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"Dr. Tamara Reps Freeman brings to life Holocaust history through the music that was composed by the Jewish people in the WWII ghettos and concentration camps. The lyrics of the archival songs describe WWII political events and emotions felt by victims of the Third Reich: despair, longing, hope, and spiritual resistance. The evocative melodies of the work songs, lullabies, and partisan anthems gave a voice to the people who lost everything, including free speech, their citizenship, jobs, homes, families, and property. Indeed, music and poetry helped the Jewish people keep their imaginations and dignity in the face of humankind’s worst evil.
Dr. Freeman’s presentation recounts the stories of the composers and how music helped them and their communities. She plays this inspiring music on her 1935 Joseph Bausch viola, which was rescued from the Holocaust. She teaches audiences how to sing two of the most emblematic Holocaust songs: “Ani Mamin”, which was sung in death marches and “Zog Nit Keynmol”, a partisan song that is considered the “national anthem” of Holocaust victims and survivors. Keynote slides of Holocaust musicians and ensembles enhance learning and bring a face to the faceless.
The presentation will conclude with Q & A."
