2021 resumes Remembrance Readings 7th year of programming. Please join us virtually 1/27/2021 and commemorate International Holocaust Remembrance Day as Oscar nominated actor David Strathairn portrays and honors Jan Karski in play “Remember This” at 5:30pm hosted by New York Public Library for the Performing Arts.
Launched in 2015 by NJTF HTII, Remembrance Play Readings are annual international events that invite Holocaust organizations, theater companies, libraries, schools and universities, places of worship, JCCs, educators, artists and the general public to use the power of theater to commemorate the Holocaust. By using the technique of play readings or full performances participants are encouraged to choose their own topic and play from the NJTF HTII Holocaust Theater Catalog (htc.miami.edu). Whether done simply for smaller audience or in full production to larger gatherings these readings, live, virtually or both, will commemorate the Holocaust, its remembrance and its contemporary lessons during International Holocaust Memorial Day, Yom Ha Shoah (Holocaust Remembrance Day) and Kristallnacht (Night of Broken Glass). We hope you will participate and support us.
Click here to register your event for 2021 Remembrance Readings>>
“We are living in times when studies indicate that the memory and knowledge of the Holocaust is lessening. Unfortunately, this coincides with the passing of living survivors. Civilization will be profoundly and negatively affected if the causes of this man-made tragedy are not understood in the context of today’s world. By researching, educating and performing Holocaust-related theater, live or virtually, we utilize theaters power to alter this course and combat hatred, prejudice and violence”. Please Join Our Mission!
- Arnold Mittelman, President, of NJTF, Director, Holocaust Theater International Initiative at University of Miami Miller Center for Contemporary Judaic Studies
2020 REMEMBRANCE READINGS PARTIAL LIST OF FEATURED PARTICIPANTS DESPITE THE WORLDWIDE PANDEMIC MAJOR LIVE EVENTS STILL OCCURRED
Prior to pandemic in USA, NJTF HTII created and commemorated International Holocaust Remembrance Day on January 27th, with a live Remembrance Day play reading of A Shayna Maydel by Barbara Lebow with Broadway actors, presented in association with The Jewish Museum of New York City.
In November commemorating Kristallnacht JCompany Youth Theatre-Lawrence Family Jewish Community Center in La Jolla, CA.built an outdoor stage, and then using Covid-19 related proto-calls, rehearsed and performed live with masks to a socially distanced audience the Terezin related play Fireflies.
2019 REMEMBRANCE READINGS PARTIAL LIST OF FEATURED PARTICIPANTS
In 2019 National Jewish Theater Foundation (NJTF) - Holocaust Theater International Initiative (HTII) commemorated Yom HaShoah with concert reading of Rothschild & Sons - A Musical Play by Jerry Bock (composer), Sheldon Harnick (lyricist) and Sherman Yellen (lyricist) at NYC Lincoln Center Library for the Performing Arts. Program included Professor Jessica Hillman McCord author of “Echoes of the Holocaust on the American Musical Stage” and NJTF HTII 2019 Lifetime Achievement Award to late composer Jerry Bock. Accepting the award was daughter Portia Shipler Bock. NJTF HTII honored The Old Globe, La Jolla Playhouse and North Coast Repertory Theatre for 2015 founding role in NJTF HTII Remembrance Play Readings.
CALIFORNIA
The Wall by Millard Lampell, Based on the novel by John Hersey
Pasadena Playhouse - Jewish Federation of Greater San Gabriel and Pomona Valleys
GEORGIA
And A Child Shall Lead by Michael Slade
The Breman Museum of Atlanta
ILLINOIS
Who Will Carry the Word? by Charlotte Delbo
Round Lake High School Theatre
The Green Book by Calvin A. Ramsey
Illinois Holocaust Museum & Education Center
NEW YORK
Refuge Presented with Blessed Unrest Theater and Teatri Oda of Kosovo
Baruch Performing Arts Center
Wall of Glass Directed by Charlotte Cohn
Presented by the Israeli Artists Project
Stephen Wise Free Synagogue
I Never Saw Another Butterfly by Celeste Raspanti
Phoenix Theatre Ensemble
Rescuing the Rescuers by Cynthia L. Cooper
Claude & Marcel by Dr. Meghan
Brodie, Fanny and Gabriel by Nava Semel
Remember the Women Institute and Congregation Ansche Chesed (4th consecutive year of participation)
THE SOAP MYTH* TOUR 2019
By Jeff Cohen
Starring Ed Asner - Seven-Time Emmy Award & Five-Time Golden Globe Winner and Original New York Co-Star Dee Pelletier replacing Tovah Feldshuh (Golda’s Balcony, Irena’s Vow, Yentl) who played all tour dates in January/ February.
*The Soap Myth was originally produced live on stage and filmed in NYC by NJTF HTII both directed by Mr. Arnold Mittelman
CONNECTICUT Mandell JCC of Greater Hartford
DELAWARE Delaware Theatre Company
INDIANA The Palladium at The Center for the Performing Arts
FLORIDA Bryan Glazer Family JCC, Sarasota Opera House
MARYLAND The Peggy and Yale Gordon Center for the Performing Arts
NEW JERSEY Kaplen JCC on the Palisades
NEW YORK Suffolk JCC, B’nai Jeshurun, Center Park West
MISSOURI Congregation Temple Israel
OHIO The Milton and Tamar Maltz Performing Arts Center & Jewish Community Center of Greater Columbus
PENNSYLVANIA Jewish Community Center of Greater Columbus & Holocaust Center of Pittsburgh
WISCONSIN Congregation Shalom
2018 Remembrance Readings included UK outreach in honor of Holocaust Memorial Day, January 27. NJTF HTII sponsored London theatrical events supporting the mission of UK Holocaust Education Trust (HET) and UK Holocaust Memorial Day Trust (HMDT).
2017 highlights included: the celebrity involvement of actor Ed Asner doing national readings of The Soap Myth by Jeff Cohen. NJTF HTII honored Elie Wiesel for his plays with readings across America and at Lincoln Center Library for the Performing Arts, NYC. Mr. and Mrs. Wiesel were presented with the NJTF/HTII Lifetime Achievement Award as part of the Lincoln Center Reading.
In 2016, theaters, educators, artists, and memorial museums participated and were from 11 cities and states including Washington – D.C.,New York City, San Diego, and Chicago.
Click here to view 2015-2018 past participants >>
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