MIDWOOD — HOLOCAUST SURVIVORS AND YOUNG STUDENTS IN BROOKLYN have joined forces to present a poignant theatrical production themed “To Life.” Their project is a part of Witness Theater, an intergenerational program from Selfhelp Community Services, according to a press release.
Witness Theater, originates from a concept by Irit and Ezra Dagan that JDC-Eshel further developed in Israel, to preserve first-hand Holocaust testimonies by inviting young people to listen to, engage with and share in the telling of survivors’ stories. The program deepens inter-generational bonds, combats Holocaust ignorance, and honors the resilience and legacy of those who survived.
Students from area middle and high schools participate in weekly sessions, building meaningful relationships with survivors and listening to their lived experiences. Together, they transform those stories into original productions. A licensed drama therapist guides the group to engage in a structured process: students interview survivors, shape their testimonies into a script, and rehearse for several months before presenting the work publicly. On stage, survivors narrate their histories in their own voices while students re-enact pivotal moments from their wartime experiences. Their presentation takes place Tuesday, April 28 at noon, at Yeshivah of Flatbush Joel Braverman High School.
This year’s program is a collaboration of Selfhelp, UJA-Federation of New York, Yeshivah of Flatbush Joel Braverman High School, and the Marlene Meyerson JCC Manhattan, a Jewish community center.
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