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.
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Poland Part III: Day 0
Music saved him in Auschwitz.Now, David Wisnia returns to Poland with his family to sing in memory of those lost. “When he was 16 years old, he lied about his age to escape being killed in Auschwitz. Now 93, David Wisnia will return to his homeland to memorialize those who died in concentration camps during […]

Poland Part III: Day 1
After sleeping for about a day, The Wisnias are ready to roll. And we’re rolling deep, joined by Holocaust Professor Doug Cervi and reuniting with our dear friend Rivka from Warsaw. Our first day is a big one, so we rented a bus to take us to my grandfather’s actual hometown, the place where he […]

Poland Part III: Day 2
Today is the concert at the POLIN Museum.Performing with My Polish Wisnia in Warsaw. My grandfather was a singing star, a child prodigy of Poland. He studied with famous Cantors Gershon Sirota and Moshe Koussevitsky; he sang in opera houses, in theaters and on Polish radio; he performed at the notorious Tlomackie Synagogue as a […]

Poland Part III: Day 3
January 27, International Holocaust Remembrance Day, marks the 75th anniversary of the liberation of the notorious Auschwitz concentration camp. Dignitaries, heads of state, and 200 survivors will attend to commemorate the event in Poland, while millions will watch the live broadcast around the world. Cantor David S. Wisnia will return to the site of his […]
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
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One Voice,
Two Lives
David Wisnia’s memoir, available in paper-back