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"Finding Kalman is as poignant a movie as it is charming. Four generations — survivors, their children and their children’s children and even theirs — recall the past and create in the wake of that past. It is about loss and renewal, creativity and memory — all the elements of life. It is a work of both simplicity and power."
—Michael Berenbaum, Professor, American Jewish University, Founding Director of US Holocaust Memorial Museum
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"Jacobs, through images, photographs and a film, tells the story of her family members who lived in Poland before the war. In painting a series of portraits of her relative based on his one single photo, she is trying to restore a part of Kalman’s existence. With this, the artist is able to create an installation that illustrates the power of change that lies within art and memory and makes the tragedy of the Shoah something that is very personal and direct."
—The Galicia Jewish Museum, Krakow, Poland
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"This is a unique exhibit that not only deals with the subject of Holocaust art, but also the process by which Holocaust art is created."
—Dr. William Shulman, President, Association of Holocaust Organizations
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"Here’s another program on the Holocaust. Good. Here’s a program with a different take on the Holocaust. Better. Here’s a program that draws you into the story from the traditional angle and from other, unique perspectives. Best…This film works because it appeals to all the senses – through the visual arts, music, and emotion. It combines great visuals, tight editing, well-constructed story arc, and it does it all in a half hour."
—Steve Graziano, P3 Public Media
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"The Memory Project is a formidable work of art…[It] provides teens and adults with a vivid look at a survivor’s memory. It is a wonderful stepping-stone to incredible conversations and insight for us all. We highly recommend that everyone take the opportunity and the time to visit this Project when it comes into your community. It will be time well spent!"
—Dr. Leon Weissberg, Executive Director, Jewish Education CommissionSouth Palm Beach County, FL.
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"This was the best experience I’ve had in eight years teaching…Students learned about the world from each other."
—Stephen Spears, Teacher, Eleanor Roosevelt High School, New York
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"Roz mother’s voice humanizes an aspect of the Holocaust that is infrequently visited: the simple humility of the Jewish people, the kindness and tenderness of Jewish family life, the redemption from the savage brutality that the Holocaust represents. I left with the feeling that this kind of brutalization must never happen again, and that I must do better to raise my voice against it right now, as it is happening someplace, on some level, in this world. I was inspired."
—James McBride, Author, The Color of Water, The Good Lord Bird, Deacon King Kong
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"The Friday evening was filled with feeling and story and depth and connection. Thank you for your unusual teaching, your beautiful examples – and for making possible a very moving experience."
—Rabbi Shira Milgrom, Congregation Kol Ami
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"It enlivened the curriculum and enabled our students to connect their family history with that of the overall curriculum, empowering them to see their connections to important historical events. Students were excited to participate in this unique activity combining artistic expression and history."
—Dimitri Saliani, Principal, Eleanor Roosevelt High School, New York
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"This video and story both made what happened with the Jews during Hitler’s rule seem so much more real. This video did a great job in capturing the story and the emotional connection the artist and her mother both had to the events."
—Andrea W., 10th Grader
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"I will remember drawing my great grandmother and laughing about my representation, but feel really good about how much time I took dedicated to doing this project about her. The presentation was the most meaningful part because I was sharing part of my own life through my ancestor’s."
—Juliette R., 10th Grader
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"I really, truly enjoyed this project. I also loved hearing about my classmate’s experiences. I never really knew how much I don’t know my classmates. It has taught me not to assume I know everything about someone."
—Tonya K., 10th Grader
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"I thought the entire process was really cool because when I was interviewing my mom, she got really emotional about some things and laughed about others. I felt like there was a new connection between my mom and I, and my mom and her family."
—Morgan J., 10th Grader
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"I think that the connection of art to history is very important because it can help you visualize things more. Also, when you are actually doing something you are able to form even a deeper connection to the subject, or at least I am personally, because you are doing something with your hands as well as your mind."
—Ariel C., 10th Grader
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"There are no words to express how beautiful, sad and real this film and story is. The combination of words and images to reflect such powerful feelings and deep emotions is extraordinary. You have found a way to help people be part of the process, understand a story and yes, share in the universal nature of all of this — loss but also healing and joy. This is a triumph of the human spirit and life. I would love to share with my family."
—Susan Magsamen, Director, Interdisciplinary Programs, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine
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"The perfect blend of narrative, process, art, philosophy, humanity, life, loss, re-finding, love."
—Kathleen Wilson, Adjunct Professor, Tisch School of the Arts, New York University
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"My 75 public school teachers at the Advanced University of Miami Holocaust Teacher Institute in February, 2011 stood on their feet in applause. This is a perfect film and program presentation for not only teacher training but also for a community showing. I can’t recommend this excellent program enough."
—Dr. Miriam Klein Kassenoff, Director, Holocaust Studies Teacher Institute
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"I really liked how there was repetition, not in a bad way, but in a way that makes me feel bad/sad. This piece can really get to you and many people can relate to this…"
—Vincent L., 10th Grader
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"What I learned about my friend’s experience, which relates to the Holocaust, is that no matter what happens, keep trying to go on."
—Brian S., 10th Grader
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"I noticed how each painting looked like Kalman but none of the paintings were that similar."
—Alice F., 10th Grader
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"The frail reminiscence of a murdered boy is invoked through fragments of a tale told by his sister, a photo that survived the Holocaust, and his portrait painted over and over again like a mantra. Every character on the screen gives the lost boy a gift: a memory, a painting, music, tears…One destiny caught on the screen becomes specific and symbolic at once.”
—Agnieszka Holland, Academy Award-winning filmmaker, Europa, Europa, In Darkness, The Secret Garden
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"I will remember my grandfather’s story forever. Hearing his story from him was the most meaningful part, and how exciting it was for him."
—Ryan, 10th Grader
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"I like how art can be used to express the emotions and mindset of past events that we can only read about in textbooks and not truly experience ourselves…I really liked learning about how observation and focusing on light and shadows can evoke feeling from a plain piece of paper; it’s truly magic."
—Isabella C., 10th Grader
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"It’s important to understand the experiences of ancestors because then you can be more sympathetic to them."
—Anonymous 8th grader
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"I liked being able to do a hands-on activity instead of a normal discussion or reading."
—Jenny M., 8th Grader
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"I love this project, it is one of my favorite days of the year!"
—Jaci Gennaro, Teacher, Boca Raton High School
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"I learned that pain and joy can be enriching when combined together. You cannot have one without the other."
—Sharon E. Dumbleton, Monroe Community College
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"Future generations can still connect and carry the legacy of those who we’ve lost."
—Kate McAfen, Monroe Community College
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"The film provided me with a firsthand example of how the Holocaust impacted families. I have never witnessed anything like it."
—Chris Schara, Monroe Community College
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"It is important to hear the stories as it brings the history to life and shows that it’s more than an event in a textbook."
—Nicole Brenon, Monroe Community College