Rosenwald Documentary Presented in Honor of MLK Day at Jaffrey's River St. Theatre

In honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day (January 15), the River Street Theatre (RST) in Jaffrey will present the documentary film Rosenwald, the surprising story of a philanthropic retailer who changed the course of education for African Americans in the rural south. Rosenwald will be shown at the RST on Sunday, January 14 at 2pm and 7pm.

Filmmaker Aviva Kempner's Rosenwald is the incredible story of Julius Rosenwald, who never finished high school, but rose to become the President of Sears. Influenced by the writings of the educator Booker T. Washington, this Jewish philanthropist joined forces with African American communities during the Jim Crow South to build over 5,300 schools during the early part of the 20th century. Rosenwald sheds light on this silent partner of the Pre-Civil Rights Movement. Rosenwald awarded fellowship grants to a who's who of African American intellectuals and artists including: Marian Anderson, James Baldwin, the father and uncle of civil rights leader Julian Bond, Ralph Bunche, W. E. B. DuBois, Katherine Dunham, Ralph Ellison, Langston Hughes, Zora Neale Hurston, Gordon Parks, Jacob Lawrence and Augusta Savage along with Woody Guthrie.

Inspired by the Jewish ideals of tzedakah (charity) and Tikkun Olam (repairing the world) and a deep concern over racial inequality in America, Julius Rosenwald used his wealth to become one of America's most effective philanthropists. Because of his modesty, Rosenwald's philanthropy and social activism are not well known today. He gave away $62 million in his lifetime.Tickets for Rosenwald (not rated) are $8.00. Seniors, military, students, teachers are $7.00. More program and schedule information, as well as ticket purchases, can be found at riverst.org or by calling the RST Box Office (603) 532-8888. The after-hours box office can be reached by calling OvationTix at (866) 811-4111. Group sales and private screenings are also available.

The River Street Theatre is located in downtown Jaffrey, New Hampshire at 6 River Street. The River Street Theatre is sponsored by Grove Street Fiduciary, Coca-Cola, the Board of Trustees of the Park Theatre, Janet S. Grant, Betty Locke, Owen Houghton and the James F. & Fernande Kelly Charitable Trust.

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