Four Perfect Pebbles: A Holocaust Story + Anne Frank Exhibit at Minnetrista

Marion Blumenthal Lazan, a Holocaust survivor and author of Four Perfect Pebbles, will share her story Dec. 4 at Pruis Hall and Dec. 12 at Parker City Christ Fellowship. Both programs are free and open to the public. The events will begin at 7 p.m. with a book signing following each program.

Marion Blumenthal Lazan was in two of the same concentration camps as Anne Frank. Her family endured six and a half years of fear and persecution in some of Europe's most notorious refugee, transit and concentration camps. Her message is one of respect, tolerance, perseverance and hope.

There will be an opportunity to meet Marion Blumenthal Lazan at a Meet the Author event held at Minnetrista. Meet the Author will take place Tuesday, Dec 4 from 4:30-6 p.m. Light refreshments will be served and her book, Four Perfect Pebbles, will be available to purchase.

Cost: Members, $15; Non-members, $20. Pre-registration is required. For more information or to register, please call (765) 213-3549.

Anne Frank: A History for Today

Now - January 20, 2008

Minnetrista will host Anne Frank: A History for Today October 27 through January 20. This historical, yet intimate exhibit depicts Anne Frank's life story using family photos and passages from her diary. Her biographical story is enhanced by testimony and powerful imagery from Holocaust survivors.

Anne Frank: A History of Today illustrates the continuing relevance of Anne Frank's story and the important lessons it can teach us today. The exhibit is a reminder that the discrimination and racism that brought her life to an end did not disappear when World War II concluded. Learning about her life story challenges the viewer to reflect upon the value of tolerance, mutual respect, and the significance of human rights.

Minnetrista hours are: Mon. - Sat., 9 a.m. - 5:30 p.m., Sun., 11 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. Admission is FREE to members. General Admission is $4 child/student; $6 senior; $7 adult.

For more information on this exhibit or Minnetrista, visit www.minnetrista.net.

Anne Frank: A History for Today was developed by the Anne Frank House and is sponsored in North America by the Anne Frank Center USA.


Exhibit Explores Religious Diversity

Now - January 20, 2008

To coincide with the exhibit, Anne Frank: A History for Today, Minnetrista will also host B'ruchim Habaim: Midwestern Sanctuary, October 27 - January 20. The exhibit, a photographic essay, is a Minnetrista original and depicts the Jewish temples of East Central Indiana. Four temples and their congregations are represented. They include: Temple Beth El in Muncie; Temple B'nai Israel in Kokomo; Beth Boruk Temple in Richmond and Sinai Temple in Marion.

Elizabeth Leeor, exhibit creator/photographer, is a former resident of Muncie and converted to Judaism in 1990. She wanted to use her talents as an artist to increase Indiana's awareness of its own religious diversity. According to Leeor, all four of the temples represented in the exhibit have been around for more than 100 years.

"For me, the important message in these pictures goes beyond the discovery that rabbis can be female, married, and pregnant," says Leeor. "It goes past questions of sexual preference, degrees of religious observance, and the politics of personal choice. Religious diversity exists in America, while social and political acknowledgement of this fact has yet to be fully realized....these images are about joy, survival, commitment and the power of art to communicate what social-political religious debate often fails to acknowledge."


Bruchim Habaim: Midwestern Sanctuary will be on display in the Indiana Room. As always, member admission is free. Admission for non-members is $4 child/student; $6 senior; $7 adult. Exhibit hours are Monday - Saturday, 9 a.m. - 5:30 p.m., and Sunday, 11 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.

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Located along historic White River, Minnetrista includes 40 acres of beautiful gardens and grounds, a modern museum facility, an historic home, Nature Area, numerous sculptures, and a portion of the Cardinal Greenway. Minnetrista serves East Central Indiana with dynamic community activities and exhibits that honor and reflect its natural and cultural heritage. For more information about Minnetrista, visit www.minnetrista.net.