Happy Thanksgiving and ROSENWALD updates from China and the South!

Best wishes for a Happy Thanksgiving from everyone here at The Ciesla Foundation! We are so grateful to have released Rosenwald in over 100 theaters all over the country to enthusiastic audiences. The film just opened in several cities throughout the South as a conclusion of its theatrical run. The film will still appear at some final theaters through December and early next year. Read the website for locations. Non theatrical screenings are being booked throughout the land, and we are actively fundraising and developing the two disc DVD.

Thanks to all you all for supporting the film, appearing in the film and promoting the film. Below are our latest reports from the last month of intense travel and worldwide exposure.

-Aviva Kempner and The Ciesla Foundation team

From America to China with the Rosenwald film

     The past several weeks have marked an exciting time for the Rosenwald film as Aviva took the film across the country, spreading the story of Julius Rosenwald’s philanthropy and generosity. Two weeks ago, Aviva Kempner landed in China on a trip to attend the 12th Annual American Studies Network Conference at Peking University as a keynote speaker with Rabbi Andy Baker of the American Jewish Committee. She arrived in China on a day called “Singles Day”, which promotes giving presents to single people. Seems like a good promotional holiday for the States.

Singles Day Cakes

The days preceding the conference, Aviva had the opportunity to see the Great Wall, the Summer Palace, Forbidden City, and Tienanmen Square, attend a lovely Shabbat service in Beijing that reminded her of Fabrangen in Washington DC, and even meet a new friend in her hotel lobby!

He only speaks two languages: Chinese and Friendship
Summer Palace
Summer Palace with some students
With Rabbi Baker at the entrance to the Forbidden City
Camel from the Forbidden City Museum

On November 14th, Aviva gave a keynote address on “Jewish-African American Alliance of the Early 20th Century” and spoke in the preceding panel discussion, in which she engaged with an audience of mostly Chinese students and told them about Julius Rosenwald’s relationship with Booker T Washington, paralleling it with a story of Hank Greenberg and Jackie Robinson. Clips from each of her films were shown to augment the talk. Aviva dedicated her speech to the victims in Paris and how her discussion of alliances is what should inspire us.

Aviva with Israeli Ambassador and Rabbi Baker at the dinner after the conference.
On the stage at the 12th Annual American Studies Network Conference

The next leg of the trip was to Shanghai, where Aviva gave a speech for “Documenting the Holocaust: The second generation’s responsibility” at the Forum Celebrating Shanghai: Haven for Jews in Holocaust in Commemoration of the 70th Anniversary of Survival of Holocaust Victims in Shanghai. In the speech, she talked about how the story of her family’s journey during World War II impacted on the World War II themes in all her films. She detailed her early life growing up and the experiences she had the led to making Partisans of Vilna, The Life and Times of Hank Greenberg, Yoo-Hoo Mrs. Goldberg, and eventually Rosenwald. She finished her speech by stressing the importance of remembering World War II so that the horrors experienced then can be avoided forever. The event was sponsored by the Center for Jewish Studies Shanghai (CJSS) at SASS with the US-China Education Trust (USCET).

Shanghai itself houses a moving testament to the saving of European Jews. During World War II, 25,000 Jews found shelter in Shanghai after fleeing Nazi-occupied Europe. On the 70th anniversary of survival of Jewish refugees in Shanghai and the end of WWII in the Pacific, this Forum commemorates Shanghai’s role as a haven for many European Jewish refugees at a time when most other countries, including the United States, closed their doors to all but a fortunate few. Joining Kempner was Welcome Remarks
 Professor Pan Guang, Dean, Center for Jewish Studies Shanghai at SASS.

The forum began with an introduction
 from Ambassador Julia Chang Bloch (President, USCET). Also in attendance was Rabbi Andrew Baker (Director of International Jewish Affairs, American Jewish Committee) and Prof. Dr. Wang Jian (Associate Dean, CJSS). The forum offered sessions such as “Coming to Terms with the Holocaust: Money, Memory, Politics and Responsibility” and “New Perspective on Jewish Refugees in Wartime Shanghai”.

While in the area, Kempner toured the incredible Shanghai Jewish Refugees Museum—where the rescue of 25,000 European Jews is documented and celebrated. Erwin Li, who is serving in the Austrian Service Abroad as a Holocaust Memorial Servant at the Center of Jewish Studies – Academy of Social Sciences, took Aviva around the Museum.

Outside of the Shanghai Jewish Refugees Museum with tour guide Erwin Li, a Chinese-Austrian, who is working in Shanghai for a year.
A plaque dedicated to Ho Feng Shan, a man who helped save many Jewish Refugees by giving them visas to leave Vienna. He should be remembered as a courageous, “righteous gentile.”

From China to Charleston

A day after returning from China, Aviva traveled to Charleston, SC to attend the wonderful premiere of Rosenwald, co-sponsored by the National Trust for Historical Preservation and the Pearlstine/Lipov Center for Southern Jewish Culture, at the American Theater. Special thanks to Dale Rosengarten, Tracy Hayes, and Katherine Carey for their help. The event went off without a hitch!

The screening was preceded by a reception and an introduction by John Hildreth (Eastern Regional Vice President for Field Services for the National Trust for Historic Preservation) and was concluded with a Q&A with Aviva Kempner, moderated by Shari Rabin (Associate Director, Pearlstine/Lipov Center for Southern Jewish Culture).

While staying in Charleston, Aviva had the wonderful fortune of visiting Callie’s Charleston Biscuits- who quite possibly have the best biscuits in the South. Another great eatery that would be a disservice not to mention was Jestine’s Kitchen- delicious Southern food with a very welcoming owner- Dana Berlin Strange. If you’re in the Charleston area, pay them a visit and check out the collection of salt and pepper shakers on the wall, including a set sent from Aviva in the past. She also opened the film during its Charleston commercial run on Friday night and had dinner with friends.

Marquee in Savannah featuring the Bond film in the same line. But our film includes the best Bond–Julian Bond.

After spending time in Charleston, it was time for Aviva to head to Savannah, GA for another opening at a theater there. This travel was made possible by Ace Basin Bus, a new shuttle service that provides a daily transit between the historic districts of Charleston and Savannah. Run by urban planner, Ben Cotton the road was smooth and comfortable.

Ace Basin Bus and it’s owner/driver, Ben Cotton

In Savannah, Aviva spoke with Mayor Edna Branch Jackson, Alderman Van Johnson, and a relative of Julius Rosenwald, Robert Rosenwald, who were all kind enough to attend the screening. The screening in Savannah was a great success, with many students in attendance that came out to support the film and it’s message.

Students attending the Rosenwald screening in Savannah
Aviva with Mayor Edna Branch Jackson
Alderman Don Johnson (left) and Robert Rosenwald (right)

While in Savannah, Aviva also had time to visit the SCAD (Savannah College for Art and Design) Museum, which was filled with lots of incredible art, including this piece from the Jacob Lawrence show entitled, “History, Labor, Life: The Prints of Jacob Lawrence”:

Jacob Lawrence, The 1920’s… The Migrants Arrive and Cast Their Ballots

On her last day in Savannah, Rabbi Robert Haas was kind enough to give Aviva a tour of the oldest, purposefully built synagogue in America, Savannah’s Congregation Mickve Israel. Here is a picture of a beautiful stain glass window found in the synagogue:


The real troopers for the release of the film in Savannah were Jeanne and Robert Rosenwald, who is a relative of Julius Rosenwald and the son of a cousin rescued from Nazi Germany by Juluis’ children. They worked tirelessly to get people interested in coming to the film and also hosted Aviva.

Aviva is happy to be home and with her family for Thanksgiving, and she wishes the same for all of our followers!

Rosenwald listed in Hollywood Reporter

Last week, the Hollywood Reporter put out an article titled: “Political Maneuvers: Filmmakers tackle hot topics (gun control, terrorism), rich history and a forgotten hero” by Gregg Kilday. The article listed and described some of the many documentaries that came out this year. Most of the documentaries dealt with the darker side of human existence- but the list ended on a bright note, describing Rosenwald and reminding us that “the news isn’t all grim”. When held side by side among its peers, it seems that Rosenwald paints a bright and optimistic view on the potential of people- shinning bright in a dismal pool of negative documentaries.

Virginia Film Festival Director Jody Kielbasa attends a luncheon prior to the ROSENWALD screening, with panelists Aviva Kempner, Pam Horowitz, and Rita Dove speaking afterwards

After returning from Berlin for a screening of one of her previous films, Partisans of Vilna, Aviva immediately headed to Charlottesville, VA for the Virginia Film Festival’s screening of Rosenwald at the University of Virginia! Before the film, Diane and Tim Naughton hosted a luncheon for Rosenwald with many in attendance- including the head of the festival, Jody Kielbasa. The Naughton’s are big supporters of Rosenwald and the festival, with Diane serving on the festival board.

(left to right) Diane Naughton, Aviva Kempner, Tim Naughton

After the screening, a Q&A was held with filmmaker Aviva Kempner, Pam Horowitz (spouse of the late Julian Bond), and interviewee and UVA professor Rita Dove. The panel was moderated by Deborah McDowell (Director of the Carter G. Woodson Institute of African-American and African Studies). The packed theater was filled with an engaging audience- including someone who had attended a Rosenwald school, and even someone who currently lives in a restored Rosenwald school!

(left to right) Diane Naughton, Jody Kielbasa, Pam Horowitz, Deborah McDowell, Aviva Kempner, Rita Dove

Tour the Rosenwald Schools of Maryland!

The 2015 Conference for the National Trust for Historic Preservation begins tomorrow in Washington DC! The conference will go on until the 6th. On the last day, there will be a bus tour of five Maryland Rosenwald Schools. Maryland had a relatively small number of Rosenwald schools (156), but a larger percentage of surviving schools than other states. The tour will visit two schools in Prince George’s County, including Ridgeley School, a model restoration project, and three in Anne Arundel County, with lunch served at the Galesville School. Local school experts will lead tours of the sites, and two authors, who have written about Rosenwald Schools, will discuss their research. Lunch provided.

For more information, visit the website here.