Montclair High School students of the German program will have the opportunity to hear from Holocaust survivor
Ronnie Reutlinger Breslow who was a passenger on the
MS St. Louis. The ship began its voyage to Cuba in 1939 with close to 1,000 Jewish refugees seeking asylum from Nazi persecution in Germany. When it reached Cuba its passengers were not allowed to come ashore. The St. Louis circled the Atlantic Ocean looking for a home for its passengers.
Prior to the virtual visit on Feb. 14, students will read the book
"Liesl's Ocean Rescue" by Barbara Krasner. German teacher Regina Guhl translated it into German and will be doing exercises around it. Though it is a children’s book that presents a happier ending for those on the MS St. Louis, Gruhl will share with students the true history of what happened to its passengers.
Reutlinger Breslow will tell her own story about her journey on the MS St. Louis. Her presentation will be followed by a discussion with students.