Nancy in performance: 
                       Photo by Sean McRae Loftin  
                    Chattanooga Times Free Press

Nancy Shapiro-Pikelny has created this original and compelling storytelling performance, inspired by the experiences of a young girl, her remarkable teacher and their secret art classes in the Terezin Concentration Camp in Czechoslovakia.  It is a tale of courage, friendship and the power of artistic expression to sustain hope, lighting the way in the darkest of times. 

Nancy has been bringing A Window of Beauty to Jews and non-Jews, middle/high school students and adults, close to home and far away.
This powerful epic story has been recognized in helping create a new generation of "eyewitnesses to the Holocaust."

The debut of A Window of Beauty was at Whitwell Middle School in May, 2005.  This school has received world-wide acclaim for their study of the Holocaust and their creation of The Children’s Holocaust Memorial.  The remarkable community of Whitwell, Tennessee was the subject of the award-winning documentary Paper Clips.   

See press coverage: Storytellers Weave Tales of Holocaust Victims for Pupils

Nancy’s performance was described by Linda Hooper, Principal of Whitwell Middle School in Tennessee:  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


 










  

"A beautiful and moving story. Even after all these weeks, parents are still coming up to me and telling me how much Nancy’s story meant to their children. 

 A Window of Beauty served to make students more sensitive to others; changing attitudes and opening hearts.” 

Nancy (R) with Linda Hooper, 
principal of Whitwell Middle School, 
featured in the documentary film Paper Clips.

 

 


























Nancy's Workshop: "Remembering The Six Million - One Story At A Time"

This session is offered as a follow-up to Nancy's storytelling performance "A Window of Beauty."  The workshop is designed to personalize the enormity of the loss, by focusing not on numbers, but on individual stories, names and faces.

Workshop participants will begin to uncover the story behind photographs and images of artifacts, through writing exercises, hands-on art activities and Holocaust literature.  We will be guided by the words of a man who perished in the Holocaust.  He expressed a simple request in his last letter in Vilna in 1941:  "I should like someone to remember that there once lived a person named David Berger."  Together we will begin that work.

Program Options: 

Performance of "A Window of Beauty":  1 hour

Performance & Workshop:  2 hours

Fees: Affordable rates are determined by type of venue, audience size and travel time. (Additional travel expenses for out-of-town performances.) Reduced rates for multiple performances and workshops on same day.   

Call 847-674-5705 or email Nancy for details.

Audiences: Middle and High School students – adults

Nancy offers this in-depth storytelling performance and workshop for adult groups, youth groups, libraries, schools, community and religious groups throughout the year and at Holocaust commemoration events.

These storytelling performances and workshops enrich and support Social Studies, Language Arts and Holocaust Education.  It explores prejudice, racism, tolerance and resistance through art.

“Poignant, moving, haunting, hopeful.  These are just some of the words that my students used to describe Nancy Shapiro-Pikelny’s presentation of A Window of Beauty.  Rutie and Friedl’s story brings the Holocaust to a generation so far removed, as to almost view it as a tale from Grimm’s Fairy Tales.  Nancy artfully presents the reality of the Shoah by personalizing this story in a unique and touching way.  My 6th and 7th graders were completely mesmerized.” 
   - Lori B. Sagarin, Director of Congregational Learning at Temple Beth Israel - Skokie, IL     

 “Thank you for opening A Window of Beauty at our library. Your gentle presentation was ever so powerful in the selection of words and the drawings that together brought everything to life."
- A. Denise Farrugia, Librarian St. Charles Public Library - St. Charles, IL 

"I appreciate your passion for Holocaust Education and for keeping the memory alive for all of us.  Thank you for being a 'witness' for our students.  The portrayal of research, stories, and artwork was certainly a revealing and compassionate view of these two heroes. . . and it was such an important aspect to our children's education and personal history." - Dr. Gerri Spinella, Assistant Principal Caruso Middle School - Deerfield, IL

  “A Window of Beauty was the most meaningful Holocaust Remembrance Day program I have ever been a part of. We were spellbound. It was an extraordinary experience!” 
   - Judith S. Grossbard, Director of Education, Congregation Beth Shalom - Northbrook, IL 


"You really worked your magic!  I have NEVER seen my students so attentive.  Your love of people and your generous heart shined through your story.  My students were enriched by the experience.  I think that hour of your story will be what they remember this year about their study of the Holocaust.  I couldn't ask for a better memory."  - Barbara Minkus, Teacher, Solomon Schechter Day School, Skokie, IL

Nancy Shapiro-Pikelny
9314 Tripp Avenue  Skokie, IL 60076
(847) 674-5705