About the Play

Echoes of Vilna is a powerful and faithful retelling of the story of the Vilna Ghetto. Through the eyes of teenage Yitskhok, his cousin Sore, and friend Gabik Heller, readers experience the passion for survival and resilience while witnessing daily decisions that result in who will live and who will die. Unlike previous Shoah stories, there is a balance between the tragic deaths of Jews and Christians and the resurgence of a vibrant ghetto culture that recreate the time when Vilna was considered the Jerusalem of Lithuania. The story drips with tension as the characters face their fate with bravery and resistance eventually becoming members of the Partisans. Audiences from all backgrounds relate to the story as it evokes comparison with many contemporary issues. The drama is written to allow presentation as an interactive educational tool and as a riveting theatre production.

About the Playwright

Dr. Ken Newbury lives a rich and active Jewish life with his wife, Nancy, their adult children Josh (wife Maria) and Rachel (fiancé Scott), and their growing families—including beloved grandchildren, Vivi and Ollie, and their loyal dog, Tovie. Ken remains active in synagogue life most recently as Vice President of Beth Shalom in Traverse City, Michigan.

Before retirement, Ken served in a wide range of roles: psychologist, school principal, university professor, game show host, researcher, author, film producer, and co-director of a nationally touring music group. His research centered on building resilience through purpose, awareness, skill, and support.

Ken hopes Echoes of Vilna will inspire audiences young and old to remember the Holocaust—so that“Never Again” becomes a reality for all people, for all time. He also hopes the play offers a freshperspective on the Jews of Vilna, whose courage, hope, and resilience continue to shine through history.

Acknowldgments

Archival photographs and visual materials used in this production of Echoes of Vilna were provided courtesy of the following institutions:

YIVO Institute for Jewish Research (www.yivo.org)
United States Holocaust Memorial Museum (www.ushmm.org)
Ghetto Fighter’s House Museum (www.gfh.org.il)
Yad Vashem: The World Holocaust Remembrance Center (www.yadvashem.org)
Vilna Gaon Museum of Jewish History (www.jmuseum.lt)

We gratefully acknowledge their dedication to preserving memory and making these powerful materials accessible. All images used with permission.