, bigotry, and oppression,” Lisa says, “and yet both had so much hope, inspiration, and drive to create change.”

Next on the schedule is Becoming Dr. Ruth, which runs January 8 through February 9. Orlando Shakes is presenting the one-woman play in partnership with the Holocaust Center through the generosity of community philanthropists Jim and Valeria Shapiro. Jim serves on the Holocaust Center’s board of directors, and Valeria is the secretary of the Orlando Shakes board of directors.

“I love the arts, but I especially love how the arts can affect the community through education,” Valeria says. “Both organizations – Orlando Shakes and the Holocaust Center – have a strong educational arm.”

Ruth Westheimer, now 91 years old, is one of the world’s most famous sex therapists. But as Valeria points out, most people aren’t as familiar with her intriguing backstory. Ruth escaped the Nazis through the Kindertransport rescue effort, joined the Haganah paramilitary organization in Jerusalem as a scout and sniper, and struggled to succeed as a single mother in America.

“Becoming Dr. Ruth is a play that has multi-generational appeal,” Valeria says. “She has fought and prevailed at so many points in her life. Her story can bring hope to anyone.”

Valeria and Lisa agree that live theater is a potent way to help audiences connect to the past – no matter how painful it might be – and look forward to a brighter future.

“Our goal is to create experiences,” Lisa says, “so that people can absorb what they’re seeing and then figure out how to incorporate that to make even one change for the better that will, in turn, make our community a little bit better.”

A Writer’s Writer

John Mark Jernigan is a fan of all forms of storytelling, especially when the tales are presented in a theatrical setting.

 “We as a society are so willing and open to being told a story,” the Orlando playwright says. “People want to hear stories that are hopeful and give us a reason to believe that tomorrow is going to be okay.“

This year, the Holocaust Center commissioned John Mark to write a short play about Joanie Holzer Schirm, an Orlando author, community activist, and public speaker who was featured on the cover of J Life’s Spring ‘19 issue. Joanie was the Holocaust Center’s 2019 Dinner of Tribute honoree, and staffers were looking for a special way to recognize her at the gala event on May 16.

The result was My Dear Girl, a moving play that tells the true story of Joanie and her late father, Oswald ‘Valdik’ Holzer, a Czech doctor who survived the Holocaust by fleeing his homeland and seeking refuge in China. Joanie has written two nonfiction books about her father’s experiences, My Dear Boy and Adventurers Against Their Will.

Both books were inspired by a family treasure trove discovered after her father’s death: more than 400 letters written to Dr. Holzer by 78 of his friends and family members during World War II. 

After making this stunning find with her siblings, Joanie embarked on a personal journey to share her father’s intriguing story. She has done that not only through her books, but also with an exhibit at the Holocaust Center titled Displaced Person. The exhibit, which opened in April, uses Dr. Holzer’s experiences during World War II to shine a spotlight on the plight of displaced people around  the world.

My Dear Girl, a two-person show that features actors portraying Joanie and her father, was recently brought back for an encore performance. The play was presented on November 10 for the Holocaust Center’s community observance of Kristallnacht, a night of violence perpetrated against Jews in Nazi Germany in 1938. In this production, John Mark himself played the role of Dr. Holzer, alongside actress Sara Oliva as Joanie.

“I just felt really inspired by Joanie’s story, and I’m honored to be able to present it through this play,” John Mark says.