Arben

David Arben's Life of Miracles & Successes

Tribute Program

Coauthors present a moving tribute to David Arben, a life overflowing with themes of tolerance, self respect, persistence, overcoming trauma, love of life, and taking responsibility for a better future.

Based on Arben's biography, the coauthors created a live program that shares the life of David Arben through storytelling, historical images, and solo violin performance. This program was shared with thousands of students across the country until the pandemic halted all presentations. Thanks to Music in May and its sponsors, a film was created based on the live program which allows us to continue our work sharing the inspiring messages of his life.

UPComing Events


May 11, 2024

Palo Alto, CA: In observance of Jewish American Heritage Month, Rinconada Library hosts a free screening of the docufilm about David Arben. Q&A with Rebecca Jackson-Picht and John Jackson will follow. Info and registration HERE.


May 9, 2024

New York City, NY: Hosted by The Museum of Public Relations in NYC, as part of their "Language of Hate" series, a panel of speakers will discuss how communicators can help stem the alarming rise of antisemitism followed by a performance by Rebecca who will also have the opportunity to speak about David Arben. This event is free and on Zoom. Info and registration HERE.


November 8, 2023

Santa Clara, CA: 12:00-12:50pm, Screening of Arben docufilm followed by Q&A hosted by the Santa Clara University Music at Noon Class.


Past Events


Below: An event hosted by the German Consulate General San Francisco & the Goethe-Institut San Francisco where Rebecca paid tribute to David Arben spring 2019 at San Francisco City Hall.


July 16, 2023

Nashville, Tennessee: 4:00-5:30pm, Screening of Arben docufilm followed by Q&A hosted by the Gordon Jewish Community Center.


March 2, 2023

Herndon, Virginia: 9:30-10:30pm, Screening of Arben docufilm followed by Q&A for 80 sixth graders at Crossfield Elementary School.


February 7, 2023

Panama City, Panama: 12:00-1:00pm, Screening of Arben docufilm followed by Q&A at Instituto America for students and staff at Funsincopa Summer Camp in partnership with Sound Impact.


January 23, 2023

Los Angeles, CA: 7pm PT, Screening of Arben docufilm followed by Q&A for students and families at Windward School, an independent school for grades 7-12.


January 23, 2023

Los Angeles, CA: 9:45am PT, Arben program for 600 students at Windward School, an independent school for grades 7-12.


January 7, 2023

Palo Alto, CA: 3pm PT, Screening of Arben docufilm followed by Q&A hosted by the City of Palo Alto, Rinconada Library. Click HERE for more info.


November 9, 2022

In-Person/Online: 5:30p PT/8:30pm EST, In remembrance of Kristallnacht, a screening of the Arben docufilm followed by Q&A hosted by Congregation Shomrei Torah in Fair Lawn, New Jersey.


June 15, 2022

In-Person/Online: 6:30-8:00pm PT, Discussion and Q&A with the “5 East Book Club,” a group founded by individuals who used to work together at El Camino Hospital. To join on Zoom, fill out the form on our contact page.


April 24, 2022

Online: 9am PT, Screening of Arben docufilm followed by Q&A presented by the Foundation for Holocaust Education Projects. For reservations, fill out the form on our contact page.


April 23, 2022

San Francisco, CA: 2pm PT, Private screening of Arben docufilm followed by Q&A hosted by the Rhoda Goldman Plaza, Jewish Assisted Living Facility.


march 24, 2022

San Francisco, CA: Screening of Arben docufilm followed by Q&A, a hybrid presentation hosted by Metropolitan Club. Private club.


February 10, 2022

Felton, CA: Arben docufilm followed by Q&A for students at Santa Cruz Juvenile Hall.


may 29, 2021

YouTube: Premiere and release of the David Arben docufilm directed by Andrew Thompson


may 24 & 25, 2021

Claremont, CA: Six screenings of the Arben docufilm followed by Q&A for students at Claremont High School.


may 18, 2021

Santa Cruz, CA: Five screenings of the Arben docufilm followed by Q&A for sophomores at Scotts Valley High School. 240 students


January 30, 2021

Online: 6-7p, PT, Since the lockdown in March 2020, Rebecca Jackson-Picht and Dr. John Jackson are looking forward to sharing their first Arben presentation on zoom for students and volunteers of International Students, Inc. based in Santa Cruz. Contact us for a link to join.


January 28, 2021

Online: In honor of International Holocaust Remembrance Day, a program presented by The New York Institute for the Humanities and Social Studies in collaboration with Collegium Musicum, NJ - featured interviews with Rebecca Jackson-Picht and Polina Nazaykinskaya paying tribute David Arben. View an excerpt of the program HERE.


october 20, 2020

Online: Interview hosted by Music of Remembrance in Seattle Washington featuring Rebecca Jackson, Polina Nazaykinskaya and MOR artists who performed Haim, a piece inspired by the life of David Arben. Click HERE to watch.


february 27, 2020

San Francisco, CA: ARBEN program and Violins of Hope presented by Music at Kohl Mansion at Brandeis School of San Francisco for 200 students, parents and staff.


February 21, 2020

San Francisco, CA: Violins of Hope, a project of Music at Kohl Mansion in partnership with Grace Cathedral - San Francisco premiere of Jake Heggie’s piece Intonations: Songs from the Violins of Hope, with mezzo-soprano Nikola Printz, violinist Rebecca Jackson, and a string quartet from the San Francisco Opera Orchestra.


February 20, 2020

Berkeley, CA: Epworth United Methodist Church (1953 Hopkins St, 94707) 11:30-1pm. Lunch Bunch Speaker Series, a monthly luncheon helping seniors continue to connect, grow, and engage in community service. ALL WELCOME.


february 16, 2020

San Francisco, CA: Grace Cathedral (1100 California St, 94108), 9:30am. Rebecca performed on the Erich Weininger from the Violins of Hope collection during The Forum featuring Jake Heggie and Avshalom Weinstein. Watch the live video HERE.

This Forum is part of Violins of Hope—San Francisco Bay Area, an immersive eight-week celebration of the remarkable resilience of the human spirit. Through a series of concerts, exhibitions, films, lectures, community conversations and educational programs collaboratively presented by more than forty diverse Bay Area organizations in eight counties, Violins of Hope SFBA showcases this first West Coast appearance of the Violins of Hope.


february 14, 2020

San Francisco, CA: ARBEN program and Violins of Hope presented by Music at Kohl Mansion at Lowell High School for 600 Students


february 11, 2020

Hillsborough, CA: ARBEN program and Violins of Hope presented by Music at Kohl Mansion at Nueva School Middle School and High School for 700 Students


february 11, 2020

San Anselmo, CA: ARBEN program and Violins of Hope presented by Music at Kohl Mansion at San Domenico School for 100 Students


February 9, 2020

San Jose, CA: A project of Music at Kohl Mansion in partnership with Congregation Sinai -world premiere of Jake Heggie’s piece Intonations: Songs from the Violins of Hope, as part of the Violins of Hope commemoration of the 75th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz. Rebecca performs along with members of the San Francisco Opera.


february 5, 2020

San Francisco, CA: ARBEN program and Violins of Hope presented by Music at Kohl Mansion at Francisco Middle School for 160 Students


february 4, 2020

Hollister, CA: ARBEN program and Violins of Hope presented by Music at Kohl Mansion at San Benito High School for 800 students


January 31, 2020

San Francisco, CA: Private event


January 10, 2020

Herndon, VA: Crossfield Elementary School, 150 sixth grade students


October 29, 2019

Burlingame, CA: Private event presented by Music at Kohl Mansion in association with the Jewish Community Federation of the Bay Area.


October 13, 2019

Las Vegas, NV: West Charleston Library (6301 W Charleston Blvd 89146) at 2:00pm.


October 12, 2019

Bel Air, CA: Private event also featuring musicians Lisa Shmayevich-Weinstein, Walter Park, & Rebecca Yeh.


August 26, 2019

Santa Fe, NM: Temple Beth Shalom (205 E Barcelona Rd 87505)


August 24, 2019

Santa Fe, NM: Private event


June 11, 2019

La Verne, CA: Hillcrest Retirement Community (2701 Mountain View Dr, Maury Smeltzer Lounge) at 7:30pm. The Claremont Symphony Orchestra invites you to a free book launch. Seating is limited so RSVP by email claremontsymphony@gmail.com.


June 9, 2019

Westlake Village, CA: United Methodist Church Westlake Village (1049 South Westlake Blvd) at 2:00pm. All are welcome to this community event.


June 4, 2019

Thousand Oaks, CA: Temple Etz Chaim (1080 Janss Road, 91360) at 7:30pm. All are welcome.


May 20, 2019

Watsonville, CA: Hall Elementary School for 300 4th-6th Graders


May 2, 2019

San Francisco City Hall: In observance of Yom Ha’Shoah in conjunction with the photographic exhibit, Lest We Forget at Civic Center Plaza, spring 2019.


APR 30, 2019

San Jose, CA: Washington Elementary School, 200 4th-5th Graders

Live Oak, CA: Tierra Pacifica Charter School, 150 4th-6th Graders


APR 5, 2019

Interview on The Impact Entrepreneur Show Podcast


Mar 2, 2019

Aptos, CA: Music in May Event


Feb 28, 2019

San Francisco, CA: Violins of Hope / Music at Kohl Mansion


Feb 5, 2019

Santa Cruz, CA: Sunrise Rotary

© 2021 Dr. John Jackson & Rebecca Jackson