My Polish Wisnia How My Grandfather Survived The Holocaust, Through Story & Song
Avi Wisnia shares the stories and songs of his late grandfather, Cantor David S. Wisnia. The “My Polish Wisnia” project traces David’s harrowing life journey from young Polish singing star to Auschwitz prisoner to American liberator with the 101st Airborne. Through it all, Cantor Wisnia’s remarkable singing voice helped save his life, especially in the Nazi concentration camp. Presented in multi-media presentations and concerts, My Polish Wisnia explores the importance of preserving David’s memories and experiences, as chronicled in his memoir “One Voice, Two Lives.” The project revolves around musical performances which highlight the powerful intergenerational connection between grandfather and grandson. The Wisnias most recently traveled to Poland to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz, their journey featured in the PBS documentary “How Saba Kept Singing.” By sharing his grandfather’s story, Avi highlights the urgency of keeping the memory of the Holocaust alive and passing on this legacy from generation to generation.
Upcoming Programs & News
How To Watch “How Saba Kept Singing”
The feature documentary “How Saba Kept Singing” is now available to watch on YouTube, and screening in select cities. To stream and watch the full version now on YouTube: CLICK HERE. Watch the documentary trailer: https://youtu.be/Bci5ofmK2FM Watch the full documentary: https://youtu.be/m84Uz8A14uE While a shorter version premiered on PBS in 2023, the full feature-length documentary (79min) […]
Taking Our Documentary On Tour
Since the premiere of “How Saba Kept Singing” on PBS TV earlier this Spring, the impact of our family documentary around the world has been overwhelming and heartwarming. I’m thrilled to have the opportunity to share this story with audiences around the world and in person this year, with several public screenings and community events […]
Watching a movie with Hillary Clinton
This was one of the most meaningful moments of my life. I was invited to participate in a film screening, performance, and post-film talkback at the Chappaqua Performing Art Center in New York. Yes, I finally got to meet the Executive Producers of our film “How Saba Kept Singing” (and if you do get a […]
How We Made A Movie
How did our film “How Saba Kept Singing” come to be?Let me introduce you to Director Sara Taksler: Sara attended the New Jersey synagogue where my father was rabbi for many years. Our families knew each other well. We grew up together. I reconnected with Sara many years later in NYC where she had become […]
Connecting to my Grandfather’s Music on Holocaust Remembrance Day
Today is International Holocaust Remembrance Day, and I’m thinking about my grandfather. My grandfather was a great singer. The music world he came from was very different than mine. And yet, the more time we spent together performing, the more I got to know him as a person and as a musician, the more I became […]
Story
My Polish Wisnia: Poland Part 1 – Prelude
My grandfather is a survivor. He survived the Warsaw ghetto, the Auschwitz death camp, time in the army fighting alongside the Americans who brought him to the States. His story is a remarkable story, made all the more remarkable by the fact that he is able to tell it. This time I get to not […]
Poland Day 1
Dzień dobry, Poland! We made it. and my grandfather has already made fast friends with the Israeli Canadian on the bus, the Welsh couple eating lunch next to us, and the hotel concierge. Master Schmoozer at large. It’s the first night in Warsaw and i’ve already put on a show. Today is Grandfather’s Day, which is an actual […]
Poland Day 2
Before WWII, Poland had a thriving Jewish community. Over the course of the Nazi campaign, most of them – about 3,000,000 – were killed (along with 3mil Polish non-Jews), my grandfather’s entire family among them. Polish Judaism was decimated and never recovered, but there is now an exciting movement of “renewal” and revived Jewish activity […]
Poland Day 3
“A BEAUTIFUL THING” After spending the Sabbath with the Beit Warszawa community, it came time to mark the end of the Day of Rest with the ceremony of Havdallah. 3 young girls lit the twisted candle, and we all sang prayers to usher out Shabbat. As is their weekly tradition, the group then pulled me […]
Videos
How Saba Kept Singing film trailer
BuzzFeed Video: "How I Escaped The Holocaust"
Moishelach Shloimelach song
Seattle Holocaust Center: "How Music Saved My Grandfather in Auschwitz"
David Wisnia Sings Prayer at Auschwitz 70th Anniversary Event in Poland
Museum of American Jewish History Virtual Program
“Remembering the Holocaust" Program at Bucks County UU
Levittown Legends, The David Wisnia Story
Image Gallery
One Voice,
Two Lives
David Wisnia’s memoir, available in paper-back
