Rosenwald (2015) Ciesla Foundation/Documentary RT: 96 minutes No MPAA Rating (nothing offensive) Director: Aviva Kempner Screenplay: Aviva Kempner Cinematography: Christopher Conder, Roger Grange, Chapin Hall, Mel Henry, Tom Kaufman, Dana Kupper, Stephan Mazurek, Michael Moser, Mirko Popadic and Allen Rosen Release date: August 21, 2015 (Philadelphia, PA) Cast: Maya Angelou, Peter Ascoli, Julian Bond, Ossie Davis, Stephanie Deutsch, Rita Dove, John Lewis, Richard J. Powell, Eugene Robinson, George C. Wolfe.
Rating: ****
If a man is truly judged by his actions, then Julius Rosenwald truly earned himself a place in Heaven. It’s no easy task summing up a man’s life in 96 minutes, especially one as great as “J.R.” (as he liked to be called), but filmmaker Aviva Kempner (The Life and Times of Hank Greenberg, Yoo-Hoo, Mrs. Goldberg) scores an A+ with Rosenwald, a loving tribute to a firm believer in Tzedahak (the Jewish tradition of charity or good will).
J.R. is a testament to the American Dream. The son of Jewish immigrants from Germany, he rose from being a clothing peddler to running the largest retail company in the country, Sears & Roebuck. We’ve all heard the American success story before, but how many of them go the way that Rosenwald’s did? He was appalled at the treatment of African-Americans in this country, especially in the rural Southern areas with their Jim Crow laws. It reminded him of the discrimination and violence (i.e. the pogroms) faced by the Jews living in Europe. Well, he did something about it. He used his own money to help build over 5000 schools which remained open until the laws overturning segregation went into effect. He also helped fund black YMCAs in many cities and was heavily involved with the Tuskegee Institute. What a mensch!
We learn about the man and his life by way of archival footage, movie clips, old photos and interviews with those whose lives he affected. We hear from such luminaries as civil rights leader Julian Bond (who sadly passed away just last week), US Rep. John Lewis, actor Ossie Davis and poet Maya Angelou (who attended one of his schools). Another thing that J.R. did was issue grants to African-Americans who showed potential greatness. Among the recipients are singer Marion Anderson, poet Langston Hughes, photographer Gordon Parks and Dr. Charles Drew whose research into blood transfusions saved many lives in WWII.
What’s really great about Rosenwald is that it shows how really down to earth he was. He insisted everybody call him J.R., he didn’t care for formalities. He was also a shrewd businessman who knew a thing or two about being frugal. And he had a sense of humor too. At one point, he comments that being rich doesn’t automatically mean the person is intelligent, a comment met with applause and laughter by the audience.
Kempner keeps it balanced by showing us how his efforts weren’t always met with gratitude. The KKK burned down several of the schools, but Rosenwald just rebuilt them. Rosenwald is that rare kind of documentary that moves (as well as informs) the viewer. I was very moved by it. So much that I made it a point to introduce myself to a descendant of Rosenwald’s (a cousin) who was in attendance at the showing I attended. The director herself introduced the movie. It’s an excellent film. It’s very well made and extremely gripping. I like how Kempner gives us the man’s background before getting into his good deeds. I highly, HIGHLY recommend it!
