Four Nazi Holocaust Survivors Speak Out in the Premier Screening of “Changing the Memory of Our Past into Hope for Our Future”

Fuquay Varina, NC, July 23, 2013 --(PR.com)-- The Downtown Fuquay-Varina Rotary Club in conjunction with the Chapel Hill-Durham Holocaust Speakers Bureau will be hosting the premier screening of “Changing the Memory of Our Past into Hope for Our Future.” The video features interview excerpts from four holocaust survivor’s tracing their persecution and ordeals for being Jewish under Hitler and the Nazi’s rule of Europe during WWII. After the screening 3 of the 4 holocaust survivors will be on hand for a brief Q&A. The screening is sponsored by and will be held Wednesday, July 24 at the Star Theater and Arts Center in Fuquay-Varina, 123 E. Vance Street; doors open at 6:30. The event is open to the public by means of R.S.V.P. 919-577-0634, lite refreshments will be served.

The need for this video was great explained Sharon Halperin, Executive Director of Chapel Hill – Durham Holocaust Speakers Bureau, a child of holocaust survivors herself, who has witnessed so many survivors pass away, no longer being able to give testimony to the fact the holocaust did take place and just how horrific it was, “It is a period in history we should not be forgetting and the survivors have lessons they want to share with us because bullying and genocide is alive today, just as it was during WWII. In reality, little progress has been made look to your schoolyards, to the genocide in Africa, in Eastern Europe. That is why the gift of this video is so important to all of us as human being, it enables the survivors and their stories to live on. We are so grateful for this precious gift of remembrance.”

Craig Brandwynne, Center Sound Records, who edited and created an original music score for the video noted how the video is part of a larger effort, “The video is just one piece in continuing to tell the holocausts survivors’ stories, the Holocaust Speakers Bureau is working on creating a website for middle and high school teachers to download the interviews along with lesson plans. We have helped by capturing the interviews and in producing this video which will assist them in launching their lesson plans initiative.”

Marguerite Greene, Downtown Fuquay-Varina Rotary Club member spearheaded the effort and explained how the video came about, “We host a Free Speakers Series open to all, the past series’ theme was “Peace and Conflict Resolution.” In January, Lynanne Fowle, our club’s Program Director arranged for Holocaust Survivor Esther Lederman to be a speaker. After the meeting Sharon mentioned how fragile some of the 8 remaining survivors in this area are and her concern of preserving their stories for future generations.”

“Our club knew we had to get this video made and if not for the generous donations of talent, equipment and volunteers we would not be meeting to celebrate the screening of “Changing the Memory of Our Past into Hope for Our Future.”

“I would be remiss in not properly recognizing how the Media Communications Association-International, Central Carolina Chapter encouraged its members to volunteer their talents and equipment and they did, inclusive of Artauro Productions, Center Sound Records, Living Arts College and MARCCOM. Locally our club members were on hand volunteering along with Subway and Smithfield BBQ who joined forces to film and edit a total of 8 Holocaust Survivors.

For additional information on the Chapel Hill- Durham Holocaust Speakers Bureau contact Sharon Halperin, Executive Director at www.holocaustspeakersbureau.org for additional information on the Downtown Fuquay-Varina Rotary Club's Free Speaks Series www.DownTownF-VRotaryClub.org