History and humanity are set to converge in an unprecedented upcoming conversation between a St. Louis Holocaust survivor and a descendant of a Nazi engineer.
On May 16, Oskar Jakob, who survived five Nazi camps before being liberated by the British, will sit down with Suzanne Rico, the granddaughter of Robert Lusser, the creator of the infamous V-1 flying bomb. Together they will enter into a one-of-a-kind discussion.
“Oskar Jakob, and this program, have given me an opportunity to understand history, and my family’s part in it, in a much deeper, more meaningful way,” said Rico. “And I get a chance to say, ‘I’m sorry. I’m grateful for this gift.’ ”
Irving and Oskar Jakob, 1946
This never-before-heard conversation was put together with the help of “Conversation Builds Character,” the group that helped organize 2022’s “Lest We Forget” photo series featuring 12 local Holocaust survivors photographed by Luigi Toscano.
“This story really spoke to us,” said Dee Dee Simon, Co-Founder with her husband, Eliot, of Conversation Builds Character. “The dialogue between Suzanne Rico and Oskar Jakob exposed and confronted the human dynamics that led to the horrific dehumanization of Oskar and many others. Their genuine conversation brought about healing, forgiveness and hope. This is truly an inspiring story that must be heard.”
Myron Freedman, the museum’s executive director, echoed the sentiment, highlighting the pivotal role of conversations like these in fostering understanding and healing.
“Conversations like this one are pivotal. They not only preserve the memories of the past but also encourage understanding and healing in our present,” said Freedman.
The conversation will be facilitated by Scott Miller, former director of curatorial affairs at the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, who has extensive experience in Holocaust education.
Conversation Between Holocaust Survivor & Nazi Descendant
When: May 16, beginning at 6 p.m. Where: 36 Millstone Campus Drive, 63146 Cost: The program is free. Register at STLHolocaustMuseum.org/Upcoming-Events.
Jordan worked at KSDK from 1995 to 2020. Jordan is a three-time Emmy award winner who produced every kind of show from news to specials during his tenure, creating Show Me St. Louis, The Cardinal Nation Show. He started ksdk.com in 2001 and won three Edward R. Murrow Awards for journalistic and website excellence in 2010, 2014 and 2020.
Jordan has been married for 25 years and is the father of two college students. He is an avid biker, snowboarder, and beer lover. He created the blog drink314.com, focusing on the St. Louis beer community in 2015. Jordan has an incredible and vast knowledge of useless information and is the grandson of a Cleveland bootlegger.
