STORIES OF THE HOLOCAUST

A group of scholars, writers, and artists remember the Holocaust in this anthology.

“Remembrance is a sacred responsibility in Judaism,” write editors Berman and Humphries in their introduction to this collection of “poetic personal reflections and artistry.” Bringing together two dozen Jewish artists, playwrights, poets, and scholars, this volume highlights the centrality of the Shoah to Jewish cultural productions. While the chapters are written by different authors, they are all centered around a common question: “Can Art Heal Trauma?” The topics range from a staged production of The Diary of Anne Frank and the use of children’s stories from the Terezín concentration camp in the musical I Never Saw Another Butterfly to explorations of LGBTQ+ themes and the experiences of Jewish sex workers during the war. The first book in an anticipated two-volume collection, this offering pays particular attention to theater, dance, concerts, and other “arts onstage”; the second volume will highlight fine arts and television/film. The idea that the Holocaust should serve as a constant reminder of our responsibility to remain vigilant against racism, extremism, and political violence is a recurring theme in the work; artistic expressions do not only prompt us to recall the past but also function as catalysts for change in response “to current political hate messages, antisemitism, and violence.” This is a well-researched work—the scholarly underpinnings and thorough research citations will appeal to academic readers (co-editors Berman and Humphries are both Dean Emerita of the College of Fellows of the American Theatre and Humphries is a Professor Emerita at American University). The book is accessible to general readers as well, and the text is supplemented by a plethora of high-resolution color photographs. It’s also a pragmatic resource for educators at all levels—many chapters include lesson plans, study guides, discussions of methodologies, and other resources.

A well-crafted work that highlights the value of the arts in remembering the past.