Life In a Jar: The Irena Sendler Project - Jack Mayer

Life In a Jar: The Irena Sendler Project

By Jack Mayer

  • Release Date: 2011-03-28
  • Genre: History
Score: 4.5
4.5
From 200 Ratings

Description

During World War II, Irena Sendler, a Polish Catholic social worker, organized a rescue network of fellow social workers to save 2,500 Jewish children from certain death in the Warsaw ghetto. Incredibly, after the war her heroism, like that of many others, was suppressed by communist Poland and remained virtually unknown for 60 years.

Unknown, that is, until three high school girls from an economically depressed, rural school district in southeast Kansas stumbled upon a tantalizing reference to Sendler’s rescues, which they fashioned into a history project, a play they called Life in a Jar. Their innocent drama was first seen in Kansas, then the Midwest, then New York, Los Angeles, Montreal, and finally Poland, where they elevated Irena Sendler to a national hero, championing her legacy of tolerance and respect for all people.

Life in a Jar: The Irena Sendler Project is a Holocaust history and more. It is the inspirational story of Protestant students from Kansas, each carrying her own painful burden, each called in her own complex way to the history of a Catholic woman who knocked on Jewish doors in the Warsaw ghetto and, in Sendler’s own words, “tried to talk the mothers out of their children.” Inspired by Irena Sendler, they are living examples of the power of one person to change the world and models for young people everywhere.

Sixty percent (60%) of the royalties of Life in a Jar: The Irena Sendler Project are donated to the Irena Sendler/Life in a Jar Foundation. The foundation promotes Irena Sendler’s legacy and encourages educators and students to emulate the project by focusing on unsung heroes in history to teach respect and understanding among all people, regardless of race, religion, or creed.

Reviews

  • Ms

    5
    By Ski-Utah-2003
    Wow!!!! What a wonderful book, I not only cried but wept, this book is moving. All of the people that risked everything to save people the didn't even know, and to endure what Irena endured and never give up hope, are a statement as to how good humanity is when even the worse seems to be prevailing. I will re-read this book again and again, it was so captivating. Bravo to the students from Kansas who went so far to find her, and more so to the teacher that inspired them, what a great tribute to your ability as a teacher.
  • Life in a Jar

    5
    By pbfrank
    For lovers of history, social justice and truth, this is a must read! Add to that a magnificent story telling writing style and the result is that Life in a Jar is almost impossible to put down - except to find tissues to wipe away tears. Readers of all ages will be inspired.