Love letters

Dear Friends and Supporters,

My father told me that there were four stages of romantic love

which may cycle over any number of times during a lifetime:

1. You’re sad because you are not in love.

2. You’re happy because you are in love.

3. You’re unhappy because you are in love.

4. You’re happy because you are not in love.

No matter where this Valentine’s Day finds you on this list, it is important to remember that it

was love that brought us all into this world.

Love of life itself and the attendant hope for a better future.

I share this quote from Aftermath, by the German journalist, Harald Jähner:

“But most importantly, in the camp people were making love. Foehrenwald soon caused

amazement by having the highest birth rate of all Jewish communities in the world.”

What seems on the face of it to be ordinary – dating, marrying, starting a family – is also

extraordinary. Given the horrors they had survived, and the uncertainty about what lay ahead

as countries kept their gates largely closed to them, it was certainly a vote of confidence to

bring new life into the world. And to perform Bris ceremonies. And to celebrate Jewish

holidays.

“After the Final No” is a love letter back to our parents and grandparents. We would like to hear from you, with your own photos and stories for the film and its website. And we would like to thank our supporters and encourage others to help us get to the finish line. It takes us all, together.

Sending love,

Phyllis