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Every day we face countless moments. How we choose to act and speak in each moment is up to us. We’re here to help you meet those moments and be an upstander – someone who stands up for themselves and others, to be the best of humanity today. Meet the co-hosts of the Upstander Ripple Effect, Jackie Congedo and Kevin Aldridge. Jackie is the Chief Community Engagement & External Relations Officer at the Nancy & David Wolf Holocaust & Humanity Center in Cincinnati, Ohio. Kevin is the Opinion & Engagement Editor at the Cincinnati Enquirer. Together they reflect on how one act by one person in one moment can have lasting effects, and how when we use our character strengths, there’s no limit to the kind of positive ripples we can start.

“What do we mean by the Upstander Ripple Effect? We believe that one person can choose to stand up in just one moment in a way that sets off ripples of positive change.”
Kevin Aldridge, Upstander Ripple Effect co-host

“What you do right now in this moment matters.”
Jackie Congedo, Upstander Ripple Effect co-host

Included in this episode, hear the story of Sister Nancy Linenkugel, a Catholic nun who taught 8^th grade language arts in the 1970’s. A routine lesson on the Diary of Anne Frank sparked curiosity in her students, and led her to reach out to Anne’s father, Otto Frank. Otto and Sister Nancy forged a friendship through letters, that lasted Otto’s whole life. Sister Nancy’s story and her recollections of the goodness of Otto Frank are remarkable and inspiring.

Also, catch part of our conversation with Elisha Wiesel, who isn’t just carrying on the legacy of his father, Nobel Laureate Elie Wiesel. Elisha is looking to the future and shares his thoughts on being an upstander against antisemitism in this moment.

“You could feel the brush of air as that younger man who was my father was sort of running past us. It was the first time I think I saw my father as vulnerable. He was always so strong. And to see him really start to break down in that place had a very powerful effect on me. It really opened up something within me.”
Elisha Wiesel, on visiting his father, Elie Wiesel’s hometown of Sighet, Romania, with him in 1995.

The Upstander Ripple Effect is a space where, together, we work towards a better humanity. We can’t wait to share it with you.

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Episode Resources

Learn more about The Nancy & David Wolf Holocaust & Humanity Center https://www.holocaustandhumanity.org/

This episode made possible with generous support from the Cynthia & Harold Guttman Family Center for Storytelling https://www.holocaustandhumanity.org/storytelling/

Take the character strengths survey for free https://www.holocaustandhumanity.org/upstander/assess-your-character-strengths/

HHC statement on Israel and antisemitism https://www.holocaustandhumanity.org/never-again-is-now/

Elie Wiesel Foundation https://eliewieselfoundation.org/

YouTube Channel where you can find all our videos, and full episodes of Hear My Story, including Sister Nancy Linenkugel and Elisha Wiesel https://www.youtube.com/@holocaustandhumanity

Read Co-host Kevin Aldridge’s most recent columns https://www.cincinnati.com/staff/2647297001/kevin-s-aldridge/

Find out more about Brothers N Motion, the story shared by Kevin https://ceaicincy.org/brothers-n-motion/

Read more about athlete Sam Stoller, who did not get to compete in the Olympics in Berlin in 1936 https://www.ushmm.org/exhibition/olympics/?content=jewish_athletes_more&lang=en

Find out more about the life of Holocaust survivor Al Miller https://www.holocaustandhumanity.org/in-loving-memory-of-holocaust-survivor-dr-al-miller/