Rosenwald: Film of an Extraordinary Jewish Partnership with African American Communities

Monday, May 4, 2026, 2:00 PM – 4:30 PM. Join us beginning at 2:00 PM to get seated before the film begins at 2:30 PM, followed by Q&A.

Rosenwald is the story of Julius Rosenwald, a Jewish businessman (he was the CEO of Sears, Roebuck) and philanthropist who joined forces with Booker T. Washington and African American communities in the segregationist Jim Crow South to build more than 5,000 schools.

Inspired by the Jewish doctrine of tikkun olam (repairing the world), and a deep concern over racial inequality in early 1900s America, the Rosenwald Fund also supported the building of YMCAs and housing, and funded artists such as Marian Anderson, Langston Hughes, and Gordon Parks.

The director Aviva Kempner will join us after the film screening to share her insights about why and how she created the film, surprises she encountered along the way, particularly about Mr. Rosenwald, and answer our questions.

Click here for more information and to register.