Why Support the Warwick Education Foundation?

Students at Warwick Middle School experienced the gripping and poignant theater production of “My Heart in a Suitcase”.  As an added bonus, they also met Holocaust survivor and author Anne L. Fox, whose life as a young Jewish child in Nazi Germany prior to World War II was the basis for the theater production.

In the play, Anne Lehmann and her family no longer feel safe in their Berlin home. Their life, like that of all Jews in Germany at the time, deteriorates quickly and in order to protect their daughter, Mr. and Mrs. Lehmann choose to send Anne to England as part of the Kindertransport rescue mission. They are forced to say goodbye to their daughter, perhaps forever.

In reality, their goodbyes were forever.  Anne left her family at the age of twelve and never saw them again.  She was whisked with other children to England to escape the war, and to begin a new life alone, afraid, and with only her suitcase.  Anne’s parents never left Germany.  They kept in touch with her by letter and both died in Germany during the war. Anne’s mother died in the gas chambers at Auschwitz and her father died in a detention camp.
“My Heart in a Suitcase” is a story about survival and that was the message that author and Holocaust survivor Anne Fox shared with Warwick Middle School students after the performance.  Fox, now in her eighties, still actively tells her story.  She answered several questions from the student audience, sharing that through the play, the books that she writes, and the speaking that she does, she hoped they would learn about the Holocaust and the importance of tolerance and understanding.

The performance of “My Heart in a Suitcase” at Warwick Middle School was selected by teachers at the Middle School to complement the Language Arts curriculum.  The performances were organized by Language Arts teacher Mrs. Holly Kleimo and funded by the Warwick Education Foundation’s Expert in Residence Grant program.

The cast of “My Heart in a Suitcase” and author Anne L. Fox (center) shown after performing for 7th and 8th grade students at Warwick Middle School. The theater production depicted Fox’s life as a young Jewish child in Nazi Germany prior to World War II.

Attendees at the Warwick Education Foundation (WEF) Recognition Reception heard first-hand about the ways their contributions make a difference for student education in the Warwick School District.  The reception, held April 25th at the Warwick Middle School, was an event to thank and recognize all WEF contributors who help make innovative educational programs and opportunities available to Warwick students. Sixteen Teacher Grants and 3 Expert In Residence Grants, totaling $29,845 were funded this year thanks to the contributions from individuals, businesses and organizations like those in attendance.

For the second year in a row, Lititz Mutual Insurance Company received the Foundation’s Valedictorian Award as the highest contributor to the WEF in a calendar year.

Energy and excitement filled the lobby of Penn Cinema Theater on March 27th as the theater opened its doors to host the Warwick Education Foundation’s 6th annual Family Movie Night. Over 1,600 people enjoyed the newly released movie “The Croods” which played simultaneously in eleven of the cinema’s theaters. Thank you for participating!