Lives To Save: The Rescuers

Within the deadly gloom of the Holocaust, there were signs of humanity. We think little about the individuals, be they ordinary citizens, clergy, politicians, monarchs – even nations – who helped countless Jews survive the Holocaust. Among those who helped, many are unknown to us. Here then, are only a few who have come to light. In theatrical dramatizations, here are our lessons. A Special Jury Award was presented by the Judah Magnes Museum, Berkeley, CA.
Isaak Dostis & Diana Sunrise, Writers, Actors
Nick Levitin, Director
David Gordon,Music
Time: 55 minutes

Reviews

Your performance was almost palpable.
 Library, Franklin Lakes, NJ

People are still talking about how moved they were by your performances.
  Temple Beth Shalom, Fair Lawn, NJ

Thank you for your sensitive and tender production. Its message of a ‘glimmer of light even when it is the darkest’ can only bring understanding and reassurance. (It) makes it apparent that you have touched an important nerve.
 YM&YWHA, Wayne, NJ

A stunning, immensely powerful and moving drama. Isaac and Diana are first rate actors assuming many different roles with enormous skill and ease…one poignant incident after another. Audiences will long remember this play.
 Library, Ridgewood, NJ

A stunning, immensely powerful and moving drama. Isaac and Diana are first rate actors assuming many different roles with enormous skill and ease…one poignant incident after another. Audiences will long remember this play.
 Library, Ridgewood, NJ

The presentation far surpassed my expectations. You’re portrayals of the various people involved were sensitive and convincing, as it speaks of an important theme.
 B’nai B’rith Hillel Foundation, Brooklyn College, NYC

The actors succeeded in keeping 150 12^th graders in the middle of final exams spell bound.
 Municipal High School, Herzlia, Israel

All pre-production details were handled with such expertise and professionalism that it truly was a pleasure to arrange a showing.
 Jewish Federation of Kingston, NY

The play affected us deeply, touching our hearts and minds. You made the characterizations live for us.
 Unitarian Fellowship, Morristown, NJ

Your performances were profoundly moving.
 Friends of the Library, Cresskill, NJ

“Lives To Save” was enjoyed by all and also provided an educational experience.
 Library, Belleville, NJ

An original and powerful play which was uniquely conceived and professionally present. It will remain etched in the mind and influence our moral judgment transcending the Holocaust into everyday life.
 Parents Without Partners, Ramapo, NJ

All we heard from the audience was praise.
 Sisterhood of Janina, Queens, NY

Only once before in my eighteen years here have I seen so attentive an audience. Students who were considered inattentive displayed a level of concentration that was complete and intense. The new information you provided gave a particular perspective to the Holocaust for us to study.
 Morris County College, Randolph, NJ

Both student and staff evaluations were overwhelmingly positive.
 Regional HS, Watchung, NJ

I hope that thousands will have the opportunity of sharing your drama. It is a significant one for all of us.
 Wilshire Boulevard Temple, Los Angeles, CA

A ‘living gallery’ of the righteous; I was impressed by the structure of the play and how it moved along, each sketch adding some new dimension to the attributes of the righteous.
 Realto United Methodist Church, Clarement, CA

They presented the play to our 8^th grade students. The papers students wrote contained glowing comments about the performers and pensive remarks about the subject matter. They were moved by the material presented.
 Abraham Clark HS, Roselle, NJ

The play was put on wonderfully. The acting was believable and the dialogue was well written. Valerie (student) The acting duo of Isaac and Diana is unsurpassed at their art. The characters they presented seemed larger than life.
 Christine(student)

This is one of the most moving and evocative performances I have ever seen.They won the hearts and moved our souls. I heartily recommend the play.
 Stephen Wise Free Synagogue, NYC

We had one of the most powerful assembly programs I have ever seen presented to our 8^th and 9^th grade students. The performers were excellent actors and the theme was so touching and poignant that our students were deeply engrossed in the performance.
 Principal, Warren Hills Regional Jr HS, Washington, NJ

At the conclusion of the play I was asked to say a few words, but I was so moved by the performance that I couldn’t manage to say anything. 8^th and 9^th grade students also felt the impact even though sitting on hard bleachers.
 Warren Hills Regional Jr HS, Washington, NJ

Your performance was stupendous. The manner in which you brought your characters alive resonated through the audience.Both Jews and non Jews learned in an exciting and vibrant way of the miraculous work done by the righteous.
 Hillel Jewish Student Center, University of Miami, FL

This play is an important, useful, informative and moving production that clearly draws the audience in, captivates as it elevates and touches all who witness it. The stories become alive and the actors, real people. It was an inspiring and important performance which was universally appreciated.
 Center for Holocaust Studies, Brookdale Community College, Lincroft, NJ

I left feeling a great sense of release and relief. There were good decent people even through those darkest days.
 University of Miami, FL

Your willingness to participate, your phenomenal creative energies, the powerful message you offered to the participants and the Teaneck High School students, as well as the emotional “bonding” you attained with all those individuals you met, are warmly appreciated.You are both unique and wonderful individuals.
 Public School, Teaneck, NJ

The content of the material and your ability to develop a dialogue with the audience helped each student internalize the message. Students have commented that this is one of the most effective moments in their class room education.
 Ramapo HS, Franklin Lakes, NJ

The response to the program has been overwhelming. We have received letters, phone calls and students, faculty, and administration have stopped us in the halls to speak about the program.
 Bergen Community College, Paramus, NJ

As one student wrote, “I’m glad someone opened our eyes to the righteous. We learned so little about this group in our classes.”
 Social Studies Department, River Dell Regional Schools, River Edge, NJ

…Absolutely compelling as evidenced by the 7^th – l0th graders being so totally absorbed and attentive!. I was even more impressed with your follow up discussion. Holocaust education must result in a greater awareness of righteous behavior.
 Reform Temple, Suffern, NY

Both the Middle and High School students were riveted. You certainly made an impact on them. I want to make special mention of the important dialogue you entered into with the students after the performance on the subject of moral courage.
 Solomon Schechter Day School, Cranford, NJ

Your presentation was highly dramatic and left the students with a greater sense of moral courage. I enjoyed your previewing specific vocabulary with the youngsters. This helped them focus on the lesson in hand. It was a very rewarding experience.
 River Dell Regional Jr HS, River Edge, NJ

Students leaving the library after the performance commented that it was one of the best things they had ever seen. Staff members shared the students’ opinion. It was truly moving.
 Asst. Principal, Public School, Glen Rock, NJ

Your play and discussion that you led afterwards was perhaps the best event this summer. The scholars all l00 of these talented rising high school seniors found their attention, their moral questioning, and their hope for the future captivated by your presentation.
 Governor’s School, Monmouth College, West Long Branch, NJ

The quality of your presentation of scenes was every bit as impressive as the wonderful strength of conviction that so obviously prompted it. That we could be so well entertained even as we were profoundly informed, is a tribute both to your talents and to your dedication.
 Regis High School, NYC

Your show is so brilliant and thought provoking. I couldn’t get it out of my mind throughout the day.
 Public Library, South Orange, NJ

Your program held student interest from start to finish. Kudos to you for the fine work you are doing.
 High School, Milburn, NJ

I believe true learning occurs only when we involve people on a personal and emotional level. Your presentation accomplished this. The students will not forget.
  North Hunterdon HS, Annandale, NJ

The performance was of exceptional quality and very moving. Two thumbs up.
 Junior HS, Claremont, CA

I was very much impressed by your moving performance…very realistic and heroic.
 Union County College, NJ

The actors did a superb job in acting, educating and sensitizing students to the Holocaust.
 Memorial Jr HS, Whippany, NJ

Thanks for bringing to life the experience of the Holocaust. It’s something far more important than information from pages in a book.
 West Morris HS, Mendham, NJ

A sensitive and insightful portrayal.
 Mt. Hebron School, Montclair, NJ

We could almost feel how the rescuers felt.
 Waterloo County Holocaust Committee, Kitchener, Canada

I am amazed how you bring these individuals to life.Your acting is natural, real and filled with love…
 Holocaust Remembrance Committee, Jewish Federation, Toronto, Canada

…one of the most thought provoking, enlightening experiences we have had.
 St. Cassian Church, Upper Montclair, NJ

A wonderful and enriching presentation for our 4^th and 5^th graders. It helped our efforts in teaching our young students about the Holocaust.
 Campbell School, Metuchen, NJ

The sketches offered the participants of the teachers seminar, insights into a special aspect of the Holocaust, moved many of them to tears, and left them motivated to incorporate drama techniques into the teaching of this vital subject matter.
 Holocaust Seminar, Ramapo College, Mahwah, NJ

You truly have a great gift. It is extremely rare for any performer to captivate our entire student body of behaviorally problematic children, almost riveting their attention, but the most important aspect of your performance is the message.
 Windsor High School, Morristown, NJ

Truly outstanding and memorable. Two thumbs up!!!The audience praise was unanimous.
  Men’s Club, Temple Beth Am, Parsippany, NJ

The moving portrayal of the rescuers added another dimension to our understanding of the horrors and heroes of the time. Teaching about the heroes is too often neglected.
  Boonton Middle School, Boonton, NJ

My whole body is just “churning” and I became short of breath with eyes tearing.Your performance was so meaningful. Thank you for your efforts for world peace!!
 Archie and Carol Eisler, Bayonne, NJ

An inspiration to faculty and students alike. You have embodied the ideal in education.
 Ft. Lee HS, Fort Lee, NJ

Gripping, moving and informative. It was a performance that the adults and children will never forget.
  Union School, Rutherford, NJ

Enlightenment can eliminate bias and hatred. On behalf of the awestruck audience, the department of recreation and community affairs thanks you.
 Cynthia Bachoo, Dayton, NJ

A tribute to “accentuating the positive.”
 Grace Plater, Kendall Park, NJ

Please accept our overwhelming appreciation for your outstanding performance and the wonderful work you both do on behalf of prejudice reduction.
 Communications Dept, College of St. Elizabeth, Morristown, NJ

We had the golden opportunity to witness this fine production. Being made aware of a positive aspect of the Holocaust was something new to everyone.
  Queen of Peace Elementary School, North Arlington, NJ

Two very gifted and talented actors.
 Academic Affairs, County College of Morris,Randolph, NJ

One of the most moving and poignant presentations ever given here. It was well received by Jews and Christians alike.The universal themes came through loud and clear. I sensed a bonding in the room when your play came to an end.So captivating and genuine, we thought that we were reliving the experiences and feelings by the characters you portrayed. The highest bravos to you.
 Senior Center, Fair Lawn, NJ

A most useful educational film.
  Center for Holocaust & Genocide Studies, Ramapo, NJ

The lessons of the rescuers is entirely appropriate for our community programs.
  US Holocaust Memorial Museum, Washington, DC

We were impressed & delighted with the work you’ve done here.
 Cultural Diversity Fieldbook, Amherst, MA, Santa Cruz, CA

More than just a show, it is an experience.
  English Department, Herzlia Municipal HS, Israel

The effect of a few simple props & the skill of the actors is amazing. I’d like to see more … your potential is certainly apparent.
  Canadian Jewish News, Ontario, Canada