Celebrating Democracy: The Remarkable Story of How the Jews of Finland Were Saved During World War II
“Celebrating Democracy: The Remarkable Story of How the Jews of Finland Were Saved During World War II,” as told by Finnish Ambassador Max Jakobsen.
The Educational Alliance cordially invites you to attend the Sixth Annual Thanks to Scandinavia Commemoration Program recognizing the rescue of Jews by the Scandinavian people during the Holocaust and in tribute to Benjamin and Francis Sperling.
This annual program is a tribute to Benjamin and Frances Sperling, whose substantial legacy has made TTS projects possible in the U.S. and Israel, the New York 14th Street YM-YWHA presents an annual program in spring inspired by the moral imperatives of Thanks To Scandinavia as described on the dedication plaque of the building’s TTS promenade: “To serve as a reminder of the humanity and bravery of the people, the governments and the churches of Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden in rescuing people of the Jewish faith from the Holocaust.”
Thanks To Scandinavia Celebrates Democracy and the Unusual Story of How the Jews in Finland were saved — at a public event on April 24.
Presentation of The Spirit of Scandinavia Award to Finnish-born teacher Johanna Grussner for her work with students from the Select Chorus of P.S. 86 in the Bronx.
6:30pm at the Sol Goldman YM-YMHA of The Educational Alliance, Inc., 344 East 14th Street, New York City. Please RSVP before April 17 by calling 212 780 0800, x 221 Seating is limited.
U.S. Ambassador Stuart Bernstein Hosts a Reception
U.S. Ambassador Stuart Bernstein hosts a reception for Thanks To Scandinavia friends and alumni to talk about building bridges at his residence, with TTS Board Member Martin S. Kaplan.
Thanks To Scandinavia Performs Victor Borge’s Legend Throughout New York and Beyond
Thanks To Scandinavia performs Victor Borge’s The Legend, about the extraordinary rescue of Jews in Denmark during World War II, at schools and institutions throughout New York and beyond. For more information about performances, call Rebecca Neuwirth at (212) 891-1403.
The piece: Victor Borge’s Legend is a dramatic fairytale, and a true story for young people and adults, about the courageous rescue of Jews in Denmark during the Second World War. The piece transports us with humor and affection to Denmark, the beloved country of Borge’s youth. The year is 1940, the month is April, and peaceful Denmark is attacked and occupied by an “Evil Spirit” Hitler’s Nazi Germany. But the occupation does not go smoothly. Danes refuse to follow Nazi orders to turn against their Jewish neighbors. In 1943, “the brute,” Hitler, decides to deport the Jews forcibly. The Legend is the story of how the Danes foiled that plan, saving thousands.
The poetic flair of Borge’s language in this piece creates a mood in which his serious moral message resounds deeply with the listener, and with lasting impact.
The performers: Ditte Hofman performs the Legend. Ditte was born in Copenhagen, where she studied dance and acting. She came to New York three years ago with a Thanks To Scandinavia Victor and Sanna Borge scholarship to study at the William Esper Studio last year, she graduated with a degree in acting. Through Thanks To Scandinavia, she met Victor Borge shortly before his death, and started performing his Legend and deepening her knowledge of Holocaust history and Jewish life today.
Heide Maria Goertzen plays the violin in the Legend piece. She was born in Oregon to Austrian and American parents, volunteered in the Peace Corps and received a Master’s degree at Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs. She has been an educational consultant and currently works as an art teacher in a public school in Harlem. She is the violinist in an all-woman, socially conscious band called Rhythms of Aqua, which is currently releasing a CD.
Thanks To Scandinavia was founded in 1963 by Victor Borge and New York attorney Richard Netter to commemorate the rescue of Scandinavian Jews during World War II by giving educational opportunities to thousands of young Scandinavians today. “These are days when it is important, even vital, to express ourselves about the good deeds as well as the bad ones.” Richard Netter, TTS President.
Thanks To Scandinavia is a nonprofit organization and Institute of the American Jewish Committee. For further information, please call Executive Director Rebecca Neuwirth at (212) 891-1403 or see our website at www.ThanksToScandinavia.org.
Finnish Embassy hosts Ambassador Max Jakobson
On the eve of Holocaust Remembrance Day, Finnish Ambassador Max Jakobson, a former contender for the post of Secretary General of the United Nations, will tell the extraordinary story of how Jews in Finland were saved during World War II to a prominent American Jewish audience.
Contact: Rebecca Neuwirth, TTS Executive Director, at (212) 891-1403
WHEN: Monday, April 8, 2002—7 P.M.
WHERE: The Embassy of Finland, 3301 Massachusetts Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C.
The American Jewish Committee’s Thanks To Scandinavia foundation in cooperation with the Embassy of Finland has arranged for this unique program to recognize the moral power of democracy and the little-known story of how the great majority of Jews in Finland were saved during World War II.
Other noted appearances include His Excellency Jukka Valtasaari, Ambassador of Finland; Ambassador Richard Schifter, Chair of the American Jewish Committee International Relations Commission; and Richard Netter, President and Co-Founder of Thanks To Scandinavia. Paula Jaakkola, a vocalist and recipient of a Thanks To Scandinavia scholarship for jazz study at The New School, will perform Jewish and Finnish songs with piano accompaniment by Jared Shapiro.
On Nov. 17, 2000, Thanks To Scandinavia and the American Jewish Committee commended Finnish Prime Minister Lipponen for apologizing for his country’s extradition of eight Jews to Nazi Germany in 1942. “We support Prime Minister Lipponen’s honesty and bravery in recognizing errors in judgement and behavior that caused the loss of valuable lives,” said Thanks To Scandinavia President Richard Netter. “At the same time, we reaffirm our thanks to Finland for the extraordinary care is showed to the great majority of its Jewish citizens during the darkest period in our history.”
Thanks To Scandinavia (www.ThanksToScandinavia.org) is a scholarship fund founded by Victor Borge and New York attorney Richard Netter in 1963 to pay tribute to the countries and people who rescued Jews during the Second World War.
Feature
RSVP NOW! TTS Dinner Benefit on Feb 28
Thanks To Scandinavia is very excited to announce that on Tuesday, February 28th we will be hosting our very first dinner benefit at Swedish star chef Marcus Samuelsson’s hot new restaurant, Red Rooster. Rather than waiting for months to get a seat at this sold out restaurant, why not join us for an evening of [...]
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