Sharon Rennert is available to present her acclaimed multi-media keynote presentation at your next event. The presentation is an informative, entertaining and profoundly moving account of the Bielski Partisans targeted to a diverse audience of all ages and religions. Audiences will be inspired to learn about the Bielski Brothers and how they forged such an incredible and significant impact on future generations. If you know of any religious organizations, schools, conferences, synagogues or universities that would be interested in this presentation, please write sharon@bielskidocumentary.com for information on details and fees.
Description of the presentation:
Tuvia, Zus and Asael Bielski were three Jewish brothers who refused to succumb to the hopeless circumstances of the Holocaust, took their fate into their own hands, and kindled a flame of hope in the hearts of Jews searching for sense and meaning during one of their darkest times in history. With sheer tenacity and resourcefulness, they formed an armed brigade, conducted sabotage missions against Nazi infrastructure and created a thriving shtetl hidden deep within the forests of western Belarus where Jews lived with dignity. When WWII ended, over 1200 Jews emerged from the woods. Their story is told in the Hollywood film “Defiance” starring Daniel Craig as Tuvia Bielski, the group’s leader.
Filmmaker Sharon Rennert, granddaughter of the group’s commander, Tuvia Bielski, has been exploring her family legacy with her video camera over an eleven-year journey that has taken her all over the world from Brooklyn to Belarus, Israel and Lithuania. Her multi-media presentation provides a unique and personal glimpse into the real characters behind “Defiance.” Her presentation includes exclusive Bielski family movies, photos, oral histories and excerpts from her documentary, "In Our Hands: A Personal Story of the Bielski Partisans.” People of all faiths will be able to use the presentation as a catalyst for group discussions about the importance for tolerance, compassion, respect for diversity and the courage to stand up for what is right. Young adults will be inspired to learn that even a single person can have a significant impact on society and will be encouraged to challenge each other to make positive changes in the world to help prevent future acts of genocide. For more information go to: http://www.bielskidocumentary.com/
Bio:
Sharon Rennert is an award-winning independent filmmaker and television editor with a Bachelor of Science degree in Broadcasting & Film from Boston University, and a Master of Fine Arts degree in Cinema-Television from the University of Southern California. Her thesis film “Setting Boundaries”, which chronicles the transformation of women from rape victims into empowered survivors, won the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences College Television Award in the documentary division. Sharon has been editing and producing documentary series and television specials for over eighteen years and is currently working on “The Bachelor” for ABC, while producing her independent documentary, “In Our Hands: A Personal Story of the Bielski Partisans”. Sharon travels throughout the country and lectures about the history of the Bielski Partisans to help teach all generations about the importance of tolerance and compassion.
Feedback from past presentations:
“Sharon, your program was one of the favorite ones that we have been involved with during the past few years. Your presentation was well organized and flowed seamlessly between the history of the Bielski Partisans, personal family stories and entertaining vignettes that were integrated within your Power Point presentation and film footage. You were able to evoke laughter and moments of tenderness. Each person felt like they had personally met Tuvia Bielski and other family members. The audience hung on your every word and left wanting to hear and learn more.”
-Bonnie Shafrin
Director, Nathan & Esther Pelz Holocaust Education Resource Center
Milwaukee Jewish Federation
“Sharon Rennert shares the inside story of the Bielskis as only a family member can do. Through her moving pictures, videos and narration, we come to learn that heros are often the last ones to be aware of their greatness. Sharon is organized, engaging, and creative in her presentation, and will inspire any audience with her unique story.”
-Rabbi David M. Frank
Temple Solel, Cardiff by the Sea, CA.
“Sharon Rennert's presentations at the 29th & 30th annual IAJGS International Conferences on Jewish Genealogy were huge hits with our audience, due to her charming manner and whimsical style of presentation. By intertwining clips from her personal documentary with family movies, she offered a keen-eyed interpretation of what it was like to grow up with a grandfather whose heroism was almost beyond comprehension, and kept everyone enthralled from start to finish.”
-Pamela Weisberger
Program Chair, IAJGS International Conference on Jewish Genealogy 2010
“Sharon Rennert’s presentation featuring her film “In Our Hands: A Personal Story of the Bielski Partisans” is intriguing, heart-warming and entertaining.”
-Erin Blankenship
Curator of Exhibitions & Collections, Florida Holocaust Museum
Previous Speaking Engagements:
09/26/10 - Breman Jewish Heritage and Holocaust Museum, Atlanta, GA.
07/14/10 - 30th IAJGS Conference on Jewish Genealogy, Los Angeles, CA.
04/15/10 - Milwaukee Jewish Federation, Milwaukee, WI.
04/12/10 - Plainview Jewish Center, Plainview, NY.
03/26/10 - Kehillat Israel Congregation, Pacific Palisades, CA.
02/14/10 - Limmud, LA Conference, Costa Mesa, CA.
10/09/09 - Temple Solel, Cardiff by the Sea, CA.
09/13/09 - Jewish Genealogical Society of Los Angeles, CA.
08/06/09 - 29th IAJGS Conference on Jewish Genealogy, Philadelphia, PA.
07/20/08 - Rochester Jewish Film Festival, Rochester, NY.
06/02/09 - Florida Holocaust Museum, St. Petersburg, FL.