We Remember: Songs of Survivors

Friday, Dec. 6, 2024 at 8 p.m. on KPBS 2 / Stream now with KPBS Passport!

“We Remember: Songs of Survivors” is a one-hour special celebrating the lives of Holocaust survivors through storytelling and music. The documentary will premiere the week of Yom HaShoah, Holocaust Remembrance Day, on Tuesday, April 26 on PBS.

The film follows four talented singer-songwriters who work for the community arts organization SageArts in New York’s Hudson Valley. Through a program offered by Jewish Family Service of Orange County, they visit local Holocaust survivors to create original songs based on their conversations. The film documents the relationships that develop and the songwriting process over many months, culminating in an emotional live concert where the survivors and songwriters are celebrated by friends, family and the community.

“At a time when the world is faced with the horrors of war and hatred, we wanted to tell this hopeful story of perseverance and love,” said Ilene Cutler, co-producer of “We Remember: Songs of Survivors.”

In-depth interviews with the survivors — Rita, Tibor, Tommy and Freide — and access to rare personal archives lead to revealing stories, many of which have been deeply buried in their memories for decades. At the same time, the songwriters — Michael, Jude, Kelleigh and Elizabeth — create video diaries to document their own thoughts and feelings about the experience of telling a Holocaust survivor’s story through song.

“Many documentaries exist about the Holocaust. However, few have taken such a unique approach to telling these horrific stories. We wanted to shed light on the devastating experiences of Holocaust survivors while celebrating the possibilities of healing through the power of music,” said Tim Miller, co-producer of “We Remember: Songs of Survivors.” “Little did we know this film, with its powerful message, would change the lives of both the survivors and songwriters.”

You can read the song lyrics

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Songwriters pose backstage prior to their concert honoring the lives of Holocaust survivors.

Courtesy of Ilene Cutler

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Songwriter Elizabeth Clark asks Friede Holocaust survivor Freide Gorewitz if she’ll share in her operetta-stylesong by singing a solo. (Freide was formerly a popular opera singer.)

Courtesy of Ilene Cutler

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Holocaust survivor Rita Schwartz reluctantly shares personal stories of loss with songwriter Michael Veitch as he prepares to share an early version of his song written about her life.

Courtesy of Tim Miller

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Songwriter Jude Roberts (right) presents an initial song concept to Holocaust survivor Tommy Wald (left) and wife Suzanne (center), at her nursing home.

Courtesy of Tim Miller

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Songwriter Kelleigh McKenzie exuberantly performs her song honoring Holocaust survivor Tibor Spitz.

Courtesy of Whitney Martin

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Holocaust survivor Tibor Spitz interrupts creative session with songwriter Kelleigh McKenzie to show off his Shofar chops.

Courtesy of Ilene Cutler

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Songwriters on stage for their finale honoring their Holocaust survivors.

Courtesy of Whitney Martin

Watch On Your Schedule: “We Remember: Songs of Survivors” is available to stream with KPBS Passport, a benefit for members supporting KPBS at $60 or more yearly, using your computer, smartphone, tablet, Roku, AppleTV, Amazon Fire or Chromecast. Learn how to activate your benefit now.

Credits: Produced by Tim Miller and Ilene Cutler. Written and edited by Timothy Guetterman. Zara Frankel is the executive in charge for PBS.