behind the scenes
Survivor Victor Farkas, Senior Executive Producer Mindy Hersh, Coordinating Producer Geri Levine, Director Jerry Levine and Director of Photography Andy Cope - just before initiating field production in Bay Harbor Islands, Florida.
Multiple camera setup prior to rolling on Mr. Farkas' interview about the University of Miami, George Feldenkreis Program in Judaic Studies, Holocaust Survivors Student Internship Program.
Geri slating the 3-camera scene with Survivor Victor Farkas just before his interview.
Holocaust Survivor and UM Holocaust Internship participant Victor Farkas.
Senior Executive Producer Dr. Mindy S. Hersh, being interviewed about her role as the former Director of Academic Enrichment for the University of Miami, George Feldenkreis Program in Judaic Studies, Holocaust Survivors Student Internship Program.
UM Holocaust Internship participant Edith Akerman.
Edith Akerman (age 97) being interviewed in her Aventura residence.
UM Graduate Student Jasper Lee tells Jerry about his emotional internship experiences with Edith Akerman.
Mrs. Akerman was paired with more interns than any survivor participating in the UM Holocaust Internship.
Kibbitzing during portrait photography after the shoot.
Survivor Fred Mulbauer interviewed by Jerry Levine with Senior Executive Producer Mindy Hersh listening and posing additional questions.
Survivor Fred Mulbauer was interviewed at his Bal Harbour residence.
Steve composing and lighting UM Graduate Jackie Arvedon's video frame.
Jackie was Fred's intern during the last academic year of the program, 2015-2016.
Survivor Fred Mulbauer, Elaine Brown and Mindy Hersh "on set" during Jackie's interview.
Executive Producer Helen Chaset slates Dr. Shaked's interview.
University of Miami Professor Haim Shaked, Director of The Sue & Leonard Miller Center for Contemporary Judaic Studies.
Senior Executive Producer Mindy Hersh, Camera Operator Michael Behar, Professor Haim Shaked.
Outside the Sue and Leonard Miller Center for Contemporary Judaic Studies.
Drone pilot, Mark Slatko preparing to shoot aerials at the Greater Miami Jewish Federation Holocaust Memorial of Miami Beach.
Andy Cope framing a Steadicam scene of Edith Akerman and Jasper Lee.
Drone orbiting architect Ken Treister's landmark sculpture.
Ken Treister’s landmark sculpture.
Executive Producer Helen Chaset introducing her father Holocaust survivor, Joe Sachs to Hannah North's students.
Mr. Sachs spoke to 11th Graders studying the literary and social dynamics of Elie Weisel's Nobel Prize acceptance speech.
Cinematographer Andy Cope capturing the lecture.
Michael Behar capture student reaction to the lecture.
Hannah discussing the profound reasons she teaches literature of the Holocaust today.
Panoramic view of Hannah's Advanced Placement English classroom during the documentary interview.
Holocaust Survivor Magda Bader reunited with Michele Abeckjerr for the first time since the internship ended.
Michele discussing her internship experience with the crowd after Magda received an award for her dedication.
Filming the dancing and singing typical at Cafe Europa events.
UM Medical School student Vibhu Chittajallu about to be interviewed. Senior Executive Producer Dr. Mindy Hersh gets the ball rolling on the day's shooting.
The shoot took place in the first floor conference room of the Greater Miami Jewish Federation.
This was the film project's only chromakey shoot.
DP Andy Cope framing the interview.
Holocaust Survivor Magda Bader about to begin at her Aventura apartment.
Andy using a modified Dana Dolly, providing fluid movement in very tight quarters.
Jerry, Mindy, Magda and Helen relaxing after an intense and emotional interview.
Professor Deborah Lipstadt is the Dorot Professor of Modern Jewish History and Holocaust Studies at Emory University. She is best known as the author of several books including Denying the Holocaust, The Eichmann Trial, and Antisemitism: Here and Now. The 2016 movie Denial, starring Actress Rachel Weisz, is based on Professor Lipstadt’s book History on Trial: My Day in Court with a Holocaust Denier.
Senior Executive Producer Dr. Mindy Hersh with Professor Deborah Lipstadt before her interview.
Director Jerry Levine interviewing Professor Lipstadt about the impact the Holocaust Internship Program had on students.
In DENIAL, Rachel Weisz playing Deborah E. Lipstadt fights back in a libel case brought by disgraced Holocaust denier David Irving. The real woman in the spotlight for My Survivor.
Lipstadt's latest book, Denying the Holocaust: The Growing Assault on Truth and Memory, is a full-length study of those who attempt to deny the Holocaust.
For Holocaust survivors Magda Bader and Peter Tarjan — two interviewees appearing in My Survivor — their return journey to Poland was a deeply painful reminder of the Nazi atrocities.
My Survivor director Jerry Levine traveled from Miami to Poland to document the survivors' trip. The backdrop for the filming was the Greater Miami Jewish Federation's historic Israel 70 Mission to Israel, celebrating the Jewish State's 70th anniversary. Both Magda and Peter were part of the mission, and Jerry was able to join them, capturing invaluable footage for the film.
The Greater Miami Jewish Federation, which serves as the fiscal sponsor of the My Survivor Film Project, also provided critical logistical assistance in planning the overseas shoots.
Jerry Levine on location filming in Poland - the Remah Synagogue can be seen behind him. During World War II Krakow's buildings and landmarks escaped mostly unscathed. Its preservation makes it a key destination for Holocaust Survivors, students and Jewish missions, such as this one organized by the Greater Miami Jewish Federation.
My Survivor film subject Peter Tarjan, in Krakow with Jacob Solomon, President & CEO of the Greater Miami Jewish Federation.
Magda at Auschwitz on April 11, 2018 - the day before the March of the Living took place there.
Magda: Touring Auschwitz like this is strange - without vicious dogs, evil Nazis and starving Jewish prisoners everywhere.
Magda outside the gas chamber where her family Z"L perished.
Jerry with My Survivor Consulting Creative Producer, Bonnie Reiter-Lehrer.
Contributing Photographer Matt Levine, with his father, Director Jerry Levine.
Magda and Jerry, outside Aushwitz-Birkenau, at the completion of filming in Poland.
Executive Producer Maxine Schwartz being interviewed at the home of Amy Dean and Alan Kluger.
Maxine recounting how the Holocaust Internship program began at the University of Miami.
Maxine played a key role in establishing the HSSIP at the University of Florida.
Holocaust Survivor Peter Tarjan.
A few weeks after this interview, Peter would be filmed in Poland for My Survivor.
Director Jerry Levine with Holocaust Internship participant Peter Tarjan at his home in South Miami-Dade.
Peter is a Professor Emeritus in Biomedical Engineering at the University of Miami, and until very recently was a marathon long distance runner.
Barbara Davis past Volunteer Coordinator of Jewish Community Services, recalling how "matches" were made between Survivors and UM students.
When the matches referred to above were made, Barbara held a position at JCS.
Donna Shalala founded the UM Holocaust Survivor Student Internship project during her tenure as President of the University of Miami (2001 - 2015).
President Shalala’s interview took place at the Newman Alumni Center, on the UM campus, in Coral Gables.
Journalist Kaelyn Lynch being interviewed about her time as an intern in the Holocaust Survivors Student Internship Program.
Kaelyn with her survivor Rachel Steinberger.
