Comments / Reviews
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Carl - September 9, 2021 at 11:47 am -
Would like to purchase a digital copy if available. Won’t buy a DVD and have the P.O. or UPS destroy it.
Rochelle Rousso Linder - July 29, 2021 at 10:53 pm -
Thank you so much for creating this tribute to the Jews of Kastoria. My father, Charles Rousso, was born in Salonika in 1910 but moved to Kastoria after the fire of 1917 which devastated Salonika. Watching this film has brought back so many memories of the stories he told about the time he spent living in Kastoria. As a result, I will be traveling to Kastoria in late August. Can you direct me to any resources that would help me find some information about my family? Or any suggestions suggestions of places to visit while there. Thank you.
Jack D. Attias - February 6, 2021 at 8:29 am -
Fantastic story about one of the many destroyed Jewish communities of WWll. It’s about time someone made a story of the decimation of Greek Jews. Up till a short time ago the larger Ashkenazic Community had their stories told. Unfortunately, many more were murdered while the Italian Military saved us. After September 1943, when Italy changed sides, our problems began. The Jannina Jews were taken also same week to Auschwitz. Never again!
Anna Poulentzas - January 31, 2021 at 5:49 am -
I cried when I saw the film. I am a Macedonia from a village very close to Kastoria and now live in Australia. My father was a teenage partisan in those mountains and he is now 92. When he talks about the war he still cries. The trauma it had on him and my family still lives in our heart. My grandmother was killed by the Germans. My dad as a young boy used to shop in the Jewish shops in Kastoria. A beautiful town on the lake, it is now hard to imagine the horrors that people went through when the fascists invaded. Sometimes I think that only animals can do what the Germans did. They took everything. Dad said they had to give their soldiers all their food and they were left starving. They took all the Jews from Greece and transported them hundreds of miles away from their homes to gas them. They stole everything from people. Congratulations to the film maker – it is part of our shared history and we dont ever want to forget it
mariko ventura - December 11, 2020 at 2:42 pm -
Is the video still available to order?
Bill Nikides - August 4, 2020 at 9:55 pm -
My grandfather Basil Nikides was mayor Kastoria in the 1930s before the Italians and Germans occupied the City during the war. I apparently have about 5% Jewish Ashkenazi DNA and a great grandfather who was Vlach.
mariko ventura - April 13, 2020 at 10:32 am -
My Grandfather, Elichia Ventura, immigrated to the U.S. around 1918 with family members in the early 1900’s. He and his siblings (3 sisters and 3 brothers) first came to New York City and settled near Delancy Street and Allen Street on the Lower East side before he came to Chicago to become a peddler on Maxwell Street and then opened Ventura Dry Goods on West 69th Street. Also with them was my great grandmother Dona Mevorah. Who was possibly the daughter of the great Rabbi Mevorah. . They came from Kastoria then to Istanbul then here to seek a new life. Thank you for this fabulous film. I can still hear him speak about standing on the hill looking down at his hometown. I wish he were still alive to see the bittersweet tribute to our legacy,
Stephanie Amelia Bowe - January 12, 2020 at 3:57 pm -
My father, Stephen Nicolas Koukotas, was born in Kleisoura, a village near Kastoria. Kleisoura is historically known for the April 5, 1944 massacre where the Nazis killed 270 people, mainly women, children and the elderly. My father lived through this event and survived through the rest of World War II and the civil war that took place, in Greece, after WWII. He lived in Kastoria during the civil war where he learned his trade as a furrier. In 1951, he decided to come to the United States but did not have the money to buy a boat ticket ….. he borrowed the money from a Jewish man living in Kastoria, I believe the man was a tailor. This man was one of the many Jews removed by the Nazis from Kastoria, but was one of the few to return. My father told me and my siblings many times of this kind man who loaned him the money and I regret not having written his name … now my father is no longer alive to ask this information. I would love to know if anyone out there has the flip side of this story… in other words did this man have children to whom he told a story of a Greek man to whom he loaned money to sail to America. By the way, when the man loaned my father the money, he gave it saying that he would probably never see it or my father again. My father promised to return the money and in 1957 kept his promise as he returned to Greece and paid his debt.
ARTHUR LONGO - December 23, 2019 at 9:36 pm -
For any person to say the Holocaust never happened should be ashamed of them selves. I could not move from my chair from beginning to end. Happy beginning, then the sadness. Broth tears to my eyes.
John P Zias - November 7, 2019 at 11:42 pm -
I was born in Kastoria and came to the United States as an infant. I am also married to a Jewish woman. We have only seen the trailer and were moved to tears. Thankfully I see that a DVD is available. We just ordered it, and look forward to sharing it with my wife’s parents who are 95 and 84, and to show them how assimilated the Jewish community was in the City of my birth before the tragic events that followed.
Margaret Dee - September 29, 2019 at 5:39 pm -
Thank you so much for this film. I just saw it on WHUT from Washington DC. I’m still crying !. I wish this could be seen in every high school in America.
Joel Traianos - July 31, 2019 at 2:00 am -
Hi,
I would love to obtain or watch this documentary in Australia. Is there any possible way to watch it here as yet?
My father and all of his family above him were born in a small village next to Kastoria on the lake. He recently passed away and I have been since researching our family and the area.
Thank you
Sarah - July 28, 2019 at 7:33 pm -
I would like very much to see this film on a big screen. Could you by any chance arrange a screening in Providence, Rhode Island?
Thank-you!
Sarah
Stephen Gardner - June 19, 2019 at 12:24 pm -
My name Stephen Gardner my grandfather and great grandfather were born in kastoria. Their last name was mavorach. He came here in 1903. I would like to know more about Kastoria
HENRI SOUFARAPIS - May 31, 2019 at 10:49 am -
I am born in France and my family is from Kastoria
Can I buy your DVD and do you know if the DVD is compatible with our DVD europeans players?
thank you for answering me if my mailbox
Henri
Gina - January 27, 2019 at 4:51 pm -
Just caught part of this documentary today, because of a televised showing due to the anniversary. I hope they will rebroadcast so I can watch the missing portion. It was heartbreaking but also joyful. What struck me also is the Russo surname, which I come across in my own Italian (dna) genealogy searches for my family from Puglia and Campania. With my family’s Italian dna, we are mixed with some greek, balkan, sephardic and ashkenazi. Lena is a familiar given name in my family as well. Some of the mannerisms, cadence of speech, also feel familiar. Perhaps we Italians, Greeks, Albanians, Bulgarians, Turks, Jews, are all related a little bit.
Larry - January 26, 2019 at 6:48 am -
Michael & Marcia, Currently there are no rebroadcast dates for Orlando or Minneapolis in the near future. We’re working on getting ‘Trezoros’ available to stream online but it’s taking longer than expected. Hopefully ‘Trezoros’ will be available for online streaming by next month.
Marcia Franklin - January 25, 2019 at 11:30 am -
My paternal grandmother was born in Kastoria. I am very interested in watching this film. Any idea when it might be shown in the Minneapolis area?
Michael Mavroidis-Bennett - October 7, 2018 at 10:46 pm -
I was born in Astoria, Queens, which has a large Greek community. My mother’s parents emigrated from Kastoria, Greece, which was then part of the Ottoman Empire, to New York City around 1910. My mother’s best childhood friend was a Sephardic Jewish girl whose family came over from what is now Turkey. I grew up in a mostly Jewish neighborhood on Long Island. I am a contributor to the Holocaust Museum in Washington DC, and am very interested in learning about the history of the Holocaust in Kastoria. I first heard about this film earlier today and hope it’s either rebroadcast in Orlando where I now live or made available On Demand by Spectrum, my cable tv provider.
Lawrence Weisberg - October 2, 2018 at 8:28 pm -
Thank you for both honoring and educating. Every Holocaust story is unique. Within all the horrors, we can be inspired by the deep love between a brother and sister. It was telling that Lena would finish Benji’s sentences. My ancestors were murdered at Treblinka from their town of Tomaszow Maz in Poland. My father was an American soldier who survived a slave labor camp. Their spirits uplift my soul.
Sharon Schultz - October 1, 2018 at 10:35 pm -
So very grateful to have seen this. We are a strong and good people. We have endured so much. Yet, we still seek to live great and meaningful lives filled with rebirth, love, and joy!
I absolutely loved this intimate, truthtelling tribute!!! Bravo for explaining it all so well!!!
I feel it also got the point across that yes, this did happen. Yes, it did happen this way. Yes, we have all suffered because of this, we the Jews, and our non-Jewish neighbors, as well.
My problems seem so small right now, in a good way. I was spared this shock and horror, and journey,”up the mountain.”
Tonight I am grateful for so many things. I am in awe. The human spirit is indelible.
Crying, laughing, smiling, crying…
Thank you.
Larry - September 21, 2018 at 1:36 pm -
@Umish Katani That is not true. The overwhelming majority did not help to do such things.
Of course there were those that collaborated with the nazis among the Greeks but there were Jews who collaborated as well. That does not make the entire group “no better” than the nazis, every population has good and bad within it.
Please watch the documentary and you will hear the stories first hand from the Kastorialis who experienced it.
Umish Katani - September 21, 2018 at 10:45 am -
I will watch this as I have other documentaries, My wife’s family is Sephardi from what is now Macedonia. Life there was not good before the war, and for sure during the war. The Greeks and the local populations all over wholeheartedly helped the Nazis round up the Jews. They were no better than the Nazis. That is why no Jews are left in these countries…. The Greeks still are rabid anti-Semites.
roy - September 19, 2018 at 8:14 pm -
Thanks to kastoriadoc@gmail.com. The piano music at the end of the film is
“Nuvole Bianche” (in English ‘white clouds’) by Ludovico Einaudi
roy - September 16, 2018 at 5:22 pm -
I also loved the piano at the end of the film. I can not find title or composer anywhere. Can someone say? thanks
Anonymous - September 14, 2018 at 1:47 am -
My Mother was born in Greece, near there, and grew up during all of this. This documentary just solidifies how proud I am of her, and of being of Greek decent. In our current divided times, I take comfort in that our people were able to see beyond religious differences and embrace all of our neighbors. This film truly brought me to tears. I wish the message could spread to my country now.
Larry - September 13, 2018 at 11:42 am -
Margaret, Hale, Nicole & Bill: Heartfelt thanks
Gwyn: It’s ‘Nuvole Bianche’ by Ludovico Einaudi
Gwyn Schuon - September 13, 2018 at 10:18 am -
On Sept. 11th, 2018 I watched the documentary on Trezoros: The Lost Jews of Kastoria. I enjoyed the piano solo played at the end of the documentary. Unfortunately, I was unable to read the title and artist. Would you be able to tell me the name of that song?
Margaret Mary Moore - September 11, 2018 at 11:05 am -
Thank you so much for your outstanding work! You have made this story and these people live on in our hearts! I feel blessed and I am grateful. Please continue your important work!
Margaret Mary Moore, St. Louis, MO
Hale Landes - September 11, 2018 at 8:02 am -
So very moving. “Trezoros: The Lost Jews of Kastoria” touched my heart and brought tears to my eyes.
Nicole (family names in Kastoria = Hatzimagas and Siopis) - August 30, 2018 at 1:08 am -
I am deeply moved by this story and love seeing all of the wonderful, old footage of Kastoria. My grandparents immigrated to Canada in the late 1950’s from two of the city’s neighbouring villages: Aposkepos and Lefki. They were both children during the war but can recall the horrors of what happened to their Jewish neighbours.
Sara Goodman Lapidus - August 27, 2018 at 8:02 am -
Dear Lawrence Russo and people commenting here:
My husband’s name is Jeffrey Lapidus. His brothers are Steve Lapidus and Rob Lapidus. Their mother was Sylvia Russo, sister of Irving, Moe and Bob Russo. Their grandfather was Abraham Russo, married to Rachel Paparo. The Russos had a family clothing business in New York for many years called Rowana Togs
The Russo and Paparo families were all from Kastoria, we learned recently, which was amazing to learn because family lore always had them coming from Turkey.
Are you or is anyone else here perchance related to these Russos and Paparos?
I am trying to purchase this DVD but after I place it in the cart I cannot get to the cart to pay for it and order it. HELP anyone?
Also, will there be more public screenings of the film this year? We never got to see it.
THANK YOU
Sara Goodman Lapidus
Sjgoodlap@aol.com
954-260-1517
Bill poulakos - August 17, 2018 at 6:50 am -
I am from Kastoria and the family moved to Australia when i was 1 year old even though not Jewish after watching this and now knowing what happened i think next time i go back to Kastoria l know it lost a good part of itself.
Larry - July 15, 2018 at 12:10 am -
Jeannette & David- thank you.
Larry - July 15, 2018 at 12:07 am -
Dear Sherry, I see no current listings for the Palm Springs area but that may change around the Jewish holidays in September. Please check the Airdates listed here on the website for future updates.
Larry - July 15, 2018 at 12:00 am -
Dear Vanessa, Thank you for your kind message. If you’re on facebook there’s a good Sephardic Cuisine group at:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/213128772769483/?multi_permalinks=268100410605652¬if_id=1531566521590456¬if_t=group_activity
Vanessa Waldman - July 9, 2018 at 8:48 pm -
I am so happy to find that there are still people who are interested in uncovering their Spanish/Greek Jewish heritage. My grandmothers family, I just learned, originally came from Kastoria greece (not Constaninople). I am related to the family surnames: Elias (or Elie, Eli), Mayo, Camhi, Cassorla, and Angel. I don’t know much about my ancestors, so I am thrilled to be able to learn more about what their lives might have been like. Thank you to the creators of this film; because of you I am able to connect to my roots and deepen my understanding of my heritage. If there is anyone out there who is interested in talking more about Kastoria, its traditions, recipes, stories, etc I would LOVE to hear them! I really really want to revive the history and customs of my Jewish heritage!
Sherry Hazan Cherlin - July 5, 2018 at 3:44 pm -
Please inform me & others when will this be viewed on PBS or any channel. For Palm Springs,CA area
My “Nonie” grandmother lived in Kastoria. Want to know more. I am aware of Sephardic friends of my parents: the Rousso’s, Mayo’s, Confino’s, Elias’a, Saporta’s, Relatives Hazan’s etc.
Thank you.
Just was told about this from my brother who found this in N.J.
Jeannette - June 28, 2018 at 12:52 am -
Excellent, moving, heart wrenching & yet beautiful film! This outstanding documentary is gripping & needs to be seen. This piece clearly shows how despots can change a peaceful society into something else. Please keep screening this fine, informative film and huge thanks for doing so!
David Silver - June 27, 2018 at 10:55 pm -
Thank you
Stephanie - June 27, 2018 at 3:20 pm -
I stumbled across the WLIW listing today in our NJ paper. Unfortunately we do not get that PBS station. Will you be expanding PBS showings; our local PBS is Bethlehem/Lehigh Valley PA Channel 39, for example. From viewing the trailer and the one clip, the film looks stunning. I am Ashkenazi Jewish and my husband is Greek Orthodox, and his father is from Kastoria and likely will recognize much of what is in the film. I have been, so far, only once to Kastoria w/ my husband. Is the DVD only available for purchase on your Web site or are there other vendors? The next time we visit my in-laws in Greece, I’m sure they would be interested in viewing this.
Ruth Schwarz - May 23, 2018 at 1:21 am -
Hi, I am Ruth Schwarz, I am on the list of Carol Freeman (minus 5,-). She told me to send a message in order to give you the possibility to put all orders together. I live in Vienna, Austria – my address is:
Ruth Schwarz
Roemergasse 20/5
1160 Vienna
Austria, Europe
do you need my VISA-#?
best, Ruth
Alexia - May 21, 2018 at 1:35 pm -
The documentary is raw and real and brought the stories my grandparents and parents told me to life. My family is from a town in Kastoria closest to the border of Albania. My grandmother and I would site on the hilltop in the summers and she would tell me the stories of the Italians, Germans and our own Greeks coming in town to take over. Stories of escaping to the mountains, no food, no water or clothing. My grandmother had a jewish family living in our basement for those years and we became part of the family The way the co-existence was back there is accurately depicted in the film. My grandparents and parents lived it but this film helped bring the events to life.
Jeannine Mead - May 5, 2018 at 8:27 pm -
Thank you all for this film. I wish everyone could see it.
Carol Freeman - May 4, 2018 at 8:23 pm -
Hi – Saw your film twice – once at the Quad, once at KKJ. I love it so much, especially loving the fact that you have included so much about pre-war Jewish life in Kastoria – and have told you so in person. I have been raving about the film to friends and on Sephardic / Greek / folklore / Jewish history sites on Facebook and on list-servs since I first saw it. I am wondering if there is any kind of a discount for buying a quantity of the DVDs. I really would like to give some as gifts. (And as a singer of traditional Jewish, Greek, and Balkan music, I really am extremely low income.) I also think I’d be more likely to get my (Greek and Sephardic) singing students to purchase the DVD it if I had it right there in my hands to show them. Thanks so very much. Carol
Mary L Quillin - April 25, 2018 at 1:42 am -
Wonderful storytelling. Wonderful historic film and photos.
Jennifer - April 25, 2018 at 12:38 am -
I’m still in tears. Lena reminded me of my grandmother.
Larry - April 20, 2018 at 9:36 pm -
Hi Lenore,
As you mentioned WEDU in Tampa had a few screenings last week- I don’t know of any screenings scheduled for the near future. Each PBS station decides independently when to schedule ‘Trezoros’. If you contact your local station directly they could tell you better.
Thanks,
Larry
Lenore Gelbaum - April 20, 2018 at 7:08 pm -
Hi: I live in Tampa Florida and I missed the dates of this PBS presentation which was last week are you going to be broadcasting this documentary, Trezoros: The Last Jews of Kastoria at a later date in Tampa , Florida? I would really love to see this movie and I’m sorry I missed the broadcast thank you very much lenore Gelbaum, Tampa Florida
Larry - April 20, 2018 at 4:51 pm -
Hi Paul, In time we hope to include more historical information on the site to answer such questions. Until then please find information about Romaniote history at the Kehila Kedosha Janina website:
https://www.kkjsm.org/romaniote-history-
Thanks for your comment,
Larry
Paul - April 20, 2018 at 3:30 pm -
Wonderful video. Very well produced and very moving.
It makes me want to learn more of my ancestors’ history in Kastoria. The video mentions multiple times that Jews had lived in Kastoria for 2000 years.
The Sephardic Jews would have arrived after the Spanish Inquisition and would have been in Kastoria for 450 years. So, there must have been first a community of Romaniote Jews for 1,500 years.
What happened to the Romaniotes? Where they absorbed into the Sephardic community, or did they move elsewhere in Greece?
Does anyone know where I can get more information?
Sephardi - April 20, 2018 at 1:24 pm -
To Greek Man and other Holocaust deniers or doubters: Yes, for almost two millennia until about the mid 11th century, Anatolia, including Sinope, was a predominantly Greek country – defining “Greek” as all native speakers of Greek and its dialects. Then the Turkish invasion started, culminating in the conquest of Constantinople in mid 15th century. Today, after centuries of massacre and forced conversion, emigration, and deportation, less than 0.1% of the population is Greek. The “ethnic cleansing” (or whatever you want to call it) of the Pontus was part of this process. This was a tragedy. We don’t deny it. So go ahead and make beautiful, moving, and truthful movies like this one to commemorate this tragedy. Why do you have to deny and denigrate our tragedies to justify yours? And where in the movie was there any claim to property or money by Kastoriali Jews? – although legally, some may be entitled to such claims, just as the descendants of the Greeks of Sinope may be to theirs.
An American Sephardi Jew with roots in Greece and Turkey
Larry - April 17, 2018 at 8:16 pm -
Hi Bernard, we will send you an email about the status of your order.
Thanks,
Larry
Bernard Elias - April 17, 2018 at 4:26 pm -
I purchased five copies of the DVD a couple of weeks ago and have not received them yet. I cannot find any Contact information on your website. Please advise of the status of my order.
Thank you,
Bernard
Yolanda Kirk - April 17, 2018 at 3:54 am -
Thank you for this beautiful remarkable story.
Larry - April 16, 2018 at 11:34 am -
My heartfelt thanks for all the kind reviews and posts. I’m very grateful for the ability to have made ‘Trezoros’ and for the reactions to the film during this past week of Yom Hashoah.
Thanks again & warm wishes,
Larry
Larry - April 16, 2018 at 11:14 am -
Hi Marilyn, The airings began before we managed to get the all the elements of the website up and running. We’re working on the additional interviews (as well as other items) and hope to have them up on the site by May.
Thanks,
Larry
Marilyn Jaffe - April 16, 2018 at 12:01 am -
After the film, it was said that there are more interviews on this website. I don’t see them. Are there? Thanks. Thank you. Marilyn
Jeff Bendavid - April 15, 2018 at 1:17 pm -
I just watched your film & was moved to tears, my grandparents (Nona) were born in Thessaloniki and because she spoke only Ladino & passed when I was in my early teens, I wasn’t able to fully understand the horrors that the Hebrew community suffered at the hands of the nazis.Thank you for your wonderful film.
Judith - April 14, 2018 at 11:44 pm -
What rich history, culture, grace, productive, giving lives- lost -through atrocities of Nazi Germany. Our children must always know history, so that we will never be doomed to repeat it. Excellent presentation which allowed for the expression and gamut of emotion. Blessings to you for the gift of this remembrance.
Angela - April 14, 2018 at 1:55 pm -
Thank you for this beautiful, informative, inspiring film. To see a community functioning as a community instead of groups of people was a blessed change and made the horrendous actions of the Nazis even more jarring. I appreciate the focus on love, strength, and respect and simply telling the story. Hope you make more films!
Jim Fotenos - April 14, 2018 at 2:25 am -
This is a heart-rending, complex, and beautiful story. Despite its horrors, this incredibly well-made documentary is a testament to the best of the human spirit. Thank you; thank you. I am blessed: I stumbled onto this documentary on my local PBS station here in San Francisco–KQED. It justifies a year’s donation.
Eileen Herrera - April 14, 2018 at 2:16 am -
My husband had Sephardic Jewish blood, so my 4 sons do also. I am of Greek descent. So finding this documentary personally meant so much. I understand some Ladino & some Greek & it was so important to hear those languages being spoken in the film! My heart is heavy to know the atrocities that took place. I will NEVER FORGET! Thank you for sharing the story of Kastoria!
Awilda Velez-Rodriguez - April 13, 2018 at 7:47 pm -
Thank you for this documentary. It moved to tears. God bless all of those who peril during this sad times.
LaNell Barrett - April 13, 2018 at 5:21 pm -
To the commenter here stating it was ‘intimated American forces liberated Greece and the did NOT’….Where did you get that? They did state apparent fact the British military liberated and aided the Bergen Belsen and nearby Machaenau (?where Lena was). The Greeks were for years afterwards in Civil War between those who did and did not want Communist rule.
BTW, the camps were for extermination of Poles, Dutch, Czechs, ethnic Slavs, Romani, Soviet POWs, Austrians, etc, etc. Not just Jews.
Karla - April 13, 2018 at 3:47 pm -
Beautiful story. I would have been proud to be a citizen of Kastoria. A good lesson for everyone everywhere.
panagiota kinigopoulos - April 13, 2018 at 2:02 pm -
watched this morning and was deeply touched . very sad that so few survived from this vibrant ,beautiful community.
panagiota kinigopoulos - April 13, 2018 at 2:00 pm -
watched it this morning and was deeply touched . very sad that there were so few survivors from this vibrant and beautiful community .
Barbara Casillas Ochoa - April 13, 2018 at 11:39 am -
Thank you so much for sharing this impressive story. I happened to stumble upon this documentary just now on World, and several tissues later, I gave a big sigh of relief w/a heart full of love.
Having only recently gotten the results from my DNA kit, I learned that I too am part Sephardic Jew… while I’ve suspected as much for many years, it was a huge moment when it was finally confirmed to me. I can only hope that some day I will learn the full history of my own family… until then, I love hearing the stories of others through great documentaries like this one. Thank you.
Paul Kutscera, Esq. - April 13, 2018 at 1:09 am -
Overall an Excellent and well executed film. Heartbreaking…….However, a few factual errors and omissions.
The film intimated that The Allies liberated all of Greece and that Kastoria was part of that liberation. NOT true….
Kastoria and its environs were liberated by nationalist Greek partisan forces.
I am Glad that the film portrayed the common humanity displayed by the Christians of Kastoria towards their Jewish brethren; however this attitude was not restricted to just Kastoria and its environs.
Archbishop Damaskinos of Athens and all Greece, the leading cleric in Greece at the time sent a long letter in protest to the German High Command in Greece protesting the rounding up of Greek citizens of Jewish faith. His was one of the VERY few protests issued by a high religious figure anywhere in Europe during WW 2. He risked his life in sending this letter protesting the arrest and deportation of the Jews of Greece.
But this was not enough for him; When threaten With death by firing squad, he declared that he would issue fake baptismal certificates to any Jewish citizens who asked and instructed the Greek Orthodox clergy of Greece to do likewise.
His Awe inspiring letter to the Nazi High Command in Greece can be seen and read at:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Damaskinos_of_Athens.
The documentary would have benefitted from a mention of this man’s heroism.
The letter in part:
“In our national consciousness, all the children of Mother Greece are an inseparable unity: they are equal members of the national body irrespective of religion… Our holy religion does not recognize superior or inferior qualities based on race or religion, as it is stated: ‘There is neither Jew nor Greek’ and thus condemns any attempt to discriminate or create racial or religious differences. Our common fate both in days of glory and in periods of national misfortune forged inseparable bonds between all Greek citizens, without exemption,……………”
Tina - April 13, 2018 at 12:55 am -
Fantastic documentary! Gripping! I was glued to the TV.
Best wishes to all the survivors of these amazing people.
John Stratakis - April 12, 2018 at 10:35 pm -
Wow. This outstanding program moved my wife and me (Greek American Christians) to tears. It’s such an important story and congratulations to the producers for getting this aired on PBS. I hope it achieves wide viewership
John Stratakis - April 12, 2018 at 10:34 pm -
Wow. This outstanding program moved my wife and me (Greek American Christians) to tears. It’s such an important story and congratulations to the producers for getting this aired on PBS.
Alanna - April 12, 2018 at 10:15 pm -
Will this be streamed online anywhere? I’d love to see it but don’t have a TV.
Thanks!
Alanna
Yvette Chalom - April 12, 2018 at 10:09 pm -
Thank you for this beautiful documentary. My maternal family came from Thessaloniki, and we still have cousins there. Only one man survived. My mother and her immediate family left in1929 for France, where her own mother was deported to Auschwitz. We are going to visit the cousins in a month and will go to Kastoria as well.
Daniel Schwartz - April 12, 2018 at 10:07 pm -
Exceptional from a technical point of view. Moving up to tears, how’s emotionally constructed and told.
G’d bless you, you made a real”mitzvah”
Larry - April 12, 2018 at 9:13 pm -
Regarding the comments not finding listings in their local guides. Please note that tonight’s national airing is on the “World Channel”, not on your local PBS station (except tonight’s 10pm WTTW airing in Chicago).
Loui Gainor - April 12, 2018 at 8:08 pm -
Not listed in Boston cable guide. Please tell us when it will air in Boston on WGBH
Marcia Pietrzak - April 12, 2018 at 6:59 pm -
None of the times listed for Jacksonville are listed on the TV guide.
morrie beitch - April 12, 2018 at 4:06 pm -
the 2 pbs stations that serve Mobile-Pensacola do NOT have this show scheduled. Can you explain why or tell me how to watch w/o dvd
Walter Smith - April 12, 2018 at 3:13 pm -
One hears so much about the Holocaust from the Askanazi perspective. It was eye-opening to get a Greek/Sephardic perspective. I was moved beyond measure by the movie/documentary. More stories such as this need to be made and shared. I am not Jewish, I am Irish. But I grew up in NYC with many older neighbors who had camp tattoos on their arms. I shall never forget knowing them. Never Again!
matilda albala gelman - April 12, 2018 at 10:36 am -
can you tell me when was this produced? i know the 2 sisters (Sally and Hanna).
Zach Mazur - April 11, 2018 at 9:18 pm -
I wonder if anyone can help me identify some of the nearly 100 people in that iconic photo on the hill in front of the cemetery (photo appears in the Trezoros preview). My great-grandparents Chaim and Refko (Colchamiro) Cohen are in the middle with my uncles and aunts as kids. My great grandfather Jacob Cohen is to the left.
Larry - April 11, 2018 at 4:08 pm -
Dear Naomi, Thank you for your beautiful message.
Both Larry Confino and myself thank your father for sharing his experiences and are sorry for your loss. My brothers and I lost our mother this past July. Almost everyone interviewed in the film is now gone, I’m tremendously grateful we managed to capture their stories.
Bobby Elder - April 11, 2018 at 2:22 pm -
A moving, informative and excellent presentation that was emotional to watch. It is sad that a megalomaniac can destroy a society yet suffer no consequence. May the memory of those lost last for centuries to remind others of the horrors of war and the decimation of a race.
Naomi Kratsios Conklin - April 10, 2018 at 7:35 pm -
Larry:
Thank you so much for this beautiful film. My daughter and I watched today, on the first anniversary of the passing of my father, Gus Kratsios. I am so grateful that you invited him to be interviewed and to share his account of what he witnessed as a young boy growing up in Kastoria. More importantly, thank you for reminding us that while there is certainly evil in the world, the love that binds us as human beings will always prevail.
Georgia Tsioukis - April 10, 2018 at 8:00 am -
I came across the trailer for this film while doing research on my grandfather. He was from Kastoria and lived through this period in it’s history. I am eager to purchase the DVD but unfortunately I am experiencing an error message when I try to enter my Australian shipping address. Is there a workaround for this or do you not ship to Australia?
George - April 9, 2018 at 5:18 am -
To “Greek man”, July 20, 2017,
Human drama and suffering has no race, religion, or ethnic boundaries. The Greek Pontic genocide is just as abhorring and heartbreaking as any that have afflicted and decimated different groups of people throughout history because of distinct identities. But it happened and cannot and should not be forgotten just as the Holocaust cannot and should not because if they did they would happen again and again and yet again.
This film is nothing more than a cry against prejudice, violence, and injustice by one human being to another. Jew or not, people that lived for generations in Greece and anywhere else in the world, for that matter, were as attached and sentimentally bound to the land they were born and raised as any. I know of a Kastorian Jew, a victim of the Holocaust, who as a teenager ended up living in Israel after the war. Well, let me tell you that the first money he saved he used it to buy a radio so he could reminisce and cry his nights away listening to Greek music. What is it that makes this person less Greek or less human than you or me? Was his suffering any lesser than that of your forefathers who were relentlessly persecuted and ousted from their lands by the Black Sea after three millennia of living there? I mean,come on, you must be better than that. You must know that being ignorant, indifferent, senseless, and /or biased is detrimental to our humanity.
Leah Schnell - April 8, 2018 at 10:06 pm -
Amazing~ Baruch Hashem for the people who survived. And may the names of the souls lost, always be for a Blessing~
Michael Honan - April 8, 2018 at 6:40 pm -
Larry:
OMG! I have never seen video footage of my great grandfather for whom my son Benjamin Honan ultimately received his name. What an AMAZING piece of work. I had to pick up the phone to call Arlyne to tell you how grateful we are to you for having put this together. Visited Kastoria about 25 years ago with my father Bernie (Benyamin) Honan and his wife of Ioannina descent and my sister, wife, and daughter, but didn’t really know the story until now. Thank you so much!!! Can’t wait to join you for the opening of the museum.
Mike
Sandra Rodemyer - April 8, 2018 at 5:35 pm -
I am a retired history teacher. I watched this film today and found it incredibly moving. The love, respect and harmony that marked the community of Sephardic Jews and Orthodox Christian for two millennia should stand as an example to all of us. I feel sorry for “Greek Man” because I don’t believe that he is honoring the memory of the Greek people of Kastoria. He seems to be missing the whole point of the film: REMEMBER, HONOR AND FOLLOW THEIR EXAMPLE.
Karen Wood - April 8, 2018 at 4:26 pm -
I watched the documentary this afternoon, but only caught some of it. I came on here to find more information as I found it so interesting. I have no connection whatsoever, as my roots are Irish, but I am always interested to learn the history of others. I loved that they had so many photographs and video footage for the story.These families are fortunate that they can put a face to some of their ancestors. There was terrible suffering and loss of lives,but they have also left behind a wonderful legacy to make future generations very proud.
Marilyn P. - April 8, 2018 at 3:36 pm -
To “Greek Man” July 20,2017.
Propoganda?. Are you literate? Do you know the definition of the word that you carelessly put out of your ignorant mouth to spew out unwarranted negativity?. Or perhaps the reality of this tragic story makes you uncomfortable. There are NO APOLOGIES for that. This IS IN FACT the story of a beautiful culture and the generations lost and survivors of one of the most profound hell on earth experiences in human history.
Its a story to be told. No one is looking for anything except for the resinance of one another’s compassion for those that died, that lived and that continue to share this story through generations, NEVER to be forgotten.
Get used to it and maybe learn something.
Sandra Vavonese - April 8, 2018 at 3:36 pm -
Watched Trezoros today. Riveting and heartbreaking. I have no personal connection to the Holocaust however I believe in never forgetting. Thank you for bringing to light this story. It brought tears to my eyes to know what this community went through. God bless you all. Truth can never be lost and should always be shared.
Judith Coburn-Harris - April 8, 2018 at 2:52 pm -
I first could hardly breathe watching the horrors and heartbreak! My childhood was in a neighborhood with many Greek families and stores on Main St. They were and are friends. I learned to eat and cook Greek. Until now, l did not know the history of Kastoria!
I have yearned to see Greece and still do, though in s wheelchair.
Blessings to those survivors who had the courage to re-live such a painful trauma and share this history for us who need to know!
Peace and Hope,
Judith Coburn-Harris
Hometown of:
Saco, Maine. USA
Larry - April 6, 2018 at 10:22 pm -
Thank you Nafty, it’s great to hear from you. Your father was one of two people our father was like brothers with, I remember him in tears the day he got the news of your fathers passing.. I miss your parents as well as the days we would meet at Auntie Nina/Uncle Sam’s house in Queens and the fathers would play poker. After so many years this film is a huge catharsis. Reading what you wrote, knowing that you know the history, means a lot to me, Will forward your message to Albert & Cliff.
Best wishes and thanks again,
Larry
NAFTY ( NAT ) COHEN - April 6, 2018 at 12:04 am -
Hi Larry ( Russo )
I just saw your wonderful film on PBS tonight and it was both such a joy, as well as incredibly sad. It was so beautifully made. I bought several copies for my sister Esther and myself. My father Albert and mother Adelina, spoke of Kastoria and Greece very often and with so much love.
Seeing your mother Lina and your Uncle Bennie looking so well and speaking with such dignity and emotion, made me so proud to have known them so many years ago. And very proud of you too.I think your father would now be happy and very proud too, that you followed your dream and went into film.
.I was so sorry to hear of their passing and of course my Godmother Nina and Sammy. l lost my mother in 2000 and still feel her loss very deeply. Hope you, Albert and Cliffy are well .All the Best to you all – Nafty (Nat)
Mark Albala - April 5, 2018 at 8:10 pm -
Having my family migrating to the US from Kastoria in the beginning of the 20th century, I am of course very interested in coverage of Kastoria.
Evan - April 4, 2018 at 6:52 pm -
Beautifully produced film. Gut wrenching to watch but very necessary. Thank you for preserving this history and sharing it with the world.
Anastasia Zouvelos - April 4, 2018 at 11:30 am -
My husband and I saw this documentary last night. It was very informative and very touching. Thank you for making this!
Mark Hetman - April 2, 2018 at 8:04 am -
Great to see this on PBS!
Larry - March 27, 2018 at 1:04 pm -
Ok, captcha is working & and comments are on again
Larry - September 10, 2017 at 1:04 pm -
Sorry for the late reply about DVDs, we had a death in the family.
DVD’s will be made available through this website by mid-April.
‘Trezoros’ will begin airing on PBS stations nationwide April 2, 2018.
Many affiliates plan on airing Trezoros around April 11, 12 & 13 for Yom Hashoah.
Please check your local listings.
Thanks,
Larry
PS: Comments are disabled until our webguy can put in a spam wall.
Marina Norman - August 27, 2017 at 4:44 am -
Very interested in this documentary – please how can I obtain a copy
Panagiota Petropoulaki - July 21, 2017 at 5:53 am -
Hallo,
I´m intersted in watching the documentary and as I live in a small city in Germany, I think I have to buy a DVD. Is that possible? Could you please give me more information?
Best regards,
Panagiota Petropoulaki
Greek man - July 20, 2017 at 11:17 am -
1000 lived there. Ok so now what. You want to come back and take over empty stores and homes. I don’t get it. Kastoria was and is a Greek city. Many have lived and many have pasted through. Does that mean we have to give everyone now something. My fathers family were slaughtered by the Turks. My family was from sinope, where’s our story. I’m sick and tired of your propaganda bullshit. Enough guys. Oh and we’re not allowed to question the holocaust.
Eve Gourgoulis - July 1, 2017 at 9:31 pm -
I missed this when it came to Melbourne, however greatful my husband and daughter got to see it. Just showed my mum and dad the trailer, would love to buy a copy if we can. Both my parents were born in Kastoria in the 1930s and lived through this time. They moved to Melbourne Australia in the 1950s. Brought back so many memories for them. Very moving! Thank you for sharing this.
Leah Thorn - June 16, 2017 at 5:18 am -
I live in England. How can I get to see the film? It looks wonderful
Thank you
Leah
Carol Korengold - April 19, 2017 at 11:17 am -
I live in the Chicago area. My grandparents were from Kastoria. I believe I may be related to Rosalind Russo Hanckel. My Grandfather was a Mevorah, and my grandmother was a Russo.
Will the movie ever be shown in Chicago, and is there any way for Rosalind to get in touch with me?
ilana - April 8, 2017 at 1:33 am -
PLEASE let us know where we can buy a DVD or how we can watch this documentary. Many people have been asking about this for months but nobody responds to comments here.
Rosalind Russo Hanckel - April 2, 2017 at 11:19 am -
Watching the trailer of this movie brought tears to my eyes. I have a photo of many of the Jewish people in the village, many relatives of mine, when my grandmother was visiting in 1936. She came home to Bensonhurst, Brooklyn, and as your film confirms, in 1940, the Jews in Kastoria were slaughtered in Auschwitz. My mother’s family and my father’s family were from Kastoria, the Russos and the Mevorachs. My great-grandfather, Rabbi Mevorach, I am told, was the chief Rabbi of the area. Please let me know how we can view this movie. Thank you so much.
Marina M - March 25, 2017 at 10:20 pm -
Thank you for the wonderfully heartfelt and incredibly well researched film. My grandparents were also from Kastoria and I would like to purchase copies for my sisters and cousins. Please let me know if there’s a way how.
Maddy - February 12, 2017 at 5:11 pm -
Hello there! I was googling and searching around on the internet as I’ve definitely done in the past and was so incredibly excited to come across this website and your film! My yiayia and pappou are both from Kastoria and I’ve heard so many interesting childhood stories about WWII time and I would love love love to be able to watch this!
David Balavram - February 8, 2017 at 10:45 pm -
Hello
My grandmother was born in kastoria . I always s knew about the town from her stories and childhood . I just happened to google jews from kastoria and same upon all this information . My heart is jumping to actually learn more about her town and what happened to her family . She never knew what happened to them just That the letters stopped and she heard they were all killed . She came to the USA in 1913 . Want to find out how I get a copy of the film or I guess somehow to downloading it . I actually have original pictures of her family that she left behind . Her name was Eva Rouso or Russo . She married my grandfather Joseph Balavram from Izmir. Her father would have been Jacob. Her other family names were Mayo,and I believe Hassan .
Thank you
Jeffrey Lapidus - January 21, 2017 at 3:11 pm -
My name is Jeffrey Lapidus. My maternal grandparents were from Kastoria. There name was Russo and lived in Bensonhurst, Brooklyn and were friends with the Confino family. I live in south Florida. Is there any way to see/purchase your movie??
Marcy L Bloom - January 6, 2017 at 12:50 am -
My maternal grandparents were from Kastoria and I would like to very much be able to view/purchase this film. Can you please let me know how and when that might be possible?I live in Seattle, Washington and eagerly await your response. .
Dan Cahn - December 26, 2016 at 3:56 pm -
Hello my father’s family was from Kastoria and I visited the three remaining Jews there in 1978. My Grandmother and uncle went there in 1963 to try and reclaim their home without success. I live in Israel and am visiting my 85 year old cousin this January 7th and 8th, is there ANY POSSIBLE way we can see your movie? Can we rent it? or is there any place where it is still being shown? I can’t tell you how much we would like to see it.
Thank you for your consideration.
Rachel Cohen - December 13, 2016 at 3:04 pm -
Where are the answers to these questions? what is the use of us asking questions if no one is answering them? I would have wanted to ask where I can to see this movie but what is the point?
Stavros Vlachos - December 11, 2016 at 10:00 am -
Can I purchase a DVD of the film or is there a way to see it online as soon is possible.Thank you
Robert Confino - December 10, 2016 at 11:48 am -
We would very much like to see this documentary-either in a theater or purchase. We live in New York City. Perhaps the NYC Holocaust Museum? Robert Confino
Christina Chavarria - December 7, 2016 at 9:05 am -
How may I see this documentary? I live in Washington, DC and work at the US Holocaust Memorial Museum. We are trying to expand our outreach to the Sephardic community. Thank you in advance for any information you may share on how I may see the film.
Eva - December 3, 2016 at 7:14 pm -
I live in NY. Can I purchase a DVD of the film or is there a way to see it online? Thank you!