The Jewish Federation of Southern Arizona Northwest Division will hold a campaign event on Wednesday, Jan. 16 at 7 p.m., featuring Jeannie OpDyke Smith, the daughter of Polish rescuer Irene Gut OpDyke, who died in 2003.
OpDyke received international recognition for her actions during the Holocaust while working for a high- ranking German official. Her life story was recently told on Broadway in the nationally acclaimed play “Irena’s Vow” starring Tovah Feldshuh. The Israeli Holocaust Commission named OpDyke one of the Righteous Among the Nations and she was presented with the Israel Medal of Honor, Israel’s highest tribute, in a ceremony at Jerusalem’s Yad Vashem
Holocaust Memorial. The Vatican has given OpDyke a special commendation and her story is part of a permanent exhibit in the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington, D.C.
Smith is part of the second generation of Holocaust speakers, who share life stories from their parents’ experiences.
The event will be held at Splendido at Rancho Vistoso, 13500 N. Rancho Vistoso Blvd. in Oro Valley. Dessert will be served. RSVP to Karen Graham at 577-9393, ext.118 or kgraham@jfsa.org or online at www.jewishtucson.org. Tours of Splendido will be offered at 6:30 p.m.; RSVP for a tour to Carolyn Vick at 878-2612.
