Who Will Write Our History

The Greenville Jewish Federation will present a screening of the film Who Will Write Our History (2018) at Furman University on November 17, 2019Who Will Write Our History tells the story of Emmanuel Ringelblum and the Oyneg Shabes Archive, a secret archive of writing, photographs, and posters preserved in the Warsaw Ghetto so that Jewish people could tell their own story in their own words. A post-screening discussion will feature the Executive Producer of the film, Nancy Spielberg, and the Director of the Film, Roberta Grossman. SC Humanities supported this program with a Mini Grant.

In November 1940, days after the Nazis sealed 450,000 Jews in the Warsaw Ghetto, a secret band of journalists, scholars and community leaders decided to fight back. Led by historian Emanuel Ringelblum and known by the code name Oyneg Shabes, this clandestine group vowed to defeat Nazi lies and propaganda not with guns or fists but with pen and paper. Now, for the first time, their story is told as a feature documentary. Written, produced and directed by Roberta Grossman and executive produced by Nancy Spielberg, Who Will Write Our History mixes the writings of the Oyneg Shabes archive with new interviews, rarely seen footage and stunning dramatizations to transport us inside the Ghetto and the lives of these courageous resistance fighters. They defied their murderous enemy with the ultimate weapon – the truth – and risked everything so that their archive would survive the war, even if they did not. (credit to https://whowillwriteourhistory.com/about-the-film/.)

The film was based on the book by Samuel D. Kassow, Who Will Write Our History?: Rediscovering a Hidden Archive from the Warsaw Ghetto. Books retail for $18 but will be available for purchase in limited quantities for $15 at the event. Books can be purchased in advance for pickup at the event for $12.

Greenville Jewish Federation is passionate about the community and Jewish education which is why students of all levels are invited to attend the event for Free. Advance purchase tickets are $10, plus fees and will be $12 if purchased at the door. Seating may become limited, so it is recommended to purchase in advance. Tickets can be purchased HERE.

The mission of SC Humanities is to enrich the cultural and intellectual lives of all South Carolinians. Established in 1973, this 501(c) 3 organization is governed by a volunteer 20-member Board of Directors comprised of community leaders from throughout the state. It presents and/or supports literary initiatives, lectures, exhibits, festivals, publications, oral history projects, videos and other humanities-based experiences that directly or indirectly reach more than 250,000 citizens annually.

Image: Andrew Bering portrays Israel Lichtenstein Preparing First Cache. Photo Credit: Anna Wloch