The Child Musician’s Searches for Meaning: Children of the Holocaust who Survived Thans to Their Playing and Later, as adults, Engaged in it As Their Life’s Mission

What was the pivotal moment in the Second World War
that caused Shmuel to shut his eyes while playing the harmonica
near Crematorium no. 3 in Auschwitz-Birkenau?
How did he get back the harmonica that was taken from him?
And what was the vow he made when he realized it had saved his life?

What tunes did Yosef play on the harmonica
for the German soldiers
in the Sajmište concentration camp in Belgrade, Yugoslavia?

For which competition was the lullaby “ Ponary”
(Yiddish: Shtiler Shtiler) written in the Vilnius ghetto
by 11-year-old Alex?

What was the repertoire of the 100 concerts
that Alice played for the Germans, their guests,
and the prisoners of the Theresienstadt ghetto?

 The four heroes of my lecture-concert have a great deal in common.
First and foremost, music saved their lives.
Although they were lone survivors at the end of the war,
and despite the many grave difficulties they experienced,

each of them found the profound will
to recover from the traumas,
and shared an insight that for them music
is a life-saving sustenance,
a calling, and a mission for the future generations.
Each of them built a significant musical endeavor
for Israel’s children next generations?

 The inspiring story of the four child musicians
will be accompanied by touching video clips,
a rich PowerPoint presentation, and exquisite and moving live music.