A look at Oscar Schindler

While there are many amazing stories of brave men and women who survived or helped others during the Holocaust, the life of German industrialist Oscar Schindler is one, in particular, that has captured the hearts of people around the world.

Schindler, an enamelware factory owner, used his business and social influence to save the lives of more than 1,000 Polish Jewish refugees during the Holocaust. His transformation from Nazi war profiteer to protector of Jews is the subject of several documentaries, the best-selling novel “Schindler’s List” (1982) by Thomas Keneally and an Academy award-winning film directed by Steven Spielberg.

In a 1964 interview, Schindler said he risked his life to save Jews because “The persecution of Jews in the General Government in Polish territory gradually worsened in its cruelty. In 1939 and 1940, they were forced to wear the Star of David and were herded together and confined in ghettos. In 1941 and 1942, this unadulterated sadism was fully revealed. And then a thinking man, who had overcome his inner cowardice, simply had to help. There was no other choice.”

Petalumans will have the opportunity to learn more about Schindler and view a number of Holocaust artifacts at “Schindler: The Exhibition,” opening Monday, Nov. 9 and continuing through Dec. 13 at the Petaluma Museum.

The exhibit is a traveling show created by the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington, D.C.

“This is a huge deal for the Petaluma Museum,” said Joe Noriel, Petaluma Museum president. “This particular exhibit hasn’t been shown on the West Coast before and the Holocaust Memorial Museum was looking for a venue for it. I was looking for exhibits for the museum and learned about this one and asked about having it come here. Getting an exhibit like this is not as easy as asking for it, but they thought Petaluma would be the ideal location for it. Plus, they thought our building was well-suited environmentally and aesthetically for the exhibit.”

The exhibit tells the story of Schindler’s life, focusing on the Jews he saved. It also includes a panel of the names of the Jews he helped.

“We’ve also expanded on this exhibit by including survivor presentations, period music and Holocaust art,” said Noriel. “The artifacts on display include arm bands, newspapers, apparel and artwork created by survivors and children of the Holocaust. There’s also going to be an exclusive display that deals with the movie, ‘Schindler’s List.’”

The exhibit opens on Nov. 9 with a special program commemorating the 71st anniversary of “Kristallnacht,” or “the Night of Broken Glass.” “Kristallnacht” takes its name from the night of Nov. 9, 1938, when the Nazis unleashed an unprecedented wave of organized violence against Germany’s Jews. This event is generally recognized as the beginning of the Holocaust.

The exhibit’s opening program will feature a prayer by a local rabbi and Mayor Pamela Torliatt reading a proclamation declaring the day as Holocaust Remem-brance Day in Petaluma. There will also be music and light refreshments.

For more information, call 778-4398 or visit www.petalumamuseum.com.

(Contact Yovanna Bieberich at yovanna.bieberich@argus courier.com)