Media Contact: Kara Driscoll, [email protected], 513-638-0508
CINCINNATI, OHIO – June 13, 2024 – The Nancy & David Wolf Holocaust & Humanity Center proudly announces the launch of the Cynthia & Harold Guttman Family Center for Storytelling, a groundbreaking initiative dedicated to inspiring, engaging, and empowering audiences through impactful storytelling.
In a time marked by rising antisemitism and hatred, the Cynthia & Harold Guttman Family Center for Storytelling seeks to counter these forces by amplifying and championing inspirational stories that challenge individuals to embody the best of humanity. Leveraging the power of narrative, this initiative will connect diverse audiences to the enduring lessons of history and inspire meaningful action in the present.
“We believe in the transformative power of storytelling,” said Jackie Congedo, Chief Community Engagement & External Relations Officer. “The Cynthia & Harold Guttman Family Center for Storytelling represents our commitment to using stories to foster empathy, resilience, and positive change in our world.”
The initiative will spotlight a range of stories, including firsthand testimonies from Holocaust survivors, liberators, and witnesses, as well as narratives from their descendants. Additionally, the Center for Storytelling will highlight the stories of contemporary upstanders and changemakers from diverse backgrounds, showcasing acts of courage and resilience that inspire hope and action.
Congedo will be co-hosting the podcast with Kevin Aldridge, Opinion and Engagement Editor at the Cincinnati Enquirer.
“I care a lot about the ability to create constructive dialogue, and discovering what you have inside you that can make a difference,” Aldridge said. “A lot of what the podcast represents are things I believe in strongly.”
To ensure the broadest and deepest impact, the Cynthia & Harold Guttman Family Center for Storytelling will employ innovative methods of story delivery, including:
- The Upstander Ripple Effect podcast: Hosted by Jackie Congedo, Chief Community Engagement & External Relations Officer at HHC, and Kevin Aldridge, Opinion Editor at Cincinnati.com, this podcast will feature stories of courage and resilience during the Holocaust, illustrating how one act of standing up for justice can have an infinite impact. Listeners will be inspired to activate their own character strengths and become upstanders in their communities.
- Standing Up Strong: A special series of short podcast episodes, produced in partnership with the VIA Institute on Character and generously supported by the Mayerson Family Foundation, will explore the science behind upstanding behavior. By understanding and leveraging their unique character strengths, individuals can contribute to positive change in themselves and the world around them.
- Hear My Story: This weekly video-forward series, hosted by HHC staff, will provide a platform for Holocaust survivors, liberators, rescuers, their descendants, and contemporary upstanders to share their lived experiences. Made possible by the support of Margaret and Michael Valentine, Hear My Story aims to inspire a new generation of the best of humanity.
Listen, watch, and subscribe: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeart, and YouTube.
The Cynthia & Harold Guttman Family Center for Storytelling will also employ elevated digital storytelling, including long-form articles, blogs, and video content, as well as an expanded social media strategy to reach audiences where they are.
The Cynthia & Harold Guttman Family Center for Storytelling is generously supported by Cynthia & Harold Guttman, Ariella & Andy Cohen, Seth & Lauren Guttman, Sadie & Josh Gelb, Hershel Guttman, and Jonah & Arielle Guttman.
Ariella Cohen, the daughter of Cynthia & Harold Guttman, and her family have been heavily involved in Cincinnati and the Jewish community for generations. The Nancy & David Wolf Holocaust & Humanity Center’s emphasis on humanity is a driving force for her family’s involvement in the project.
“We’re faced with so much negativity around us, and the Holocaust & Humanity Center is this precious space that holds uplifting stories of love, connection, and ways to overcome darkness,” Cohen said.
For more information about The Cynthia & Harold Guttman Family Center for Storytelling and to explore upcoming programs and events, click here: https://www.holocaustandhumanity.org/storytelling/
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ABOUT THE NANCY & DAVID WOLF HOLOCAUST & HUMANITY CENTER
The Nancy & David Wolf Holocaust & Humanity Center exists to ensure the lessons of the Holocaust inspire action today. Located at Cincinnati’s historic Union Terminal, HHC impacts more than 2.5 million people every year through digital and in-person events, museum tours, educational experiences, social media, and virtual content. From Australia to India, individuals from more than 25 countries and 30 states engage with our mission. For more information, visit www.holocaustandhumanity.org.
