TrendsMar 12, 2020
Freida Rothman’s New Campaign Stars Holocaust SurvivorsIndependentsApr 10, 2023
New Play Tells Story of Pittsburgh Jeweler Who Survived the Holocaust
At the Prime Stage Theatre in Pittsburgh, “Perseverance” will share the story of jeweler Melvin Goldman.
The story of Pittsburgh jeweler and Holocaust survivor Melvin Goldman, seen at right with his wife, Mildred, will be told on stage through new play “Perseverance” at the Prime Stage Theatre in Pittsburgh.
Pittsburgh—The story of jeweler Mieczyslaw Goldman, both heart-wrenching and uplifting, is the focus of a new play at Pittsburgh’s Prime Stage Theatre.
Goldman’s customers may have been surprised to learn the somber backstory of their cheerful neighborhood jeweler, who was a Holocaust survivor.
He told his life’s story through a series of audio tapes recorded over the years, in the hopes that someday someone would write about his story. Goldman died in 1996.
Years later, his daughter, Lee Goldman Kikel, listened to the tapes and answered his request, writing her 2019 book, “Perseverance: One Holocaust Survivor's Journey from Poland to America.”
Playwright L.E. McCullough adapted the book as a play, titled “Perseverance,” directed by Art DeConciliis, which will hit the stage this month.
In an interview with National Jeweler, Kikel shared details from her father’s life and how it feels for his family to see his story come alive on stage.
He was better known as Melvin to his customers at his now-closed G&S Jewelry Store in Pittsburgh, which opened in the 1960s and closed in 1988.
He emigrated from Poland to Pittsburgh in 1950, settling down with his family in the Squirrel Hill neighborhood, which had a sizable Jewish population at the time.
“My dad’s family started off as a typical Jewish family in Poland, and even though there was antisemitism, they just lived with it,” said Kikel. “But quickly, things turned very dark.”
During World War II, Goldman spent his teenage years in the Auschwitz concentration camp. He lost loved ones, his home, and his health, arriving in the U.S. penniless.
His story is one of hope, however, and that’s what Kikel hopes the audience will take away from her book and the play.
“My father persevered. He just had hope,” she said. “He listened to what his father had said about living on to carry on the name. My grandparents instilled that so much in him that he just somehow carried it. It’s a large message of hope and there are a lot of life lessons weaved into the story.”
As Kikel promoted her book at speaking engagements, she got a better sense of his reach in the community.
“Almost everywhere that I’ve spoken, someone will stand up or raise their hand, and say they knew my father and my father made their jewelry. It’s incredible.”
It’s amazing how many people knew him, she said, considering his business was only promoted by word of mouth.
“He was very quiet and low-key, and that’s why a lot of people came to him. People trusted him,” she said.
Goldman served customers from various religious backgrounds, making a number of religious pendants, even some items that were blessed by popes.
He counted players from the Pittsburgh Pirates and the Pittsburgh Steelers among his clientele.
In addition to his inviting personality, Goldman was a “crafty designer,” said his daughter.
“Someone had requested a totem pole. My father had no idea what that was. So, he walked over to the Carnegie Library in Squirrel Hill and went to the children’s section to look it up,” said Kikel.
“Somebody who worked for the city of Pittsburgh driving a garbage truck; his wife called my dad and said, ‘I want a solid gold garbage truck with diamonds and rubies for the headlights and taillights.’ And he crafted a garbage truck.”
A pool table pendant also was among his most memorable creations, she added.
Goldman had creativity with the expertise to back it up. He attended the Gemological Institute of America in New York, earning his Certified Gemologist Appraiser designation.
Kikel has been sharing her father’s story with a focus on Holocaust education initiatives, but she said she was excited to highlight another important aspect of his life.
“I wanted to talk more about his creativity and what he did,” she said. “He would be thrilled that someone in the jewelry world cares.”
In-person performances of “Perseverance” will be held April 15 at 8 p.m. and April 16 at 2:30 p.m.
With dress rehearsals approaching, Kikel said what she’s seen so far has moved her and her family to tears.
“David Nackman, who plays my dad, he just has the accent and the mannerisms and it’s like he knew my father,” she said.
“Even if you don’t know much about hardship or the Holocaust, everyone can take something away from this because you see these characters from the book come alive,” she added.
Following the April 15th show, there will be a post-play discussion with Kikel and playwright McCullough, as well as Marek Skulimowski, president and executive director of the Kosciuszko Foundation, which promotes cultural exchanges between the U.S. and Poland.
The discussion will be led by Daniel Shaner, a holocaust educator who was named “Educator of the Year” by the Holocaust Center.
A recording of the play also will be available from April 24-May 7 for the public.
Tickets will be available for $10, going on sale in mid-April. There is special pricing available for students and group viewings.
For more information or to buy tickets, visit the Prime Stage Theatre website.
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
More on Independents
The Latest
SourcingOct 02, 2026
De Beers, National Geographic Society Renew Okavango Eternal Partnership The partnership, a pledge to protect Africa’s Okavango River Basin, has been extended for an additional five years.
MajorsOct 02, 2026
Pandora Opens New $150M Manufacturing Facility in VietnamThe new facility, its first outside of Thailand, will boost its manufacturing capacity by 50 percent.
TrendsOct 02, 2026
Hearts On Fire Celebrates 30th Anniversary With Heart PendantThe special-edition “Dream” pendant, our Piece of the Week, was created to mark Hearts On Fire’s 30-year milestone with 30 diamonds.
Brought to you by
Meet Gemology’s Next Generation Microscope: GIA® Gemolite® NXT Professional EditionExperience gemstones with greater precision and comfort than ever before.
CrimeOct 01, 2026
Police Looking for 4 Suspects in $600K Smash-and-Grab RobberyDubai Jewelers in Springfield, Virginia, was once again the target of an armed robbery.
Weekly QuizOct 01, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
SurveysOct 01, 2026
Rolex Ranks Among Most Recommended Brands in US, Survey Says YouGov’s 2026 U.S. Most Recommended Brands report’s out, and a fast-fashion giant is sitting at No. 1 while Rolex is just shy of the top 5.
SourcingOct 01, 2026
Columbia Gem House Opens ‘Cutting Toward Change’ FundraiserProceeds from its jewelry raffle will benefit an organization working in India to combat silicosis, a lung disease affecting stone cutters.
Brought to you by
Your Piece Could Be the One Editors Talk AboutSubmit your pieces for a chance to win in this year's competition.
TrendsOct 01, 2026
Carolina Hurricanes’ Championship Ring Reveals Hidden Hockey Puck PendantThe rings, crafted by Jason of Beverly Hills, celebrate the hockey team’s Stanley Cup win with design elements that honor its traditions.
TrendsOct 01, 2026
Amanda’s Style File: October’s Color Range This roundup of birthstone jewelry for October features vibrant tourmalines and opals with personality.
SourcingSep 30, 2026
Botswana’s President, De Beers CEO Say Diamond Demand Is RecoveringPresident Duma Boko spoke at back-to-back events in the city last week, touting Botswana’s stability and the diamond “bounceback.”
CollectionsSep 30, 2026
Oscar Heyman’s Holiday Book Is ‘A Living Archive’ The catalog showcases 112 new, one-of-a-kind pieces amid highlights from the jeweler’s historic archive.
SourcingSep 30, 2026
Gemfields Posts $98.5M Loss, Writes Down Value of Ruby MineIts Montepuez Ruby Mining operation in Mozambique, which is not yielding enough high-quality rubies, has taken a $125 million hit.
SurveysSep 30, 2026
Consumer Confidence Falls to 12-Year Low in SeptemberThose surveyed were worried about the present and the future, with write-in responses mentioning high oil and gas prices.
Events & AwardsSep 30, 2026
Jewelers of America, JA New York to Host Networking EventThe event will take place on the evening of Oct. 26 in New York City.
AuctionsSep 29, 2026
Dionne Warwick’s Jewelry Goes Up for AuctionOnline bidding is open now for Julien’s sale of items owned by the “Walk On By” singer, whose final album comes out this fall.
Events & AwardsSep 29, 2026
Matt Stuller to Receive 2027 Gem Award for Lifetime AchievementThe founder and executive chairman of Stuller Inc. is being honored for his impact on the jewelry industry at the 25th annual Gem Awards.
ColumnistsSep 29, 2026
Your Holiday Marketing Has a Bridal Blind SpotDecember is the most popular month to propose, and jewelers need to keep that in mind when planning their holiday marketing.
AuctionsSep 29, 2026
If You Love Cats, This Jewelry Auction Is for YouCat ladies of the jewelry world, unite. Sandy Lerner’s collection of cat jewelry and other objects is going up for auction Wednesday.
CollectionsSep 28, 2026
De Beers London Drops Water-Inspired High Jewelry Collection“Vibrations” features several firsts for De Beers’ high jewelry, including the use of chalcedony and diamonds sourced from artisanal miners.
CollectionsSep 28, 2026
Jessica McCormack Turns to Classic Motif for New CollectionThe “Bows” collection features three interpretations of the bow motif designed with Georgian and Victorian influences.
Events & AwardsSep 28, 2026
Guy Borenstein, Troy Underwood Among the Professionals Honored at AGS Conclave 2026The American Gem Society recognized industry members, one Guild, and a law enforcement official for their contributions to jewelry.
FinancialsSep 28, 2026
Instappraise, Jewelers Mutual Look to Simplify Jewelry InsuranceThrough a new system integration, customers can now receive instant personal jewelry insurance quotes at the time of appraisal.
WatchesSep 25, 2026
Smaller Rolex Watches Showing Strength on Secondary Market, Data ShowsFive of the 10 fastest-appreciating Rolex models on Bob’s Watches were Datejust 31 or Lady Datejust watches.
MajorsSep 25, 2026
Sherwood Family Buys Back Daniel’s Jewelers from Private EquityThe Sherwood family and AJS Creations CEO Tejas Shah purchased the jewelry chain back from Palladium Equity Partners.
Lab-GrownSep 25, 2026
Brilliant Earth Collabs with Elizabeth Taylor Estate on Jewelry Collection“The Elizabeth Taylor Collection” uses lab-grown diamonds and gemstones in contemporary designs inspired by the icon.
TrendsSep 25, 2026
A Peek at Taylor Swift’s Game-Day DiamondsThe artist wore Dana Rebecca Designs’ marquise diamond-set gold hoops at the Chiefs game last Sunday. Now they’re our Piece of the Week.
