I READ IT IN THEIR STORIES. Courage. Hope. Strength. Fortitude. Survival.
I see it in the lines that etch deep into their faces, in their piercing eyes, in their hands. Courage. Hope. Strength. Fortitude. Survival.
Panels showcase portraits and stories.
They are men and women, now living in Minnesota, who survived the Holocaust.
On a recent Saturday, in Owatonna, a rural Minnesota community far removed from the horrible history of Nazis and concentration camps and atrocities against Jews, I was introduced to brave souls who endured almost unimaginable experiences to emerge with spirits still strong, hope alive, lives to live.
Holocaust survivor Leo Weiss.
Eva, Ella, Sam, Walter, Paula, Anne, Joe, Trudy, Leo…
The Steele County History Center, 1700 Austin Road, Owatonna, is hosting “Transfer of Memory” through August 17. Museum admission charges apply.
Thirty-five impressive portraits by photographer David Sherman and accompanying information written by Lili Chester tell the stories of these Holocaust survivors in the traveling exhibit, “Transfer of Memory.” The show, created in partnership with the Jewish Community Relations Council of Minnesota and the Dakotas, will remain at the Steele County History Center until August 17.
Their stories will touch you.
I’m especially pleased that this exhibit is showing in Owatonna, offering southeastern Minnesota residents like myself the opportunity to view the portraits and read the stories without traveling into the Twin Cities metro.
Panels of portraits and stories define “Transfer of Memory.”
As I perused the panels of photos, plucking laminated story cards from below the portraits, I found myself immersed in the personal stories of survival and lessons learned. Hands gripped to prevent separation. Warnings given to save lives. Lying about age and religion to save one’s self. Death and marches and sickness. Horrible horrible stories.
In their words: hope.
But always hope. Hope and faith and more allowed these individuals to survive such awful atrocities.
I wonder if I would have possessed the willpower to continue on, to overcome, as they did.
Survivor portraits and stories impress.
These Holocaust survivors offer not only their experiences, but their introspection. Therein lies the power of this exhibit:
Don’t hate, it is a terrible thing. Everyone is born innocent. There is no reason to hate.— Eva Gross
The United State presents to me and all our sons and daughter (s) an equal opportunity. Have patience, make an effort and be tolerant.— Sam Rafowitz
The potential of (evil) is there in all of us if we do not remember the past.— Lucy Smith
FYI: If you are unable to view this exhibit in person, click here to see the portraits and read the stories online.
Permission was secured from curators Laura Zelle and Susie Greenberg and from photographer David Sherman to use these photos of Sherman’s work and the exhibit quotes published here. Original exhibit photos and text are copyrighted.
Minnesota Prairie Roots 
There are fewer of these folks all the time. It’s really unbelievable what they went through.
Yes, their experiences are almost difficult to read. Such strength they had.
Exhibits such as this one are so important to keep history accurate and truthful……in today’s education it’s so very common to rewrite/eliminate that which offends a people group’s sensibilities or is deemed politically incorrect by some self-appointed “power”! We are doomed to repeat that which is not learned from historical accounts and to have them erased is a loss that words cannot express. Great post!! Thanks so much for sharing this most important dark time in society’s past.
As always, I appreciate your thoughtful response, Doreen.
A Very Important Part of History and the Opportunity for the Survivors to Tell Their Stories – Beautiful 🙂 Thanks so much for sharing this exhibit – love to see in person. Happy Week!
I know you can’t make the Owatonna exhibit, so be sure to check out the website for the stories and photos.
I am going to certainly check it out online. I wish I had time when I was in D.C. a few years back to stop at the Holocaust Museum there.
I’ve heard that’s a pretty intense museum.
What a great project. A horrible point in history. Amazing will to carry on and not give up.
When you read these stories, it truly changes your perspective on any “troubles” you may have in your own life.
I find that a lot with the mostly first-world troubles I encounter. This brings all sorts of things into perspective.
Correct you are.
I would love to visit this exhibition. I agree that these atrocities were committed against one of the best cultures and religions in the world. I’m so glad the stories of the survivors (incredible that there even were any survivors given the circumstances) are being told – we must never forget! xx
We must never forget. So true and this exhibit is one way to help us remember.
What a wonderful exhibit. I think that we just have no idea of the atrocities that many had to endure. How wonderful that the stories are being saved and shared. Thanks for the link to the online pictures—definitely worth a look.
I found the stories and photos to be moving and inspiring.
Happened to see it at the Olmsted County Historical Society. Is there a place to see the exhibit schedule?
I looked on the website, but did not see a schedule. However, there is contact info on the site, so I would suggest that route:
http://transferofmemory.org/