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BSC Holocaust remembrance event shines light on a North Dakotan’s heroism

Published: Apr 26 2018
BSC Holocaust remembrance event shines light on a North Dakotan’s heroism - Photo
The Bismarck State College Embracing Diversity team is proud to work with The Jewish Community Relations Council of Minnesota and the Dakotas (JCRC), the North Dakota National Guard and the Video Arts Studios to host Bismarck’s Holocaust Remembrance Day observance events on Thursday, April 26, at 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. in the Basin Electric Auditorium inside the BSC National Energy Center of Excellence.
 
This Holocaust commemoration event at BSC is in observance of Yom HaShoah (Holocaust Remembrance Day) and will be marked by the showing of the documentary “The Mission of Herman Stern” followed by a three-person discussion panel.
 
“The Mission of Herman Stern” is the story of a North Dakota clothier who rescued more than 100 German Jews from the impending Holocaust in Europe. Herman Stern, himself a Jewish immigrant to the United States, began by sponsoring the immigration of relatives, and expanded his efforts during the thirties until he developed a plan to settle hundreds of Jewish refugees in North Dakota, and had begun raising money for that purpose. While the onset of the war in 1939 stalled the larger effort, Stern continued to sponsor refugees and was ultimately responsible for more than 125 people coming to America and safety. The film runs for 32 minutes.
 
The discussion panel following the documentary includes Steve Hunegs, executive director of the Jewish Community Relations Council of Minnesota and the Dakotas; Art Phillips, director/producer of the documentary film; and Carl Oberholtzer, history scholar, secondary lesson plan writer and producer.