"Jewish Jacksonville: 250 Years of Florida Jewish History" April 23–June 15 at Smathers Library gallery, 2nd floor. Opening Reception, Wednesday April 25, 2012 5:00–7:00pm at Smathers Library 1A. Special quest, Marcia Jo Zerivitz.
Featuring manuscripts, photographs, newsletters and other ephemera from the Isser and Rae Price Library of Judaica, Jewish Jacksonville tells the story of the Jewish community of Jacksonville, Florida in the 19th and 20th century.
Marcia Jo Zerivitz is the Founding Executive Director of the Jewish Museum of Florida and has been a leader in the organized Florida Jewish community for 50 years. Ms. Zerivitz initiated the legislation for both a Florida Jewish History Month in 2003 and a Jewish American Heritage Month in 2006 to increase awareness of the contributions by Jews to the state and nation.
- View the online exhibition
The 8th Annual Gainesville Latino Film Festival and the Center for Jewish Studies are pleased to bring you El Brindis/To Life directed by Shai Agosin. The film will be shown on Saturday, October 6, 2012, from 2-4 pm at the Harn Museum of Art.
In this lighthearted tale about family, memory and love, Emilia a young photographer, struggles to find meaning in her life. Though she lives a lonely life in Mexico, she reluctantly travels to Chile to visit her octogenarian estranged father Isidoro who is preparing for his Bar Mitzvah. There she must deal with her extended paternal family, her unexplored Jewish roots, and her overall feelings of loneliness and resentment. While Isidoro is trying to make up for lost time with Emilia, she is learning that her roots run deeper than she had ever imagined when she meets Rabbi David. Together they learn to practice life's most "simple yet difficult" task: how to enjoy it. Dealing with each of the trio?s personal crises, love pangs, and leaps of faith, To Life reminds us that even though life can be bittersweet, each moment is a priceless gift.
- Best Film — Tulipanes Latino Art & Film Festival, Michigan USA 2008
- Audience Awards — 13 Festival de Cine de Ourense — Espaņa 2008
Please check back periodically for event news and updates.
All events are Free and open to the public.
With appreciation...These programs are made possible by our sponsors, Schram Memorial Endowment, Melton Jewish Studies Endowment, Gerson Lecture Series, Breier Visiting Fellowship, Kahn Visiting Scholar Fund, Gerson Visiting Professor Fund, Futernick Professorship Fund, and Jewish Council of North Central Florida.