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Program Highlights Gentiles' Help In Holocaust

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By MICHELLE BEARDEN

mbearden@tampatrib.com

Published: March 3, 2009

TAMPA - As the number of Holocaust victims and their rescuers dwindle, their tales of survival become even more important to preserve.

That's one of the reasons Joyce Hartmann puts so much time and energy into bringing "The Rescuers" to the stage.

"Extraordinary stories of conscience and courage by ordinary people," is how Hartmann, 74, describes the live theater/multimedia presentation. It features six true stories of "the righteous Gentiles" who saved Jews during the Holocaust more than 60 years ago.

"The Rescuers" will be performed at 11 a.m. Wednesday, for free, at Congregation Rodeph Sholom Synagogue, 2713 Bayshore Blvd., Tampa. Lunch will follow.

"Many people aren't even aware that non-Jews risked their own lives to save Jewish lives during this horrible time," Hartmann says. "These weren't just acts of charity. They literally became their brothers' keepers."

A dozen Christian and Jewish volunteers from three Bay area houses of worship form the cast.

"The Rescuers" is part of the Ann Zack Interfaith Program, an annual event sponsored by the Sisterhood of Rodeph Sholom. Zack, a synagogue member, dedicated her life to fostering understanding among religions.

"The Rescuers" was written and produced for the Ann Zack event in 2006. Last year, it was also presented at the regional conference of Catholic Women of the Diocese of St. Petersburg and at a communitywide meeting.

A DVD of the program is available upon request.

Hartmann has a personal reason for her interest in "The Rescuers." A Jew, she married Robert Hartmann, a divorced Catholic father of six and a professor of medicine at the University of South Florida.

Their interfaith marriage of nearly 30 years was a successful model of love and respect between people of different backgrounds and beliefs.

"He was an incredible man," Hartmann says of her late husband, who died in 2006. She says she will dedicate Wednesday's program to both Zack and her husband.

"They knew the real answer to making this world a better place. It's doing unto others as you wish they would do unto you," she says. "We need to consider that on the global level, and not let our differences destroy each other."

For information about Wednesday's presentation of "The Rescuers" or the DVD, call (813) 837-1911.

Reporter Michelle Bearden can be reached at (813) 259-7613.

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