This unforgettable true story of memory, legacy, and music spans generations and continents.

In “Bram’s Violin,” David Groen shares the remarkable journey of his uncle, Bram Rodrigues, a young Jewish man from Amsterdam who was murdered in Auschwitz in 1943. Before his deportation, Bram entrusted his cherished violin to a close friend. That friend’s family safeguarded the instrument for decades — until, more than 75 years later, it found its way back to Bram’s surviving family.

This poignant lecture traces Bram’s early life, the bonds of deep friendship, and how a book written by David Groen played a central role in the violin’s eventual return. It’s a powerful narrative of resilience, remembrance, and the lasting echoes of one man’s life.

Optional Add-On: To deepen the emotional impact, David can be joined by a professional violinist who plays Bram’s actual violin during the presentation. Musical selections include Jerusalem of Gold, the theme from Schindler’s List, and Sabbath Prayer from Fiddler on the Roof. This optional musical performance extends the program to approximately 90 minutes.

A detailed account of the settling of Jews in the Netherlands, dating back to the 13th century, the migration of Jews from Spain and Portugal, and pre World War II Holland, including Amsterdam's strong Jewish presence prior to the Nazi occupation. This will further address the time Holland was known as "Jerusalem of the West", the impact of Sephardic Judaism in Holland, and the devastation of the Holocaust which took 75% of the Jewish population. A breakdown of Jewish population per city and province, including overall demographic and influence will be part of this discussion. It will conclude with an analysis of post 1945 Holland and the rebuilding of the Jewish community to present day.

This lecture provides a detailed look at Jewish communities in European cities most impacted by the Holocaust after 1945, and it chronicles the successes and failures of the reestablishment of these communities. In addition, we’ll discuss the impact of the migration of Jews to Israel, the United States and (to a lesser extent) England and France. We will also address the groups within the Jewish world most responsible for the growth in world Jewry’s numbers in the years since WWII ended, as well as current trends and how those trends may impact numbers and locations moving forward.

This lecture will discuss the men and women who emerged from the Holocaust to become well-known contributors in various segments of society. This lecture will cover a wide variety of fascinating and inspirational rises in entertainment, literature and politics. Examples include author Elie Wiesel, sex therapist Dr. Ruth Westheimer, and famed Nazi hunter Simon Wiesenthal.

An analysis of the establishment of the modern State of Israel as it evolved from the ashes of the Holocaust. This detailed and fascinating breakdown speaks not only to the events that took place leading to the nation’s independence in 1948, but also to the historical and biblical right the Jewish people have to the land so often in question. This talk will address the influences from various parts of the world, most notably Eastern Europe and North Africa, and it will address how Israel has become the nation it is today.

This lecture is a history of monarchies dating back to 1933 at the beginning of Nazi regime in Germany, and the impact these monarchies had on the outcome of World War II, particularly as it relates to assistance or lack thereof for the Jewish population. This talk will also address the specific behaviors of individual members of royal families, ranging from courageous support for the Jews to complicity with the Nazis.