April 7, 2024
Scroll Reunion in New York City
Another very moving event as over 60 Scrolls from the Tri-State area converged on Temple Emanu El in New York City on April 7. As I move to wrap up filming, I am always looking to add just one more dimension of activity having to do with the Scrolls and I felt that this Scroll gathering in New York was too important not to include.
february, 2024
60th Anniversary Commemoration
In what I hope will be one of my last filming dates, I attended and documented the very powerful gathering of over 60 Czech Scrolls at the Westminster Synagogue in London on February 4th, for the 60th Anniversary commemoration of the Czech Scrolls arriving.
Nearly 300 people filled the Kent House (home of the Westminster Synagogue) in Rutland Gardens part of London. It was a profound and moving experience to be part of.
Before the service, Scrolls were displayed for those in attendance to review
Rabbi Benji Stanley of Westminster Synagogue addresses those honored as Scroll holders.
november 28 - december 3, 2023
Back to London
In what I believe will wrap up my filming, I made one more trip back to London this last week to interview the Executive Director of the Memorial Scrolls Trust, Jeffrey Ohrenstein. The Memorial Scrolls Trust resides on the top floor of the Westminster Synagogue, which is in the Kent House in Rutland Gardens, London.
An important link to the story
When the Scrolls were purchased in 1963, noted scholar and expert in Hebraic manuscripts,
Chimen Abramsky was asked to go to Prague and examine the Scrolls. He did so at great peril as having left the Communist Party years before, he feared retribution when he returned to Prague.
I had the privilege of meeting and interviewing Abramsky's daughter, Dame Jenny Abramsky, who served as the Director of BBC Radio for many years.
November 9, 2023
Czech Memorial Scroll Gathering
Brought together in the beautiful sanctuary of Congregation Rodeth Shalom in Philadelphia were
over 40 Czech Scrolls from the Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware communities.
Scroll gatherings are an important part of telling the stories of the Czech Scrolls remembering the communities from where they came. This will be featured in the film.
fall 2023: work continues...
Location filming
With the generous support received thus far, I have moved ahead and continued with filming and recording interviews necessary to tell this story. With some creativity, efficiency (and a little luck) we were able to get two big pieces of the puzzle last week. Please read on to learn about our latest progress.
munich & PRAGUE - OCTOBER 20-25
Munich
For the Jews of Czech lands, the beginning of the nightmare of the Holocaust began on September 29th, 1938 with the signing of the Munich Agreement. With the stroke of a pen, Britain, France and Italy all surrendered the Sudetenland to Germany; without one single representative of Czechoslovakia in the room. Chamberlain claimed they had obtained "peace in our time."
The site of the signing is now a music school. But adjacent to the building is an impressive new facility and museum that chronicles the rise of Nazism in Germany at the NS-Dokumentationszentrum München (Documents Museum of Munich)
There I had the pleasure of interviewing Jan Björn Potthast, an author of the book "The Jewish Central Museum of the SS in Prague."
Prague
Working with my researcher in Prague, Julius Mueller, I was granted access to documents that were kept by the Jewish leaders in Prague during the war. These papers give amazing insight as to the activities and actions of the community that helped save hundreds and thousands of items of Judaica.
This was an incredibly intense six days. But we got a lot packed in. This is the type of production I strive for; as well planned as possible, and as efficient and lean of a production as I can realistically make it . I continue to be appreciative of those who have trusted me and have supported me in telling of this story. Onward.
A busy summer leading in to fall
Taking the first steps in completing the film.
The month of July was a busy one.
First on my list was to interview Professor Abraham Peck, professor of history at Southern Maine University, and co-author of 14 books on the Holocaust including The Holocaust and History.
He brought great perspective in how we handle and teach Holocaust stories.
At the end of July, I was able to visit London with two objectives:
First, to accomplish two important interviews that will be part of the basis for the film. Also, I was asked to speak and present at the Jewish Genealogy Conference being held in London. A great opportunity to share the project with prospective supporters.