Moral Dilemma Moral Message SS St Louis Legacy Project

PRLog (Press Release) - Sep. 5, 2012 - In 1939 the United States faced a moral dilemma.  The SS St Louis, a ship carrying over 900 Jewish refugees escaping Nazi terror, was refused safe haven by Secretary of State Cordell Hull.  What motivated the United States to deny political asylum to these desperate passengers is the subject of intense debate.  However, the result of this moral dilemma was the return of the ship to Europe where hundreds of the passengers were killed at the hands of Nazi persecution and the saga of the SS St Louis became a symbol of the world’s indifference to the plight to Jews suffering Adolf Hitler’s Nazi regime.
Now 73 years later, on September 24, 2012, under the leadership of Secretary of State Hilary Clinton, the United States Department of State in association with the SS St Louis Legacy Project will host an historic event honoring a delegation of surviving passengers of the ill fated ship, the SS St Louis.  The event, according to Michael Posner, Assistant Secretary of State, will “demonstrate this Administration’s commitment to preventing genocide, fighting hatred, and standing up for all forms of Human Rights.  Highlighting the theme of “not leaving our conscience at the door when we come to work,” this program demonstrates the sometimes unintended consequences of government decisions not grounded in protecting Human Rights and advancing American values. “

The program will include:
•   A ceremony honoring the passengers and their special contributions to American society
•   A theatrical performance of Robert Krakow’s provocative play, The Trial of Franklin D Roosevelt directed by one of America’s most talented directors, Eleanor Holdridge
•   A ceremony in which the passengers present a Proclamation of Appreciation to the ambassadors of France, England, Belgium and Holland, the countries that granted them safe haven when they were forced to return to Europe
•   Honoring Ambassador Richard Holbrooke, the donation of Senate Resolution 111 to the US Department of State Archives.  This resolution passed by the US Senate in May 2009, bears the original signatures of 34 surviving passengers and represents the only US acknowledgement of the failure to assist Jewish refugees during the pre-war and wartime period.  
The SS St Louis Legacy Project, Inc.  is a Boca Raton based not for profit foundation whose mission is to bring “education through drama” presentations such as this to universities, high schools and communities throughout the country.  The Foundation creates dialogue and discussions on the critical issues facing contemporary America such as human rights, refugee policy, and racism.  The powerful docudrama programs create excitement and interest for audiences and address the current need for new methods of educating the student whose attention span has been challenged by society’s hyper speed media environment. The Foundation’s recent educational programs, including theatrical performances at Georgetown University and Creighton University, included a panel of surviving passengers who discussed their views on the moral dilemma and human rights implications of the denial of safe haven by the United States as well as their contributions to American society since their entry to the country following the war.

For further information on this historic event contact Ruth Ann Kalish, Vice President SS St Louis Legacy Project, 954 592 5072 and visit stlouislegacyproject.org