Rodgers Center Fall Series Opens with Premiere Screening of “After Auschwitz”

Co-sponsored by 
Department of History •Department of Religious Studies,Wilkinson College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences • Civic Engagement Initiatives

September 13| 7 p.m.
Chapman Auditorium | Memorial Hall

In Jon Kean’s 2007 documentary
Swimming in Auschwitz
, six women—from different countries and diverse backgrounds—shared their unforgettable stories of surviving Auschwitz.

After Auschwitz
brings us into the next chapters of these remarkable women’s lives. Told by their liberators, “you’re free, go home,” the women faced the harsh reality of having neither homes nor families to whom they could return. Each of the six women had to decide where to go, what to do, and how “to become people again.”

All six immigrated to the United States and eventually settled in Los Angeles. They built new lives. They married, had children, and became active in their communities. They celebrated life, always aware of those who were missing. Ultimately, each woman had to find her own answer to the question, “Why did I survive?”

Santa Monica based film maker Jon Kean is a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania. He has created original theatre in Los Angeles and New York and has directed film since 1997. He is currently completing the documentary
Mythical Creatures
about artist Gary Baseman. Mr. Kean is a frequent speaker in Chapman University classes on the Holocaust.

Discussion following the screening with writer and director, Jon Kean,
and Holocaust survivor and witness, Renee Firestone.

Community Organizations Sharing Volunteer Opportunities In Memorial Hall Before The Screening

Admission is free. No tickets/reservations required.
Reserved seating is available for groups of 10 or more.
Contact Ashley Bloomfield at (714) 532-7760 or ambloom@chapman.edu to make group reservations.