Monroe Community College
Rochester, New York

November 10, 2016

We screened “Finding Kalman” as part of Monroe Community College’s 25th Annual Kristallnacht Memorial Program. It was part of an entire day of events—from talking with students and faculty about the evolution of The Memory Project Productions to dinner with leaders of the Holocaust, Genocide and Human Rights Project. It was a poignant day both because of the passion of the students for social justice and their sensitivity. They presented us with a condolence card and thanked us for coming despite the recent loss of Anna Jacobs who inspired the entire project and was the beloved mother of Roz Jacobs, the organization’s co-founder. Anna passed away at 91 on October 22nd and it was very emotional to do this program in commemoration of Kristallnacht for the first time with Anna Jacobs gone. At the same time, it was deeply satisfying to be sharing her story and having it touch hearts in the context of her loss.

The Holocaust, Genocide and Human Rights Project (HGHRP) led by Jodi Oriel and run by students is doing a fantastic job “exploring the Holocaust, genocide and human rights issues. Members openly discuss the nature of good and evil, together with such issues as indifference, survival, identity, faith, tolerance, forgiveness and compassion—and apply learnings to our contemporary world.”

We’re so grateful for the opportunity to contribute to the building of empathetic and engaged community in Rochester.

Reflections

“I learned that pain and joy can be enriching when combined together. You cannot have one without the other.”

“The film provided me with a first hand example of how the Holocaust impacted families. I have never witnessed anything like it.”

“It’s important to emphasize how vital storytelling is. Textbooks can only teach so much.”

“[It is important] to develop compassion & advocacy for those suffering from prejudice”

“I believe it is our generation’s duty to keep the stories alive.”