Voices of the Generations

In commemoration of Yom HaShoah, the Jewish Federation of Greater Houston co-sponsored several joint school programs for a presentation of “Voices of the Generations,” by Julie Kohner.

Congregations Beth Yeshurun and Emanu El’s fourth-to 12th-grade religious school students came together for the program at Emanu El on April 18. And, on April 19, Beren Academy and Torah Day School brought their fifth- to 12th-graders together for the presentation at Beren Academy.

“Voices of the Generations” is based on Hanna Kohner’s story of survival, to show that not all Holocaust stories had such tragic endings. Julie Kohner offers her mother’s story through a 1953 presentation of the old TV show, “This Is Your Life,” on which she appeared as the first Holocaust survivor to tell her story on national TV. She uses the clip to talk about her mother’s story and share her experiences growing up as a child of a survivor.

Julie Kohner has presented “Voices of the Generations” for the last 20 years. Her parents, Hanna and Walter, encouraged and prepared her to become their voice for future generations. They wrote an autobiography, “Hanna and Walter, A Love Story,” which traces their steps from the 1930s in Czechoslovakia to California after World War II. In addition, they took their daughter on a pilgrimage through Europe, stopping at many of the places described in their book. Julie Kohner teaches the Holocaust through its impact on one family, from the millions devastated by those events.

In recent years, “Voices of the Generations” has become a nonprofit charity and has been presented throughout the United States, to both secular and non-secular groups. Her programs have been sponsored by Jewish Federations and Community Centers in New York, Pittsburgh, Chicago, Houston and St. Louis. Julie Kohner has published curriculum to accompany “Hanna and Walter, A Love Story,” preparing other teachers to teach the Holocaust. “Voices of the Generations” is listed by the Los Angeles Unified School District, as approved for Holocaust education.

This program is one of many examples of the way Houston community schools work together in cooperation with the Jewish Federation of Greater Houston to bring quality programs to students.

The Wexner Center for the Arts, at Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio recently hosted Julie Kohner and the UCLA Festival of Preservation for a showing of “This Is Your Life” on February 12, 2012.  The three episodes once again featured Holocaust survivor’s stories, and Julie as the guest speaker for an introductory talk about her mother, Hanna Bloch Kohner, one of three television show guests, and the first Holocaust survivor to have her story told to a national television audience.  A question & answer session followed the showing. A lovely book signing with coffee and dessert reception was hosted by the Wexner Center. Special thanks to Dave Filipi at the Wexner Center.

Voices of the Generations recently made a visit to Bishop Conaty Our Lady of Loretto Catholic School in Los Angeles on Feb. 10.  The visit was hosted by Lisa Gabriel and her 12th Grade Holocaust Studies Class. Julie Kohner made her VOG presentation to the class, who have been attending a Holocaust elective course since September 2011.  This full year course begins with a study of Judaism, followed by an understanding of the Zionist movement, and events of the early 20th century that eventually led to marginalization of the Jewish People in Europe, and the genocide that followed.  To show that not all Holocaust stories had such tragic endings, Julie presented her parents story through Hanna Kohner’s survival and presenting “This Is Your Life”.  The all-girls class were moved and inspired by the show, and by Julie’s telling of the background, and her time growing up as a child of a survivor.  The class members asked intelligent and thoughtful  questions. With help from the Los Angeles Archdiocese and your contributions, we can bring Voices of the Generations to as many as 50 high-schools in the near future.

The Portland Northwest Film Center and The Portland Institute for Jewish Studies recently hosted Julie Kohner and theUCLA Festival of Preservation for a showing of “This Is Your Life” on January 15, 2012.  The three episodes once again featured Holocaust survivor’s stories, and Julie as the guest speaker for an introductory talk about her mother, Hanna Bloch Kohner, one of three guests, and the first Holocaust survivor to have her story told to a national television audience,  and afollow up question & answer session. This was a very memorable evening as one of Ralph & Barbara Edwards daughters, Christine Edwards Tandy and her family were present.  Christine spoke briefly, expressing her support for Voices of the Generations, and the importance of preserving these memories of the Holocaust.

Hal Nevis (Director of the Institute for Jewish Studies) and Julie Kohner

Christine Edwards Tandy and Julie Kohne

We are excited to share the Dec 2011 Voices of the Generations newsletter with you.  The newsletter is at this link VOGNewsletter-Dec2011 .  We encourage you to down load it and pass it along to others who may be interested.  From our board of directors, and myself, we wish you happy holidays and thank you for your continued support.

Julie Kohner and Robert Albanese, Director of the Vancouver Jewish Film Festival.

UCLA Festival of Preservation brought This Is Your Life, Holocaust Survivors to The Ridge Theatre in Vancouver, British Columbia, on Sunday, November 20, 2011, as the closing film of the Vancouver Jewish Film Festival.  Julie Kohner, was the invited guest speaker, and presented an introduction toVoices of the Generations and the This Is Your Life presentation.  Audience members engaged in a question & answer session after This Is Your Life, Hanna Bloch Kohner. Special thanks go to Mr. Jim Sinclair from the Pacific Cinematheque, and Mr. Robert Albanese, director of the Vancouver Jewish Film Festival, for hosting this special event.

Look for Voices of the Generations at the Jewish Film Festival on January 15, 2012 in Portland, Oregon.