4 minute read
The play’s the thing
By Ida Margolis and Shelley Lieb
The winds of change hit Southwest Florida, often and with interesting results. One result of the growing population has been the expansion of the performing arts. The number of theater groups and venues has broadened the types of plays presented. Having more people in the area means plenty of burdens to the fragile environment, to housing needs, to roads, to healthcare, to water, etc., but it also opens the doors to a more diverse offering of events for this growing population.
The performing arts have always been more than a simple method of entertainment. A play can capture and clarify an historical event. It can celebrate a precious moment in life. It can explain a perplexing decision. It can evoke emotions that are buried within one's soul. It can disturb one's thought processes and show a new direction.
How does this all relate to GenShoah? GenShoah's mission statement includes promoting Holocaust education and preserving the history and memories of the Holocaust. When something comes up in this community that echoes the GenShoah mission statement, it is important for GenShoah to recognize, promote and explain it to the membership and the larger audience.
Without any prompting or planning from GenShoah, a surprising number of performances about the Holocaust have taken place on numerous local stages over the past seven months.
It started with "Letters to Sala" by Arlene Hutton in November 2024. This performance was developed and staged at Florida Gulf Coast University. Kristin Mellian was the director. The play is based on the book, “Sala's Gift,” by Ann Kirschner. In this true story, Kirschner's mother is a Polish survivor nearing the end of her life who suddenly reveals a cache of letters written between her and her family during her time in labor camps.
A GenShoah group attended a performance with a talkback. The group was warmly received by the director and the performers. The full house audience overwhelmingly appreciated the cast and
The end of January 2025 delivered "The Boy from Block 66," written (adapted from a popular true story in a novel by Limor Regev) and directed by Kody C. Jones at the Performing Arts Center in Bonita Springs. It is the true story of Moshe Kessler, a 14-year-old Holocaust survivor. Some performances were scheduled during the school day to encourage student attendance.
In his own words, Jones is "extremely passionate about educating and enlightening all ages through theatre. I was struck by Florida taking so much out of the curriculum in public schools including units on the Holocaust. I'm always looking for ways to try and restore balance to the social, political or economic issues happening in our community by starting discussion through live theatre."
Again, GenShoah members who attended this play were impressed.
April 2025 saw an interesting performance of "Good Jew" by playwright/ performer Frank Blocker at the Norris Theater in Naples. It is the story of Holocaust survivor Henry Altman, who is being interviewed about his experiences during World War II. For the first time, he opens up about his life in the ghetto, escaping concentration camps, joining the resistance, constantly adapting to his situation, and eventually, relocating to America. This is a very personal account, as Blocker's late partner and co-playwright Murray Scott Changar was Altman’s son.
GenShoah acknowledges and appreciates this community's live theater and its role in providing important information and access to the lessons of the Holocaust for our growing and diverse population.
About GenShoah SWFL
GenShoah SWFL is a group for children and descendants of Holocaust survivors, and anyone interested in the mission of GenShoah of SWFL which is:
• Promotion of Holocaust education and human rights
• Preservation of history and memories of the Holocaust
• Connecting the second generation with one another
• And support of the Holocaust Museum & Janet G. and Harvey D. Cohen Education Center
Our group is always open to interested people. There are no dues or forms to fill out. If you would like to receive our newsletter and program announcements, just send an email to liebro@gmail.com. If you would like to volunteer to help with future programs, please let us know that, too!
Thank you to those who support our mission, read the newsletter, attend GenShoah programs and are members of the Holocaust Museum and Cohen Education Center in Naples. We do encourage membership at the Holocaust Museum, as we are an affinity organization with them. If you are not already a member of the Museum, please consider joining or making a donation.
