A New York Times “Critic’s Pick”, ROSENWALD is the stirring story of Julius Rosenwald, a son of German-Jewish immigrants who never finished high school but rose to become the president of Sears, Roebuck. Inspired by the Jewish ideals of tzedakah (charity) and tikkun olam (repairing the world), deeply concerned about racial inequality in America, and influenced by the writings of Booker T. Washington, Rosenwald joined forces with African-American communities in the Jim Crow South to build over 5,300 schools for African-American children. Rosenwald’s foundation also awarded grants to promising African-Americans including such future notables as poet Langston Hughes, Nobel Laureate Ralph Bunche, singer Marian Anderson, and photographer Gordon Parks. Closer to home, he established Chicago’s exceptional Museum of Science and Industry. Because of his modesty, though, Rosenwald’s philanthropy and social activism are not well known today.

Director Aviva Kempner will be in attendance. A dessert reception follows the screening.