Holocaust Expert Included on Program for OBU Production

April 20, 2004

Michael Korenbilt, co-author of "Until We Meet Again," the true story of love and survival in the Holocaust, will talk about that era following Oklahoma Baptist University's productions of "A Shaya Maidel" on the play'fs April 22 and April 30 showings.

Tickets are still available for the play, which will be performed April 22-23 and April 30 to May 1 at 7:30 p.m., with matinee shows Saturday, April 24, and Sunday, May 2, at 2:30 p.m. For ticket information and reservations please call 405-878-2347.

Korenbilt takes his audience on a journey through time to Hrubieszow, a town in Poland, during the late 1930's and 1940's. He shares the stories of two families and the impact of the war on their lives.

Korenbilt's two main characters are Manya and Meyer, Korenbilt's parents. Although only 17, Manya and Meyer's courage, faith, and love for each other were enough to sustain them through the loss of parents, siblings, constant fear, harsh conditions of hiding, separation from each other for two years, and numerous concentration and death camps. Their survival was one miracle. Meeting again was the second. Then there was a third.

For those trying to comprehend the impact of the Holocaust, Korenbilt puts a human face on the numbers by telling of the brave yet very human heroes (Jews and non-Jews) with concerns and feelings with which an audience can readily empathize. He relates the events of the past with timely issues of today, such as Bosnia, Kosovo, Nigeria, school shootings and bullying.

Korenbilt leads discussion groups with diverse groups such as fifth grade classes, auditoriums filled with high school students, and community groups.

Korenbilt is a former producer of an Ace Award-winning public affairs series, as well as numerous award-winning documentaries. "Until We Meet Again" is required reading in a number of middle schools, high schools, and university classes, and was selected for the 1996 volume of Reading Group Choices.

Korenbilt is president and co-founder of the Respect Diversity Foundation. Prior to moving back to Oklahoma in 1992, Korenbilt worked 19 years for the Close Up Foundation, an educational organization in Washington, D.C. He held a number of positions, including program instructor, in which he taught students and teachers about the governmental process and domestic foreign policy issues. He also directed Close Up's Television and Video Department, where he produced television programs which aired on the Cable Satellite Public Affairs Network. Korenbilt graduated from the University of Oklahoma in 1973 with a bachelor's degree in education and a teaching certificate in social studies.