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Synopsis 

They met in secret to negotiate the unthinkable – compensation for the survivors of the largest mass genocide in history. Survivors were in urgent need of help, but how could reparations be determined for the unprecedented destruction and suffering of a people? Reckonings explores this untold true story set in the aftermath of the Holocaust. 

Directed by award-winning filmmaker Roberta Grossman, Reckonings recounts the tense negotiations between Jewish and German leaders. Under the constant threat of violence, they forged ahead, knowing it would never be enough but hoping it could at least be an acknowledgement and a step towards healing. 

Filmmakers

WRITTER/DIRECTOR/PRODUCER
Roberta Grossman

PRODUCER
Karen Heilig

CO-PRODUCER
July Hodara

CINEMATOGRAPHER
Alex Pollini

EDITOR
Chris Callister

FEATURING MUSIC BY
Todd Boekelheide

EXECUTIVE IN CHARGE FOR THE CLAIMS CONFERENCE
Barbara Ghammashi

EXECUTIVE IN CHARGE FOR THE GERMAN FINANCE MINISTRY
Anna Gerits

HISTORICAL CONSULTANT, GERMANY
Dr. Kai Wambach

Appearances

WITNESSES
Bettina Adenauer-Bieberstein 
Benjamin Ferencz 
Yaakov Sharett 

SURVIVORS
Tova Friedman
Serena Neumann
Chava Nissimov
Helena Weinrauch
Irene Weiss

SCHOLARS
Dr. Rachel Blumenthal 
Prof. Michael Berenbaum 
Dr. Michael Borchard 
Prof. Dan Diner 
Prof. Constantin Goschler 
Prof. Roni Stauber 
Dr. Jacob Tovy 
Prof. Ronald Zweig 

REPRESENTATIVES OF CLAIMS CONFERENCE
Stuart Eizenstat 
Greg Schneider 
Gideon Taylor 

REPRESENTATIVES OF THE GERMAN GOVERNMENT
Werner Gatzer 
Wolfgang Schäuble 

REPRESENTATIVE OF THE STATE OF ISRAEL
Isaac Herzog