Cincinnati Photographer Preserves Holocaust Survivors' Stories

When photographer Madeleine Hordinski discovered in 2021 that part of her Polish family died in the Holocaust, she found a powerful way to honor their memory and preserve living history.

She created "Holding Hope: Stories of Survival During the Holocaust," a photo book and exhibition featuring intimate portraits of 41 Holocaust survivors who rebuilt their lives in Cincinnati. The project pairs large-scale photographs with survivors' own handwritten notes, capturing both their faces and their voices.

Hordinski shot with a film camera, working in survivors' homes to incorporate their belongings, decor, and the warmth of their personal spaces. The soft lighting and gentle tonality reflect the sensitivity these stories deserve.

The collaboration with the Nancy and David Wolf Holocaust & Humanity Center began in 2022. Now through June 7, visitors to Cincinnati's Union Terminal can see the full exhibition, presented in both English and Russian to reach more of the local Jewish community.

Why This Inspires

Some of these survivors are sharing their testimonies publicly for the first time. Their courage to finally speak, combined with Hordinski's artistic documentation, creates an irreplaceable historical record for future generations.

"These stories reflect resilience, courage, and the enduring impact survivors had on our community," said Kara Driscoll, director of strategic external engagement at the Holocaust & Humanity Center.

Hordinski's work has appeared in The New York Times, National Geographic, and The Guardian, which selected one of her images for its 2024 U.S. photos-of-the-year gallery. But this project holds special meaning beyond her professional achievements.

The 2020 Ohio University graduate combined her photojournalism and anthropology training to create something more than documentation. She built a bridge between generations, ensuring that firsthand accounts of survival, hope, and rebuilding don't fade with time.

These powerful portraits remind us that behind every historical tragedy are individual human stories worth remembering and protecting.