OSSINING, NY — A documentary film telling the story of a partnership between a philanthropist and the African American community in the Jim Crow South will kick off the Bethany Arts Community Black History Month Exhibit.
The Ossining Public Library, Congregation Sons of Israel Briarcliff, Journeys To Change and the Ossining Chapter of the NAACP are presenting the film “Rosenwald,” which is about businessman Julius Rosenwald, one of the driving forces behind Sears, Roebuck and Co., who joined forces with Booker T. Washington and African American communities to build more than 5,000 schools.
The free special event will be held at 7 p.m. Thursday in the Ossining Public Library.
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Following the screening of the film there will be a panel discussion led by Joyce Sharrock Cole, the Ossining village historian, Rabbi Dina Rosenberg of Congregation Sons of Israel and Ossining NAACP President Althema Goodson.
According to the Internet Movie Database, “Rosenwald,” which was released in 2015, was written and directed by Aviva Kempner. It features Julian Bond, Eugene Robinson, George C. Wolfe and Stephanie Deutsch, among others.
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To see the trailer, visit this link.
Abbe Marcus, executive director of Journeys to Change, told Patch that the story of “Rosenwald” provides knowledge of the past so that informed choices can be made in the present and future.
“During these challenging times, this story about Booker T. Washington and Julius Rosenwald helps us recognize the value of friendships and the responsibility and power each person has to help others and make the world a better place,” she said.
Ossining Village Historian Joyce Sharrock Cole said the documentary is more than the story of Rosenwald. Rather, it’s a story about partnership, friendship, respect and helping others.
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“In a divided world, there is no better time to share the story of two individuals from different backgrounds and religions who worked together to change the circumstances of others,” she said.
“It is not only encouraging, but inspiring,” Sharrock Cole said.
The Bethany Arts Community Black History Month Exhibit begins Feb. 1 and continues through March 8.
The Ossining Public Library is located at 53 Croton Ave. in Ossining.
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