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NEW CUMBERLAND -- The Hancock County Museum's summer lecture series will feature a special presentation this week, as officials say they will present the Rev. John Neiman of Chester.
Those attending will hear Neiman share stories regarding the Holocaust and describe how he came to meet Otto Frank, father of Anne Frank, whose "discovery and publication of Anne Frank's diary became known and loved worldwide," organizers stated.
After reading her book, Neiman made contact with Otto, as he had become extremely involved in Holocaust remembrance activities while living in the Los Angeles area.
Neiman helped organize Holocaust education seminars for teachers and gave several talks at local schools and synagogues.
In June 1981, he attended the World Gathering of Jewish Holocaust Survivors in Jerusalem. He then attended the American Gathering of Jewish Holocaust Survivors in Washington, D.C. in April, 1983.
Neiman first met Otto and Fritzi Frank at their home in Birsfelden, Switzerland, in June 1976. Shortly after reading Anne Frank's "The Diary of a Young Girl," he contacted Otto, who was very warm and welcoming.
However, Otto stated to Neiman he could not take on another correspondence because he was very busy. He ended their conversation with, "If you are ever in the area please do stop in for a visit," officials relayed.
Neiman immediately booked a trip to Amsterdam and arranged a brief visit which lasted several hours and developed into a remarkably close friendship with Otto and Fritzi. In fact, he credits them for inspiring him to become a priest.
He served as an active priest in the Arch diocese of Los Angeles from 1986 until 2014, at which time he went on a medical leave of absence.
Following five surgeries, he retired in July 2018. Until recently, he resided in Indian Wells, Calif., where he cared for his 97-year-old mother until she died.
Upon retirement, he chose to move to the hills of West Virginia where his mother grew up in Moundsville.
"And that's another interesting story, as he has been filling in at many local parishes in the area and is serving and enjoying the residents of the Peachtree Inn," officials at the museum stated.
"He is keeping them all entertained with stories about his many travels, his keen sense of humor and funny things that happened along the way. The material today affords very little to amuse us, but perhaps we'll save some of those stories for another time."
The museum invites the community to come and learn more about this piece of history by attending the lecture which begins at 2 p.m. Sunday.
The event takes place at the museum in New Cumberland, located at 1008 Ridge Ave. Admission is free but donations are welcome. Free refreshments and tours of the museum will be held afterward.