Call Me Stefan 

In the shadow of World War II, a little Polish boy named Stefan Rozenfeld faced almost impossible odds. Born into a Jewish family in Łódź, where only 4% of Jews survived, Stefan’s life seemed destined to be swallowed by tragedy. Yet, through the quick thinking of his parents, and the extraordinary courage of a Portuguese Catholic diplomat, Aristides de Sousa Mendes, Stefan’s story became one not of despair, but of survival and hope.

Sousa Mendes defied his government and risked his own career by issuing life-saving visas to desperate families fleeing Nazi terror. Among those he helped was young Stefan—a boy whose future, and whose laughter, would have been lost if not for one man’s refusal to look away.
Today, we invite you to rediscover Stefan—not just as a name in history, but as a little boy who could be your son, your grandson, your cousin, or your student. Through his eyes, we see both the terror of persecution and the extraordinary power of human compassion.

 

 

Testimonials: 

It is truly us who owe you a huge thanks for the beautiful and moving presentation you gifted us. Thank you so much for the carefully curated materials and the treats you provided to our students. They listened intently, and it is a testament to the power of your family’s story.

Ana Turkienicz, Education Director, The Learning Center, Pelham Jewish Center

Leah Sills presented the story of her father’s journey to America when he was just six years old. This story of Stefan and Sousa Mendes is a personal one for Leah but also a universal one about determination and kindness that is so important for all to hear. While Stefan is not here to tell us about his life, Leah takes us through his experience with historical facts, artifacts and I believe, her personal amazement of how fate, luck, and kindness brought her father safely here to America during wartime.

Susan Berman, Pine Lake Park Co-op

It was wonderful to meet you and hear your lecture regarding your dad and your grandparent's story and experiences during the World War Two/Holocaust time with my Bnei Mitzvah students at the PJC. The students listened intently to your lecture, they actively participated and interacted in your discussions and in the group activities regarding these horrific times and issues your family members had to go through during the war in a respectful way. I myself, as an Israeli second generation to holocaust survivors, appreciate your great lecture and found it to be very emotional. 

Michael Divon, Pelham Jewish Center

To order panels and schedule a presentation, please fill out the form HERE.

 

This exhibit was curated by historian Dr. Cláudia Ninhos, developed by the Fundação Aristides de Sousa Mendes with support from the Diplomatic Institute, and designed by the architectural team of Susana Rosmaninho & Pedro Azevedo. It includes 12 interlocking panels arranged in a striking star-shaped design that is light enough for a community space, and sturdy enough to stand as a memorial that of history and humanity. Artifacts and stories illuminate Stefan’s survival and the courage of Sousa Mendes as an Upstander.

This exhibit is available for commemorative or educational use by middle/high schools and universities, libraries, synagogues and churches, and other organizations in the greater Westchester County NY area.

The panels must be picked up and returned to our offices in White Plains.

Fees:

Public and Private Middle and High Schools

• Exhibit without Speaker: $100
• Exhibit with Speaker: $200

All Other Venues

• Exhibit without Speaker: $300
• Exhibit with Speaker: $400

Speaker: Leah Sills

Please make checks payable to: HHREC.

To order panels and schedule a presentation, contact Steve Goldberg sgoldberg@hhrecny.org or call 914-696-0738.