Everyone needs to see ‘For Liberty — American Jewish Experience’
The exhibition at the World War 1 Museum titled “For Liberty — American Jewish Experience” is a gift not only to the Jewish community, but to those of any persuasion.
At a time of worldwide anti-Semitism, racism and anti-immigration, we can describe in single words what the mostly immigrant Jewish community was and endured at that time.
There were hardships, sacrifice, resiliency, creativity, generosity, incredible bravery, and most of all heartfelt love and appreciation for their new country.
They gave their sons and daughters to this war in numbers far larger than their population. Many fought against their birth country and even against their own families.
My father Sgt. William Shemin was a first-generation American. His parents were immigrants from Russia. He received our nation’s highest military award, the Medal of Honor, as one of four Jewish recipients in World War 1.
Please come to this magnificent museum to see not only his story but the major contributions of our Jewish community in so many ways.
A resounding thank you to the Kansas City Jewish community that had the foresight to tell this story and to the World War 1 Museum staff that understood this, then mounted such a spectacular display.
Elsie Shemin-Roth
St. Louis, Missouri
