Imagine a moment so powerful, so deeply human, that it reshapes your understanding of courage, compassion, and the will to survive. On April 13, 1945, as World War II neared its end, a group of U.S. soldiers stumbled upon a Nazi death train abandoned near Magdeburg, Germany. Inside were more than 2,500 Jewish prisoners—men, women, and children—left to an uncertain fate. What happened next was an act of liberation that continues to echo across generations.
For decades, this story remained largely untold—until a determined high school teacher began uncovering the details, reuniting survivors and their liberators, and piecing together a narrative of resilience, hope, and the enduring power of human connection.
Join us for a special panel discussion inspired by the documentary A Train Near Magdeburg, which tells this extraordinary true story. Hosted by the City of New Albany, this free event will take place on Thursday, September 11, from 7–8:30 p.m. at the Jeanne B. McCoy Community Center for the Arts.
The evening will feature reflections from author Matthew Rozell, local filmmaker Mike Edwards, Elizabeth Connelly (daughter of an American liberator) and Dr. Mark Nusbaum (a Holocaust survivor rescued from the train). Together, they will share their unique perspectives on this remarkable story of survival, humanity and reunion. Also in attendance will be additional survivors and their families, German families, and liberator families.
This is not simply a history lesson—it is a call to remember, to reflect, and to honor a story that continues to shape our collective conscience. You’ll hear firsthand how a single moment of bravery became a beacon of hope for tens of thousands of descendants walking the earth today.
