The Adult Education Committee and Speak Out Against Hate (SOAH) in conjunction with the Lewes Public Library present a two-part event August 7 & 12.
Hosted by Lewes Public Library
Registration is required
 

In the late 1940s and early 1950s, American Jews saw a shift in society in terms of acceptance as part of mainstream America.  Books and movies helped to bring that about.  This 2-part event focuses on Laura Z. Hobson’s work, A Gentleman’s Agreement and other works like Herman Wouk’s This Is My God. First, we will see the movie A Gentleman’s Agreement and then we will have a talk on the impact of books like A Gentleman’s Agreement from a university professor.

Part 1:  August 7
(This event is in person only)
Film screening of A Gentleman's Agreement
4:00 PM - 6:30 PM in the Large Meeting Room, Lewes Public Library

An in-person only showing at Lewes Public Library of the 1947 film A Gentleman’s Agreement (starring Gregory Peck), based on the novel of the same name by Laura Z. Hobson.  The film, directed by Elia Kazan, was nominated for 8 Academy Awards and won 3: best picture, best director, and best supporting actress (Celeste Holm). 

In this controversial portrayal of antisemitism, a reporter (for a job assignment) pretends to be a Jew and experiences first-hand prejudice in daily dealings with friends, workers, and American society.  Before filming commenced, Samuel Goldwyn and other Jewish film executives approached Darryl Zanuck and asked him not to make the film, fearing it would "stir up trouble.”  In light of today’s rising antisemitism, this movie once again has relevance showing how we benefit from “walking in the shoes of the Other.”  

Following the film, there will be a 30-minute discussion period. We will also be serving popcorn and movie candy at this viewing.

Click Here for the poster

For more information and to register go to: https://delawarelibraries.libcal.com/event/12498866?f=h

Part 2: August 12
5:00 PM
(This event is in person viewing at the Library or at Home viewing (Both are on Zoom)

The speaker will be Rachel Gordan, Shorstein Professor of American Jewish Culture and Society, University of Florida, whose most recent book, Postwar Stories: How Books Made Judaism American, received the Jordan Schnitzler First Book Publication Award of the Association of Jewish Studies.  Her insight into how Judaism became one of America’s big three religions gives us historical context for discussing antisemitism and bigotry in the United States. Not only was America changed by becoming a Judeo-Christian nation, but Judaism too evolved. 

For those attending at the Library, we are serving wine, non-alcoholic beverages, and nibbles.

Registration is required for this Zoom event - it will ask you to specify in-person at the library or at your own place of viewing.

For more information and to register go to:   https://delawarelibraries.libcal.com/event/12499286?f=h