My Polish Wisnia How My Grandfather Survived The Holocaust, Through Story & Song
Avi Wisnia shares the stories and songs of his 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. Through story and song, 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. Through 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
PBS Documentary Premiere
I’ve been waiting a long time to tell you, and now I finally can…HOW SABA KEPT SINGING will make its televised premiere on PBS this Spring. The documentary will air on Yom HaShoah – Holocaust Remembrance Day, Tuesday April 18 at 10pm ET /9pm CT (check your local listings). The film by Sara Taksler, about […]
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
BuzzFeed Video: "How I Escaped The Holocaust"
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
