SWEET LORRAINE IN AUSCHWITZ:
The Dark and Bright Sides of Humanity through Music & Memory
Presented by:
The Blatt Pelletiere Tikkun Olam Fund
The Indianapolis Business Journal
Event Recap
Sweet Lorraine in Auschwitz: The Dark and Bright Sides of Humanity through Music and Memory, which was formally presented by The Blatt Pelletiere Tikkun Olam Fund and The Indianapolis Business Journal, was an overwhelming success! October 24, 2021 at the Eugene & Marilyn Glick Indiana History Center was truly a memorable evening for all!
Frank Grunwald, survivor of five concentration camps, performed seven 1930s jazz classics (with accompanying musicians at his side) to a sold-out audience of nearly 300 people. The program moved seamlessly between these songs and the beautifully produced film segments that weaved together Frank’s narrative with images and several rarely seen videos.
In addition to the music performed, it was the dedication and skill of our filmmakers, volunteers, and professional staff that helped realize Frank’s vision to share his story of survival alongside the music that gave him the strength to persevere both during and after the war.
With support from sponsors and donors, along with those who purchased tickets and space in the tribute booklet, we’ve currently raised $193,000 (as of 11/1/21) for the community’s Combating Antisemitism Fund, which directly supports to the JCRC’s Stand Up! Speak Out! initiative.
While the live performance is in the past, we made sure to capture the concert on film so it can be shared for generations to come. Our filmmakers will be editing the footage – and adding additional imagery to accompany Frank’s narratives – into a professionally produced documentary suitable for all audiences. This endeavor will take time and likely require additional resources.
If you attended Sweet Lorraine in Auschwitz, we would be grateful to hear about your experience. How did the evening impact you and the people who attended with you? With permission, we may use your reflections as we advocate for strengthening Holocaust education and equipping young people with tools to effectively combat antisemitism.
Select Photos From Post-Concert Reception
Photo credits: ARt photography – Adi Rinat
Photo credits: Sweet Lorraine Co-Chair Erin Mundy
Proceeds Help Comabt Antisemitism
Proceeds from the event go directly to support the JCRC’s Stand Up! Speak Out! initiative, which implements programs that reduce hate, combat antisemitism, support Holocaust education, promote respect in schools and on college campuses, and help Jewish youth confront antisemitism and engage on Israel. These programs have a powerful impact on both the Jewish and general communities because of their ideal blend of support, education, relationship-building, collaboration & partnerships, outreach & engagement, and advocacy – all working together to effectively beat back the increasing presence of antisemitism in society today. More information about the Stand Up! Speak Out! initiative can be found here.
Thank You to Our Sponsors!

Presenting Sponsors - $25,000
Blatt Pelletiere Tikkun Olam Fund
Indianapolis Business Journal
Stand Up! Speak Out! Sponsors - $10,000
Jeff Berebitsky and Family
Dr. Jennifer Schwartz & Dr. Jonathan Fridell and Family
The George Skadron Family
Ambassador Sponsors - $5,000
ANONYMOUS
Glick Philanthropies
Iliana & Irwin Levin and Family
Katz Korin Cunningham
Miriam Dant & Dant Advocacy
Paul Family Endowment Fund
Rachel M. Simon, Herbert Simon Family Foundation
Song Sponsors - $3,600
Barash Law, LLC
Dr. John & Diane Abrams
Honorable Evan & Lynda Goodman
Joe & Barb Alpert
Sybil Mervis
Ally Sponsors - $2,500
Acorn Distributors
ADL Midwest
Central Indiana Community Foundation
Dr. Neil Levine & Joanne Bates
Katzman & Katzman, P.C.
Nancy & Brad Bell
Second Presbyterian Church
Shapiro’s Delicatessen
Advocate Sponsors - $1,800
Shelby & Devin Anderson
BJE Holocaust Studies Fund
Congregation Beth Shalom
Congregation Beth-El Zedeck
Doehrman Buba Ring
Hall, Render, Killian, Heath & Lyman, PC
Indianapolis Hebrew Congregation
Kurt & Tessye Simon Fund for Holocaust Remembrance, Temple Beth-El
Todd & Linda Maurer
Carol Weiss & Rob Rifkin
Norm Sider
In-Kind
Eugene & Marilyn Glick Indiana History Center
Jewish Federation of Greater Indianapolis
WFYI Indianapolis
Tribute Booklet
Frank Grunwald, Holocaust Survivor & Sweet Lorraine Curator, Indianapolis Star
About JCRC
Established by the Indiana Jewish community while the Holocaust was unfolding in Europe. The core of JCRC’s mission is to safeguard Jews here in the U.S., in Israel, and around the world, by combatting antisemitism through relationship-building and education. Since 1942, the JCRC has been the organized Jewish community’s public affairs arm, working to protect and promote an American society that is just, democratic, and pluralistic.
JCRC convenes the Jewish community’s “Common Table,” around which representatives from Jewish synagogues, agencies, and organizations come together to build consensus on issues important to the Jewish community. We then translate these positions into action through engagement and advocacy.
As the multi-faith and intergroup relations arm of the Jewish community, we look to build bridges wherever possible, acting in coalition with groups that fight discrimination and advocate for human & civil rights and work towards social & economic justice.
JCRC is the Indianapolis Jewish community’s official media relations arm, serving as the primary resource for print, broadcast, and online outlets on topics relating to the local Jewish community, Judaism, and Israel.