GREENVILLE, S.C. – As America witnesses an increase in anti-Semitic events, two Greenville groups are coming together for a special presentation on the 85th Anniversary of Kristallnacht.
The Greenville Jewish Film Festival in partnership with The Greenville Jewish Federation will host a panel discussion and screening of the acclaimed “Farewell Mister Haffmann” on Thursday, November 9 at 6:45 p.m. in The Gunter Theater at The Peace Center in downtown Greenville. Tickets for the event can be purchased here.
“Farewell Mister Haffmann” tells the story of François Mercier, an ordinary man whose only goal is to start a family with Blanche, the woman he loves. François works for Mr. Haffmann, a talented Jewish jeweler. Under the German occupation, the employer and employee are forced to strike a deal which, over the following months, will upend the fate of all concerned. The movie is in French with English subtitles.
The event will include a pre-movie panel featuring Rebecca Stoil, an Assistant Professor of History at Clemson University, Jason Hansen, an Associate Professor of History at Furman University, Elliott McCarthy, a B’nai Israel educator, and Courtney Tessler, CEO of the Greenville Jewish Federation.
“We are proud to present this film alongside the Greenville Jewish Federation. It is important for Jewish organizations in our community to work together to educate and foster dialogue with our neighbors,” said Caroline Warthen, co-chair of the Greenville Jewish Film Festival.
Kristallnacht was a Nazi-led wave of destruction aimed at Jewish families and citizens living in Germany, Austria and the Sudetenland on November 9 and 10, 1938. Rioters destroyed 267 synagogues, more than 7,000 Jewish businesses were damaged or destroyed, and more than 30,000 people were arrested and sent to concentration camps.
“We are only one generation past the atrocities of the Holocaust,” Tessler said. “Film is just one way we believe we can emphasize the importance of upholding human rights and dignity for all so that together we can help make sure it never happens again.”
About the Greenville Jewish Film Festival:
The Greenville Jewish Film Festival seeks to offer quality entertainment that will create an ongoing vehicle for the Upstate of South Carolina and greater Greenville community to strengthen its cultural foundation, promote diversity, and grow Greenville’s reputation as a culturally vibrant city. Learn more at greenvillejewishfilmfestival.com.
About the Greenville Jewish Federation:
The Greenville Jewish Federation is a dynamic organization dedicated to serving and strengthening the Jewish community in Greenville and neighboring counties. With a rich philanthropy and community-building history, the Federation works tirelessly to support educational programs, social services, cultural events, and advocacy efforts that promote Jewish values, heritage, and unity.
To learn more about the Greenville Jewish Federation's initiatives and upcoming programs, visit www.jewishgreenville.org.