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Explore the Extraordinary Life of Irena Sendler
About Blog Post
Jan 11, 2022
by SCLSNJ
January 27 is International Holocaust Remembrance Day, the anniversary of the liberation of the Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camps. In commemoration, explore the extraordinary life of Irena Sendler on January 26 from 7-8 p.m., with a virtual program presented by the New Jersey Commission on Holocaust Education.
“One of the main goals of the New Jersey Commission on Holocaust Education is to teach about being an upstander [a person who has chosen to make a difference in the world by speaking out against injustice and creating positive change],” said Douglas Cervi, executive director of the New Jersey Commission on Holocaust Education. “We hope that Irena’s story inspires [attendees] to fight hatred, prejudice, and bigotry wherever and whenever it exists.”
“In honor of International Holocaust Remembrance Day, SCLSNJ is pleased to have the New Jersey Commission on Holocaust Education share the remarkable narrative of Irena Sendler with our customers,” said Fiona Kennedy, system program coordinator, adult services. “Sendler, a Polish social worker, helped save 2,500 Jewish children from the Nazis by smuggling them out of the Warsaw Ghetto, and giving them false identities. Her story is truly one of tremendous moral fortitude and determination.”
During the program, Cervi will examine the life of the heroine, whose story went untold for almost 60 years.
“After World War II, the Communist government persecuted the members of the underground group Irena was a part of,” said Cervi. “Those who were not persecuted by the government kept silent. Sendler’s story would still be unknown if it wasn’t for three teenage girls in Kansas in 1999.”
Cervi continued, “These girls were doing a project for a National History Day and came across Sendler’s name in an article entitled ‘The Other Schindlers.’ Her story inspired their project, the play ‘Life in a Jar,’ and the story spread from there.”
In 2010, author Jack Mayer wrote the book “Life in a Jar: The Irena Sendler Project,” which tells the story of the three Kansas teenagers connecting with Sendler and “rescuing the rescuer” by telling Sendler’s story. In addition to this book, the Library System’s collection features various works about the times and triumphs of Sendler’s life.
“SCLSNJ encourages our customers to connect with the stories and compelling experiences of prominent figures throughout history,” said Yvonne Selander, collection development manager. “The Library System houses a large collection of media that honor the stories of Holocaust heroes, survivors, and victims for youth and adults alike. This International Holocaust Remembrance Day, and everday, we hope that Library customers will discover the inspiring stories of iconic individuals through books and media available in our nonfiction collection.”
For more information or to register for the program, visit https://sclsnj.libnet.info/event/6039180.