Our Freedom: Then and Now

Bonus Episode Our Freedom Then and Now, Mikaela and Miriam Freedman

In this bonus episode of Our Freedom: Then and Now, Mikaela Agranati reflects on the life of survivor Miriam Freedman, who spent more than a year hiding in an impossibly confined space with her family. Mikaela explores how Miriam later turned to meditation to face the shadows of her past, and how knowing her has profoundly shaped Mikaela’s own journey of self-discovery. Through Miriam’s resilience, Mikaela has learned what empathy can look like in practice: noticing others, creating space for their stories, and carrying forward the quiet strength of those who came before.

Bonus Episode Our Freedom then and now; Josh reflects on Leon Greenman OBE

In this bonus episode of Our Freedom: Then and Now, Josh Rocker reflects on meeting survivor Leon Greenman when he was just seven years old, an encounter that shaped him in ways he only fully understands now. Josh traces Leon’s extraordinary post-war life, shaped by a promise he made in the camps: to warn the world about the dangers of fascism, no matter the cost. Leon’s fierce commitment made him a target of the far right; a brick was once thrown through his window, forcing him to live behind wire mesh again, a haunting echo of his past. Through Josh’s eyes, we see how one survivor’s courage, clarity, and refusal to stay silent can leave an enduring mark on the next generation.

Bonus Episode Our Freedom Then and now; Jack remembers Rebecca

In this bonus episode of Our Freedom: Then and Now, Jack Nicholls reflects on the life of Rebecca Groen from the Netherlands,  a relative whose story has long been defined only by her death in Auschwitz. With so few details surviving, Jack sets out to rediscover who Rebecca was during her 71 years of life, hoping to bring back some of the everyday colour and humanity that has been lost over time. Jack’s reflection is a gentle attempt to remember Rebecca as more than a victim; to acknowledge the full life she lived, not only the way her life ended.

Bonus Episode Our Freedom Then and Now: Eitan connects with Rudy Kennedy

In this bonus episode of Our Freedom: Then and Now, Eitan reflects on his art piece and the life of Rudy Kennedy, whom he has chosen to commemorate. As a child, Eitan never felt able to ask the questions he wished to ask about Rudy’s past. Returning to the story now, as an adult, and reading Rudy’s unpublished memoirs has given him the chance to understand his life in a deeper, more personal way. Eitan’s artwork uses everyday objects as figurines to tell Rudy’s story. A story of refusing to see himself as a victim, building a successful life after the war, and leading the fight for justice for former slave labourers. This episode is Eitan’s tribute to a man whose strength, determination, and integrity continue to inspire him.

Bonus Episode Our Freedom Then and Now. Noa Geras remembers Lea Deutsch

In this bonus episode of Our Freedom: Then and Now, Noa Geras reflects on the life of Lea Deutsch, the celebrated child actress from Zagreb whose brilliance was extinguished by the Holocaust. Noa threads Lea’s story together with her own family history, including the shadows cast by the war in the 1990s and the ways her mother tried to shield her children from the harshness of that time. Through Lea’s brief but luminous life, Noa explores how stories can travel across generations, shaping families far beyond their own time. For Noa and her family, Lea Deutsch has become a touchstone of strength, vulnerability, and the enduring need to protect the young from the world’s darkest chapters.