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Phyllis Lazarus is the media relations officer for The William Breman Jewish Heritage and Holocaust Museum in Atlanta. Her husband, business attorney Wayne Lazarus, is the legal counsel for the Asian-American Chamber of Commerce (AACC). Mrs. Lazarus said, “I learned a lot about the Chinese culture and a lot about Falun Gong. I’m very interested in learning more about their struggles in China."
Mr. Lazarus said, “I learned more about the struggle for human rights in China. I knew about Falun Gong but now I want to learn more.” He said he plans to research the practice within the week.
Falun Gong is a peaceful meditation practice, consisting of five sets of exercises, and adheres to the principles of truthfulness, compassion and tolerance. The Chinese communist regime has persecuted its followers since 1999.
Mr. Lazarus said he admires and respects Chinese people. “I have a very high regard for the Chinese people. They are a hard working, honorable people.” Because of his client, the AACC, he has had the chance to know many Chinese people.
Mr. Lazarus said he thought that the performers felt the human rights issues of China in their hearts, and it made them even better performers.
“The spirit they showed seemed to radiate in their performance,” he said.
Mrs. Lazarus said she would like to invite the Chinese community to visit the Breman Museum in midtown Atlanta.
She felt the performance spoke about what it means to be a bystander when human rights are threatened, what a bystander should do. “There is always hope for a better way of life.”
Mr. Lazarus said he also felt a sense of hope and optimism in Shen Yun. “Even though you are suppressed, you come back again … Rebirth.”
The Breman Museum has the mission of celebrating Jewish culture, embracing diversity, and promoting social justice. Mrs. Lazarus, like other staff of the museum, takes its mission very sincerely. It collects, archives, and shares with visitors the recorded stories of Holocaust survivors. It also offers fun and enriching cultural programs, including the current very popular ZAP! POW! BAM! comic book exhibit and film series, author talks and art exhibits.
Mrs. Lazarus spoke of the beauty of the performance by Shen Yun. “Oh my goodness, the costumes, the color. I loved the dancing.”
The museum executive said she thought most people would enjoy the show. “Visually it’s just stunning.”
Reporting by Wade Yang and Mary Silver.
New York-based Shen Yun Performing Arts has three touring companies that perform simultaneously around the world. Atlanta will have two more shows on March 9 and 10. For more information, visit ShenYunPerformingArts.org
