Chabad’s Jewish Living & Learning Series presents a special evening with Zvi Bielski, the son of Zus Bielski, hero of the movie “Defiance.” Zvi Bielski will share his family’s story at the Jewish Community Center’s Performing Arts Center at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 26. Doors open at 7 p.m.

During World War II, Zvi’s father and his uncles organized a Jewish partisan unit in the woods of Bellorussia, committed to both fighting the Nazis and rescuing Jews. The elaborate “village” they constructed in the dense Polish forest they had known since childhood included a bakery, communal bath, synagogue and even a theatre company.

As the Germans searched for the partisans, the group collected weapons and explosives and destroyed German targets until the region was liberated by the Russian army in July 1944. The Bielskis eventually rescued 1,250 Jewish men, women and children, whose offspring today number close to 20,000 souls – the largest rescue of Jews by Jews in WW II. They were the subject of the popular 2008 film, “Defiance,” which told their story of transforming persecution and violence into affirmation and survival.

The entire St. Louis community is invited to hear this powerful tale of courage in the face of horror from the son of one of the heroic individuals who lived it. The History Channel version of the story along with other footage will be shown. Refreshments will be served. The suggested donation is $10 and sponsorships of the event are $180. This event is a project of Chabad of Greater St. Louis in cooperation with the Holocaust Museum and Learning Center. For more information call Chabad at 314-725-0400 or visit showmechabad.com/defiance.