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Madison, Wisconsin - 4/16/2010
We send a big thank you to Dina Weinback and Steven Morrison of the Jewish Federation of Madison, Wisconsin for our warm welcome last week-end. The Life in a Jar cast loves telling the story of Irena Sendler and our Madison venues were very well attended. Thanks Dina and Steve for taking care of everyone.
Here are some emails:
*"Last Sunday, at Madison, the troupe showed all of us how human beings are supposed to conduct themselves.
Every person in your group presented an example of class and sincerity. The entire audience was captivated by the story of Irena and the young people that made us feel comfortable."
** "What wonderful work you all do, and what an amazing group of people who are involved in Life in a Jar. The message you are giving to people is so, so important. I hope you can continue to spread the word through Life in a Jar for many, many years to come. The play itself and the video clips are so powerful. The personal anecdotes that everyone adds really makes everything so much more meaningful and heartfelt."
*** "As a student at the University I want to thank you for speaking out for good in the world. We loved your presentation."
****"The two productions we have seen of Life in a Jar were very powerful: the student (and graduate) actors create such a vivid portrait of Irena's powerful gift to the world. An additional bonus for us: having the opportunity to briefly converse with each of you after the play. With a deep appreciation of your work and a sincere THANK YOU"
We were able to see some old friends, Paul and Carol Hamre of Minnesota and meet the son and daughter-in-law
of our old friend and extraordinary teacher, Bob Potter, of Vermont. |
Life in a Jar is big hit in Florida - 2/9/2010
Here are the words of Gloria Max, venue director of the Life in a Jar performance at Ormond Beach---"On a rainy night, 617 people came to see the play "Life In a Jar" a sold out crowd. In fact 300 people had to be turned away because of the fire code laws. These young people did an incredible job of portraying how the courageous heart of Irena Sendler saved 2,500 Jewish children. Their acting was superb but more important their sincerity shone through. The audience really got the message, that one person definitely can make a difference. It is amazing that in a city of 300 people in Kansas, students from a small public school were the ones who discovered this brave heroine. We tend to think that big, technologically provided schools produce outstanding graduates but it goes to show that your small school with an extraordinary instructor Norman Conard has brightened the world When Megan Felt who was 14 years of age found Irena Sendler, she was so taken aback at what Irena Sendler accomplished that she wrote this play "Life in a Jar. For these past 10 years, she has traveled the United States and the World, playing the part of Irena Sendler. The one regret that Irena Sendler had was that she was sorry she couldn't do more. Throughout this play , the students in their simplicity makes you realize that all of us have to have a hand in repairing the world. If anyone ever has the chance to see this play, make it your business to attend. Young people are our future, and these students exemplify the very best. All I can say is Bravo!
Also, I would like to end my writings that these students exemplify the quote from Anne Frank who said " in spite of everything, I still believe that people are really good at Heart"
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Unknown facts about Irena - 12/17/2009
Facts about Irena which are not generally known. All of these are from primary sources.
*When Irena was 13 years old she got in trouble at school for fist-fighting two bullying girls to defend her Jewish classmate.
** When she was 16 years old, in her last year of high school, she was suspended and threatened with expulsion for leaving school to buy a newspaper to share the exciting news of the Gen. Pilsudski insurrection and coup d'etat in 1926. This episode almost threatened her acceptance at the University of Warsaw.
***Before Irena began smuggling children out of the ghetto, she actually smuggled some orphans INTO the ghetto. The Germans had arrested begging children in Aryan Warsaw and Irena realized that some of them were Jewish boys who would be discovered by the "pull down your pants" test to look for circumcised boys. She managed to sneak them away from the Germans and INTO the ghetto through a hole in the wall, where the famous pediatrician, Janus Korczak took them into his orphanage and hid them.
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11th year and 'Where are they now?' - 9/25/2009
Wednesday, September 23, 2009, marked the
10 year anniversary of the beginning of
"Life in a Jar." We are now starting our 11th year.
The legacy of Irena Sendler and devoted students from Kansas continues.
Where are they now?
This is a partial list.
There have been 37 students involved in the project over the years.
Megan Stewart Felt
College graduate. Married and program director of the Lowell Milken Education Center. Portrays Irena in the play.
Elizabeth Cambers Hutton-
College graduate with an education degree. Married and teaching social studies in Missouri.
Sabrina Coons Murphy-
College graduate with an education degree. Married with two children, and living in southeast Kansas.
Jessica Shelton Ripper-
College graduate. Married and working as an office manager in southeast Kansas with one child and expecting second child. Performs as Irena's best friend, Marie, in the play.
Travis Stewart-
Majoring in Plastics Engineering in college and married. Portrays Dr. Wos and a German soldier in the performance.
Jaime Walker-
College graduate. Engaged and works as a financial analyst in Kansas City. Performs as Mrs. Rosner, Sister Matylda, and a blackmailer in the play.
Maegan Whitehead Easter-
College graduate. Married with one child. Works as a pharmacist in Kansas City.
Melissa Query Sammons-
Attending college and married.
Kathleen Meara-
She is a University of Kansas grad and works at the Research and Graduate Dept. at the University.
Nick Thomas-
Attending Wichita State University.
Jaime Shelton-
Majoring in Plastics Engineering in college.
Janice Underwood-
Has one child and is working locally.
Lacey George-
Majoring in Agricultural Education at Kansas State University.
Kenny Felt-
College graduate. Married and a photographer in southeast Kansas.
Ellie Perrey-
College graduate. In Australia working on her masters. Portrays an orphan in the performance.
Gage McKinnis-
Football All-American and Academic All-American in Junior College.
Kinga Krzeminska-
Earning her doctorate from the University of Warsaw.
Kayla Wagner-
Majoring in Criminal Justice at Missouri Southern.
Lacy Ermel Daily-
College graduate. Married and a nurse.
Theresa Schafer-
Student at a local high school. Portrays an orphan in the performance.
Nick Caton-
College graduate. Married and working as a Project Engineer in Kansas City.
Rebekah DeMoss-
Majoring in History Education and married. |
Texas and Irena's Legacy - 6/27/2009
Here is a note from the Texas Principals Association: "It was an honor to have the cast with us for the conference. I was awed by their powerful performance coupled with their humble nature. They are a truly remarkable group of young people, and their leadership and passion give me great hope for our future. Your mission and commitment are a shining example of what one person can do to make this world a better place for all of us."
There is a newly named school in Hohenroth, Germany, the Irena Sendler School.
Kasia Zytkiewicz-Ludwiniak was one of the Irena Sendler Award Polish finalists in 2008.
She sent us a note and photograph. Kaisa led a campaign to have the school where she
teaches in Warsaw named, the Irena Sendler School. The school ceremony for the new name was
May 12, 2008, on the day Irena passed away. Her daughter was born on April 21st of this
year, Kasia named her daughter Irena. |
Irena Sendler Award - 6/25/2009
The Irena Sendler Award will be given out to a teacher in Poland, next Tuesday evening, June 30th. The award will be presented at the Warsaw Opera House. PLEASE GO UNDER THE EVENTS/NEWS LINK FOR UP-TO-DATE INFORMATION ON THE IRENA SENDLER AWARDS. |
Austin and more - 6/17/2009
Life in a Jar presented in Austin, Texas last week, to the Secondary and Elementary principals from the state. We send a big thank you to all of those who made our trip so rewarding.
Some of the emails from Texas:
"Irena Sendler's spirit is an inspiration to all in the world. The Life in a Jar cast are incredible for their telling of this story."
"I will share this story with my children to let them know that good for your fellow neighbor always prevails."
"Bravo, what a powerful presentation. I was standing and applauding like everyone else."
"What a moving event and a moving story of this beautiful person."
Life in a Jar began ten years ago as a National History Day project. We have now come full circle. Megan Felt (founder) was asked to be the opening speaker of the national competition this week in College Park, Maryland. A project she worked with this year just made the national finals and is competing this morning for a national title.
The PBS Sunflower Journeys program with a Life in a Jar segment has been nominated for a regional Emmy Award. We'll know more next month. The long time director of Sunflower Journeys, Dave Kendall, directs a remarkable program.
We will have some wedding photos in a few weeks on two marriages this month, of long time Life in a Jar cast members. |
Stefan and the Hallmark movie - 5/19/2009
After watching the Hallmark Hall of Fame movie, many have written asking about Stefan, Irena's love interest in the movie.
Here are some facts;
Stefan Zgrzebski-1908 - born
- Only child many disputes with mother wealthy family on Nowy Swiat St.
- He was born Jewish, but did not practice.
- Before the war his father Jan dies
- 1938 Irena met Stefan through her friend Janka Miller. He was a lecturer in History before the war. They fell in love. teaching classical Literature at the Univ. in Poznan
- June, 1938 Irena graduates Warsaw University with a degree in Social Work
- Irena and Stefan lived in separate districts they bought monthly passes to see each other every day. special trolley pass.
- 1939 from the very beginning, she started forging hundreds of documents so Jewish workers could find work.
- October 1940 Stefan confined to ghetto with his mother, Maria
- 1940 (?) Irena smuggled Stefan out of the ghetto. He is hiding with Jadwiga and Hanna
Piotrowska-Rechowiczowa but had to keep moving. He then goes to Praga and hides with other teachers from the university.
- Stefan is fluent in German could fool the soldiers
- 1944 Warsaw Uprising they meet and work together at aid station in Okencia.
- After the war Stefan is very critical of Communist politics but very tolerant of life.1947 Irena and Stefan married.
- 1947 Janka born
- 1949 Premature Andrzej is born and lives only 7 days.
- 1951 Adam born dies 1999 of heart disease ( on the day the Life in a Jar project begins)
- 1953 Stefans mother, Maria, dies in Krakow where she had gone to find work
- 1955 Stefan and Irena separate
- 1963 Stefan dies of heart disease when Janka is 16.
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One year anniversary of Irena's passing - 5/12/2009
One year ago this week, Irena Sendler passed away. Her legacy continues around the world
and her courage and valor set an example for people everywhere. Many flowers were placed
on her grave site this week and a small ceremony was held with friends and survivors.
Last week the Audrey Hepburn Foundation posthumously awarded Irena Sendler with its 2009 Humanitarian Award for saving Jewish children from the Nazi Holocaust. |
Concert in Israel to honor Irena - 5/6/2009
Tonight in Israel, a concert is being presented to honor Irena Sendler. Elzbieta Ficowska (saved by Irena at 5 months of age) will be present
and will meet Shimon Perez (Israeli President and former Prime Minister).
See this web listing for more information:
/Users/lmcenter2/Desktop/Sendler event - Haaretz Guide 02.01.09 .jpg
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