The Last Boy...the inspiring "Survivor Stories Podcast" that inspired the Broadway-bound play

#007. The previous episode was Part I of this important conversation about Cancel Culture and anti-Semitism - in the past and in the present. In this episode, Part II, Steve spends time with survivor Michael Gruenbaum, who has some incredible insights about the DeSean Jackson post and Holocaust survivor Ed Mosberg's non-Cancel Culture approach to the controversy. Warning: as a former fellow "Eagle," Michael doesn't let Mr. Jackson off so easy. As in Part I, larger questions around forgiving vs. hating are explored.
For more detailed show notes, links and resources for this episode, click here.

Imagine you making the sign of the cross and saying your prayers at night just as you were taught, but it seems to make your mother sad. In fact, every time you do, she cries. She's grateful that you know them, because they are the very reason you are still alive. But it breaks her heart because she knows what you as a little girl do not...you are Jewish. Imagine a year in a ghetto, days under a school auditorium stage, weeks in a factory utility closet, several years either hiding in a Christian home or posing as the owners' relatives. Imagine arriving in Australia, knowing no one, but grateful you have survived and are finally free to start your life again. And then imagine meeting a young man from abroad, who calls you after he's returned home, and asks you to join him half way across the world to start over yet again. Imagine living the American dream in ways you could never fathom, but never forgetting - in the words of your father - that what matters most is not what you own, but what is in your heart and mind because no one can take that away from you. Meet Suzanne Cohn, a hidden survivor, who finds all of this still hard to imagine even though she's lived it. Hate denied Suzanne's grandmother a long life. As a child, Suzanne witnessed her being selected by the Nazis, who would have her dig a her own grave and then murder her. As the 59 year-old matriarch was taken away, she predicted a long, fruitful one for her granddaughter, and that premonition has been realized. Fruitful in many ways, but what has remained central in Suzanne's mind and heart, is family. The soundtrack for this two part episode is drawn from songs sung by the Keystone State Boychoir for Suzanne at her 80th birthday party. Bobby Hill, soloist. You can join Suzanne at the one night-only Broadway benefit performance of the play dedicated to her, The Last Boy...a new play with music. To find out more, join the e-list here.

#010. Welcome to the Season 1 finale of "The Last Boy." This episode was live streamed in audio and video on the eve of Michael Gruenbaum's 90th birthday. If you'd like to SEE as well as hear this very special gathering to celebrate Michael's milestone, visit fishermannpodcasts.com. By becoming a member you will have exclusive access to this video, and other special videos. Thanks to all the listeners, subscribers and members around the world. Stay tuned for Season 2! On behalf of Sid, Michael, Inge, and all the children of Terezin, until next time..Peace...Mír...Frieden...Shalom...As-salamu alaikum.

#005. Can you imagine making your Bar Mitzvah in a concentration camp? The Last Boy, Sid Taussig, did in a secret prayer room in Terezin. Special guest, 12 year old Max Ringold compares notes with Sid, as Max prepares for his Bar Mitzvah. His teacher Lisa Litman joins us for a fascinating and fun conversation. Also joining us is special guest, goat volunteer Josh Ziegler, who just made his Bar Mitzvah... on Zoom! He shares with us a silver lining of virtual services...goats at your service!

#004. Children of the Holocaust lost their innocence long before arriving at a concentration camp. It was a journey of sometimes small, sometimes big, terrible moments. For guest Michael Gruenbaum, the journey began at age 8, when he watched a Jewish couple leap to their death from their apartment balcony as the Nazis marched into Prague on March 15th, 1939. With many stops along the way, Michael completed that journey in May of 1945 when a train arrived in Terezin from Holocaust. The train door opened, and "the girl with the beautiful red hair" called out to him: "Meesha! Meesha! It's me, Inke!" He would never be the same, and either will you when you hear Michael recount this and other heart wrenching - yet hopeful - experiences. He reads excerpts from his compelling book Somewhere There is Still A Sun. This episode will move you, inspire you, and transform you. This episode features the Pennsylvania Girlchoir and Keystone State Boychoir singing Stephen Schwartz' 1999 Academy Award winning song, "When You Believe," from the soundtrack of the Prince of Egypt. It's powerful lyric, "though hope is frail it's hard to kill," is fitting as we discover that in the place of the loss of innocence, Michael reached for hope. Visit fishermanpodcasts.com to get exclusive, monthly access to powerful videos and more.