Guest Stephen Lindner

Stephen has worked as a lawyer for over 50 years, specialising in criminal defence cases, with a particular interest in securing best possible sentencing outcomes for his clients found guilty or pleading guilty. He sees this as being for the benefit, not just for those he represents, but for the good of the community they live in. Stephen was one of the first volunteers at Fitzroy Legal Service, a precursor to Victoria Legal Aid. He is a supporter of legal aid for defendants who would otherwise be unrepresented in court. When a group of asylum-seekers were charged with rioting in a detention centre in Nauru, Stephen was one of a group of lawyers from Australia sent to represent them. He is also a proud father and is a grandfather to two Bialik students, whom he adores.

Stephen was born in 1946 in Lodz, Poland to parents Rafal and Wanda, two Polish-Jews who were the only members of their families to survive the Holocaust.

Part 1 - Stephen’s early life as a new Australian and how he and his parents navigated starting over in Melbourne.

Part 2 - Stephen reflects on his long career in criminal defence law and his commitment to social justice.

Part 3 - Stephen tells the story his parents’ wartime experiences and how they survived the Holocaust.

Introduction – 0:00 - 2:39

Part 1 – 2:40 - 30:59

Part 2 – 31:00 - 55:49

Part 2 – 55:50 - 88:37

Outro – 88:38 - 89:43

The Brothers Who Found Their Story - https://www.theage.com.au/national/the-brothers-who-found-their-story-20031101-gdwnih.html

Melbourne Holocaust Museum - https://mhm.org.au/

Courage to Care - https://couragetocare.org.au/

Special thanks to:

Bialik College - https://www.bialik.vic.edu.au/

Bialik College Parents Association - https://www.bialik.vic.edu.au/community/parents-association

Bialik College Foundation - https://foundation.bialik.vic.edu.au/

Yad Vashem - https://www.yadvashem.org/

Gandel Foundation - https://gandelfoundation.org.au/

Adam Starr - https://www.starrmusic.com.au/

If you enjoyed Their Stories Unbroken:

Subscribe on your favourite podcast app Leave a review to help others discover the show Share with family, friends, and your community

Contact us anytime: theirstoriesunbroken@gmail.com

Podcast by Matthew Sortino Music by Adam Starr

Guests: Jeremy Stowe-Lindner

Principal of Bialik College in Melbourne, Australia, since 2012

Originally from the UK and was Founding Headteacher of Jewish Community Secondary School, London

History teacher, renowned school and community leader

Fellow of the Australian Council for Educational Leaders

Board member of several not-for-profits

Amanda Castelan-Starr

Assistant Principal & Director of Jewish Life at Bialik College

Over 25 years teaching Jewish Studies

Former curriculum leader at Mount Scopus Memorial College

Graduate of the Senior Educators Program at Hebrew University

Studied extensively at Yad Vashem

Deeply connected to Holocaust education, both professionally and personally

We introduce the podcasts purpose to explore how the Holocaust has shaped Jewish Australian families across generations.

Together, we discuss:

Bearing Witness Through Storytelling The importance of personal testimony and preserving individual stories to keep memory alive.

Intergenerational Trauma & Resilience How trauma, guilt, and survival shaped the identities and family dynamics of descendants.

Education & Pedagogy The challenges of teaching the Holocaust sensitively and meaningfully to different age groups.

History of Bialik College The school’s founding during WWII as a secular Zionist institution, evolving into a pluralist Jewish community hub.

Complex Definitions of Survivor Expanding who we consider survivors—not only those in camps, but also those who fled or hid.

Memory and Legacy Balancing remembrance of tragedy with celebration of Jewish life and culture before the Holocaust.

Confronting Antisemitism Reflecting on the rise of contemporary antisemitism and the importance of standing up to hate.

Resistance and Hope Stories of spiritual and cultural resistance—like maintaining traditions—as powerful acts of defiance.

Why Study the Holocaust? Questioning if “never again” is enough and exploring deeper reasons for remembrance and education.

Introduction – 0:00 to 9:07

Part 1 – 9:08 to 32:34

Part 2 – 32:35 to 54:19

Outro – 54:20 to 55:29

Special thanks to:

Bialik College - https://www.bialik.vic.edu.au/

Bialik College Parents Association - https://www.bialik.vic.edu.au/community/parents-association

Bialik College Foundation - https://foundation.bialik.vic.edu.au/

Yad Vashem - https://www.yadvashem.org/

Gandel Foundation - https://gandelfoundation.org.au/

Adam Starr - https://www.starrmusic.com.au/

If you enjoyed Their Stories Unbroken:

Subscribe on your favourite podcast app Leave a review to help others discover the show Share with family, friends, and your community

Contact us anytime: theirstoriesunbroken@gmail.com

Podcast by Matthew Sortino Music by Adam Starr