Today (Thursday, April 10, 2008), was declared Erika Mandler Day in Chillicothe in honor of Mrs. Mandler, a Jew who survived the Holocaust. Chillicothe Mayor Chuck Haney presented Mandler with a proclamation declaring this her day just moments before the opening of “Courage and Love: The George & Erika Mandler Story,” a play written about her life and that of her husband, the late Dr. George Mandler. The Mandlers survived the Holocaust and settled in Chillicothe in 1951. Shown in the background are portions of a couple of banners hung in the lobby of Gary Dickinson Performing Arts Center with tiny images printed on them to symbolize the 6 million Jews who died in the Holocaust. The Mandlers lost many family members in the Holocaust. The proclamation presented to Mrs. Mandler states that she has influenced many people by presenting her story of the Holocaust to many groups and organizations. The play is being presented Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Today's performance was set aside mostly for students from throughout the area to attend.

C-T Photo / Catherine Stortz Ripley

Contributing Writer

This weekend the only Jew living in Chillicothe is being honored by a cast of 50 high school students, their instructor, and by scores of local and area volunteers, businesses, churches and individuals who have, through calls, letters, donations, and ticket purchases, indicated their desire to pay tribute to the strength and courage of a woman who has lived among them for almost 60 years.

Holocaust survivor Erika Mandler moved to Chillicothe in 1951 with her husband, an ear, nose and throat specialist, Dr.George Mandler, also a Holocaust survivor. After 13 years of living in upheaval - through Nazi terror, Communist regimes, and even rejection by an Ohio physician who hired George and then took back the offer when he realized George was a Jew - the Mandlers focused on adapting and fitting into Chillicothe life. Their daughter Camilla was born in Chillicothe, and she and her parents involved themselves in the community. On weekends they drove 85 miles to attend synagogue. Dr. and Mrs. Mandler did not talk about what they missed in their homelands, nor did they talk openly about their experience in the Holocaust.

The Vienna Opera

Mrs. Mandler had grown up as an Orthodox Jew in Vienna, Austria, a city of over 1.5 million people, a real contrast to Chillicothe's rural setting and 8,900 citizens. As a young girl, her life revolved around friends, family, synagogue and music. She spent all her “pocket money” for standing room tickets at the opera and symphony in a city renowned for its music and theater. In Chillicothe the Mandlers could always be found center section, a few rows from the stage, for every fine arts event that was brought to Chillicothe and for every high school dramatic performance.

This weekend the dramatic performance on the high school stage is the story of Mrs. Mandler's life from age 15 to her arrival in America in 1949. The play, Courage and Love: The George & Erika Mandler Story, was written by first-year Chillicothe High School drama instructor Lisa Rule, a CHS graduate (and one of CHS's National Merit Scholars). The play is beautifully written, creatively staged, and those performing students seem to be deeply moved by being part of this story of extreme hardship, injustice, courage and love. Between their parts on stage portraying Erika and her friends and family, George, soldiers and imprisoned Jews, the students come and sit close to Mrs. Mandler who has attended several rehearsals. During breaks they ask her questions. Some cry when they leave the stage at night.

“I have been so proud of these kids,” Rule said. “I think they realize they are part of something bigger than themselves,” she continued. Practices began in early February, running four nights a week from 6 until 10 p.m. In addition to countless hours of practice at home and at school for actors and actresses, countless hours have also been spent on set design and lighting.

Woman Honored for Life of Integrity After Surviving Holocaust
Published: Monday, April 14, 2008, C-T

Erika Mandler (left) shares a tender moment with her daughter, Camille Kern, Saturday during a reception at Chillicothe Country Club organized by the Honorary Consuls of Slovakia and Czech Republic. The reception was held just prior to the Chillicothe High School play “Courage and Love: The George & Erika Mandler Story,” which told the story of the Mandlers who survived the Holocaust. “... people don't know or understand what beautiful people we have here who welcomed us with open arms," Mandler said about starting a new life with her husband in Chillicothe in 1951. “And then when Camille was born, my happiness was complete."

C-T Photo/ Catherine Stortz Ripley

Officials from the Czech Republic consul, friends and relatives from distant states and local well-wishers and supporters filled the Chillicothe Country Club dining room Saturday for a reception honoring local resident and Holocaust survivor Erika Mandler. The event, which was held prior to the Saturday night showing of the CHS Players' production, “Courage and Love: The George & Erika Mandler Story,” was organized by the Honorary Consuls of Slovakia and Czech Republic.

Mandler's daughter, Camille Kern, briefly address the crowd and thanked those in attendance for honoring her mother. Kern said that while she and her mother have a small family, they are blessed with “amazing” friends who traveled to Chillicothe (some only for the day) to be with them for the special night. “Because they are here today, I will be able to share my memories of this incredible time with them,” Kern said. She noted that her mother's first cousin flew in from New York, and friends from Colorado, Boston, Chicago, Washington D.C., Dallas and Iowa were in attendance, too. “It is very special that they are here today,” Kern said. She also expressed her gratitude to the community of Chillicothe who welcomed her parents when they arrived in town in 1951. “I tell you with all my heart, thank you,” she said.

Mandler also spoke briefly to the crowd and noted that she was overcome with emotion. “This is so exciting for me I can hardly speak, and that's strange for me,” Mandler said, smiling. She added that the excitement of the play and the reception have created memories which will last for a long time to come. “I love each and every one of you,” she said. Mandler said that many people have wondered how she, with her late husband, George, found happiness in the small rural town of Chillicothe - especially when they discovered that she had grown up in the large metropolitan city of Vienna, Austria. “Those people don't know or understand what beautiful people we have here who welcomed us with open arms. And then when Camille was born, my happiness was complete,” she said. Mandler also thanked Lisa Rule, Chillicothe High School drama instructor and personal friend, who wrote and directed the play. “I am grateful for Lisa's dedication to do (the play). It is important for people to know this story so it will never be forgotten,” she said.

Erika Mandler (seated at center) spoke to the crowd gathered Saturday at the Chillicothe Country Club and thanked them for attending the reception which was organized by the Honorary Consuls of Slovakia and Czech Republic. The reception was held prior to Saturday evening's showing of the CHS Players' “Courage and Love: The George & Erika Mandler Story,” at Gary Dickinson Performing Arts Center.

C-T Photo/ Laura Schuler