Help Us Self-Publish Shimon Braun's Memoir!

From the Ashes of War to the World’s Greatest Stages: Help Us Publish Shimon Braun’s Extraordinary Journey!  

We only need to raise $10,000 to dance our story into existence and welcome donations of any size!

A Choreographic Journey of Survival and Triumph chronicles the extraordinary life of the dance legend who survived the dark days of the Holocaust, bridged cultures, and revolutionized jazz dance.

Shimon Braun’s life is a testament to the incredible strength of the human spirit and the transformative power of art. Born in Poland in 1938, Shimon’s childhood was marked by the horrors of World War II. At just one-year-old, he fled the ravages of war, traveling through five countries, attending five schools, and speaking five languages by the time he was ten. These formative experiences of survival and loss profoundly shaped his worldview and influenced his approach to life and art.

This winter, we are releasing A Choreographic Journey of Survival and Triumph, a powerful new memoir that chronicles Shimon’s remarkable journey—from the darkest days of the Holocaust to the dazzling heights of the world’s greatest stages. This book, co-authored with Meghan Braun, celebrates the 50th anniversary of Shimon’s groundbreaking dance company, Waves, and tells the extraordinary story of how a young refugee went on to revolutionize jazz dance and redefine self-expression through movement.

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The Heart of the Story

Shimon Braun’s memoir offers an intimate look at a life that defied all odds. After fleeing the war and triumphing early in his career as a gymnastics champion, destiny would lead him to discover his passion for dance. Upon studying with legends like Martha Graham, Jack Cole, Luigi, and Matt Maddox, Shimon went on to create choreography that fused ballet, modern dance, gymnastics, and street dance—taking jazz dance to new audiences worldwide. His company, Waves, became a dynamic force in the global arts scene.

In the 1970s and '80s, Shimon Braun's company, Waves, became a cultural powerhouse, captivating electrifying performances. Waves consistently sold out theaters, with standing-room-only crowds in cities like Philadelphia, London, New York, Rotterdam, and Amsterdam. The company's dynamic energy often inspired audiences to leap out of their seats and dance in the aisles—an extreme manifestation of Shimon's drive to reach and connect with his audience on a deeply personal level.

Waves became an integral part of Philadelphia's cultural landscape, earning the distinction of being named the "Best Cultural Addition to the City." In recognition of its groundbreaking influence, The New York Times hailed Waves as "A Phenomenon."

The Impact of Your Donation: Let Us Turn Shimon’s Dream Into Reality

At 86, Shimon’s passion and dedication to his art are as vibrant as ever. He is eager to share his extraordinary journey with the world, and this memoir is the culmination of his life's work. With your support, we can help bring his dream to fruition.

Help Us Share This Powerful Story with the World

We are excited to share Shimon's powerful story with a global audience. To make this possible, we are working to raise $10,000 to self-publish A Choreographic Journey of Survival and Triumph. Your contributions will go toward manuscript preparation, editing, ISBN and copyright registration, marketing, promotion, and distribution. If we can raise $10,000 or more, we’ll be in a strong position to get the book across the finish line and published quickly, ensuring that Shimon’s inspiring story reaches as many people as possible.

A gift of any size will help bring his powerful story to the world, sharing a life shaped by resilience, creativity, and a passion for uniting people through art!

Why We Need Your Support

Publishing a book is a labor of love, but it’s also a significant financial investment. Every contribution, no matter how small, will help us bring Shimon’s incredible story to life and share it with the world. We can’t do this without your support!

Thank you for joining us on this transformative endeavor. Your generosity will help us dance our story into existence!

Shimon's website