Boulder Jewish News Arts, Culture, Events, Lifestyles, Holidays, Synagogues, Education
In celebration of America at 250, the Boulder JCC presents two films illuminating Jewish contributions to our new nation’s history on Tuesday, July 28 at the Dairy Arts Center’s Boedecker Theater. Join Boulder Jewish Film Festival founding director Kathryn Bernheimer and guests to view and discuss two festival favorites that shed light on unfamiliar chapters of American history.
“The Levys of Monticello” screens at 1 pm. “Jews of the Wild West” screens at 3 pm with guest speaker Dee Dee Diamond.
“The Levys of Monticello” tells the little-known story of the Levy family, which owned and carefully preserved Monticello for nearly a century – far longer than Jefferson or his descendants. The acclaimed documentary weaves together the remarkable story of the Levy family with an examination of Thomas Jefferson’s legacy, also touching on still relevant issues of race, slavery, and antisemitism. The remarkable story of the Levy family also intersects with the rise of antisemitism that runs throughout the course of American history. Watch the trailer. (Directed by Steven Pressman. Running time: 70 minutes. 2022)
“Jews of the Wild West,” which also coincides with Colorado at 150, highlights the contributions Jewish Americans made in shaping the Western United States. The story of Jewish pioneers who played a definitive role shaping the expansion of the United States has been largely forgotten. But by 1912, it is estimated that more than 100,000 Jewish immigrants, many fleeing persecution in Europe or simply seeking greater personal and economic freedom, had put down roots in the Wild West, leaving a lasting imprint on the cultural landscape. Watch the trailer. (Directed by Denver’s Amanda Kinsey. Running time: 83 minutes. 2022)
Guest Speaker: Boulder’s Dee Dee Diamond is the great great grandniece of Solomon Bibo, one of the pioneers showcased in the film. Dee Dee traces her family’s fascinating journey from Prussia to America back to 1812, when great, great, great-grandfather Lukas Rosenstein first emigrated to escape conscription in Napoleon’s army.
