Thank you and an invitation from GenShoah

By Ida Margolis and Shelley Lieb

In one of the most popular musicals, “Fiddler on the Roof,” you may remember hearing the lyric “One season following another ...” That is true everywhere, but so visible here in Southwest Florida. While concluding one season of programing, GenShoah SWFL is planning for the next. We are reminded that no programs are done in isolation and certainly not worth doing without individuals supporting the programs. We want to thank all who have helped in planning, promoting, executing, working on, presenting and attending our programs this season. As we say each year, “We can’t do it without you.” Thank you so much for all you have done this season. We are looking forward to your help and to seeing you next season!

Already planned for next season is an expanded program open to all members. If you like to read or like to learn, you are invited to the GenShoah Readers and Learners programs. In past seasons, GenShoah has had one scheduled book review but has added discussions of books, films and articles in response to requests. Last season, due to the efforts of Estelle Kafer, two book discussions were held in addition to the book review at the annual potluck. The books were so insightful and informative, and those who attended said they learned a great deal new by reading the book. Others said they learned just by listening to the discussion. The comments encouraged us to continue, and we will start by scheduling two book discussions, each with something special added, and more to come. Kafer has once again agreed to facilitate the reading and discussion group, which we are calling Readers and Learners.

For those who want the opportunity to get a head start on reading, we are announcing two of the books that will be discussed this season. The first book is “Life in a Jar: The Irena Sendler Project” by Jack Mayer. This is not a new book and those who have read it told us it is a great read — a true story that reads like a novel. It is a story about a very interesting project and an amazingly heroic person, Irena Sendler, who deserves to be remembered. The discussion will take place Nov. 19, 11 a.m. at the Holocaust Museum & Cohen Education Center. Prior to the discussion, those attending will have the opportunity to see a special exhibit of original paintings by Bill Farnsworth from the picture book “Irena Sendler and the Children of the Warsaw Ghetto” by Susan Goldman Rubin.

The second book in the Readers and Learners series is “Sabine’s Odyssey: A Hidden Child and Her Dutch Rescuers” by Agnes Schipper. The discussion of this fascinating story will take place in March. The author of the beautifully written memoir will give great insights into the story of her mother’s life during WWII, and her father, a member of the Dutch resistance.

At the potluck in December, there will be a review of the award-winning true story “Hana’s Suitcase: The Quest to Solve a Holocaust Mystery” by Karen Levine. More information to come on Readers and Learners, the book discussions, and many other GenShoah programs for the 2025-26 season. Again, thank you to all who helped and attended our programs.

We invite anyone who has a relationship to someone who is a descendant of a Holocaust survivor or who is interested in our mission of “promotion of Holocaust education and human rights, preservation of the history and memories of the Holocaust, connection of the Second Generation with one another and support of the Holocaust Museum & Cohen Education Center," to join us next season. Simply email genshoahswfl@gmail.com for information and to receive our free newsletter.