Lecture and Book Signing with Holocaust Survivor, James Bachner

President Reagan once said, “…even a tortured past holds promise if we learn its lessons…. it is up to us to ensure that we never live it again.” Join the Education Team at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation and Institute as James Bachner shares his compelling and traumatic story as a German Jew during the darkest days of the Third Reich.  In his memoir, “His Darkest Years”, Bachner describes how his idyllic childhood as well-to-do Jewish family transformed under the volatile Nazi regime. Attributing his survival to a combination of strength and being in the right place at the right time, Bachner’s story is a poignant and often horrific account of Jewish struggles during the days of World War II. Come hear the captivating story of a survivor who faced the realities of life in concentration camps and help keep the memory of those lost to Nazi tyranny alive.

Following the event, join the Butterfly Project for an artmaking project. Students will be able to paint a ceramic butterfly in honor of the 1.5 million children that perished during the Holocaust. An art installation, featuring the painted butterflies will be installed in Simi Valley after the event.

This is a free event to attend, but registration is required.

Teachers, please join us! If you are attending as a school group, we ask for a 1-15 chaperone-to-student ratio. Attire is business casual and registration includes museum admission for school groups. Bus scholarships are available to Title 1 schools upon completion of an application. Please reach out to Rebecca Gallacher at rgallacher@reaganfoundation.org to request an application.

9:00 am        Check-in Opens
10:00 am        Program Begins
11:00 am        Q&A Begins
11:15 am        Program Concludes
11:30 am        Lunch (provided by schools, disposable bags only)
12:00 - 5:00 PM     Optional Self-Guided School Tours and Art Making on the South Lawn

Although registration for this event is closed, this is a  free event and everyone is still welcome to attend the book signing (books must be purchased at the Reagan Library Museum Store to receive  signature). Please join us at 12:00 p.m. on Wednesday, April 25th.