Award-winning author to speak at Temple Habonim

BY ARIEL BROTHMAN

It took author Glenn Kurtz four years to track down the seven people seen in some 16 mm footage his grandfather shot in 1938 in Poland. Recorded in a small, predominantly Jewish community before its destruction during the Holocaust, the film was originally shot as a travel souvenir. That footage, which now serves as an archival view of the community, took Kurtz on a transcontinental journey to piece together the history of the community, and resulted in his award-winning book, “Three Minutes in Poland: Discovering A Lost World in a 1938 Family Film.”

In the book, Kurtz tells of his meetings and ultimately paints a picture of life in a pre-World War II town. It’s received national recognition on a number of levels. The Boston Globe, The New Yorker and National Public Radio all recognized his book on their lists of Best Books of 2014; and it received critical acclaim from the late Elie Wiesel.

When Temple Habonim’s Rabbi Andrew Klein heard Kurtz speak in a breakout group at a Union for Reform Judaism conference, he says the “presentation was just fascinating.”

“We were just blown away by his story … it was so touching, the way he brought people together. He brought survivors together, he brought people who saw their entire village being decimated … he was able to give life to those people in this film who were murdered,” he says.

When Klein returned to Barrington after the conference, he learned that one of his congregants had just read Kurtz’s book. Sparked by the experience of Kurtz’s presentation, the idea surfaced to have Kurtz present as part of the temple’s selichot service.

“For our selichot service, we always have a social and a program. Sometimes we show a film or have a concert,” explains Klein. “So this year, we’re having Glenn for that program … it’s such a good presentation and that added level of it being for the purpose of selichot – it’s just a great way to get ready for the holidays.”

Kurtz will speak for about an hour, and participate in a book signing.

Non-congregants are invited to this free program, and Klein believes that this is an opportunity for Jews throughout the region to come together and connect on common history.

“I think there are a lot of people who feel really passionate about the Holocaust, and who would really enjoy and get a lot out of the presentation,” says Klein.

“It’s just a great story, and he’s a great presenter.”

Kurtz will speak at Temple Habonim,  165 New Meadow Road, Barrington, on Sept. 24 at 7 p.m.

ARIEL BROTHMAN is a freelance writer who lives in Wrentham, Massachusetts.