Leisl Sondheimer at Larry's lecture

LECTURES

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Larry Cohen's Lectures

In 2007, he had the honor of meeting Elizabeth (Leisl) Sondheimer at one of his lectures in Ohio. Mrs. Sondheimer was a few months shy of her 100th birthday! (Earlier the same year, Larry taught Adam Kaplan, age 11 at a seminar in Fort Myers, Florida). What a game, this bridge!!

Larry had a wonderful conversation with his near-century old student and came away fascinated. She was charming, witty and so very sharp. Must be something about bridge and keeping the mind in shape. Under the picture is the introduction that was read at the Bellefontaine seminar.

Larry Cohen with Leisl Sondheimer

Introduction read by host, Jeff Abrams on 7/16/07 in Bellefontaine, OH :

Liesl Sondheimer has resided in Lima, OH since the mid 40's.  Her husband was a doctor (now deceased) and they had two young daughters when they came here.  They fled Germany in the early 1940's.  She has been a public speaker for many years with many speeches (a variety of at least 6 different topics) mainly in the area of events of World War II (the holocaust) and their interaction with the German citizens.  Her latest topic is "My Mother's Diary".  She was educated in Germany and attended University there.  In her  secondary education years, she was sent to study in Switzerland and has been educated in several different languages.  She continued her public speaking lectures until she was 98.  Her next birthday on September 16, 2007 will be her 100th.  Liesl still lives alone in Lima but has discontinued driving.  She loves bridge and plays duplicate 2 or 3 times a week in addition to social bridge games.  She also was the main character in a movie documentary "A SIMPLE MATTER OF GOD AND COUNTRY" produced by Daniel Levy who is a doctor and friend in California.  He was originally from Lima and producing movies is a great hobby for him.   This movie is in regard to the holocaust and has been shown numerous times on PBS.  It took seven years to make and some of it is filmed in Germany.  Lisel's first-hand knowledge of events made the movie authentic and realistic to viewers.  She is active yet as a board member of the Lima Public Library, Lima Symphony, Temple Beth Israel-Shaare Zedek, and other various groups.  Her life has been one of service and dedication.  Liesl has a great sense of humor and is a delight to converse with.  She is knowledgeable of world affairs and current events as well as more history than most of us would ever absorb.  With her positive attitude and sharp mind, watch out at the bridge table!