The Ackerman Center Podcast

This is a two-part series exploring the life and legacy of Rutka Laskier, through music, memory and family. Rutka, a 14 year old Jewish girl chronicled three months of her life in her diary in 1943. In Part I- Dr. Nils Roemer talks to Amy Langer and David Schwarz- the producers of "Rutka: A New Musical". They delve into the making of the musical- a moving adaptation of Rutka's diary that invites audiences to experience her teenage voice through song and performance. In Part II- Dr. Mehak Burza speaks with Prof. Zahava Scherz, Rutka's half sister, who learned of Rutka's existence decades after the Holocaust. Zahava's poignant reflections open a rare and deeply personal window into the legacy of a sister she never met and a life cut short during the Holocaust. As we commemorate the birthdays of both Anne Frank and Rutka Laskier, this episode is not a comparison but a convergence- a tribute to two young girls who documented their truth in the face of unimaginable darkness.

In this episode, Dr. Mehak Burza interviews Mr. Maziar Bahari—acclaimed journalist, filmmaker, and author of "Then They Came for Me", a New York Times best seller. Mr. Bahari discusses the Sardari Project, an initiative shedding light on Abdol Hossein Sardari, an Iranian diplomat who saved Jews during the Holocaust. Mr. Bahari explores his pioneering work with IranWire, a platform for citizen journalism, and the challenges of telling nuanced, untold stories from marginalized communities. He further reflects on the power of storytelling to shape memory, justice, and resilience in the face of censorship and repression.

We had the honor of speaking with Dr. Suki John, a choreographer, scholar, and activist, about her powerful initiative "The Sh’ma Project". In this episode, Dr. Hanno Berger dives deep into the origins, meaning, and impact of this interdisciplinary work that blends dance, memory, and healing. The Sh’ma Project is more than a performance — it’s a journey through trauma, resilience, and cultural legacy.

Join Julie Brill in an evocative conversation with Dr. Nils Roemer and Dr. Mehak Burza as they embark on a powerful journey through her new memoir, Hidden in Plain Sight: A Family Memoir and the Untold Story of the Holocaust in Serbia. Brill uncovers long-buried family secrets, tracing the harrowing experiences of her father in Nazi-occupied Serbia. Brill reflects on how these revelations not only reshape her understanding of the past but also her very identity. This intimate dialogue illuminates the intersection of personal history, trauma, and the haunting legacies of war, revealing stories that have remained hidden in plain sight for generations.

In this insightful 13 minute conversation, Dr. Mehak Burza sits down with Mr. Ron Schwarz, the author of "Quiet Strength of Resilience" who briefly discusses the book, sharing the inspiration behind it and the powerful story of his father's journey. He works in the information services area and owns two companies: one that publishes directories for the legal sector and another that publishes different databases for the pharmaceutical industry. He serves on an advisory board to the Dean of the School of Education at the University of Wisconsin and on the advisory council to the Director of the Ackerman Center for Holocaust Studies at the University of Texas at Dallas.