Crisp air replaces warm summer breezes. And this fall marks the twentieth anniversary of the first time I saw these remarkable photos in a locked room in Auschwitz-Birkenau, Poland (October 2006),

At that time, virtually no on knew about these photos. They were not being displayed, researched, or shown to the world. In fact, in 1992, on one of my successive trips to Poland, Auschwitz Museum Director-General Wroblenski informed me, “Because of the spotlight you are putting on these photos, we will begin to show them. We will display five.”

Five was just a start. I am pleased to say that now many more of these precious photos are now being shown at Auschwitz-Birkenau, where these photos were first discovered in 1945..

But that was just a beginning.

In these 20 years, I’ve traveled the globe to:

a) Discover the identities of hundreds of these unknown photos and return copies to their rightful owners [Note this important research is still continuing while survivors are here, and many photos are still unidentified, many histories still unknown];

b) Researched and organized 2 versions of traveling photo exhibition, one for museums and universities, one for high schools and community centers;

c) Directed, produced and narrated Eyes from the Ashes film, to make easily accessible these screened images of the photos to audiences everywhere;

d) Written two books based on the photos, including newly revised, expanded edition of The Last Album: Eyes from the Ashes of Auschwitz-Birkenau

e) Television, radio and newspaper interviews (Click on MEDIA section for selected broadcast interviews); and

f) Created special presentations tailored to specific audience needs, interests, and demographics, All material is based on the stories of Holocaust Survivors who have trusted me with their private memories, grateful that I will share them with others..

Pease click on EVENTS section for specifics on upcoming programs, speeches and photo exhibition schedule.

Each of these programs is being expanded. New programs are being developed, particularly creation of educational material that personalizes history using these precious family photos carried to Auschwitz more than 60 years ago. Input from you would be much appreciated.

In celebration of these 20 years, and beginning as quickly as possible (especially because we only have survivors for a limited time), we are trying to launch a massive project by which it will be possible for anyone in the world with access to a computer to see every single one of these rare personal photos carried into Auschwitz-Birkenau by Jews deported there.

Millions of such photos once existed, together with their owners, and millions of these people and their photos were destroyed by the Nazis. As far as anyone knows, this singular group of 2400 images saved by the Jewish Underground at Auschwitz, is the only canon of its kind that still exists. The Nazis preserved the photos of their brutalization and murder of Jews. But these photos of Jews living their lives in normal times were pointedly destroyed.

As of today the photos have been scanned. Now the massive process of data compilation must begin in order to correlate and extend the important continuing research on these photos. Paraphrasing survivor Henry Skorr on NPR Morning Edition (Click here for 7 moving minutes, culminated by Henry’s words), “Using photos from Auschwitz, the citadel of death, Ann Weiss shows the world how we lived, not how we died.” After seeing the photos, many other survivors have echoed his statement, simply stating, “This is how we wanted to remember our families. Thank you.”

In this troubled world, we need to find ways to reconnect with our own humanity, and find the humanity within others. A variety of innovative projects are being developed to help make the world feel smaller, while expanding our understanding. To participate in these efforts, to learn more and to offer financial and other assistance, please contact me directly at annweiss@thelastalbum.org or write to PO Box 1136, Bryn Mawr, PA 19010-7136.

I wish you all a year of meaningful beginnings, of fulfillment and health, and peace, both inside and out.

Shalom. Ann.

September – October, 2006