Holocaust-Related Plays

This page has information about her plays with characters and/or situations related to the Holocaust. 
Teachers: a free lesson plan is available, please contact me and I will send it with your purchase.

PictureRenny Kurshenbaum
  • RENNY'S STORY
    A gripping tale of courage and love amidst the horrors and heartbreak of World War II.  As a young Jewish woman in Warsaw, Renny fought in the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising and even escaped from a death camp--but what happened to Joseph, her young son?  Renny Kurshenbaum  passed away in 2007, but her story  lives on, just as all the stories of the Holocaust must live.
    Running time: 
    Characters: 
    Premiered Temple Ohr Shalom, San Diego, CA in 2006. Commissioned by Dr. Howard Kurshenbaum, Renny’s son, a local physician. Visit www.rennysstory.com for more information.
    View "Faith, Hope, and Charity" - a review by By Pat Launer (4/13/07) - please scroll down to sixth review on page
  • THE WAITING ROOM (also available in full-length)
    A Jewish family in Vienna, just before World War II, is faced with crucial decisions about taking the opportunity to leave--or stay behind with an aged and ill relative. Basic human questions about the value of life and importance of family are confronted. Poignant drama.
    Running time: 45 minutes | Set: living room/dining room European, circa 1938 | Characters: 2 men (25-50), 3 women (25-75) 
    This play has won many awards, including the Gassner Memorial and the DFAS National Playwriting Contest. THE WAITING ROOM  has been produced numerous times, from San Diego to New York. For details, please contact us.
    $10.00/script

  • THE AFFIDAVIT
    A desperate woman brings a cherished family heirloom to a pawnbroker to try and get money to rescue her father from Nazi-occupied Austria.  Will she get the money?  And at what cost?  Fast-paced with a surprising end.
    Running time: 15 minutes | Set: pawnshop 1940’s                                         
    2 characters: 1 man – 40s, 1 woman – 25-35    
    This play has won numerous awards including DFAS National 1-Act Playwriting contest (First Place) and Gassner Memorial One-Act Playwriting Competition (Honorable Mention). It is published in ONE-ACT PLAYS FOR ACTING STUDENTS edited by Norman A. Bert  (Meriwether Publishing, Colorado). Production locations include New Zealand, Canada, Austria, San Diego- Gaslamp Quarter Players, Ashfield Community Theatre, and New York City - Actors Theater with David Moss and Shawn Licht.
    Published by Lazy Bee Scripts - to purchase, click here

  • DAY OF ATONEMENT (for info about the Interfaith Workshop, click here)
    Two women, lifelong friends, face Yom Kippur (the Jewish New Year also known as the Day of Atonement) with different ideas. A great showpiece for two older actresses.  Click here for photos and production info.
    Running time: 15 minutes | Set: kitchen, living area  middle-class New York late 1970s                            
    Characters: 2  women, both 60s, both with Polish accent
    Produced in December 2006  at Swedenborg Hall, San Diego, CA
    Winner, DFAS National One-Act Playwriting Contest (August  2006) and Finalist, Fritz Blitz Contest for One-Act Plays, San Diego, CA
    $10.00/script