The St. Louis sailed from Hamburg, Germany, on May 13, 1939. On board were 937 Jews bound for Cuba. Denied permission to land in Cuba, and refused entry to the United States, the St. Louis returned to Europe. Most of the passengers who received temporary refuge in European countries were later victims of the Holocaust.
John Rothmann, co-president of the Holocaust Center of Northern California, will present a historical perspective of the St. Louis. Two St. Louis survivors will be honored. Miriam Michaelis of Walnut Creek will speak about her experience In addition, the story of San Francisco survivor Ernest Weil will be shared.
The event is free and open to the public. It is sponsored by the Jewish Community Relations Council and the Holocaust Center of Northern California. The facilities are wheelchair accessible, and listening-assisted devices are available. For information, call (415) 957-1551 or (415) 751-6040.