Life in a Jar: The Irena Sendler Project

In March 2002, The Irena Sendler Project becomes the winner of the first Tikkun Olam Award; it is to be presented on March 10, which becomes Irena Sendler Day in Kansas City; since then, Irena Sendler Day has been declared in numerous other towns, cities, and states, including Warsaw.

The girls return to Poland thanks to the generosity of John Shuchart, who asks only that he be allowed to go with them. Sabrina almost needs to pull out due to the death of her mother just a few weeks before the trip but changes her mind and still attends with them. Their trip is again “busy with performances, interviews, and tours” (333). At one point, Liz interviews one of Irena’s assistants at the Social Welfare Department, who tells her that many in the department knew what was going on but were too scared to do anything themselves, as they were afraid all the time. Shortly thereafter, they meet with Irena once again, this time at a nursing home. Irena expresses concern and regret for Sabrina’s loss. They weep together “for all those who died too soon” (334).

During this visit, Irena tells them the story of Jan Karski, the spy whom she showed around Warsaw in 1942. She tells them about all of the events he witnessed and the great trouble he went through to get the information out. Despite the evidence,“[n]ewspapers declined to print his accounts; no one could believe his allegations” (335). Once they return home, they discover the annual Jan Karski Award for Valor and Compassion, and they decide to nominate Irena for it. She receives the medal in 2003; however, as she is too frail to travel to the U.S. to accept the award, so Mr. C., Megan, Sabrina, and a new cast member travel to Washington, D.C., to accept the award in her stead. A week later, the Polish President bestows The Order of the White Eagle, Poland’s highest honor, on Irena.

Life in a Jar continues to spread, with schools as far away as Japan choosing to perform it. However, with Megan and Liz set to graduate and Sabrina already in college, they realize they must begin looking for new cast members. In June 2003, they go on a summer tour; during this time, the play continues to develop. Also around this time, Debra Stewart’s cancer comes out of remission. Debra keeps this a secret and volunteers to drive the first leg of the tour, anyway. While on tour, she confides in Mr. C., but asks him not to say anything to Megan or her brother Travis, who is now part of the cast.

At the end of the tour, Sabrina says goodbye to Liz and Megan; she’ll be transferring to Kansas State thanks to the Jacobson scholarship. Shortly after, Debra tells Megan and Travis that her cancer has returned. Debra goes into treatment, and her cancer once again goes into remission, which allows Megan and Travis to take part in the project’s third trip to Warsaw in 2005 to celebrate Irena’s 95th birthday. They celebrate with Irena, and the conversation turns to the number saved. Irena again expresses regret: “Only the dead have done enough” (343).

After a performance at a local high school, the group is introduced to another rescuer and recipient of the Yad Vashem medal; the school’s students have decided to name their school after him, inspired by the Irena Sendler Project. The next day, they perform at the State Jewish Theater, where the Chief Rabbi of Poland asserts that “[t]his moment is the ultimate revenge on Hitler. Protestant kids, celebrating a Catholic rescuer of Jewish children from the Warsaw ghetto, performing in a Jewish theater in Warsaw. And they are being filmed by German television” (344).

Before heading home, they meet with Irena one last time. Irena asks Meagan Easter, who now plays Mrs. Rosner, to read the lines for her one last time.

On June 12, 2006, Debra Stewart passes away, nine days after Megan marries her longtime boyfriend, Kenny. Megan also becomes the Program Director for the Lowell Milken Center, a non-profit developed and directed by Mr. C. to “inspire project-based learning celebrating unsung heroes like Irena Sendler” (346).

The Irena Sendler Award is founded in 2007, and Mr. C. is one of the first recipients. Megan and Mr. C. travel to Warsaw in 2008 to present the second award. Following the ceremony, they go to meet Irena; due to her failing health, they expect it to be their last visit. They all sit with Irena, thank her, and say goodbye. Three days later, they are again called back with an urgent request to meet with Irena, who is feeling a bit stronger. One week later, on May 12, Megan’s birthday, Irena passes away.