SPECIAL PROGRAM: One Voice, Two Lives - Holocaust Survivor and Liberator Cantor Wisnia

July 12, 2018

THURSDAY, JULY 12, 2018 AT 7 PM

One Voice, Two Lives: From Auschwitz Prisoner to 101st Airborne Trooper
A Holocaust Memoir with Author Cantor David Wisnia

This is the remarkable true story of Cantor David Wisnia, who, at 91 years old, will recount his ordeal through word and song as he shares his memories and life lessons. His is an incredible story of survival that he readily attributes to his glorious singing voice, the kindness of a few courageous Polish people, and fate. He was 16 when imprisoned for 2.5 years at the notorious Auschwitz-Birkenau Death Camp. His life was spared by singing to entertain the Nazi SS guards, becoming a so-called “privileged” prisoner. In January 1945, he endured a Death March, suffered the horrors of Dachau, and then narrowly escaped to freedom. Luckily, he found and was “adopted” by the 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment of the 101st Airborne Division, H Company, the “Screaming Eagles.” He actively engaged in combat and helped as a translator during the closing months of the war in Germany, becoming both a survivor and a liberator.

Cantor Wisnia will be accompanied by accomplished pianist and friend, Laurent Levy, who grew up in Morgantown, WV. Laurent is the son of Dr. Edith Levy, a former adjunct assistant professor at WVU, who survived the Holocaust as a hidden child. She is the founder of the WV Holocaust Education Commission, established in 1998 by executive order of Governor Cecil Underwood.

Signed copies of Cantor Wisnia’s 2015 memoir, One Voice, Two Lives, will be available for purchase for $20.

Cantor Wisnia will also be at Temple Shalom (23 Bethany Pike) on Friday, July 13 at 8:00 pm, participating in the Sabbath evening service and sharing a brief overview of his extraordinary life story.

Both events are free and open to the public.

These programs are coordinated by Barb Lewine, Holocaust Educator. For further information - email: barb@lewine.net.

- Thursday, July 12, 2018 - 
Program starts at 7 pm in the Library Auditorium.