Events - 2010

Michael Bart made an author presentation and signed copies of his book for the students participating in the April 2010 March of the Living journey to Poland and Israel. During a weeklong trip to Poland, teens from over 40 countries commemorate Yom HaShoah - Holocaust Remembrance Day by participating in a silent march between Auschwitz and Birkenau. Another week is spent in Israel where the teens celebrate Yom HaAtzmaut-Israel's anniversary. This memorable experience is open to juniors and seniors in high school and occurs in April/May of each year.

March of the Living

Michael Bart was the guest speaker at Congregation Beth Israel's dinner forum. His PowerPoint presentation was about his parents' experiences in the Vilna ghetto and their membership in the Partisans of Vilna, Nekamah unit.

Michael was awarded the prestigious Christopher Award for 2009 in the adult book category. Past winners of the award include Steven Spielberg for Schindler's List, and Elie Wiesel. Michael also received an award for Best Biography at the 2009 San Diego Book Awards. He has been nominated for the Sophie Brody Medal, a national award given by the American Library Association. Michael has chaired the San Diego's Community Holocaust Commemoration since 2005.

Congregation Beth Israel

Michael Bart, son of Tifereth Israel members Zenia Lewinson-Bart and Leizer Bart, (Of Blessed Memory), was the guest speaker at Tifereth's Yom HaShoah program speaking about his experiences growing up a child of Holocaust survivors whose parents' were partisan fighters.

Tifereth Israel Synagogue

Michael Bart spoke about his book and presented, Ben Levin, a former Partisan of Vilna member with a honorary award for his lifetime of accomplishments, which includes the fight for Vilna's liberation from Nazi occupation, his arrival in Palestine on the Altalena and his fight in Israel's War of Independence. Ben Levin is pictured on the left kneeling with a rifle. The photo was taken on July 14, 1944, a day after Vilna's liberation.

After the formal program attended by 150 CSI members, a book signing table was set-up for Ben Levin and Michael Bart to sign copies of Until Our Last Breath. The guests enjoyed a night of cocktails, dinner, and dancing.

Congregation Sons of Israel

Michael Bart was a guest lecturer in Dr. Lawrence Baron's History 440 Holocaust class. He presented a 1 hour & 40 minute PowerPoint lecture with Q&A on Jewish resistance in the Vilna ghetto and in the forests of Lithuania. His presentation included his parents' experiences in the ghetto, as members of the Partisans of Vilna, and their participation in the Nekamah battalion.

San Diego State University