"A story kept quiet for decades..."
See the film "Vital Passage" at our Annual Meeting on Sunday, December 12th
The Michiana Jewish Historical Society invites you to join us for our Annual Meeting and South Bend’s premiere screening of the documentary “Vital Passage,” a Holocaust rescue story produced locally by the Goshen College Communication Department. We will also feature a short Q&A session following the screening with the film’s executive producer and subject, Steve Gruber.
When: Sunday, December 12th; meeting @ 1:30 PM, followed by film @ 2 PM
Where: The History Museum, 808 W. Washington St., South Bend, IN 46601
Who’s invited: Everyone! Bring your family and friends for this FREE event, but please make sure to register using the button below.
Registration required — seating is limited — masks required.
If you would like to support the Michiana Jewish Historical Society in our effort to bring FREE, high quality events, such as this one, to our community, then please click here for more information on how you can make a donation.
Special thanks to Lynda Simon, Ina & Irv Rosenberg and David & Barbara Lerman for their sponsorship of this upcoming event.
Watch the trailer for “Vital Passage,” and read a short synopsis below.
The discovery of a lockbox buried in the basement of a former Jewish midwestern merchant's store would unlock a half century old secret. The papers inside would reveal a family's story of rescue, sacrifice and courage. In the late 1930's, David and his son Sidney Plaut owned a small shop in Goshen, Indiana. The Plauts witnessed first hand the persecution of the Jews in Germany.
They decided to take action by sponsoring and assisting 28 Jewish refugees immigrate into the United States. This documentary chronicles their amazing story as they risked their business and livelihood to provide a vital passage for Jews escaping the Holocaust.
This feature documentary production is the result of a 4 year collaboration between Sidney Plaut's grandson (Steve Gruber) and the Goshen College Communication Department’s FiveCore Media. The Michiana Jewish Historical Society also had a hand in assisting with early research for the project, and our very own Maggie Goldberg makes an appearance in the film.
NOTICE: Film contains some disturbing Holocaust images. Viewer Discretion is Advised.