The Remarkable Story of a Jewish & African American Partnership

Discover the inspiring story of businessman and philanthropist Julius Rosenwald, who, in partnership with Booker T. Washington, transformed education for thousands by building over 5,000 schools across America.

Special Panel Discussion to Follow!

We will be diving deeper into Rosenwald's legacy and the impact of his philanthropy. 

Presented By:
Joyce Sharrock Cole - Ossining Historian, Rabbi Ariel Russo - Congregation Sons of Israel, Nyack, and Pastor Gregory Simpson, Nauraushaun Presbyterian Church

The library will be showing portions of the documentary film Rosenwald, which tells the remarkable story of how businessman and philanthropist Julius Rosenwald joined forces with Booker T. Washington and African American communities in the Jim Crow South to build more than 5,000 schools. It will be followed by a Panel Discussion led by Joyce Sharrock-Cole, Ossining Village Historian with Rabbi Ariel Russo, Congregation Sons of Israel Nyack, NY and Pastor Gregory Simpson, Nauraushaun Presbyterian Church, Pearl River, NY.

Inspired by the Jewish doctrine of “Tikkun Olam” (repairing the world), and a deep concern over racial inequality in America, the Rosenwald Fund supported major African American artists and intellectuals like Marian Anderson, W.E.B. DuBois, Langston Hughes and many more. This unprecedented historical partnership impacted American culture for generations and still resonates today.

Participants in the filming will be invited to join a community display curation. Come together as a community to create an impactful presentation of partnership that embodies the collaboration between Booker T. Washington and Julius Rosenwald.