Gerda Weissmann Klein speech

The response to Gerda Weissmann Klein's visit to Laredo was phenomenal!

"I've never seen such a reaction in fifty years of speaking." - Ms. Klein

Food was stacked on and all around a table from people who brought cans so they could get in. People were dying to get her autograph, or just a glimpse of Ms. Klein.

We had about 1900 people attend her speech at the Laredo Civic Center. All day Thursday, we had people calling us and asking us how to get a ticket.

This was a better response than we had ever hoped! The first year of One City, One Book was a definite success.

Pictures up soon.

2nd Documentary Screening

Another full crowd at the second documentary screening, and about fifty people brought canned food in order to get tickets because they had heard about it from their friends and co-workers. The One City, One Book concept has been tremendously successful. The goal of getting the city talking about one book, one issue, and "all on the same page" has certainly been reached. From the discussions before and after the screenings it is clear that people of all ages, faiths and walks of life have a common dream - to help each other exist in peace and prosperity. The mission now is to continue to spread the word that everyone, working side by side, taking small steps, can reach that dream. It just takes one person at a time to open a door and allow another person entrance to the world of hope and promise. Working together, the entire wall can come down.

Laredo Center for the Arts Reception

Poems, food, celebrity readers and war stories resonated around the Laredo Center for the Arts as a modest group braved the rain and interacted about Gerda W. Klein's experiences and how they mirrored the lives of many during the war. Mr. John Valls, who recently recieved a bronze star, spoke of opening the gates of a prison camp, capturing enemy soldiers, and escaping death without knowing how he did so. His stories of war and constant death were interspersed with more lighthearted moments as he recounted stealing Oskar Schindler's handkerchiefs and being sent to the infantry after he told his commander that he would not fly in a plane if he could not be the pilot. Mr. Valls also brought tangible memories through photos, magazines, awards and letters. The audience members asked him questions about his experience and applauded his bravery and his speaking ability. His session was followed by an open mic, with audience members reading their own poetry. Afterwards, part of the Celebrity Reader DVD was shown. Throughout the evening the crowd was able to munch on fruits and vegetables provided by RC Foodservice and Produce and drinks provided by Southern Distributing. Steve Gutierrez, who organized the event, also brought snacks, as well as entertainment.

Documentary screenings

One hundred thirteen people attended the first screening of the Academy Award winning documentary, One Survivor Remembers, based on Gerda Weissmann Klein's book, All But My Life. Approximately half were new attendees who had not been to a book discussion, but were brought by friends or family. Most stayed afterwards for a discussion of what they had seen. Many brought food to donate. Those who had attended a book discussion and the documentary or who had brought food were given their ticket to the September 11 lecture.

People who attended a book discussion, but who missed this documentary screening, have one more chance at 6:00 p.m. Tuesday, September 9. Tickets will be passed out then. Anyone who missed the discussion, but who wishes to attend simply needs to bring five non perishable food items to the library Tuesday evening and you can receive a ticket. You can also stay to see this wonderful documentary as a way to prepare for Ms. Klein's visit.

Remember, everyone is invited to the screening, but only those with tickets may attend the lecture on September 11.

September 4 Book Discussion

As we had hoped, the third book discussion was the biggest of the three, with an attendance of 120 people. We are celebrating the success of the program and looking forward to next week's events.

Don't forget to attend one of the documentary screenings!

Screenings of One Survivor Remembers
• September 6: 3:00-5:00 PM
• September 9: 6:00-8:00 PM

Get your ticket before time runs out!

Time to get your tickets to the G.W. Klein speech is running out. We are receiving many phone calls from people who want to purchase tickets. The cost is attendance at a book discussion (the last one is September 4) and a documentary screening (September 6 and 9), or 5 non-perishable items to help alleviate hunger. Bring your 5 items today to the Laredo Public Library or to the library at John B. Alexander High School.

Ms. Klein has said that she is so touched by the community response that she can hardly wait until she gets to Laredo to see the group of people who are so giving and loving towards others.

Remember, you can buy Gerda Weissmann Klein's book at B. Dalton's located in Mall Del Norte.

Rachel Siegel to speak at library and civic center

The young author of Stories of Moral Courage in the Face of Evil, who was 12 years old when she started the project for her bat mitzvah, will be speaking, selling and signing her book from 1:00 to 3:00 PM at the HEB multipurpose room in the Laredo Public Library on September 11.

She will also speak at the Laredo Civic Center at 7:00 PM before Gerda Weissmann Klein's speech.

This is a great way for the younger community to connect to the Holocaust and Klein's message of tolerance. Siegel's book profiles non-Jews who heroically gave aid during World War II. The proceeds benefit those non-Jews.

If there are classes interested in seeing Miss Siegel speak at the library, please contact the library in advance as there is limited seating.
Contact Maria at the library: (956) 795-2400, extension 2225.

Articles on Miss Siegel:
Laredo Morning Times
People Newspapers