On January 27, 2025, students from class 9.1 and the English advanced course (Q2) had the opportunity to attend a special film screening and discussion in Berlin-Kreuzberg. Organized by the U.S. Embassy and the Kreuzberger Initiative gegen Antisemitismus, the event featured the documentary A POCKETFUL OF MIRACLES: A TALE OF TWO SIBLINGS(USA, 2023), directed by Aviva Kempner.
Aviva Kempner, a Berlin-born filmmaker now based in Washington, D.C., has been producing award-winning documentaries about Jewish history and resilience for over four decades. In A POCKETFUL OF MIRACLES, she tells the story of her mother, Helen Ciesla Covensky, and her uncle, David Chase, tracing their lives from an idyllic childhood in Poland through the hardships of World War II and their emotional reunion after surviving the Holocaust.
Following the screening, students participated in a discussion with Aviva Kempner, who joined the event online. The Q&A session, conducted in English, allowed students to engage directly with the filmmaker, asking insightful questions about her work, the historical context, and the relevance of Holocaust remembrance today.
This event was a meaningful experience for all participants, providing valuable historical insights and encouraging reflection on the importance of remembrance. We thank the U.S. Embassy and the Kreuzberger Initiative gegen Antisemitismus for making this opportunity possible.
J. Rösener
