INSPIRATIONAL TRAVELLING EXHIBIT WITH MESSAGES
THAT RESONATE TODAY
SARASOTA – Sarasota is one of only a few cities in the nation to host a powerful travelling exhibit, Whoever Saves a Single Life. . .Rescuers of Jews During the Holocaust, that highlights the rescue efforts of non-Jews who worked tirelessly to save Jews during World War II.
The exhibit will be displayed in the Selby Library atrium for the months of March and April 2020. To kick off this exhibit, there will be an opening reception on March 2, 2020, from 2:30-4:00 p.m., and a talk by Stanlee J. Stahl, Executive Vice President of The Jewish Foundation for the Righteous, and nationally recognized expert on the rescue of Jews and non-Jews during the Holocaust.
This exhibit showcases some of the rare – but exceedingly important – instances where people risked their own lives and the lives of their families to help their Jewish neighbors. It includes a history of the Holocaust as well as panels on rescue networks, young rescuers, religious rescuers, and sections on Americans in Europe and the diplomatic corps.
During World War II, more than 27,000 Gentiles, referred to as the “Righteous Among the Nations” (Rescuers) did not stand by silently but at a time when hostility and indifference were the prevalent attitudes, stood up for what was right and compassionate.
The Rescuers came from different nations, religions and walks of life and all shared eight honorable traits that allowed them to transcend obstacles, even danger, to protect their fellow humans. One of the features of the exhibit is a series of posters displaying the eight “Traits That Transcend.”
According to Bette Zaret, creator and chair of Butterflies of Hope and Remembrance, “It is hoped that by sharing the Rescuers’ stories in this exhibit, they will become the inspiration others may need to stand up to evil in any form they may encounter. Through education, goodness can prevail and eliminate, or at the very least minimize, discrimination, hatred and oppression of people throughout the world for generations to come.”
Whoever Saves a Single Life. . .Rescuers of Jews During the Holocaust is sponsored by the Butterflies of Hope and Remembrance project, in collaboration with The Jewish Foundation for the Righteous, the Sarasota County Sarasota County Libraries & Historical Resources, Embracing Our Differences, Temple Beth Israel and The Jewish Federation of Sarasota-Manatee. It
Teachers from Manatee and Sarasota public schools will have the opportunity to enhance their knowledge of the role courageous people played in the Holocaust through a training by Ms. Stahl on March 2, 2020.
Docent training for those who would like to volunteer two hours a week at the exhibit in Selby Library will be offered March 1, 2020 from 1:30-4:40 p.m.at the library.
Whoever Saves a Single Life. . .Rescuers of Jews During the Holocaust is presented courtesy of the creator, The Jewish Foundation for the Righteous, which provides financial support to more than 225 non-Jews who rescued Jews during the Holocaust and preserves their legacy through a national education program. The Conference on Jewish Material Claims Against Germany, Inc, provided generous support of the exhibit’s development and fabrication.
The Butterflies of Hope and Remembrance project is a year-long grass roots initiative comprised of special events and Holocaust and genocide educational programming—commemorating the 75th Anniversary of the end of WWII and the liberation of the Nazi concentration camps.
For more information about upcoming Butterflies of Hope and Remembrance programs throughout 2020, visit www.butterfliesofhopesrq.com.
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