Film Screening: Shared Legacies

The crucial historical lessons of Black-Jewish cooperation are revisited and revived in this utterly fascinating, urgent call to action.

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.

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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.

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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.

A panel discussion will take place after the screening featuring:

Dr. Michael Berenbaum 

Dr. Berenbaum is currently the Director of the Sigi Ziering Institute, exploring the ethical and religious implications of the Holocaust. Dr. Berenbaum is a Professor of Jewish Studies at American Jewish University, has written 24 books and was the Project Director overseeing the creation of United States Holocaust Memorial Museum. 

Dr. Shari Rogers

Dr. Rogers is the founder of Spill the Honey, a nonprofit dedicated to promoting social justice and unity through storytelling, education, and the arts. She is also the director and producer of Shared Legacies, a groundbreaking documentary that explores the historic alliance between Black and Jewish communities in the fight for civil rights. A passionate advocate for cross-cultural understanding, Dr. Rogers uses film, dialogue, and activism to inspire meaningful change and strengthen interfaith and interracial relationships.

Susanne Reyto

Susanne was born just six days before the Nazi occupation of Hungary in March 1944 and survived the first year of her life living with her mother in so-called “protected houses,” with protective papers (Schutzpass) from the Swedish and Swiss legations. Living under cold and damp conditions in the basement which were normally used for storage and not for living spaces, she spent most of her first year suffering from colds or pneumonia without much food and certainly no medication. She and her mother survived it all and after liberation were reunited with her father. Her childhood experiences and her ultimate and difficult escape from Communist Hungary in the late 1950s left Susanne with an unwavering spirit of optimism and perseverance. She grew up in Australia, lived on Guam while her husband served in the US Navy and has traveled the world.

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