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.