Auschwitz survivor comes to Grand Rapids

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — On January 27, 1945, Auschwitz was liberated by the advancing Russian Army. On January 27, 2009, Tova Friedman, one of the youngest child survivors of the death camp, will make a three-day visit to Grand Rapids to talk about her struggles and endurance.

Friedman is featured in the WGVU award-winning PBS documentary “Surviving Auschwitz: Children of the Shoah.” The documentary will be shown during Friedman’s visit. Milt Nieusma, author of the book, Surviving Auschwitz: Children of the Shoah, will accompany Friedman for book purchasing and signing during the scheduled showings of the documentary.

The schedule is as follows:

Tuesday, January 27
10 a.m.-noon: Friedman visits Galilee Baptist Church, 1216 N. Westnedge Ave., Kalamazoo
6 p.m.: Video clip of “Surviving Auschwitz” followed by Q and A with Friedman, Cook-DeWitt Center, Grand Valley State University Allendale Campus.

Wednesday, January 28
8:30 a.m.-10 a.m.: Friedman visits Northview Public Schools in Grand Rapids
1:30 p.m.: Friedman attends public screening of “Surviving Auschwitz,” Cook-DeWitt Center, Grand Valley State University Allendale Campus.

Thursday, January 29
8:30 a.m.-10 a.m.: Friedman visits Godwin Public Schools in Wyoming
6 p.m.: Friedman attends public screening of “Surviving Auschwitz,” Loosemore Auditorium, Grand Valley State University Pew Grand Rapids Campus

For more information contact WGVU at (616) 331-6666.