The Last Boy...the inspiring "Survivor Stories Podcast" that inspired the Broadway-bound play

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. 

#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!