- [Stephond] Tonight on 'WPBS Weekly Inside The Stories'.

Oswego county was host to nearly a thousand Jewish refugees after World War II.

We'll take you to their safe Haven, where they began their lives anew.

And those refugees were featured in a short film created in 1944, called 'Over The Rainbow Bridge' as they traveled over the bridge into Canada to obtain their visas, we'll share the film.

Also, Kellylee Evans takes the stage in Ottawa to jazz up a Glenn Miller tune.

Her smooth vocals aren't to be missed.

All this and more coming up right now on 'WPBS Weekly Inside The Story'.

(upbeat music) - [Narrator 1] 'WPBS Weekly Inside The Stories' is brought to you by, The Daisy Marquis Jones foundation, The Watertown Oswego Small Business Development Center.

CSX.

The Oswego County Community Foundation at the Central New York Community Foundation.

And by the Richard S Shineman Foundation.

- Good evening, everyone, and welcome to this edition of 'WPBS Weekly Inside The Stories'.

I'm Stephond Brunson.

In a few short days, it will be international Holocaust remembrance day here.

At WPBS, we recognize the importance of this landmark day.

Tonight, we offer two powerful pieces of survival.

The first takes place at Fort Ontario in Oswego, New York.

It was here that 982 Jewish refugees were safely housed during the war.

Several of them, prisoners of Auschwitz.

Many don't realize that Fort Ontario was the only place in the US that opens its doors to the refugees, but it was.

Our Joleene DesRosiers has more.

- [Joleene] This is a story of freedom, of change, of new lands and new people.

It's the story of the 982 Jewish refugees that landed at Fort Ontario in Oswego in August of 1944, never anticipating the warm welcome they would receive from the community.

For the first time in a long time, they were experiencing freedom.

- For years, we hadn't seen it.

It was enormous impact of all this around us, freedom, food, shelter, not being scared of your lives anymore to the first night I slept was right here in Oswego, slept all through without fear.

- [Joleene] The journey began in Italy were thousands of refugees hid during the war.

It was here that close to 3000 of them applied for a program that would bring them to America.

Only a thousand would get in.

The program was the brain child of President Roosevelt who decided to circumvent strict US immigration quotas and allow the group into the country as his guests.

982 Jewish refugees were put a board an army troop ship with another 1000 injured soldiers.

They sailed towards freedom for two weeks and then headed to Fort Ontario by train.

Their first impression, however, wasn't one of freedom.

- Many of the refugees were terrified as a train pulled into the Fort Ontario military reservation on the morning of August 5th, 1944, because they saw a fence, it was a typical chain link fence with barbed wire, typical army post fence, but it reminded many, over a hundred of these refugees, had been incarcerated in Nazi concentration camps in Germany, Poland, and they were terrified.

- [Joleene] Thankfully, that fear didn't last.

Oswego residents were quick to learn more about their new neighbors, even if their history and the tragedy they befell was new information.

- Oswego was an all-American community.

It was comprised of all different nationalities, all different cultures.

There was a thriving Jewish community in Oswego.

- [Joleene] The fencing was part of a quarantine and the immigrants were required to stay behind it for 30 days.

Once the quarantine was lifted, they would be free to leave the Fort so long as they stayed within city limits.

Of course, some found their way through the fence to get a bigger taste of freedom.

- And as far as we were concerned, the fence was a non entity.

The fence didn't bother us.

My first introduction to the fence was on the same evening when we arrived, we went out there to the fence.

On the other side of the fence were a bunch of Oswego teenagers, many girls.

- [Joleene] While teenagers found their way into the community, the community found their way to the refugees.

And before long, the two communities became one.

- And we have a lot of stories of community members actually going to the fence, sharing their toys, their food, their desserts, communicating, playing games through the fence.

After the first month, when refugees were allowed to leave the camp on day passes, they would go to individual's homes, they would interact with the community.

- Waterbury, the publisher and the superintendent schools and other citizens got together a committee to help service the refugees and help them when they arrived.

So community response is very strong officially to welcome and help acclimate the refugees to Oswego.

- [Joleene] In may of 1945, Germany surrendered and World War Two in Europe came to an end.

For the refugees, it meant their time in Oswego was over.

As part of FDRs original order, they were required to go back to Europe after the war, but president Truman determined that the Oswego refugees who had no legal status in the US would be given first consideration for citizenship, 70 communities across the country offered invitations.

- They had to leave the country and go to Canada across the rainbow bridge, and then all their paperwork had been processed beforehand, and then when they got to the customs office in Canada, US customs, then they're able to come back in the country with their visas in hand and all certified.

- We often say that the safe haven story is woven into the fabric of our community and is often a story that's not told unless it's prompted.

So many people don't even know that the refugee camp existed, but it's there, it's in their memories, it's in their history, and it takes one simple conversation, one box, one photograph to really spark that.

- [Joleene] Many stayed in the states and many went back to Europe.

Today the Safe Haven Museum at Fort Ontario remains as the primary reminder of the 982 refugees who spent 18 months in the city of Oswego.

It was the only city in all of the US that opened its doors to the refugees, putting the small city on the historic maps in a very big way.

At Fort Ontario in Oswego, for WPBS Weekly, I'm Joleene DesRosiers.

- When it was time for the refugees to make their way to their new homes, they had to make a stop in Canada to obtain their visas.

The trip was an exciting one and was captured and turned into a short film called 'Over The Rainbow Bridge'.

Thanks to the US Holocaust Memorial Museum, WPBS Weekly is able to bring you this short film created in 1944, that documents their journey.

(gentle music) - [Narrator 2] This is a gate of hope.

Through here, the National Refugee Service brought nearly a thousand victims of Hitler to freedom and security.

It is the gate of Fort Ontario near Oswego, New York.

The ramparts bear scars of the battles of colonial times.

The walls have echoed Indian war cries and French and British musket fire.

But never before did Fort Ontario witness such a spectacle as on August 5th, 1944.

On that day, a train load of refugees arrived at the port directly off the boat from Europe.

Here was a safe haven after years of flight and fear of hiding, imprisonment and worse.

(gentle music) The American army rescued them in Italy, and they were brought here for wartime shelter.

To their aid came The National Refugee Service, bringing the things people need, and these people needed everything.

For 18 months, the refugees lived in Port Ontario, and then the war ended.

President once set a humanitarian example to all the nations, he issued a directive to speed immigration of displaced (indistinct).

This is the barracks apartment of the Greenstein family in Fort Ontario.

It is the night of December 22nd, 1945.

News of president Truman's directive.

For these people, it means freedom, security, a home of their own in a land of their own after years of persecution and wandering.

(gentle music) Government officials arrive at the Fort to take applications for visas.

Legal routines with human understanding.

A badge, a uniform used to mean something else to the people, it was a symbol of hate and persecution.

Now these refugees have learned that in America, you don't have to be afraid of a man in uniform.

(jolly music) Mrs. Greenstein has steered the family through many a storm.

This is grandma, and Jan who played a fast end for Oswego High, and Ernie, Boy Scout first-class.

And Boris Greenstein, good husband, good father, potential good citizen.

And 11 year old Edi.

The whole history of the Greensteins in their native Yugoslavia, and during seven years of wandering is recorded and sworn to.

And there are many more steps to be taken, all part of the selective process under the immigration law.

(jolly music) Everyone in the shelter is in a fever of preparation, even the little folk catch it for a while.

(jolly music) At the shelter nursery it's business as usual.

This is one of the many special facilities which NRS supported at Oswego, over and above the necessities of food and shelter provided by the government.

All of these things were financed by the United Jewish Appeal.

These pups know nothing of the anxieties which even now beset their parents.

The Greensteins are going to have a new home in America, but where will it be?

They turn to the National Refugee Service.

On the job is a staff of 25, including several professional workers from the National Council Of Jewish Women.

(gentle music) By this time, the NRS has given the government its corporate affidavit as a basis for issuing visas to the Jewish residents at Fort Ontario.

Catholic and Protestant organizations have done the same for their group.

This assures the admission of all those who are eligible, among them, the Greensteins.

They tell the interviewer that they want to live in New York City.

Like most refugees at first, they can't conceive of any other place to go.

It's amazing how many of these people still think that anywhere west of the Hudson River, they're liable to be sculpted by Indians.

Have the Greenstein any friends elsewhere in the country?

Yes, Mr. Greenstein has a good friend in Cleveland.

Mr. Miller, he's on the clothing business same as Mr. Greenstein used to be.

The nationwide NRS network, the only one that does this job begins to function.

All over the country, in more than 1000 cities, towns, and villages, there are local groups cooperating in the resettlement program.

65 communities have agreed to accept quotas of the Oswego refugees and to help them get on their feet.

A professional worker mobilizes the resources of NRS for the Greensteins.

She helped the family understand why they will be better off and happier in a small community.

She makes all the arrangements with the local agency in Cleveland.

A traffic expert arranges the family trip.

Niagara Falls, Buffalo, then by train to Cleveland.

And there won't be any hitch there.

The local agency gets full detail.

The Greensteins' friend, Mr. Miller, will help secure a home for the family and a job for the father.

(gentle music) Everything is set.

The head of the NRS staff at Fort Ontario checks over the file, nothing is to go wrong.

The future security and happiness of a family are involved here.

Incidentally, her family needs money, so cash has advanced to them.

This is the cover the cost of transportation, fees and taxes.

Also included is an allowance for initial living expenses.

The first group of shelter residents is due to leave tomorrow for the American Consulate in Niagara Falls, Canada.

That's where they get their visa.

(gentle music) Oh, there is one last big party.

The refugees dance their specialty, the hokey pokey.

(upbeat music) They learned that from British soldiers in Italy.

(upbeat music) Seven year old Georgie Neufeld can't remember his father who was believed dead in Europe.

Two weeks ago, Mr. Neufeld was found alive, so Georgie sings his own version of a popular song.

(gentle music) ♪ I'm going to love my daddy ♪ ♪ Like he's never been loved before ♪ ♪ I'm going to show my daddy ♪ ♪ He's the relative I adore ♪ ♪ When he's in my arms again ♪ ♪ Our dreams will all come true ♪ ♪ Then the years between may never happen ♪ ♪ With everlasting you ♪ ♪ I'm going to kiss my daddy ♪ ♪ Like he's never been kissed before ♪ ♪ And so I miss my daddy ♪ ♪ He's the fella I'm waiting for ♪ ♪ We'll never part again ♪ ♪ He holds my heart again ♪ ♪ For ever and ever more ♪ ♪ I'm going to love my daddy ♪ ♪ Like he's never been loved before ♪ (audience clapping) - [Narrator 2] They're on their way.

The first group of 100 people leaves for Niagara Falls in buses chartered by NRS.

The weather is sub-zero, but their friends turn out before dawn to see them off.

(upbeat music) Over the rainbow bridge to Canada.

(upbeat music) Here too, the travelers are on friendly soils.

They arrive outside the United States Consulate.

These people have crossed many a frontier, often in the stealth of night in fear with known enemies behind them, and unknown perils ahead.

Now for the first time, they cross friendly borders in broad daylight, with confidence and new courage.

Consult Grave greats the future Americans.

They swear and gladly to obey the laws of the United States.

At last, they have those precious red sealed papers which show the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

They know now that the American tradition of haven for the oppressed is something more than words on paper.

(gentle music) (upbeat music) This is the way the National Refugee Service resettled more than 900 residents of the Fort Ontario shelter in 65 cities and towns, in 19 states from coast to coast, in less than four weeks.

The job was made possible through funds given by Americans to The United Jewish Appeal.

(upbeat music) The promise of the future, and the memory of the past, reasons to be grateful to America.

They are no longer refugees, they are not going to a strange country, they are going home.

Now they are new Americans.

(upbeat music) - The TD Ottawa Jazz Fest brings out so many fine musicians, and our next guest is no exception.

Last August, the festival showcased jazz singer Kellylee Evans.

Here she is with Glen Miller's 'Wham, Re-Bop-Boom-Bam'.

Enjoy.

(upbeat music) - I think that's what's so amazing.

What I love about the swing community is that like at the time she was 12, when my daughter started to get into this and you know, it was 12 year olds to like a 98 year old all getting together every Friday night to dance.

It's all about how swing will never die out.

Swing is for everyone.

And so, you know, I hope that this music has like inspired you.

If you haven't already fallen in love with swing, I hope that it does inspire that love for you.

And yeah, here we go.

'Wham, Re-Bop-Boom-Bam' That's the feeling you get when swing hits ya.

- One, two, a one, two, three, four.

(upbeat music) ♪ Wham, Re-Bop-Boom-Bam ♪ ♪ I can swing and I can jam ♪ ♪ Wham, Re-Bop-Boom-Bam ♪ ♪ I'm a killer-diller, yes, I am ♪ ♪ Wham, Re-Bop-Boom-Bam ♪ ♪ Easy to do like the Suzie Q ♪ ♪ Wham, Re-Bop-Boom-Bam ♪ ♪ If I can do it so can you ♪ ♪ Oh some folks say Swing won't stay ♪ ♪ And it's dying out ♪ ♪ But I can prove I'm in the groove ♪ ♪ And they don't know what they're talking about ♪ ♪ Wham, Re-Bop-Boom-Bam ♪ ♪ Easy to do like the Suzie Q ♪ ♪ Wham, Re-Bop-Boom-Bam ♪ ♪ If I can do it, so can you ♪ (upbeat music) (humming) (upbeat music) (upbeat drumming) ♪ Wham, Re-Bop-Boom-Bam ♪ ♪ I can swing and I can jam ♪ ♪ Wham, Re-Bop-Boom-Bam ♪ ♪ I'm a killer-diller, yes, I am ♪ ♪ Wham, Re-Bop-Boom-Bam ♪ ♪ When you learn it you'll be proud ♪ ♪ Wham, Re-Bop-Boom-Bam ♪ ♪ Join the crowd and swing out loud ♪ ♪ oh some folks say that swing won't stay ♪ ♪ And it's dying out ♪ ♪ I can prove it's in the groove ♪ ♪ And they don't know what they're talking about ♪ ♪ Wham, Re-Bop-Boom-Bam ♪ ♪ Easy to do like the Suzie Q ♪ ♪ Wham, Re-Bop-Boom-Bam ♪ ♪ If I can swing it so can you ♪ ♪ If I can swing it so can you ♪ - Yeah.

- Nice.

- That does it for us this Tuesday evening.

Join us next week for a fresh look inside the stories.

A proposed highway that would cut through part of the Oak Ridges Moraine in Ontario has area residents calling on lawyers to protect the area.

We'll tell you more.

And we continue to support small local businesses.

Next week we visit Leisure Park Entertainment in Ottawa.

Speaking of entertainment, WPBS shares another regional musician with you.

Tune in for this incredible talent.

Meantime, if you have a story idea you'd like to see us explore, or you're a poet or a musician that would like to be featured, Email us at wpbsweekly@wpbstv.org.

Until then, good night my friends.

- [Narrator 1] 'WPBS Weekly Inside The Stories' is brought to you by, the Daisy Marquis Jones Foundation, dedicated to improving the wellbeing of communities by helping disadvantage children and families.

Online at dmjf.org.

The Watertown, Oswego Small Business Development Center, a free resource offering confidential business advice for those interested in starting or expanding their small business.

Serving Jefferson, Lewis and Oswego counties since 1986.

Online at watertown.nyspdc.org.

Additional funding provided by CSX, The Oswego County Community Foundation at the Central New York Community Foundation.

And by the Richard S. Shineman Foundation.

(upbeat swing music) (gentle music)