On Sunday I was privileged to take part in A Night for the Family at Pepperdine University. See my previous posts about the overall event by clicking My Appearance At “A Night For The Family” at Pepperdine University and listen to my speech by clicking Jewish Lessons in Parenting.
The main event was a presentation called Time With Corrie ten Boom. Prior to my invitation to the event I had never heard of Corrie ten Boom and now that I have seen the presentation I am shocked that the story is not more well known. I believe everyone should know who Corrie was and hear and see her story in the dramatic way I saw it.
Corrie and her family saved over 800 Jewish people during the Holocaust. The ten Booms were devout Christians and believed that their mission was to help save their Jewish neighbors. They did so, nobly. They ran an elaborate placement system until they were apprehended and placed in the camps. Only Corrie survived.
Corrie spent the rest of her life telling her story. I recommend buying her book. Click here to purchase on Amazon: The Hiding Place. She wanted people to know that those who helped Jews were not just a minority, but they were statistically non-existant. She could not believe that her “righteous” neighbors would allow their Jewish neighbors be arrested and killed.
Unfortunately, Corrie passed away nearly 30 years ago. Fortunately, a woman named Susan Sandagar has transformed herself into Corrie’s persona. Susan performs as Corrie and tells Corrie’s story as if it were her own. Pat and Shirley Boone loved Corrie and they love Susan’s performance as Corrie. They have been instrumental in helping promote and share Susan’s performance.
The performance is uncanny. One could truly believe that the real Corrie ten Boom is telling her story. More importantly, the message is transmitted with the same passion and love that Corrie had for the story.
Throughout the performance I found myself smiling and then crying. The tale is moving and powerful, as well as uplifting and inspirational. Hearing Corrie’s thoughts makes you want to be a better person and gives reason to believe in people. Susan does a masterful job and the show is incredible.
I thoroughly enjoyed the presentation. It is geared primarily for Christian audiences. But that may be because only they seem to care about the story. While heroes, like Schindler and Wallenberg are well known in Jewish circles, ten Boom remains mostly anonymous. I think that is a travesty. Corrie’s story is equally powerful.
There will be a larger, more elaborate Time With Corrie ten Boom event in June. I intend to be there and I intend to bring as many of my fellow Jews to the show as possible.
Hers is a story that needs telling. She just needs an audience.
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