The Future Witnessing the Past

INSPIRE:

THE FUTURE WITNESSING THE PAST

Witness Theater, an award-winning program directed by Ms. Sally Shatzkes (ES ’95, HS ‘98), brings together Holocaust survivors and high school students with a goal to share, understand and experience the stories of the Holocaust.

5,400 2,000 16 5

views of the Witness Theater movie on YouTube

views on Facebook Live students participated Holocaust survivors participated

I hope in some way we were able to teach them to cherish the ordinary things that we, the survivors, were deprived of.

2020 Witness Theater participant and Holocaust survivor, Bella Barsky, reached out to Ms. Shatzkes to reflect on the quality of the virtual showing of “Ordinary Blessings” last spring.

SCAN TO WATCH ORDINARY BLESSINGS: A WITNESS THEATER TRIBUTE VIDEO Dear Sally, I watched the Witness Theater show “Ordinary Blessings” today for the first time. Your speech was so touching. You expressed it from your heart. Your task was very complicated as you had to accommodate the stories of all of us–the survivors–in the shortest possible time and [during] a very unexpected time. I’m amused by all the speeches of every student. They’re so warm, full of love to each of us. I hope in some way we were able to teach them to cherish the ordinary things that we, the survivors, were deprived of. I’m blessed that I had the chance to meet all of you who will carry out the story to future generations of the attempt of the Nazis and their plan of destruction of the Jewish people. The dreams of my parents are fulfilled for me and my family [because of] the freedom we gained a half-century ago. My only dream now is to witness a peaceful and happy time. My love to you, and all of the group. Thank you. I dream to see you all again!