Road to Forgiveness

The documentary Forgiving Dr. Mengele tells the story of twin sisters who were kept alive at Auschwitz in the name of Nazi science during World War II. For nine months, the siblings were test subjects in genetic experiments conducted by Josef Mengele, who was known as the Angel of Death. More than a half-century later, Eva Mozes Kor comes to peace with her tormentor. The Maltz Museum of Jewish Heritage screens the film tonight, followed by a discussion led by Rabbi Roger Klein and Father George Smiga. They'll field questions about justice, forgiveness, and "the human dilemma of trying to do the right thing," says Lynda Bender, the museum's director of education. The movie has sparked nationwide criticism from Holocaust survivors. Indeed, Kor's moment of reconciliation isn't easy to watch. "How we find means to live with the past and liberate ourselves from its grip isn't easy," says Bender. "Eva's act of forgiveness brings up very human issues of how we all confront the demons that haunt us." The program starts at 7 p.m. at the Maltz Museum, 2929 Richmond Road in Beachwood. Tickets are $10. Call 216-593-0575 or visit www.maltzjewishmuseum.org.
Wed., Nov. 7, 2007