The New Hampshire Jewish Film Festival is a service of the Jewish Federation of New Hampshire.
Special Winter Virtual Film Festival Event:
The Black-Jewish Civil Rights Alliance Film Series
GENERAL INFORMATION:
Our Virtual Winter Special Film Event is FREE but we welcome your donation to help offset our program costs and to support the New Hampshire Jewish Film Festival. DONATE NOW
You can stream each film from the comfort of your own home on your computer, phone, or television. Each film will be available for 72 hours only.
Advance registration is required to participate in these special events.
How to Register
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By phone (603-627-7679) through the Jewish Federation office Monday-Thursday 9am-3pm.
This special event is made possible by the Jewish Federation of New Hampshire in partnership with Temple Adath Yeshurun. Thank you to our community partner the MLK Coalition.
Films:
ADVANCE REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED
How to View the Films
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Get your Eventive Account so you can easily view the films.
How to Access Discussions
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Zoom discussion sessions begin at 7:00 PM on Sunday, Jan. 31 and Thursday, Feb. 4.
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Please find the link for each film and accompanying zoom event in your Eventive Account
Shared Legacies: The African-American Jewish Civil Rights Alliance
New Hampshire Premiere
Film Link Available 72 Hours starting on
January 28, 2021 at 6 PM
Virtual Panel Discussion with Special Guests
Sunday, January 31 at 7 PM
Director: Dr Shari Rogers
Documentary, 2020, USA
95 minutes
English
The crucial historical lessons of Black-Jewish cooperation are revisited and revived in this utterly fascinating, urgent call to action.
The modern alliance between African-Americans and Jewish Americans dates to the NAACP founding in 1909. Since then, both groups have endured segregation and racism, from the codified bigotry of southern Jim Crow laws, to blatant bias in real estate, employment, higher education and politics.
Common cause was found in the turbulent ‘60s Civil Rights era, as Jewish leaders backed Dr. King’s efforts at racial equality and harmony. Yet, the relationship has frayed in recent years, as a once mighty bond of support and respect has seemingly faded, been forgotten or ignored.
Pivotal events come alive through a treasure trove of archival materials, narrated by eyewitnesses, activists, Holocaust survivors, and leaders of the movement, including prominent Atlantans such as Congressman John Lewis, Amb. Andrew Young, Rabbi Alvin Sugarman, Rabbi Peter S. Berg, Oscar-winning actor Louis Gossett Jr., members of the King family, and many others.
With divisive seeds of hate taking root anew in the American landscape, a new generation also affirms their pledge to actively promote the values of social justice. This potent, inspiring story of unity, empathy and partnership validates the ubiquity of the human experience, and how freedom and equality for all can be achieved only when people come together.
Panelists for Post Film Discussion
Professor Susannah Heschel
Susannah Heschel is the Eli M. Black Distinguished Professor and chair of the Jewish Studies Program at Dartmouth College. She is the author of several books on German Jewish history and has published over 100 scholarly articles. As the daughter of Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel, she has edited two volumes of his essays, supervised the translation of his work into languages around the world, and represents him at conferences and lectures, particularly at gatherings of civil rights leaders. Prof. Heschel has received four honorary degrees and has held research grants from the Carnegie Foundation, the Ford Foundation, the National Humanities Center, the Guggenheim Foundation, and the Wissenschaftskolleg zu Berlin.
Tanisha Johnson
Exeter, NH activist Tanisha Johnson is the Child and Family Services Director of Community Action Partnership of Stratford County and the co-founder of the Black Lives Matter Seacoast Chapter. BLM’s mission is to dismantle anti-Blackness, and fight against racial injustices and police brutality. Ms. Johnson also serves on the Board of Directors of the Racial Unity Team, a New Hampshire-based racial justice organization that works with government, schools, businesses, and communities to dismantle systemic and individual racism.
Rabbi Ira Korinow
Rabbi Ira Korinow is Rabbi Emeritus of Temple Emanu-El in Haverhill, Mass., where he served for 36 years. Most recently, he also served for over two years as Interim Rabbi at Temple Israel in Portsmouth, NH. Rabbi Korinow received the "Unsung Hero Award" from the Merrimack Valley Branch of the NAACP for initiating an annual joint service with the Calvary Baptist Church, a predominantly African-American congregation, to commemorate the life and message of the Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr. He is also the founder of the Greater Haverhill Civil Rights Commission.
James McKim
South Carolina native, James McKim was first drawn to New Hampshire by Dartmouth College, where he earned degrees in Computer Science and Philosophy. Following a long career in information technology, Mr. McKim is now a management consultant focused on strategic planning, process improvement, digital transformation, and performance through diversity. A longtime member of St. Matthew’s Church in Goffstown, NH, he currently serves as Chairman of the Episcopal Church’s Executive Council on Anti-Racism. Mr. McKim also leads the Economic Vitality New Hampshire initiative that brings together public and private sector organizations to encourage diversity, equity and inclusion.
Dottie R. Morris, Ph.D.
Dr. Dottie R. Morris is the Associate Vice President for Institutional Diversity and Equity at Keene State College. As a member of the President’s Cabinet, she helps the institution develop strategies and practices to create an environment deeply rooted in the principles of equity, diversity and social justice. Dr. Morris is also Vice Chair of the NH Governor’s Council on Equity and Inclusion, a member of the NH Governor’s COVID 19 Equity Response team, co-chair of Keene’s Racial Justice and Safety Committee and a member of the Keene Human Rights Committee.
Joachim Prinz: I Shall Not Be Silent
Film Link Available for 72 Hours starting on
February 1, 2021 at 6 PM
Virtual Panel Discussion with Special Guests
Thursday, February 4 at 7 PM
Directed by Rachel Fischer and Rachel Pasternak
Documentary
USA
Released: 2014
English
57 minutes
In Berlin in the 1930's, the civil rights of Jews were systematically stripped away. A young rabbi refused to be silent. His name was Joachim Prinz and he set out to restore the self-esteem of the German Jews. Knowing the Nazis were monitoring his every word, and despite repeated arrests, Prinz continued to preach about the value of Judaism. He saved many lives by encouraging Jews to emigrate from Germany.
Expelled from Germany in 1937, Prinz arrived in the United States, the land where democracy had supposedly triumphed over bigotry and hatred. Here, he witnessed racism against African Americans and realized the American ideal was not a reality. As rabbi of Temple B'nai Abraham in Newark, NJ and later as President of the American Jewish Congress, Prinz became a leader of the civil rights movement.
Prinz worked to organize the 1963 March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom, declaring, "bigotry and hatred are not the most urgent problem. The most urgent, the most disgraceful, the most shameful and the most tragic problem is silence." Moments later, Martin Luther King, Jr. delivered his "I Have A Dream" speech. Throughout his career, Prinz spoke out for justice, unconcerned with the popularity of his positions. He identified with the prophets, writing in a 1975 letter, "Remember the Biblical adage, 'For the sake of Zion, I shall not be silent."
Panelists for Post Film Discussion
George Bruno, JD
George Bruno has been an advocate and litigator for civil rights in the US and for human rights around the world. He began his career as a volunteer lawyer in Jackson, Mississippi during the Civil Rights movement and later became an anti-poverty storefront lawyer in Newark, NJ, during civil disturbances in the late 1960s. Mr. Bruno relocated to New Hampshire in 1971 to establish NH Legal Assistance and the NH Public Defender. In 1994, he was named the U.S. Ambassador to Belize by President Bill Clinton. From 1998-2001, Mr. Bruno was the senior executive in the Pentagon office responsible for transferring the Panama Canal to Panamanian control. He is now an immigration attorney with Mesa Law LLC in Manchester, NH.
Rabbi Neil Comess-Daniels
Rabbi Neil Comess-Daniels is the Rabbi Emeritas of Beth Shir Shalom, the progressive Reform synagogue in Santa Monica/West Los Angeles. He received his rabbinic ordination and his Doctor of Divinity from the Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion. Using his Jewish summer camp background, "Rabbi Neil" weaves together music, constantly evolving, innovative words and translations to create pioneering spiritual celebrations.
Rabbi Ira Korinow
Rabbi Ira Korinow is Rabbi Emeritus of Temple Emanu-El in Haverhill, Mass., where he served for 36 years. Most recently, he also served for over two years as Interim Rabbi at Temple Israel in Portsmouth, NH. Rabbi Korinow received the "Unsung Hero Award" from the Merrimack Valley Branch of the NAACP for initiating an annual joint service with the Calvary Baptist Church, a predominantly African-American congregation, to commemorate the life and message of the Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr. He is also the founder of the Greater Haverhill Civil Rights Commission.
Jewish Federation Committee
Ross Fishbein
Patricia Kalik
Film Festival Chairs
Linda Gerson
Film Festival Chair and Artistic Director Emerita
Elyse Hyman
Executive Director
Sarit Itenberg
Chairman of the Board
Allyson Guertin
Director of Outreach and Engagement
Graphic Design
Grinley Creative
Printing
NH Print & Mail Services
Website
Glikstorm LLC
Steering Committee
Pamela Englander
Harvey Epstein
Barrie Paster
Film Festival Committee
Mark Biletch
Maryellen Biletch
Shana Biletch
Laura Black
Roberta Brayer
Kathy Brodsky
Zachary Camenker
Marilyn Cavanaugh
Dina Michael Chaitowitz
Pamela Cohen
Deborah De Passe
Pamela Englander
Harvey Epstein
Ann Fabian
Martin Fabian
Darren Garnick
Donna Goldfarb
Barbara Greene
Gail Herman
Richard Kudler
Rachel Kurshan
Andy Kushner
Brandon Latham
JoAnn Meyers
Barrie Paster
Judy Posner
Barry Rotman
Reva Rovner
Alane Sabel
Avia Sagron
Brenda Schadick
Barbara Scotch
Abner Taub
Russell Wolff
Beth Zinderman