Speaker series continues with 'Gypsy Music Street' March 15

The Geneva Library Foundation continues its speaker series with "Gypsy Music Street" by Roberta Dietzen from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 15, in the meeting room at the Geneva Public Library, 127 James St. This is a free event. Reservations are not required, but suggested. You can register at www.genevalibraryfoundation.org.

The Holocaust ended more than 70 years ago and the world, faced with the systematic murder of six million Jews and millions more innocent people, promised "Never Again."

Despite the decades passed, Europe's Jewish population has yet to recover, with the ramifications of the Holocaust continuing to be felt today. The tragedy serves as a reminder of the dire consequences of ignorance and inaction to the oppression of vulnerable communities.

For that reason, it is essential to tell and retell the stories of those affected. In "Gypsy Music Street," Roberta Dietzen tells such a story. She chronicles her mother, Rezsi Lehrer's life. Her mother was fortunate to make it out of Eastern Europe shortly before the outbreak of World War II, but her family stayed behind.

After living through the war abroad, not knowing the fate of her loved ones, Rezsi discovers her parents, two brothers, and many more perished in the Holocaust.

Through "Gypsy Music Street," Dietzen tells her family's history of love, irrevocable loss, and the endless traumatic ramifications of the Holocaust that continue to resonate with the following generations. She provides a fascinating look inside the rich Jewish culture of Eastern Europe that was largely destroyed in World War II.

She also shares the adventures she experienced in 2008 when she made an extraordinary roots trip and traveled to Budapest, Ukraine, and Israel, a moving and memorable journey described as the highlight of Dietzen's life.

Through her presentation, Dietzen stresses the relevance of educating the world about the tragedy of the Holocaust - a lesson particularly relevant given the current state of global affairs. She discusses the importance of bringing awareness to the phenomenon of genocide and how people can learn to stand up, speak out, and confront bigotry and hatred throughout the world.

Dietzen is retired from many years of teaching English as a second language to adults. She has three grown children and lives with her husband in Highland Park, Illinois.

The Geneva Library Foundation is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization. The foundation is committed to providing a substantial, permanent, and stable source of funds to support the Geneva Public Library.

For information, contact Peter Evans at (630) 220-3689 or pje319@gmail.com.