The U.S. Embasy is pleased to partner with the Jewish Youth Library in Ottawa to support the MS St. Louis Commemorative Project through a grant. The Project will be launched on Wednesday, January 25, 2012. Other programs will be held at local schools.
The MS St. Louis Commemorative Project will tell the story of the journey of the MS. St. Louis which set sail on May 13, 1939, from Hamburg, Germany to Havana, Cuba. Aboard were 937 mostly German Jewish refugees seeking safety from war-torn Europe. The ship was turned away from Cuba, United States and Canada and had to return to Europe.
Through this grant, the U.S. Embassy is supporting four participants at the launch, including:
Herbert Karliner, a survivor of the MS St Louis, will speak about his experience. In 1939, his family had set sail on the ship to freedom.
American Sara Loewenthal is the author of the children’s book Near, and Yet So Far: Klara’s Voyage on the MS St. Louis. Sara now works as a consultant for preschools and nurseries.
Both the illustrator of the book Nicholas Jackson and the muralist Michoel Muchnik will be in attendance. Their work not only brought to life the story behind Near, and Yet So Far: Klara’s Voyage on the MS St. Louis, but also helped captivate the audience with their beautiful art.
The public launch, by invitation only, of the MS St Lous Commemorative Project will take place at Ben Franklin Place, 101 Centrepointe Drive, Centrepointe Theatre, Ottawa.
For more information, please view the video: The MS St. Louis 70th Anniversary Commemoration Introduction
And visit the Jewish Youth Library website at http://www.jewishyouthlibrary.com/
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