On September 1st, Aviva Kempner made an appearance at the Old Greenbelt Theater in Greenbelt, Maryland. In attendance were members of the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority.
Aviva with some Delta Sigma Theta sisters
Ten days later, September 11th, Aviva headed to Baltimore, Maryland where Rosenwald was slated to begin screening at the Charles Theater. She was joined at the screening by a special guest:
It is unknown as to whether or not the penguin had, in fact, attended a Rosenwald school
In addition to a penguin, Aviva was joined by an even more special guest; The King Years trilogy author, Taylor Branch. After the screening, Branch joined Aviva in a discussion on Julius Rosenwald, Civil Rights Movement and Julian Bond.
Branch and Kempner answer questions form the audience
Peter Ascoli sits below a painting of his grandfather, Julius Rosenwald at the Standard Club where postcards promoting the film were left. Rosenwald was a member of the Club.
It’s no secret that Julius Rosenwald was a strong supporter of the Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago, especially when you stop to consider the fact that he was the one that converted the The Palace of Fine Arts into the museum we know today. With this in mind, it’s no surprise that the Chicago Community Trust organized a special screening of the film, Rosenwald at the Museum of Science and Industry on September 3rd. After the screening was a panel consisting of Jewish United Fund president Steven Nasatir, Chicago educator Dr. Barbara Bowman, director Aviva Kempner, and Peter Ascoli, the grandson of Julius Rosenwald.
Aviva takes the stage
Pictured: Steven Nasatir, Dr. Barbara Bowman, Aviva Kempner, and Peter Ascoli
On August 26, Rosenwald opened at Martha’s Vineyard Film Center in Vineyard Haven, MA, starting it’s limited, four-screening run at the location. After the film, Aviva Kempner lead a discussion with Linda Levi (Great granddaughter of Julius Rosenwald) to a sold out crowd.
On Thursday night at the Strand Theater in Oak Bluff, Kempner showed the film and discussed it with Kenneth Mack (Harvard Law School), Lisa Jones (independent producer), and Joyce Ladner (SNCC, Howard University).
Pictured (left to right): Kenneth Mack, Lisa Jones, and Joyce Ladner
Upon return to the East Coast the film was shown at the Stamford beautifully renovated Avalon movie theatre in Connecticut.
After Connecticut, Aviva spent her time in New York, promoting Rosenwald before its opening on August 16th at Landmark’s Sunshine theatre by attending various preview screenings and giving talks throughout the area.
After a screening of the film at the Jewish Community Center of Manhattan, Dr. Annete Insdorf held a discussion with filmmaker, Aviva Kempner and interviewee Elizabeth Varet (Julius Rosenwald’s granddaughter) on August 11th.
Elizabeth Varet (Julius Rosenwald’s granddaughter) in front of the Old Broadway Synagogue in Harlem
During trip Aviva and Elizabeth talked about the film at the historic Old Broadway Synagogue in Harlem. Although the building has undergone several renovations, it is still in need of more. You can help the Synagogue by donating here.
On February 24th, 2015, the Library of Congress will host a conversation with a biographer, journalist and filmmaker about Julius Rosenwald’s philanthropic efforts. His contribution helped to build YMCAs for African Americans in the US. With assistance from Madame C.J. Walker, a notable entrepreneur and activist in African American and American History, they made an undeniably positive impact in the lives of many blacks in America.
The panel discussion will include Peter Ascoli, the grandson and biographer of Julius Rosenwald. Journalist A’Lelia Bundles, great-grandaughter of Madam C.J. Walker will present. Also Aviva Kempner, who is the founder of the Washington Jewish Film Festival and the director and producer of The Rosenwald Schools, a documentary that explores the life and legacy of Julius Rosenwald and the Rosenwald Fund will take part in the conversation.
The Library of Congress is located on Capitol Hill at 101 Independence Ave SE, Washington, DC 20540 and the event will be held from 12:00pm to 1:00pm in the James Madison Building on the 2nd Floor of the Law Library. Admission is FREE, however it is requested that everyone RSVPs. To RSVP, click here.
A wonderful interview with Dr. Hasia Diner is featured at the premiere of The Rosenwald Schools film at the festival on February 25th at the Avalon Theatre, and she is talking the next day with her new book that was so much a basis for her informative testimony.
ROADS TAKEN: The Great Jewish Migration To The New World And The Peddlers Who Forged The Way
With Author Dr. Hasia Diner
Delving further into themes raised by Hester Street and The Rosenwald Schools, Hasia Diner tells the story of millions of discontented young Jewish men who sought opportunity abroad, leaving parents, wives, and sweethearts behind to become peddlers selling their goods across the world.
Hasia Diner is a Professor of American Jewish History and director of the Goldstein-Goren Center for American Jewish History at New York University.
The event will take place Thursday, February 26 at 7:00 PM at the DCJCC. The event is free, but RSVPs are requested. RSVP here: http://www.showclix.com/event/ROADSTAKEN
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