The Power of Storytelling
These films bring the Jewish-American experience into focus through the power of personal story. Created for classrooms and communities across California, they respond to the state’s new ethnic studies mandate by offering authentic, human-centered narratives that deepen understanding and connection.
At the heart of this collection are Holocaust survivors—extraordinary educators whose voices have shaped thousands of students and teachers in the Bay Area. As we face the urgency of preserving their stories, these films capture not only what they endured, but how they rebuilt their lives and contributed to the communities around them.
Together, the films expand beyond familiar narratives to reflect the diversity of Jewish life, including voices from the former Soviet Union and beyond. They invite viewers to engage with history, challenge misconceptions, and consider the responsibilities we hold to one another today.
A Great Big Secret
Telling the story of Holocaust survivor and Bay Area resident Anita Magnus Frank, this film weaves together interviews, archival footage, and hand-drawn animation. Born in the Netherlands, Anita survived as a hidden child, an experience she kept largely unspoken for decades before choosing to share it with new generations. A member of the William J. Lowenberg Speakers Bureau, Anita has shared her story with students around the world, educating new generations about the Holocaust and the enduring impact of survival, resilience, and remembrance.
Nightingale
Tracing the remarkable journey of Liya Kushnirskaya Hoefling, this film follows her early life growing up Jewish in 1930s Ukraine and her escape from the Nazis soon after World War II began. After enduring antisemitism both during and after the war, Liya arrived in the United States in 1977 with just $8. Within a year, she was performing with the San Francisco Opera—reclaiming her voice and reconnecting with her Jewish identity through music and community.