Step behind the scenes, into the archives of the Nancy & David Wolf Holocaust & Humanity Center, in Union Terminal, to explore the lives of Henry Carter and Leo Wilich—Auschwitz survivors who rebuilt their lives in Cincinnati.

“Henry didn't sit idly by in the ghetto. He, through acts that were both big and small, did what he could to resist, and he became involved in the underground movement. When I look at this photograph of Henry, I can see - I can see that courage within his face.”

• Cori Silbernagel, Director of Collections & Exhibitions at the Nancy & David Wolf Holocaust & Humanity Center

You’ll hear how Henry risked everything to resist Nazi rule from inside the Krakow ghetto, and how he later adopted a child orphaned by the Holocaust. We also explore Leo’s ritual of putting on his camp uniform during hard times—reminding himself that he had already survived the worst. We share these stories ahead of a landmark collection of artifacts and photos from Auschwitz, coming to Cincinnati in October 2025. In this limited series, we’ll add insight and local context to this internationally renowned exhibition.

Those who visit will not just see the same exhibition shown around the world. They will also get in-depth local stories of Auschwitz survivors who immigrated to Cincinnati. During WWII, the historic train station where this exhibition will be shown saw millions of American servicemen come through its doors. But there was another group of travelers whose lives would be impacted by Union Terminal. More than 1,000 Jews who survived the Holocaust immigrated to Cincinnati, arriving in the very building where the public will be able to view Auschwitz. Not long ago. Not far away.

The opportunity to bring this exhibition to Cincinnati has been generously supported by Rhonda and Larry Sheakley, the Jewish Federation of Cincinnati, the Jewish Foundation of Cincinnati, the Ohio Holocaust and Genocide Memorial and Education Commission and

H.B., E.W. & F.R. Luther Charitable Foundation, Fifth Third Bank, Trustee

Jacob G. Schmidlapp Fund, Fifth Third Bank, Trustee

Helen G., Henry F., Louise Tuechter Dornette Foundation, Fifth Third Bank, Trustee

Western & Southern Financial Group

Les and Renee Sandler

The Kanter/Knue Family

The Neil Bortz Family

Rosenthal Family Foundation

Beth and Louis Guttman

To Bear Witness: Stories from Auschwitz to Cincinnati is part of the Cynthia & Harold Guttman Family Center for Storytelling. Special thanks to Julie and John Cohen for their support of this series. Auschwitz. Not long ago. Not far away. was created by Musealia in cooperation with the Auschwitz-Birkenau State Museum.

Presented by NEON.

For more information, please visit:

Musealia

https://www.musealia.net/

Auschwitz-Birkenau State Museum

https://www.auschwitz.org/en/

NEON

https://www.neonglobal.com/en/

Auschwitz. Not long ago. Not far away. ticket info, additional resources for both adults and students, travel itineraries and more

https://www.cincymuseum.org/auschwitz/

Visit the Nancy & David Wolf Holocaust & Humanity Center https://www.holocaustandhumanity.org/

Send us a text

A landmark collection of artifacts and photos from Auschwitz is coming to Cincinnati in October 2025.

“I've paid attention to it as it's been in different places, and talked to the curator and talked to partners who have had it, knowing that in the back of my mind, like that's something that needs to come to Cincinnati, and it clearly needs to be in this building for all the connections that you and I are going to talk about today.”

- Elizabeth Pierce, CEO Cincinnati Museum Center, on Auschwitz. Not long ago. Not far away.

In this limited series, we’ll add insight and local context to this internationally renowned exhibition. In this episode, Jackie Congedo, CEO of the Nancy & David Wolf Holocaust & Humanity Center, sits down with Elizabeth Pierce, CEO of Cincinnati Museum Center, to talk about partnering to bring the exhibition to Cincinnati.

Those who visit will not just see the same exhibition that has been shown around the world. They will also get in-depth local stories of Auschwitz survivors who immigrated to Cincinnati. During WWII, the historic train station where this exhibition will be shown saw millions of American servicemen come through its doors. But there was another group of travelers whose lives would be impacted by Union Terminal. More than 1,000 Jews who survived the Holocaust immigrated to Cincinnati, arriving in the very building where the public will be able to view Auschwitz. Not long ago. Not far away.

It is a special layer of meaning and context that we think will give visitors an even more extraordinary experience.

The opportunity to bring this impactful exhibition to Cincinnati has been generously supported by Rhonda and Larry Sheakley, the Jewish Federation of Cincinnati, the Jewish Foundation of Cincinnati, the Ohio Holocaust and Genocide Memorial and Education Commission and

H.B., E.W. & F.R. Luther Charitable Foundation, Fifth Third Bank, Trustee
Jacob G. Schmidlapp Fund, Fifth Third Bank, Trustee
Helen G., Henry F., Louise Tuechter Dornette Foundation, Fifth Third Bank, Trustee

Western & Southern Financial Group

Les and Renee Sandler

The Kanter/Knue Family

The Neil Bortz Family

Rosenthal Family Foundation

Beth and Louis Guttman

To Bear Witness: Stories from Auschwitz to Cincinnati is part of the Cynthia & Harold Guttman Family Center for Storytelling.
Special thanks to Julie and John Cohen for their support of this series.

Auschwitz. Not long ago. Not far away. was created by Musealia in cooperation with the Auschwitz-Birkenau State Museum. Presented by NEON.
For more information, please visit:

Musealia
https://www.musealia.net/

Auschwitz-Birkenau State Museum
https://www.auschwitz.org/en/

NEON
https://www.neonglobal.com/en/

Auschwitz. Not long ago. Not far away. ticket info, additional resources for both adults and students, travel itineraries and more
https://www.cincymuseum.org/auschwitz/

Visit the Nancy & David Wolf Holocaust & Humanity Center
https://www.holocaustandhumanity.org/

Learn more about Werner Coppel, one of the Cincinnati survivors whose life will be featured in the exhibition
https://youtu.be/bUKLrd3XsXs

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The last show of Season One is officially in the books! In this episode, we wrap up the first season of The Upstander Ripple Effect with gratitude, reflection, and—of course—inspiration. Jackie and Kevin dig into some of the headline-making moments shaping our world, from political hypocrisy to the challenges of breaking out of our echo chambers. Together, they explore what real resistance looks like, what it means to build (not just tear down), and how upstanders can center shared humanity in times of crisis.

We also celebrate the 2025 Upstander Awards—highlighting everyday heroes like Mitch Morris, who’s bringing hope to Cincinnati’s youth and communities impacted by gun violence. Plus, hear about celebrity host Jesse Eisenberg, who made this year's Upstander Awards truly special.

Tune in for one last dose of courage and curiosity this season!

This episode is part of the Cynthia & Harold Guttman Center for Storytelling. Subscribe here https://www.youtube.com/@holocaustandhumanity

Email us podcast@cincyhhc.org

Find us on social media

https://www.facebook.com/CincyHHC/

https://x.com/cincyhhc

https://www.instagram.com/holocaustandhumanity/

https://www.tiktok.com/@holocaustandhumanity

Episode Resources

Visit the Center in person or online

https://www.holocaustandhumanity.org/

Kevin’s award-winning commentary on Sunlite Pool https://www.cincinnati.com/story/opinion/columnists/2024/03/13/cincinnati-symphony-orchestra-coney-island-sunlite-pool-closing/72932938007/

“I study the resistance against the Nazis. Here’s what the US left can learn from it.” by Luke Berryman https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2025/jun/22/democratic-resistance-trump

“Op-Ed: You Don’t Get To Burn It Down If You’ve Never Built A Damn Thing” by Eric K. Ward https://newsone.com/6203638/palestinian-israel-op-ed/

“Cognitive Dissonance in Politics: How Conflicting Beliefs Shape Political Behavior” by the NeuroLaunch editorial team https://neurolaunch.com/cognitive-dissonance-in-politics/

Read more about Upstander Award winner Mitch Morris https://www.saveouryouthcincinnati.com/

Coverage of Jesse Eisenberg’s visit to Cincinnati

https://www.wlwt.com/article/jesse-eisenberg-hosts-upstander-awards-at-humanity-center/65149012

https://www.cincinnati.com/picture-gallery/entertainment/2025/06/23/jesse-eisenberg-hosts-holocaust-humanity-center-upstander-awards-2025/84321693007/

Free educational webinar series HHC is participating in

https://ahecinfo.org/what-history-teaches-the-rise-of-nazism/

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Attacks on Jewish communities. Corporate retreats from Pride Month. Rhetoric heating up on all sides. What does it take to pause, reflect, and truly see the world through someone else’s eyes?

In this episode of The Upstander Ripple Effect, hosts Kevin Aldridge and Jackie Congedo take on the character strength of perspective—not just as a virtue, but as a practical tool for navigating our turbulent world. Through personal reflections and timely stories, they unpack the power of seeing beyond our own experiences and why it’s essential for justice, empathy, and leadership.

You’ll also hear survivor Lisa MacVittie’s harrowing journey from Nazi Germany to Shanghai, and the voice of local upstander Dr. Christian Gausvik, who’s bridging gaps in healthcare for the LGBTQ+ community in his work and supporting elderly communities through a non-profit he founded.

“I think it is one of the ways out of this sort of crossroads that we find ourselves in… being able to broaden our perspective or take on someone else's perspective.” – Jackie Congedo

Perspective might not change the facts—but it just might change everything else.

This episode is part of the Cynthia & Harold Guttman Center for Storytelling. Subscribe here https://www.youtube.com/@holocaustandhumanity   

Email us podcast@cincyhhc.org 
Find us on social media 

https://www.facebook.com/CincyHHC/  
https://x.com/cincyhhc  
https://www.instagram.com/holocaustandhumanity/  
https://www.tiktok.com/@holocaustandhumanity 

Episode Resources 

Visit the Center in person or online 
https://www.holocaustandhumanity.org/  

Grab tickets for the Upstander Gala
https://www.holocaustandhumanity.org/events/upstander-awards-2/

Register for the Upstander 5k and Family Day
https://www.holocaustandhumanity.org/events/2025-upstander-5k-and-family-day-volunteer-expo/

Watch Lisa MacVittie’s episode of Hear My Story
https://youtu.be/URX8eaC3O7A?si=bURgyJhNNbXTxZfl

Watch Dr. Gausvik’s episode of Hear My Story
https://youtu.be/22sEZctLUzU?si=ThexdQHcfdvTb5az

Read Kevin's latest column
https://www.cincinnati.com/story/opinion/columnists/2025/05/31/protesters-ruin-taste-of-cincinnati-trump-pardons-sittenfeld-bengals-stadium-lease-vance-middletown/83963273007/

Current events referenced:

https://www.usatoday.com/story/opinion/voices/2025/05/28/trump-harvard-antisemitism/83875926007/

https://www.newsweek.com/cities-cancel-juneteenth-celebrations-2066715

https://www.npr.org/2025/05/28/nx-s1-5414616/jewish-museum-shooting-political-violence

https://www.timesofisrael.com/israeli-embassy-staffers-killed-in-washington-aspired-to-middle-east-bridge-building/

https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/2025/05/06/pride-month-defections-dei-backlash/83376447007/

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In this episode of The Upstander Ripple Effect, hosts Jackie Congedo and Kevin Aldridge dive deep into the idea of empathy—what it really means, why some people are questioning its value, and how it plays a powerful role in standing up for others. Along the way, they reflect on how empathy is often misunderstood as agreement, when really, it’s about connection and understanding.

As Kevin puts it:

“Empathy is what helps bring us to a point of understanding, which then can dictate better our responses, our actions, and our words... What you are validating is their lived experience, which cannot be invalidated.”

The episode also features moving stories from the archive at the Nancy & David Wolf Holocaust & Humanity Center, including Holocaust survivor Conrad Weiner, who reminds us of the danger of indifference, and Tulane Chartock, a social worker who helped Holocaust survivors rebuild their lives in Cincinnati. Both stories show how empathy can shape our lives.

And in our Upstander Shoutout, we recognize Brandon Saho, a former Cincinnati sports reporter turned mental health advocate. Through his podcast The Mental Game, Brandon is creating space for honest conversations about mental health, especially in the often tough-it-out world of sports.

This episode is part of the Cynthia & Harold Guttman Center for Storytelling. Subscribe here https://www.youtube.com/@holocaustandhumanity

Email us podcast@cincyhhc.org

Find us on social media

https://www.facebook.com/CincyHHC/

https://x.com/cincyhhc

https://www.instagram.com/holocaustandhumanity/

https://www.tiktok.com/@holocaustandhumanity

Episode Resources

Visit the Center in person or online https://www.holocaustandhumanity.org/

Upstander month is coming up in June – learn about all the incredible events here

https://www.holocaustandhumanity.org/events/upstander-month/

Watch Conrad’s full story https://youtu.be/HOolNTqKAo8

Watch Tulane’s story https://youtu.be/uBE4tsLmvPY

Articles on the subject of “toxic” empathy

https://www.newyorker.com/news/q-and-a/how-donald-trump-is-teaching-christians-to-abandon-empathy-albert-mohler

https://www.cnn.com/2025/03/05/politics/elon-musk-rogan-interview-empathy-doge/index.html

The late Pope Francis' words about empathy https://catholicreview.org/pope-skill-performance-are-not-enough-empathy-heart-needed-at-work/

Upstander work by Brandon Saho, fighting the stigma around mental health https://www.facebook.com/BrandonSaho

Apply for a free suicide prevention “You’re Not Alone” sign

https://www.themental.game/signs

Send us a text

Host Jackie Congedo, CEO at the Nancy & David Wolf Holocaust & Humanity Center, joined this episode from her hotel in Jerusalem, where she was with leaders from Holocaust education centers around the world, studying and collaborating.

“Their son had a knack for connecting with people, and for seeing the humanity in somebody else, and for caring enough about another human being with a different story to ask about that story, to want to know more about it.” -- Jackie, on meeting the parents of an Israeli soldier killed by Hamas on October 7, 2023. Now, they honor his memory by passing out packets of instant coffee, urging people to listen to people who are different than them.

Jackie and her co-host Kevin Aldridge, Opinion & Engagement Editor at Cincinnati.com talked about some of the people she met and the experiences she had during her time in Israel, including Holocaust survivors and their families. She was also very moved by her time meeting other leaders in Holocaust education, which faces multiple challenges right now – the loss of remaining survivors, rising antisemitism, and a growing gap in knowledge about the Holocaust itself.

During our taping, sirens went off in Jerusalem, indicating a safety threat, and Jackie had to quit recording and take shelter. She is fine, and we were able to continue the episode. This brief interruption left us all with a greater sense of empathy for the daily realities that people on both sides of this conflict are living with right now and the incredible resilience required to sustain life there.

This episode touches on the human toll of conflict, the importance of preserving and learaning from history, and how even small acts can create ripple effects of empathy and understanding.

This episode is part of the Cynthia & Harold Guttman Center for Storytelling. Subscribe here https://www.youtube.com/@holocaustandhumanity

Email us podcast@cincyhhc.org

Find us on social media

https://www.facebook.com/CincyHHC/

https://x.com/cincyhhc

https://www.instagram.com/holocaustandhumanity/

https://www.tiktok.com/@holocaustandhumanity

Episode Resources

Visit us in person or online https://www.holocaustandhumanity.org/

Removal of articles from government websites

https://www.cnn.com/2025/03/19/politics/pentagon-website-purge/index.html

https://www.forbes.com/sites/saradorn/2025/03/19/jackie-robinsons-pentagon-page-removed-then-restored-in-dei-purge/

https://apnews.com/article/pentagon-dei-diversity-social-media-purge-fb15996733408a8122a97acd3baa6820

Dr. Eyal Kaminka and his wife Elena, on the loss of their son, Yannai, at the hands of Hamas

https://time.com/6327936/israel-mother-son-death-hamas-war/

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“How can we all stand up for each other? Help each other more? Help each other thrive?...I believe that we're more resilient when we're building resilience together.” - Fatima Doman on being upstanders and becoming more resilient

In this episode of The Upstander Ripple Effect, Fatima Doman joins the Center’s Director of External Strategic Engagement, Kara Driscoll, and explores the power of resilience and character strengths to shape how we respond to life's challenges and to be upstanders when it counts.

Hear how resilience isn't just something we're born with—it can be developed intentionally. Drawing from her background in positive psychology and coaching, she shares how mindset matters when building our resilience, with such approaches as shifting from an "inner critic" to an "inner coach."

Fatima highlights how bravery, kindness, and spirituality are closely linked to resilience and how these strengths can empower us to be upstanders. This episode is a must-listen for anyone looking to build resilience and activate their strengths to make a meaningful impact!

This episode is part of the Cynthia & Harold Guttman Family Center for Storytelling. Subscribe here to make sure you don’t miss a thing https://www.youtube.com/@holocaustandhumanity

Our thanks to the Mayerson Family Foundation and the VIA Institute on Character for their support of this series

https://www.mayersonfoundation.org/

https://www.viacharacter.org/

Email us podcast@cincyhhc.org

Find us on social media

https://www.facebook.com/CincyHHC/

https://x.com/cincyhhc

https://www.instagram.com/holocaustandhumanity/

https://www.tiktok.com/@holocaustandhumanity

Episode Resources

Learn more about Fatima Doman and take the character strengths survey
https://authenticstrengths.com

Fatima’s YouTube Channel
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6Gf_4a8P4sKpQONBaNjKlA

Fatima’s Books on Amazon:

• Authentic Resilience: Amazon Link
• Authentic Strengths: Amazon Link

Find out more about the strengths linked to resilience

• Bravery https://www.viacharacter.org/character-strengths/bravery
• Kindness https://www.viacharacter.org/character-strengths/kindness
• Spirituality https://www.viacharacter.org/character-strengths/spirituality

Send us a text

“If fear is what's driving us right now, let's find out what people are afraid of, and let's have a conversation. Let's have a talk. Let's talk about that first. Let's lean into that courageously and have some honest conversations about, what is it that we're really all scared about right now, and how do we push past that, overcome that fear, to get us to a place of productivity.” host Kevin Aldridge

Sometimes, episodes don’t go as planned. That happened with this shoot. Here’s why. It is early in the second Trump administration, and we have heard people express concerns about what they view as authoritarian actions. Some, including Illinois Governor JB Pritzker, have gone as far as to warn about parallels to Nazi Germany.

We wanted to address these issues with as much thought and careful consideration as possible. To do that, Jackie and Kevin invited Holocaust scholar and visiting professor at the University of Cincinnati, Dr. Sarah Crane to join them. Dr. Crane has perspective to offer on the comparisons between the current moment and 1930’s Germany. We thought we would get to our regularly planned content – a story from the archives and an upstander to highlight – but the conversation with Sarah went long, and we felt it was important enough that we didn’t want to cut it off.

We’ll have the stories we planned in the next episode.

We hope in the meantime, that this conversation will be helpful as we all engage in the important work of listening and questioning what it means to be an American, and members of a democracy in this moment.

Episode Resources

As always, we invite you to visit us in person in historic Union Terminal or online

https://www.holocaustandhumanity.org/

Learn more about Holocaust history

https://www.ushmm.org/

https://www.yadvashem.org/

https://www.auschwitz.org/en/

Jackie’s op-ed

https://www.cincinnati.com/story/opinion/contributors/2025/02/12/when-hate-appeared-cincinnati-chose-to-rise-against-it-opinion/78426099007/

News stories mentioned

https://www.nprillinois.org/government-politics/2025-02-19/read-gov-pritzkers-budget-address

https://www.cookrepublicanparty.com/chairman-sean-morrisons-response-to-governor-jb-pritzkers-budget-address/

https://www.cincinnati.com/story/news/2025/02/07/group-carrying-swastika-flags-seen-demonstrating-in-cincinnati-suburb/78342108007/

https://www.cincinnati.com/story/news/2025/02/14/ohio-congressman-greg-landsman-warren-davidson-racist-demonstrators/78464867007/

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