More than 35 Holocaust survivors and their family members, caregivers, and community members gathered at Jewish Family Service of Dallas (JFS Dallas) for The Music That Was Saved, a special Holocaust Survivor Day program celebrating resilience, remembrance, and connection.
Presented by community member and musician Mark Kreditor, the heartfelt program explored music created by Holocaust survivors and their family members, sharing the stories behind artists whose lives and families were shaped by the Holocaust.
“I am constantly amazed at the influence Jewish artists have had on 20th century music,” said Kreditor. “There was a very distinct connection between artists trained in Berlin, Prague and Vienna, as well as their offspring, that created some of the finest music we enjoy to this day.”
That connection inspired The Music That Was Saved, a program featuring the music of Lerner & Loewe, Marvin Hamlisch, and Billy Joel. Through familiar songs and the stories behind them, attendees learned how the Holocaust shaped the lives of these artists and their families.
For many survivors, the afternoon was about more than the performance. It was an opportunity to reconnect with friends, spend time with family, and celebrate together.
“It was heartwarming to have such an outpouring of survivors with spouses and their children joined by members of the community and the JFS family,” said Yaffa Podbilewicz-Weinberg, PhD, Director of Holocaust Survivor Care at JFS Dallas. “To see them joining in the celebratory aspect of the event was so uplifting. All voices—the survivors, their families, friends, and those who care for them—joined together in song.”
Throughout the afternoon, music sparked memories and conversations that extended well beyond the program.
“Most of the time you could feel the excitement for being there, the joy and expectations,” Podbilewicz-Weinberg said. “But the moment Mark reminded us about the music we will never hear, the lyrics that could have been, and the artistic contribution that was lost, there was a palpable pause and acknowledgement of a loss that is incalculable.”
The impact continued after attendees returned home. One family shared that the event “inspired hours of memories and stories afterward,” adding, “Every memory shared is a gift.”
Holocaust Survivor Day is observed around the world each year on June 4 to honor the lives, resilience, and contributions of Holocaust survivors. At JFS Dallas, we are proud to recognize and support survivors not only on this day, but throughout the year through our Holocaust Survivor Care program, which provides case management, counseling, financial assistance, and help with restitution claims.
“Our survivors not only survived, they built new families, came to our country, and contributed to our communities,” Podbilewicz-Weinberg said. “They carry a legacy of resilience, the ability to move on and embrace life, to look for the future and what is to come, trusting that they could build a kinder world.”
We are grateful to presenter Mark Kreditor for sharing this meaningful program. We also thank the Seed the Dream Foundation, KAVOD, and the Jewish Federation of Greater Dallas (JFGD), whose support helps JFS Dallas provide Holocaust Survivor Care and make programs like The Music That Was Saved possible.
Most of all, we are grateful to the survivors who joined us. Their strength, perseverance, and stories continue to inspire our community every day.
