This week on The Exchange, we hear two little-known stories of the Holocaust. We recognize the Days of Remberence of the Victims of the Holocaust, which is, a day of commemoration in Israel for the approximately six million Jews who perished in the Holocaust, and for the many members of the Jewish Resistance.
Author Judy Batalion brings alive the stories of some fearless women who joined the resistance in the Jewish ghettos of Poland in her book “The Light of Days: The Untold Story of Women Resistance Fighters in Hitler’s Ghettos.” Judy's book has already been optioned for a film by Stephen Speilberg.
Judy says her desire to write about strong Jewish women led her to uncover many, many untold stories of courageous women.
There is another little told story of the Holocaust that is told in a new novel called, "Iron Butterfy."
Author Andrew Anselmi writes about Italy under Nazis rule. His mother grew up in Italy and suffered under the Nazis, even though she was not jewish. She would never talk about it, so Andrew researched the events that took place in Italy from 1943-1944 in his new novel. Andrew says there are several reasons why many of us do not have many details about the Nazis in Italy.
Also, we hear another Small Wonder from Jim Schaap.
Also this week, the Woodbury County Supervisors heard from three contenders vying to fill out the rest of treasurer Michael Clayton's unfinished term. The supervisors will make a decision next week at their board meeting. Also, we hear from a health official in northwest Iowa who retired this week. Pam Bogue worked more than 23-years with Buena Vista County Public Health and Home Care. Bogue worked first as a nurse and then as an administrator for the health department. She talks to Siouxland Public Media’s Sheila Brummer about the past year of COVID-19, including mitigation efforts and Tyson Foods.
Also on the program, Iowa veterans who are interested in a career in agriculture can now take advantage of a new apprenticeship program. The Connecting Veterans to Agri-Food System Opportunities program builds on an existing national program for veterans who wish to explore careers in production agriculture and agri-food system supply chain businesses. Veterans in Agriculture, Iowa State University Extension, and Iowa Microloan are partnering to develop and offer integrated resources for apprenticeships, including on-the-job training and required technical instruction, mentorship and facilitated workshops.
Beth Grabau is the executive director of Veterans in Agriculture. Grabu says she and partners have been working on this project for three years and the curriculum needed updating. We also speak with Madeline Schultz, a program manager for the Women in Ag Program with ISU Extension and Outreach and she is the project’s leader. Schultz talks about new program that reaches out to women landowners in Iowa. She explains how the program will work.
This Sunday, Lamb Theater holds an 11-day virtual fundraiser. Lamb Theater's Diana Wooley and Dave Madsen talk about some of the performers you can look forward to when you join in the festivities online. The event begins this Sunday, as Diana Wooley explains.
