Activities

In addition to promoting my book, ‘The Other Schindlers’, I have a variety of other interests. Additionally, since the publication of my book I have had a variety of speaking engagements in the UK and US.

I am available for media interviews and speaking engagements about my book. I am also experienced in chairing meetings and conferences and participating in panel discussions. Please contact me to discuss any of these events.

Interview on ‘Saturday Live’ on BBC Radio 4 with Richard Coles:

Unfortunately the interview scheduled for 21 January was cancelled, but I have recorded an interview for ‘Saturday Live’ with Richard Coles on 27 January which was Holocaust Memorial Day. It will be broadcast at some later point and I will post the date as soon as it is known.

B’Nai B’Rith Yad B’Yad Lodge – Pinner: 13 January 2013

I will be speaking to this group in Pinner next year. Further details in due course.

Previous Activities

Glasgow Yom Hashoah Commemoration: 18 April 2012

I spoke at the Glasgow Jewish Representative Council annual Yom Hashoah event on Wednesday 18 April 2012.

A full report of my visit is at http://agnesgrunwaldspier.com/news-press/

Hill House Care Home, Elstree: 8 February 2012 at 2.30pm

I spoke at the BUPA Care Home Hill House on Elstree Hill South, Elstree, Herts WD6 3DE on 8 February to a mixed audience of residents and guests. The Activities Organiser, Silvia Shillingford had organised the event and my presentation was well received with some buying books which I signed for them.

British Library Friends: 7 February 2012

I spoke to the Friends of the British Library in the Conservation Department. The event was well attended and again my presentation was well received with some good questions. Again several people bought books which I signed.

Visit to Wales: 23 January 2012

I visited Port Talbot and Neath College, following up my visit in April 2010. I am writing a blog about the trip and it will be posted as soon as possible.

I was excited to see the College’s Holocaust Memorial Garden which I opened on my last visit. I was very moved to plant a tree in memory of my maternal grandfather, Armin Klein, who was killed at Auschwitz.

In the evening I was at the Cwmbran Stadium, representing the HMD Trustees for the Launch of Wales’ Holocaust Memorial Week which was attended by Carwyn Jones, the First Minister.

Holocaust Memorial Day Trust – Creative Writing Project 2012:  16 January 2012 at 11.30 at Shirley Library

As part of the build up to HMD 2012, I  spoke at Shirley Library with my PowerPoint presentation. The room was packed and there was an interesting Q and A session which concluded with a discussion on what is the best age to tell children about the Holocaust.

The Koestler Trust – Serving Prisoners Art Project: July -November 2011

Named after Arthur Koestler, a Hungarian Jew who was a Holocaust survivor, The Koestler Awards have been running for 49 years and attract about 6,000 entries in different art forms from prisons and probation services across the UK. Each year a selection of these entries is showcased at an exhibition at the Royal Festival Hall, London. Volunteer curators choose the exhibits for the exhibition which are available for sale. This year the curators were 12 magistrates who were chosen from all over the country. I applied after I saw an article in the March 2011 edition of ‘The Magistrate’ – my eye was caught by Koestler’s name as I had researched his book ‘Scum of the Earth’ in which he describes his imprisonment in the dreadful French concentration camp Le Vernet. I was very excited to be one of the 12 magistrates – read my blog about this important and unique project. The Koestler Trust has a video of our curating on its website. I also had a mention in ‘The Daily Telegraph’ with one of my favourite pieces from the exhibition.

Remembrance Week – Interview on Doncaster Radio Sine FM 102.6: 10 November 2011 at 11.00am

I was interviewed by Sheila North of Sine FM, a community radio station in Doncaster, on 10 November 2011 at 11.00am. The interview was to mark Remembrance Day  on Sheila’s regular book programme ‘Book It’.

A podcast is now available http://www.sinefm.com/podcast/show-141.xml.

Leeds Jewish Historical Society: 7 November 2011

I gave a presentation to the Leeds Jewish Historical Society which was well received. Here is a photo of me signing books with the Chair, Murray Weiner.

History Today: September 2011

Sutton High School for Girls – GDST: 14 May 2011

I attended Sutton High School (GDST) in Surrey 1955-63. I was taught History by Miss Lucy Clarke who was a charismatic teacher and much loved by her pupils. There is an acknowledgement of Miss Clarke’s influence on page 12 of ‘The Other Schindlers’.

On 14 May, at the Old Girls’ Day, I presented a copy of my book to the School Library where as a young girl I spent many happy hours. I particularly remember pouring over the old bound copies of Punch from the Victorians and how much knowledge of that period I learnt came from that journal and its wonderful cartoons. They gave a refugee child an invaluable insight into England and its ways.

Friends Meeting House, Euston Road, London: 24 November 2010

I was invited to speak at the Quakers Meeting House on Euston Road.  Bertha Bracey, the Quaker woman that I wrote about in my book and proposed for recognition as a British Hero of the Holocaust, is honoured there by a sculpture. It was created by Naomi Blake, one of the Kinder saved by the Kindertransport which Bertha did so much to create.

Be sheer coincidence, David Clark, one of the people at that talk, was amazed to find a photograph of his Grandfather, Siegmund Weltlinger, in my book (Plate 36). David has been able to give me much more information about his grandparents’ experiences in hiding in Berlin throughout WW2 and this information appears in the Postscript to the paperback edition which is due out in August 2011.

Interview on Radio 4′s ‘Sunday Programme’, 8 August 2010

I was surprised at how many people heard the interview with William Crawley early on Sunday morning which was well received.

‘Conversation’ at the Jewish Museum with Henry Grunwald QC, 25 July 2010.

I was delighted to be invited to the Jewish Museum for a most enjoyable ‘conversation’ about my book with Henry Grunwald who is a colleague from the Holocaust Memorial Day Trust and a former President of the Board of Deputies of British Jews.

Channel 4′s ‘Five O’Clock Show’ - Interview with Fern Britton, 21 July 2010.

I thoroughly enjoyed my first experience of appearing on TV. On the show Fern Britton was well prepared, having obviously read the book and asked me thoughtful questions. She held it up to the camera several times and everyone looked after me very well.

Sheffield Book Launch at the Cutlers’ Hall, Sheffield 12 July 2010

The Company of Cutlers in Hallamshire is one of the few livery companies outside London. The Master Cutler, James Newman, generously hosted a Book Launch for me at the Cutlers Hall on 12 July 2010. It was serendipity that the publication of my book coincided with James being the first Jewish Master Cutler since the office was created in 1624.

London Book Launch at the Board of Deputies, 9 June 2010.

Thanks to the kindness of the President, Vivian Wineman, I was able to hold my London Book Launch at the Board of Deputies. With a background of Klezmer clarinet music my three sons,  several colleagues and friends came to support me and buy books which I signed. My commissioning editor, Simon Hamlet, from The History Press spoke about the book. Vivian Wineman and I also said a few words. Gordon Gibb, an architect colleague, took some wonderful photos displayed on this website and several of my informants were able to be present. It was a splendid launch for my book.