News & Updates

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ANNOUNCEMENT:

BE WATCHING FOR NEW PERFORMANCES IN 2021

News of the Week – 10/20/15

On this day in 1943, Irena Sendler was arrested by the Gestapo in Warsaw, in connection with her efforts to save Jewish children from the Warsaw Ghetto from death, and to find them homes where they might survive the war. Though sentenced to death by the Germans, Sendler, 33, a non-Jew, survived World War II. But it would be another 40 years before she was able to enjoy the recognition she received for helping to save an estimated 2,500 children from death.
Read more from an Israeli newspaper.
Jack Mayer’s book, Life in a Jar: The Irena Sendler Project book has been chosen as the winner of the 2015 IPNE (Independent Publisher of New England) Book Award for Book Presentation and Marketing.
They also printed this interview on the IPNE blog.
Our website, irenasendler.org, had a glitch today, but is back up. We are going to be presenting Life in a Jar in Bangor, Maine on November 8th and 9th. Contact Allison Berube at 207.852.2011 or visit our website for more information.

News of the Week – 9/21/15

Wednesday, September 23rd, will be the 16th anniversary since the beginning of the Life in a Jar project. Megan, Liz and Sabrina would start a project which would have impact around the world and bring to life the story of Irena Sendler. Over 45 young people have been involved in the project. The legacy of Irena and the project continues to grow (see below).

 

Thousands of descendants of Irena’s rescued children.

352 presentations around the world of the Life in a Jar play.
Over 40 schools in Poland named after Irena Sendler and more world-wide.
Over 50 million hits on the Irena website.
The Life in a Jar: the Irena Sendler Project book by Jack Mayer, ranking at the top of all Holocaust books.
The Emmy winning Hallmark movieThe Courageous Heart of Irena Sendler.
The Irena Sendler Award, which will be given out in two weeks to an outstanding teacher in Poland.
Several dozen books and films produced around the world.
Over 2,000 media stories on Irena and Life in a Jar.
The creation of the Lowell Milken Center for Unsung Heroes.
Thousands of projects world-wide to discover heroes.
Many new historical sites and references to Irena and the Warsaw Ghetto in Poland.
An inspirational story for the world.

News of the Week – 6/2/15

Read some of the most beautiful comments we have received during the last month. Also, view the latest from Liz Cambers Hutton (original founder).

Dear Norm, 

Thanks for the beautiful email to remind us that Irena passed away 7 years ago today. I will go to St. Patrick’s Cathedral this afternoon and light as many candles as I can in her memory. I thank you and Jack and Megan and the other Kansas girls for introducing me to Irena Sendler and enriching my life by knowing her story.
Patti Kenner
 
First of all, a Very Happy Birthday to Megan! I am so proud of you and all that you’ve done to keep the Irena Sendler legacy going. And I’m so glad I read the Ladies Home Journal article so many years ago now which brought me a new family in addition to being a part of the wonderful Irena Sendler story. Keep up the good work!
Love,  Norma Jean
 

Reading your e-mail had me thinking about God’s providence again.

 
The reporter who normally writes about National History Day was sick that day, so they asked if I could make a call and do a brief about how Kansas schools fared. I had some time, so I said, “Sure.” I knew the state historical society folks because they were good friends with a brother of mine. They gave me the results and then mentioned as an aside, “They didn’t win, but there was this really interesting project done out in Uniontown.”
 
By the time he was done telling me about it, I knew I had to write something. I told my editors, “Here’s your roundup, but there’s another story I have to do from this event out of Uniontown.” They kinda looked at me funny, but after I explained it, they agreed.
 
To this day, I feel like I never did the story justice. But God can do amazing things with mustard seeds.
-Stan Finger
 
 
Dear Liz Cambers Hutton,
I have posted your talk on YouTube. 

News of the Week – 5/12/15

Irena Sendler passed away seven years ago today. Her legacy continues and grows more each day. There are now almost forty schools in Poland named after Irena Sendler and many more around the world. Her legacy also continues in dozens of other ways. We remember her on the 7th anniversary of her passing.
At the same time we wish a happy birthday to the young lady who helped start the project which ‘rediscovered’ Irena, who has played Irena in the Life in a Jar performance for the past decade, who became very close to Irena before her passing. Happy birthday, Megan Felt.
 
Here are comments in emails recently received:
You are awesome!! I am almost at the end of the Life in a Jar book. Having to pause and begin again as my eyes mist with tears. Its so touching. I am grateful that chance reconnected us so that I could know about this mission to make known that which could not be hidden or forgotten; the exponential goodness that spread and is spreading from one humble woman’s selflessness. Congratulations to you! So wonderful that the telling continues.
Malissa from Indiana
 
I am always touched and still amazed at what you keep instilling so passionately! I can still remember seeing one of the first performances at the JCC in Kansas City, with my beloved daughter, my she rest in peace, Blakely, when she must have been around nine or ten years old.
Always Blessings Never Losses,
Barbara from Port Washington (originally from Leawood, Kansas)
We also remember the passing of Wladyslaw Bartoszewski several weeks ago. He had such great respect for Irena and what she accomplished. He once discounted his work in saving Jews from the Warsaw Ghetto and told us that Irena was “way above all the rest of us.” Wladyslaw Bartoszewski, a former Auschwitz prisoner and member of Poland’s World War II underground resistance who helped save Jews and later served twice as the country’s foreign minister, died in Warsaw. He was 93.  

News of the Week – 4/17/15

The 34th Greater Lafayette Holocaust Remembrance Conference at Purdue University was a powerful statement about the Holocaust. Thank you Sarah Powley for being the perfect host to author, Jack Mayer and myself. We enjoyed presenting on a number of occasions. We were greatly impressed with the McCutcheon High School students and their Life in a Jar performances, also impressed with their teacher, Stella Schafer. Danny Spungen had a wonderful presentation on artifacts from the Holocaust. We were moved by the survivor memories of Anna Berkovitz and Fritz Cohen. The entire conference was an incredible experience. 
News:
Congratulations author Jack Mayer! Life in a Jar: The Irena Sendler Project has won the 2015 First Horizon Award for the current Eric Hoffer Award season. The First Horizon Award is given each year to the highest scoring books by debut authors. This is a special distinction beneath the Eric Hoffer Award umbrella. (Jack Mayer’s book is still being considered for category, press, and grand prizes.)  
Dear Norm,

Thanks for keeping me on the”  News of the Week”. I loved seeing the performance at Skidmore and reuniting with you and Jack again! And it was so wonderful to meet Megan and hold the beautiful heart necklace during the amazing and moving performance! Thank you so much for the honor. Please keep me on the list that tells everything about what you are doing and where you are going. All your  friends have friends in other cities and it is the best way to spread the word as well as get  new supporters when we can tell friends to meet you in their cities.
Tonight I am going to the opening of the KING AND I with the super stars Kelli O’Hara and Ken Watanabe at Lincoln Center and am looking forward to it but you must know that I was even more excited at the thought of seeing LIFE IN A JAR as I drove up to Saratoga Springs two weeks ago!  And you went beyond my greatest expectations in your presentation honoring  the life and work of Irena Sendler. Bravo & Brava  to you, Jack & the entire cast!
I am honored and humbled to know you , Jack and Megan and to be part of Life in a Jar!
Fondly,
Patti Kenner
 

Dear Mr. Conard,
Your recent visit to Skidmore College, Saratoga Springs, New York was a gift to those of us present to experience and learn about Irena Sendler and the Life in a Jar project. Amazed to read Jack Mayer’s book and view the DVD of her story. What a privilege to hear both of you share the history, play and watch the young actors. We thank you and are inspired to make a difference in our area.
Blessings, Neal and Betsy Boudette- Halfmoon, New York 

News of the Week – 4/7/15

Wow and more!!!!!!
Life in a Jar experienced three incredible presentations at Skidmore College in Saratoga, New York and at Elms College in Chicopee, MA with some of the most enthusiastic audiences we have ever seen.
A big thanks to Lollie Abramson at Skidmore and Amy Nee at Elms College for organizing the venues.
But the thank you list doesn’t end there:
Jack Mayer, the author of Life in a Jar: The Irena Sendler Project, was a ‘rock star’ at these presentations. Jack signed many autographs and added much to the programs with his presentations and Q & A. Thanks Jack for helping with the presentation of Irena’s heart necklace to Ashley, so emotional.
Speaking of ‘rock stars,’ the cast was at its best; Megan, Ashley, Mary, Erin and Noah. Plus Heather Griffith, originally from Saratoga Springs, provided so much assistance.
Auden Thomas of Skidmore was of great assistance.
The Skidmore program was done so well, we are using it as a future template.
We love and appreciated Lanie Oshlag, thanks for the beautiful notes.
From Elms, there were so many, Professor Scott, Maureen, the Social Work Department, those with the Polish reception, the exhibition from Auschwitz (powerful) and so many others.
What a delight to see many of our friends come up from NYC, Patti Keener provided a wonderful surprise with her visit.
From the New York venue:
“This is the first moment I have had to myself to sit and write you a note to thank you for coming out to Skidmore.  I want you  to know how deeply moved I was to be  a ‘witness’ to your remarkable program LIFE IN A JAR.   I am purposely using the word ‘Witness’, as we are all aware of  its meaning.
I have rec’d several phone calls and emails from people in the audience that raved about the presentation, and also expressed their thanks to you all for bringing this program to our area.  The impact of the LIAJ foundation continues to grow and the story of Irena Sendler will not be lost to the world.  Amazing.”
From Elms:
Elms was honored to host the Western Massachusetts premiere of the play “Life in a Jar / Irena Sendler Project.” This play tells the awe-inspiring story of Polish social worker Irena Sendler and a group of other young Polish women who outfoxed the Nazis during World War II to save the lives of 2,500 Jewish children living in the Warsaw Ghetto. Yesterday, the original production company that “discovered” Sendler’s story and created the play visited campus for a performance and Q&A. Veritas was packed, and the gave a standing ovation at the end.

This celebration of Irena Sendler’s life and work is the second event in a series of two presented by Elms College; Women’s Philanthropy, a division of the Jewish Federation of Western Massachusetts; the Kosciuszko Foundation, New England Chapter; the Polish Center of Discovery and Learning; and a generous grant from the Jewish Endowment Foundation of Western Massachusetts’ Harold Grinspoon & Diane Troderman Hatikvah Holocaust Education Fund.

News of the Week – 2/17/2015

Irena Sendler would have been 105 this Sunday, February 15th. We remember her beautiful and courageous heart.

What a wonderful event in London at Chabad Belgravia. Rabbi Mendel did a beautiful job of arranging the event. We shared the story of Irena Sendler and much more. A man who had been part of the Kindertransport was in the audience. Also, Nadine Wojakovski, who wrote, “Two Prayers at Bedtime,” a powerful book of her family and the Holocaust was in attendance. Many ideas were formulated about more collaboration with Holocaust education.

This note comes from Rabbi Mendel: “I wanted to thank you very much on behalf of our community for making the trip to London to share the incredible story of Irena Sendler, and that of your inspiring class project and wonderful students! You really touched the heartstrings of those who attended your lecture, and I believe the impact will continue to reverberate into the future! Your humility, altruism, and passion are truly refreshing and inspiring.

I look forward to being in touch and exploring ways in which we can work together.”

Elizabeth (Liz) Cambers Hutton to present:

Lebanon, Missouri, High School Teacher to Participate in Discussion

Elizabeth (Liz) Hutton is now a teacher at Lebanon High School. She grew up in rural Kansas, never dreaming that a school project would take her to Poland, where she would meet one of the great heroines of World War II.

Lily Isaacs is one of the most celebrated gospel music singers in America, having won most of the major awards, including gospel’s highest honor, the Dove. She was born a Polish Jew, the daughter of two Holocaust survivors.

Liz and Lily will be together at Hillcrest Baptist Church, 299 Hoover Avenue in Lebanon, at 4 p.m., Friday, March 13, where they will tell their stories. All Lebanon school system teachers and staff are invited to attend.

For Lily, it’s a deeply personal experience, her own parents’ imprisonment during the war for no reason other than their nationality and faith, and their struggles to survive the war, including a brush with the gas chamber. Following the war they married and later brought two-year-old Lily to America.

For Liz, it’s her perseverance to find the truth, even though it occurred across an ocean and in another generation, that uncovered the terrible living conditions of those imprisoned and the woman who rescued an estimated 2,500 babies and children from almost certain death, twice the number saved by Oskar Schindler, as chronicled in the award-winning movie Schindler’s List. The woman’s name was Irena Sendler and her accomplishments were mostly unknown until Liz and three classmates wrote and performed a play that would shine a light on her accomplishments and win her the world’s recognition and admiration, including a nomination for the Nobel Peace Prize. The girls received their share of attention as well, appearing on CNN and The Today Show and being featured by many publications such as Ladies Home Journal.  

The program is free and open to the public. It is being presented by the Lebanon Host Lions Club in association with a concert by the Isaacs at 7 p.m. at the Cowan Civic Center. Tickets for the concert are on sale at Morgan Music in Lebanon or by calling 417-532-7402.

News of the Week – 3/4/2014

Ivan Obert, social studies teacher at Joplin South Middle School in Joplin, MO, did a beautiful job in preparing our Life in a Jar venue. On a cold and icy night, we had a large and enthusiastic crowd for the Life in a Jar performance. We salute Ivan and all of those who assisted him.

From Montreal comes this note: “Your project is awesome, may you be granted the health and strength to continue bringing this project to many.”

The Irena Sendler website is starting its 11th year. The site has just passed 46 million hits!!

The next Life in a Jar performance will be in Salem, Oregon on the second weekend in April. See the website calendar for details. Following Oregon will be a weekend performance in Rockville, MD.

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year to all of our Life in a Jar friends and family.

We are in our 15th year of Life in a Jar and continue to be committed to making Irena Sendler’s story, the story of survivors, and other rescuers known to the world. Reme Lichtman a child survivor wrote the following about Renata Zajdman, “Our dear friend Renata Zajdman passed away on November 27, 2013. She was a great lady, “larger than life”, a Warsaw Ghetto survivor, a very close friend of Irena Sendlerowa, or Sendler, for many years before Irena became well known. Renata travelled frequently with the High School theatre group from Kansas who performed the play about Irena called “Life in a Jar.” Renata was also an intellectual, very well read, full of information, always wanting to share what she knew.”

Disappearing Traces: Holocaust Testimonials, Ethics, and Aesthetics written by Dorota Glowacka is a powerful book that examines the tensions between the ethical and aesthetic imperatives in literary, artistic, and philosophical works about the Holocaust, in a search for new ways to understand the traumatic past and its impact.

ANNOUNCEMENT

BE WATCHING FOR NEW PERFORMANCES IN 2023