Witnessing courage, compassion, and enduring hope

A Train Near Magdeburg

The City of New Albany is committed to creating inclusive and accessible events. If you need a reasonable accommodation, please contact Community Programs at communityevents@newalbanyohio.org or 614.855.6226.

A Special Panel Discussion

Your Invitation to History

The City of New Albany invites you to a special panel discussion inspired by the powerful documentary “A Train Near Magdeburg.” This compelling event will take place on Thursday, September 11, 2025, from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m., at the Jeanne B. McCoy Community Center for the Arts in New Albany, Ohio.

This event is more than just a history lesson; it is a call to remember, reflect, and 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.

Registration Information

Admission to this panel discussion is free, but it is a ticketed event. At this time, this event is at capacity.

While this event is hosted by the City of New Albany, CAPA is assisting with the facilitation of the free tickets. If you need assistance with the ticketing process, please contact CAPA at 614-469-0939.

View Trailer

The Untold Story

A Moment of Profound Liberation

This panel discussion will delve into the extraordinary true story of “A Train Near Magdeburg.” On April 13, 1945, as World War II neared its end, U.S. soldiers made a harrowing discovery: a Nazi death train abandoned near Magdeburg, Germany, carrying over 2,500 Jewish prisoners—men, women, and children—left to an uncertain fate. What unfolded next was a profound act of liberation, a moment of courage and compassion that continues to resonate across generations. For decades, this powerful story remained largely untold until a determined high school teacher uncovered its details, leading to the reunion of survivors and their liberators.

Black and white photo of a group of people, including women and children, walking uphill away from a train in a rural, wooded area, with one woman holding a child's hand in the foreground.

Voices of Resilience

Meet Our Distinguished Panelists

Join us to hear firsthand accounts and unique insights from those intimately connected to this remarkable event. The panel will feature Matthew Rozell, the author who brought this hidden history to light; Mike Edwards, the local filmmaker whose documentary “A Train Near Magdeburg” tells this extraordinary true story; Elizabeth Connolly, the daughter of an American soldier who was part of the liberation; Johanna Mücke, a student advocate who grew up near Magdeburg; and Micha Tomkiewicz, a Holocaust survivor who was rescued from the train. Also in attendance will be additional survivors and their families, German families, and liberator families.

Close-up of two people shaking hands, both wearing jackets, with a blurred outdoor background.

Panelists

Smiling bald man with glasses and a trimmed beard wearing a black tuxedo and tie, holding an Emmy statuette in front of a National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences branded backdrop.

Mike Edwards

Moderator & Filmmaker

Bio
Older man in a dark button-down shirt holding a wine glass on a rooftop balcony with a city skyline and orange sunset behind him

Dr. Micha Tomkiewicz

Holocaust Survivor

Bio
Smiling woman with short, curly gray hair wearing a red-and-beige patterned scarf, posed against a mottled blue-gray studio background.

Elizabeth Connolly

Daughter of a Liberator

Bio
Red-haired woman in a sleeveless olive-green top smiling and leaning beside a small green Statue of Liberty replica outdoors with leafy trees in the background.

Johanna Mücke

Student Advocate

Bio
Middle-aged light-skinned man with short white hair and a trimmed goatee, giving a slight smile while wearing a white shirt and dark lanyard, with a blurred wall of printed text in the background.

Matthew Rozell

Author

Bio

Art Collections

Windows into History

Two art collections will be displayed in the lobby of the McCoy. The first collection is six to eight violins from the Violins of Hope collection. The Violins of Hope is an international project that uses music to remember the Holocaust. It features a collection of stringed instruments, primarily violins, that were played by Jewish musicians before and during the Holocaust and were later meticulously restored. These instruments are used in concerts, exhibitions, and educational programs to share the stories of the Holocaust and its impact.

The second collection is comprised of selected, reproduced art works of train survivor Ervin Abadi. Abadi made a number of ink and watercolor drawings detailing his labor battalion and concentration camp experiences. The work was published in an edition of 500 with Hungarian and English captions in 1946. The foreword of the book says, in part, “Let these drawings serve as proof of my everlasting gratitude towards those to whom I owe my life. … To the soldiers of the United States Army, particularly to our immediate liberators, those soldiers of the 9th regiment who first entered the village of Zilitz and gave us bread, milk, chocolate, and cigarettes….” 

A Letter from a Soldier

In a powerful letter dated April 17, 1945, a soldier named Charles recounts a deeply moving and disturbing experience he had with his division near Magdeburg, Germany. He describes coming across a train carrying between 2,400 and 3,000 German refugees, many of them survivors of concentration camps. The refugees, emaciated and near death, had been packed into the train for days without food.

View Letter

NAPLS Involvement

Learning from Living History

The City has worked closely with New-Albany Plain Local Schools to coordinate several learning experiences for the school community including:

• Wednesday, September 10 – Jim Papoulis, the composer of the “A Train Near Magdeburg” score, will work with approximately 120 orchestra students talking both about composing as a process and the film’s score. Students will play parts of the score with Mr. Papoulis, musicians from the Columbus Symphony Orchestra, and a select few will play violins from the Violins of Hope collection.
 
• Thursday, September 11 – Matt Rozell, author of “A Train Near Magdeburg” will conduct an author visit in AP English 12, English 12 and Quest for Justice classes.
 
• Thursday, September 11 – Mike Edwards, “A Train Near Magdeburg” documentary director, will work with the high school Intro to Film Art class to discuss the filmmaking process.
 
• Thursday, September 11 – Mike Edwards (“A Train Near Magdeburg” director), Matt Rozell (“A Train Near Magdeburg” author), Elizabeth Connelly (daughter of liberator) and Dr. Micha Tomkiewicz (Holocaust survivor) will share their collective story in an interactive presentation with 500 NAPLS students.
 
Invitations to this event have been sent to nine local school districts.

Partners

Interested in Sponsoring a City Event?

The City of New Albany hosts a variety of community events throughout the year—each offering unique opportunities for local businesses and organizations to connect with residents. From seasonal festivals to family-friendly activities, sponsors help make these events possible while gaining valuable exposure and engagement.

To learn more about sponsorship opportunities, visit newalbanyohio.org/sponsorships. Additional opportunities may be available upon request and are subject to approval by City of New Albany staff.

For questions or inquiries, please contact communityevents@newalbanyohio.org or call 614.855.6226.