By: Marelinke van der Riet

A documentary featuring several residents of the International Christian Embassy Jerusalem’s special Home for Holocaust survivors in Haifa recently won a prestigious prize for filmmaking in Germany. In late August, Yudit Setz of the ICEJ and Shimon Sabag of our partner organisation Yad Ezer L’Haver were invited by the city of Berlin to join director Radek Wegrzyn to receive the Ernst Lubitsch Prize 2024 for his touching film entitled Miss Holocaust Survivor – A Beauty Contest that Celebrates Life.

Born in Poland and a long-time resident of Germany, Wegrzyn dedicated four years of work to the documentary project. His film captivates audiences with a heartfelt portrayal of Holocaust survivors in Israel taking part in a unique beauty contest late in their lives.

The film’s main character is 90 year-old contestant Rita Kasimow Brown, a Haifa Home resident who hid as a young Jewish girl with her family in a Polish forest to evade the Nazi invaders. She recalls always sleeping and dreaming of food because when she was awake her life was a nightmare. But Rita survived the ordeal and later moved to Israel and raised a family of her own.

First held in 2012, the annual beauty pageant is open to elderly Jewish women in Israel who survived the Holocaust. Sponsored by Yad Ezer L’Haver in cooperation with the ICEJ, the contest gives these women a moment to recapture the beauty of their youth, particularly since certain rites of passage were robbed from them as youngsters during World War II. The friendly competition allows them to enjoy the pampering of hair stylists and make-up artists before stepping into the limelight, while also focusing on the strength and inner beauty of these true survivors.

Each year, the pageant attracts significant media attention from around the world. The concept of a beauty contest for Holocaust survivors is quite unconventional but serves another important purpose: bringing wider attention to the Holocaust, lest we forget.

Various documentary teams have visited the Haifa Home over the years, resulting in several films about the unusual beauty contest. But filmmaker Radek Wegrzyn showed extra sensitivity and patience towards the residents, and his incredible creativity has resulted in the award-winning film Miss Holocaust Survivor.

Following its first screening at the Haifa Home in July 2022, Miss Holocaust Survivor has been showcased in numerous countries and film festivals. For example, it was featured at the Golden Panda Awards in Chengdu, China. The film also received positive reviews at various venues in Germany, including the Max Ophüls Film Festival and Holocaust education institutions in Berlin, Frankfurt, and Wolfsburg. In the USA, it had a highly successful screening at the Miami Jewish Film Festival and was shown at American Holocaust education institutions. The accolades recently culminated with the receiving of the prestigious Ernst Lubitsch Prize in Germany.

“It has been wonderful to see how our Haifa Home for Holocaust Survivors is being used to not only impact many people who visit and connect with us, but also to keep the memory of the Holocaust alive through TV programs and documentary films for years to come,” said Yudit Setz, the ICEJ’s deputy Aid director. “At this time, when antisemitism is so rampant and at an all-time high in Europe, this prize could not have come at a timelier moment. Winning a prize for a film about the Holocaust in the current climate in Europe is very significant.”

“Some of the Jewish and Israeli members of the audience were especially moved to hear about the Christian Embassy, what we stand for, and our involvement in the Haifa Home,” she added.

The recognition of Miss Holocaust Survivor by the Ernst Lubitsch Prize awards committee not only honours the film but also reinforces the vital role of artistic and educational endeavours in combating Holocaust denial and antisemitism. The film’s success also is a testament to the enduring impact of Holocaust survivors’ stories and the continued relevance of their experiences in contemporary discourse.

Sharon Brauner, a prominent German Jewish actress, producer, and singer, lauded the film, saying: “It’s up to the generations of us who are here, how we deal with the memories, whether we want to forget and suppress them or whether we are the ones who have built a bridge to the future when there are no more witnesses.”

As Miss Holocaust Survivor continues to be screened and discussed, there is hope that it will reach even broader audiences and achieve further accolades. The film’s ability to blend humour with emotional depth ensures its place as a significant work in Holocaust remembrance and education for years to come. The recognition in Berlin marks a milestone in the film’s journey, affirming the importance of remembering, celebrating and honouring the life stories of Holocaust survivors.

Please support the work of the Christian Embassy to care for elderly Holocaust survivors in Israel. Donate today at: give.icej.org/survivors

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