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Community Corner

REEL Justice Films: "Two Who Dared: The Sharps' War"

The Interfaith Council of Westport and Weston and the REEL Justice Films series at The Unitarian Church in Westport will screen the film, “Two Who Dared: The Sharps’ War”.  Light refreshments will be served at 7:30 and the film will be shown at 8:00pm. 

The film is the never-before-told American, World War II and Holocaust story of Waitstill Sharp, a Unitarian minister, and Martha Sharp, a trained social worker, who, in February 1939, boldly committed to a life-threatening mission in Europe to assist refugees.

After seventeen ministers declined the Unitarian Association’s request for relief volunteers in Europe, Waitstill and Martha were the eighteenth call. When they committed to the dangerous undertaking, they left their two young children in the care of their congregation in Wellesley, Massachusetts and traveled to Czechoslovakia at the onset of WWII.

Over the course of two missions: in Prague (1939), and in Southern France (1940), the Sharps, and their underground confederates, played a vital role in saving hundreds from persecution.

In 2006, the Sharps were recognized by the State of Israel as “Righteous Among the Nations” at Yad Vashem for risking their lives to save Jews and dissidents during the Holocaust. Of the 25,000 so honored, there are only four Americans to ever be honored, including the Sharps.
 
The documentary film is told from the point of view of Martha and Waitstill Sharp, drawing on their recorded interviews, letters and unpublished memoirs, and includes interviews with rescued children and noted Holocaust scholars.

Through the inspiring true story of Waitstill and Martha Sharp, “Two Who Dared: The Sharps’ War” reveals a timeless lesson of personal sacrifice and courage to be shared with future generations.

This program, sponsored by the Interfaith Council of Westport-Weston, is free and open to all.  For further information contact David Vita, david@uuwestport.org or 203.227.7205 x14.



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