What We Do
We offer dynamic writing workshops, produce documentary films, stage productions, thought-provoking programming and panel discussions, writing and art exhibitions and educational materials.
Why We Do It
To Document and Preserve History
For the past eight years, Searching For Identity has been meeting with the children and and grandchildren of Holocaust Survivors, known as the 2nd and 3rd Gen.
Our writing and discussion workshops encourage these next generations to write about and share their experiences.
To preserve this information, we capture these stories on film, through art and published works and also offer programs that reveal the generational effects of Holocaust survivorship.
We record these extraordinary experiences to
Educate
Empower and Inspire
Serve as a Powerful Reminder
Increase Understanding and Compassion
How We Do It
All proceeds from our diverse and dynamic programming support these efforts.
We are additionally supported by generous grants, wonderful partnerships with businesses, educational institutions and people like you who understand the importance of our work.
SFI Programs and Projects:
Searching For Identity Films
Searching For Identity produces documentary films, SFI Family Films, SFI Educational Videos and is home to the SFI 2nd Gen Film Archive.
SFI Second Generation Holocaust Survivor Documentary Film
Traces, Voices of the Second Generation
Where does your identity as a child of a survivor end and your own identity begin?
Is there, can there be, a distinction?
What is the experience of those who inherit the Holocaust experience?
Who will bear witness to the Holocaust when the survivors are no more?
Our documentary captures the answers to these questions. When you hear these histories, when the pain, the anger and the awe reveal a face, a voice, a timber, it adds a layer of absolute authenticity that makes disbelief unimaginable. These extraordinary experiences educate, enlighten and serve as a powerful tool, increasing understanding and compassion. The documentary provides a deeper understanding of the effects of the Holocaust.
In an effort to meet all standards set at the federal and state level, SFI is collaborating to ensure curriculum, study guide and online teaching tools will complement the film. To further outreach, a book and journal publishing project will further enrich the film. Inspired by the stories on screen, viewers will have the opportunity to learn more by reading the book and search for their own identity guided by the journal’s helpful prompts.
RSVP for the January 28 Film Screening
SFI Family Films
Every family has a story to tell and a history to share. SFI Family Films capture the family memories, collected from interviews, family photos and videos, producing a family film with the highest professional documentary style. Family Legacy films are cinematic heirlooms, creating a lasting legacy, connecting families from generation to generation.
SFI 2nd Gen Film Archive
Searching for Identity has created a 2nd Gen Film Archive, containing unabridged interviews, featuring Second Generation Holocaust Survivors. Interview running time ranges from 30 to 90 minutes. Preserving these histories is vital and serve as an excellent teaching tool, providing important information for teachers and scholars, offering the world an opportunity to learn about the inherited effects of Holocaust survivorship.
2nd & 3rd Gen Holocaust Survivor's Writing and Discussion Workshop
This Workshop explores 2nd and 3rd Gen identity, offering a confidential environment.
Children of Survivors discuss their parents’ stories, explore their own identity and the complexities of inheriting the responsibility of personal yet historical experiences.
Once immersed in the workshop, some participants chose to write or tell, as a personal journey. Others write as a gift of legacy for their children and grandchildren, schools or the public. Others attend simply to feel part of a community.
SFI offers other workshops with themes ranging from creative writing, identity and more.
Public Programming
LiterARTure
LiterARTure explores how the visual arts and literature influence and reflect our culture. Created by Cindy Edelman, art lecturer and Stacey Goldring, SFI Founder and writer, LiterARTure surveys how the visual arts and literature offer bridges and endless opportunities to understand and appreciate one another. The discussions are information-packed, thought-provoking and peppered with a healthy dose of wit! LiterARTure programs are presenting offered in partnership with the Cummer Museum of Art in Jacksonville, Florida.
All LiterARTure proceeds benefit Searching For Identity programming and projects.
Chapter Endnotes Book Discussions
Chapter Endnotes offers excellent monthly book discussions. Stacey Goldring, SFI founder and writer, has been facilitating book discussions for over 14 years. The literary discussions offer deep dive in carefully selected titles, presenting rich conversation and learning. We encourage our readers to purchase their books at an independent bookseller, San Marco Books & More, a wonderful bookstore here in Jacksonville, Florida. A portion of the proceeds of all books purchased, benefit SFI.
All Chapter Endnotes memberships benefit SFI programming and projects.
Through the Lens of History: Antisemitism & the Origins of Hate
Pictured above in Winter 2019 at Story & Song Book Store, Fernandina Beach, Florida
When did antisemitism begin? What role did politics, religion and cultural mores play in its development? How and why do we handle antisemitic documents, books, fliers, magazines and other forms of antisemitica?
Antisemitism’s origins and narrative are examined in this 45-60 minutes program with Q&A. Featuring Rebecca Jefferson, PhD, Head Curator, Katalin Rac, PhD, Library Coordinator of Jewish Heritage of the Isser and Rae Price Library of Judaica, University of Florida and Stacey Goldring, SFI founder lead this thought-provoking panel presentation offering an academic perspective of this difficult issue.
Presented in partnership with the Isser and Rae Price Library of Judaica, George A. Smathers Libraries, University of Florida and the National Endowment for the Humanities.
More Program & Panel Discussions
Art Exhibitions
-Inspired by the Written Word
-Through the Lens of the Second Gen
Film Debut and Tribute The Legacy of Joseph A. Strasser
Focus on the Second Gen: Mental Health Expert Panel
Ghosts on the Wall: Readers Theatre
Growing Up Loving Henri Film and Panel Discussion
Preserving Memories, Academic and Archival Safekeeping
Israel and The Second Gen Panel Discussion
Searching for Sources, How Academics Can Help
Three Questions, Three Course: Holocaust Remembrance Community Discussion
Through the Lens of Law Enforcement: Antisemitism and Law Enforcement
Through the Lens of Genealogy and Holocaust Survivors
Through the Lens of Israel: Holocaust Survivorship
University of Florida Price Judaica Library Tour
Voice of the 2nd Gen, Panel Discussion
Voices of the Second Gen: Public Readings
Ongoing Programs
If you are an organization looking to book these programs.
Help Us Continue The Mission
Your gifts support SFI, our writing workshop facilitation, on-going editing, research and online hosting fees, in addition to SFI's many programs, including documentary films, civil discourse programming, educational and cultural partnerships.
If you have not yet given, please consider making a gift today!