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
Story
on tour with My Polish Wisnia
#MyPolishWisnia This Spring, i’ll be doing several more events with my grandfather, Cantor and Holocaust survivor David S. Wisnia. We will present several programs reflecting on our recent travels in Poland, with stories about the Holocaust and music that we will perform together, commemorating Yom HaShoah – a day of Holocaust Remembrance. Upcoming engagements include […]
BuzzFeed Feature Video
My grandfather David S. Wisnia has a remarkable voice, and he uses it to tell his remarkable story. Many thanks to BuzzFeed for producing this video and coming to Pennsylvania to record him singing. The video also features us performing together, with a song my grandfather composed in the Auschwitz concentration camp, which I recently translated into […]
My Polish Wisnia Comes To DC Area
My grandfather’s story was shared over 22 million times on FB. Now come hear his story of survival in person, plus music that we will perform together, including a song he composed while a prisoner in Auschwitz that I translated into English. #MyPolishWisnia in Concert Saturday December 2 at Mishkan Torah, Greenbelt MD *free, and open […]
My Polish Wisnia: Remembering the Holocaust
My grandfather’s story was shared over 22 million times on FB. Now come hear his story of survival in person, plus music that we will perform together, including a song he composed while a prisoner in Auschwitz that I translated into English. This Spring, i’ll be once again traveling with my grandfather, Cantor and Holocaust […]
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