‘We Are the Tree of Life’ debuts in San Diego

By Eileen Wingard

SAN DIEGO — To commemorate Yom Hashoah, Ohr Shalom Synagogue screened the premiere of the documentary, We Are the Tree of Life: Carry On. The Zoom screening was introduced by former Ohr Shalom president, Susie Meltzer. Many participants in the film were in the Zoom audience, including Peter Yarrow of Peter, Paul and Mary fame.

Jacqueline Semha Gmach, founder and creative director of We Are the Tree of Life, A San Diego Community-wide Initiative, opens the film by describing its motivation, the tragic killings at Pittsburgh’s Tree of Life Synagogue and discussions with her ten-year-old granddaughter about the Holocaust. We Are the Tree of Life’s, original purpose was to sponsor performances and exhibitions of music, art and literature created in the camps and ghettos during the Holocaust.  As Gmach describes in her poem:

In those days, music notes were silent,
On this day, the music will be heard.
In those days, drawings were hidden and invisible,
On this day, they will be seen.
In those days, literature was voiceless,
On this day, life stories, words, and poetry
Will be heard.

The documentary highlights the lives and works of several outstanding artists, writers, musicians and a dancer.

The story of Bauhaus artist, Friedl Dicker-Brandeis, is told. She packed art supplies into her one allotted suitcase to Terezin, preparing to teach the children art, knowing its therapeutic value. Examples of her work and the work of her young charges are shown.  The art of Helga Weissova, who drew scenes from Terezin, is also explored.

Examples of literature include the reading by Susie Meltzer of the Terezin Ghetto poem, “The Butterfly,” by Pavel Friedmann and excerpts from Eli Wiesel’s book, Night. Wiesel himself appears in the documentary.

Modern dancer, Tammuz Dubnov, through his original choreography, brings to life the story of ballerina, Franceska Mann, who managed to seduce and kill a Nazi guard before being annihilated herself.

Near the end of the film, we hear a violin piece by Terezin composer, Robert Dauber, who died in Dachau.

I perform that work, accompanied by pianist Monique Kunewalder.  A piano selection is performed by the Italian pianist and conductor, Francesco Lotoro, who has dedicated his life to collecting Holocaust music.

In addition to showcasing music, art and literature of Holocaust victims, the film includes stories of  refugees and survivors. Aimee Ginsburg Bikel shares footage and commentary about her famous husband, Theodore Bikel, who escaped Vienna to the United States following Nazi occupation. He became a distinguished actor, folk singer and political activist. A Holocaust survivor demonstrated and told how his playing of the harmonica saved his life.

There were also extensive conversations between Dr. Stephen Smith, Finci-Viterbi Executive Director of USC’s Shoah Foundation, and Dr. Lauren Bairnsfather, Director of the Holocaust Center of Pittburgh. Smith spoke about the courage of survivors to tell their stories. Bairnsfather shared footage of her exhibition of survivors in a city park and paintings of people viewing them.

Peter Yarrow and Gmach’s daughter, Yael, contributed original songs, inspired by the Shoah. Yarrow’s opened with the lyrics, “Carry On My Sweet Survivor,”

Yael’s song concluded the film: “We remember the Shoah.” Throughout the film, images of trees were shown, several by Gmach’s granddaughter, others by adult artists, including Lynn Kebow, artistic consultant for the film and Clint Burkett, the film’s videographer. The film is available to institutions at no cost. See trailer: https://vimeo.com/503705234

Other forthcoming virtual We Are the Tree of Life programs under the auspices of the Lawrence Family JCC’s Arts & Ideas, Ryan Isaac, director, will include:

 Tuesday, April 20, 4 p.m.

CARRY ON PREVIEW SCREENING with Holocaust Survivor, Edith Eger,  USC Shoah Foundation Finci-Viterbi Executive Director, Dr. Stephen Smith, and Pittsburgh Holocaust Center Director, Dr. Lauren Bairnsfather.

Tuesday, May 25, 11:00 a.m.– Dances of the Holocaust, featuring Tammuz Dubnov.

Thursday, May 27, 11:00 a.m.

Polish Jewish Composers of WWII, A dialogue with Francesco Lotoro, Italian pianist, composer, musicologist, and Ali Viterbi, actor, playwright.

Tuesday, June 1, 7:00 p.m.

A dialogue with Nuvi Mehta, San Diego Symphony’s pre-concert lecturer and community outreach resource and Kate Hatmaker, San Diego Symphony violinist and co-director of Art of Ilan.

Thursday, June 2, 4:00 p.m.

Virtual Exhibit Helga Weissova, Notre Combat

With Jacqueline Semha Gmach, Creative Project Director, We Are the Tree of Life

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Eileen Wingard, a retired violinist with the San Diego Symphony, is a freelance writer specializing in coverage of the arts.  she may be contacted via eileen.wingard@sdjewishworld.com