President's Circle Event 2003.

Producer Deborah Oppenheimer was the featured speaker at the Zimmer’s recent President’s Circle event, held at the home of Jean and Dr. Jerry Friedman.

Oppenheimer won an Academy Award for her feature film debut, the documentary Into the Arms of Strangers: Stories of the Kindertransport (2000). Inspired by her quest to learn more about her late mother’s childhood experience on the Kindertransport, she produced the story about the World War II rescue mission that saved nearly 10,000 children from Nazi-occupied territories by relocation to foster homes and hostels in Britain. The majority of the children, including Oppenheimer’s mother, never saw their parents again.

“Deborah told her personal story and that of her mother and family. Each of us was moved and inspired.  It was amazing,” commented Esther Netter, Executive Director.  

Pictured (L-R)
Top row – Dr. Jerry Friedman, Zimmer Board of Directors
Rodney Freeman, Museum Board Chairperson
Middle row: Karen Sandler, Event Chairperson
Beth Freeman, Museum Board Chairperson
Bottom Row: Esther Netter, Executive Director, Martin Lesak, Zimmer Board of Directors, Deborah Oppenheimer, Special Speaker.
Jean Friedman, Museum Founding Chairperson, Alice Weit, Zimmer Board of Directors and Theodore Bikel