PA Cyber film recounting Holocaust survivor’s life wins Regional Emmy
Recognition is 'truly a testament to the quality PA Cyber brings to furthering education, not only to our students but to anyone who wants to learn'
The preservation of memories is resulting in new ones. The Pennsylvania Cyber Charter School received a Mid-Atlantic Regional Emmy® Award for “Moments in History: Melvin Goldman” in the Education/Schools – Long Form Content category. The 18-minute film captures the story of Holocaust survivor Melvin Goldman, who after surviving Nazi concentration camps created a life in Pittsburgh.
As explained in the film, Goldman wanted his story to be preserved in a book. Following his death, his daughter, Lee Goldman Kikel, honored her father’s wishes and penned “Perseverance: One Holocaust Survivor’s Journey from Poland to America.” The 2019 book was later adapted into a play and in 2023 performed at New Hazlett Theater Center for Performing Arts.
PA Cyber paired Goldman’s cassette recordings, made in the 1970s about his experiences in the war, with historic footage and recent interviews of Goldman Kikel. Released under the school’s “Moments in History” series, the film was shown to students and families, and followed with a question and answer session, for a Holocaust Remembrance Day event on Jan. 27, 2025.
Goldman Kikel called her father “tolerant and accepting of others,” and said at the time that “if he can live like that, others can too.”
The educational value of learning Goldman’s story is paramount, according to Whitney Conjeski, a high school history teacher at PA Cyber: “By studying this history, we honor survivors, remember the victims and empower future generations to stand against injustice, ensuring that ‘never again’ is not just a phrase but a commitment to humanity.”
“Moments in History: Melvin Goldman” is part of a PA Cyber project to introduce students and viewers to “first-hand accounts of chapters in time.” Released on the school’s YouTube channel, The “Moments in History” series has received three consecutive nominations for Regional Emmys.
“PA Cyber stands out with its Moments in History series, allowing students across the state to watch historical moments,” Scot Rutledge, PA Cyber’s Director of Marketing and Communications, said. “Our students also have the opportunity to engage in a live Q&A with the featured individual during screenings at our regional offices and through Zoom. Having this capability enriches the learning process.”
Winning the award, Rutledge added, is “truly a testament to the quality PA Cyber brings to furthering education, not only to our students but to anyone who wants to learn.”
“Earning this award is not only a recognition of our school’s creative work, but also a reflection of our responsibility as educators,” echoed Brian Hayden, PA Cyber’s CEO, in a prepared statement. “Through this film, we are ensuring that anyone can understand the lessons of resilience and hope that emerge from even the darkest chapters of history.” PJC
Adam Reinherz can be reached at areinherz@pittsburghjewishchronicle.org.
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