Moving through the world with a voice that is always impassioned, Suzanne Cohn isn't one to whisper. But she had to as a hidden child, in 8 different Christian homes throughout the Polish countryside. She even hid, breathless, behind a Christmas tree while 3 Nazi soldiers searched one of them.  Listen to Suzanne recount this and other vivid memories from an unfathomable time.  She can still hear the first cries of her baby sister being born in hiding, and thinking she was a gift from above just for her. She can still taste the barley soup she received in a country hospital when she was so ill, her parents had no choice but to risk her coming out of hiding for her to get the medical attention she needed. She can still see the field of poppies her father showed her from the window of their room in the DP camp. Speaking of hidden, find out what was sewn inside the first stuffed animal Suzanne was given, as her family sailed to Australia to begin their new lives. This is Part 2 of a two-part conversation with Suzanne which took place towards the end of the pandemic. The way she experienced the quarantine, undoubtedly unique to anyone who survived the Holocaust, will inspire you. This episode is dedicated to every member of Suzanne's extended, adopted Christian family, who did so much to save her own family. The music for this episode is drawn from songs sung by the Keystone State Boychoir, who sang for Suzanne at her 80th birthday party. "O Holy Night," with soloist Bobby Hill, was recorded live with the Prague Symphony Orchestra, not far from Terezin Concentration Camp. Terezin (or Thereienstadt in German) is the setting for the play dedicated to Suzanne, The Last Boy...a new play with music. You can join Suzanne on Wednesday, April 27th, 2022 at 6pm for a one night-only performance of the show, "a benefit on Broadway...a Yom HaShoah to remember."  To learn more about what promises to be an extraordinary evening, join the e-list here.  Pictured is Suzanne (2nd from left) after the war, with her mother and siblings. To Suzanne's right is her younger sister Wendy, to her left is her older sister Rachel holding their baby brother Georgie. 

Imagine you making the sign of the cross and saying your prayers at night just as you were taught, but it seems to make your mother sad.  In fact, every time you do, she cries. She's grateful that you know them, because they are the very reason you are still alive. But it breaks her heart because she knows what you as a little girl do not...you are Jewish. Imagine a year in a ghetto, days under a school auditorium stage, weeks in a factory utility closet, several years either hiding in a Christian home or posing as the owners' relatives.  Imagine arriving in Australia, knowing no one, but grateful you have survived and are finally free to start your life again. And then imagine meeting a young man from abroad, who calls you after he's returned home, and asks you to join him half way across the world to start over yet again. Imagine living the American dream in ways you could never fathom, but never forgetting - in the words of your father - that what matters most is not what you own, but what is in your heart and mind because no one can take that away from you. Meet Suzanne Cohn, a hidden survivor, who finds all of this still hard to imagine even though she's lived it.  Hate denied Suzanne's grandmother a long life. As a child, Suzanne witnessed her being selected by the Nazis, who would have her dig a her own grave and then murder her. As the 59 year-old matriarch was taken away, she predicted a long, fruitful one for her granddaughter, and that premonition has been realized. Fruitful in many ways, but what has remained central in Suzanne's mind and heart, is family.  The soundtrack for this two part episode is drawn from songs sung by the Keystone State Boychoir for Suzanne at her 80th birthday party. Bobby Hill, soloist. You can join Suzanne at the one night-only Broadway benefit performance of the play dedicated to her, The Last Boy...a new play with music. To find out more, join the e-list here. 

This podcast has often remembered young men who never realized their potential because of hate and discrimination. Here's a young man who HAS - St. Louis Symphony Orchestra violist Michael Casimir. Michael was raised in West Philadelphia, a real life Fresh Prince of...Missouri. Unlike Will Smith's character, Michael was not troubled. In fact, his father's dedication to his son's musical future ensured Michael didn't have a lot of time to get in trouble.  But that's not to say he didn't have fun and get into a bit of mischief along the way - including his concert tour adventures in South Africa, Brazil, Alaska and Japan as a founding member of Keystone State Boychoir.  Michael recounts hilarious stories with his fellow choirboys, as well as how his experiences in a boychoir helped him achieve his dream.  He and host Steve Fisher also talk frankly about racism - not only in the world, but within ourselves. Don't miss Part 1 of a fascinating three part conversation with someone who has beat the odds. You can visit Michael's website here. The piece heard throughout this podcast is Handel/Halvorsen's Passacglia for violin and viola, with Elissa Lee Koljonen on violin and Michael Casimir on viola. To watch it on YouTube, click here. Join the e-list by clicking here and be entered into a drawing to win a trip to New York to see The Last Boy...a new play with music on Broadway, meet the cast backstage and attend the VIP after-party. 

 #011. What is it like to be the child of a Holocaust Survivor? What is it like to sit in an Off Broadway theatre and watch a play inspired by your father's story of rescuing the longest running underground publication of World War II. Don't miss this powerful, poignant first episode of Season 2 with Michele Taussig, eldest child of Terezin Concentration Camp survivor and the "last boy" Sidney Taussig. Did you know that The Last Boy podcast help inspired The Last Boy...a new play with music? If you didn’t see the world premier this past July in New York, you have not one but two chances this season - both Off Broadway and ON! To purchase tickets ahead of the public, for special offers, and to be entered into a drawing to win a trip to New York to see The Last Boy a new play with music on Broadway and meet the cast, sign up for The Last Boy e-list here. 

#010. Welcome to the Season 1 finale of "The Last Boy." This episode was live streamed in audio and video on the eve of Michael Gruenbaum's 90th birthday. If you'd like to SEE as well as hear this very special gathering to celebrate Michael's milestone, visit fishermannpodcasts.com. By becoming a member you will have exclusive access to this video, and other special videos. Thanks to all the listeners, subscribers and members around the world.  Stay tuned for Season 2! On behalf of Sid, Michael, Inge, and all the children of Terezin, until next time..Peace...Mír...Frieden...Shalom...As-salamu alaikum.

#009. Don't miss more of Sid and Marion's "Harry met Sally" exchanges that will warm your heart. So will Vedem entries about summer and autumn. Sid recalls the summer marriage of Dorm Number 1 leader Valtr Eisinger. He also remembers summer flies, bed bugs and fleas!, as well as the infamous Red Cross visit. The season of autumn brought back for Sid more harrowing memories, like the 12-hour "Terezin Census" that the Nazis carried out after a few prisoners escaped. And for anyone who survived Terezin, fall surely evokes memories of the transports of September and October, 1944. They were the last to leave Terezin before the war's end, taking over 18,000 people east to Auschwitz. Most of them would not survive. But their spirit lives on when you listen! Please do, subscribe, download and review. And share with a friend! More show notes and links are here.

#008. In their magazine Vedem, the boys of Terezin's Dorm Number One captured the seasons vividly, resulting in some of the most poignant entries in this underground publication - the longest running one of the Holocaust. They tell the story of not only the transformation of the earth throughout the seasons as they saw it behind the fortress walls of Terezin, but of their own transformation. Sid and his friends not only were robbed of a carefree childhood, but of a dignified coming of age. But Sid and Marion's "Harry met Sally" exchange will make you laugh. And hearing them laugh together after 67 years of marriage (and counting!) is a wonderful reminder that in the end, hate lost.

#007. The previous episode was Part I of this important conversation about Cancel Culture and anti-Semitism - in the past and in the present. In this episode, Part II, Steve spends time with survivor Michael Gruenbaum, who has some incredible insights about the DeSean Jackson post and Holocaust survivor Ed Mosberg's non-Cancel Culture approach to the controversy. Warning: as a former fellow "Eagle," Michael doesn't let Mr. Jackson off so easy.  As in Part I, larger questions around forgiving vs. hating are explored.

For more detailed show notes, links and resources for this episode, click here.

#006. When Eagles wide receiver DeSean Jackson posted an anti-Semitic quote on Instagram, many were quick to call for him to be fired. But Holocaust survivor Edward Mosberg chose a different path and invited the NFL player to dialogue, and to travel with him to Auschwitz so Jackson can learn firsthand about the evils of the Nazis. In this first part of this conversation, host Steve Fisher has 3 questions for YOU the listener around 3 different stories involving anti-Semitism - both in the past and the present. He then speaks to survivors Sidney Taussig and Inge Auerbacher and asks them the same questions. When do you forgive? Is "not hating" the same thing as "forgiving?" You’ll be surprised at who thinks what.

The following episode, Episode 7 is part two of this important conversation, featuring survivor Michael Gruenbaum.

For more detailed show notes, links and resources for this episode, click here.

#005. Can you imagine making your Bar Mitzvah in a concentration camp?  The Last Boy, Sid Taussig, did in a secret prayer room in Terezin. Special guest, 12 year old Max Ringold compares notes with Sid, as Max prepares for his Bar Mitzvah. His teacher Lisa Litman joins us for a fascinating and fun conversation.  Also joining us is special guest, goat volunteer Josh Ziegler, who just made his Bar Mitzvah… on Zoom! He shares with us a silver lining of virtual services...goats at your service!