Listening Post

As graduation ceremonies take place all over the country, two Kansas Citians were recognized by the Hebrew Union College Jewish Institute of Religion in Los Angeles on Monday, May 15. Elana Rose Nemitoff (left) earned a Masters of Jewish Education degree and is continuing her studies to become a rabbi. Tamara Lawson Schuster, MAJE/MAJCS, was awarded the Doctor of Jewish Religious Education, honoris causa, celebrating 25 years in Jewish education post master’s degree. She is the director of admissions at the Hyman Brand Hebrew Academy.

HELP ‘BIG SONIA’ GET TO THE BIG SCREEN — ‘BIG SONIA,’ the documentary about irrepressible 91-year-old diva, Kansas City business owner and Holocaust survivor Sonia Warshawski, has launched a campaign to bring the award-winning film to theaters this fall.

 

A festival favorite, the film has screened at more than 25 film festivals, where it has won eight awards.

The filmmakers have partnered with Women You Should Fund, a new crowdfunding platform for female-driven projects, to get the film into theaters this fall. The campaign’s base goal is $75,000, which will help cover the costs of bringing the film to theaters, as well as to communities and educational settings across the country.

Campaign perks include a care package of unique “Sonia Swag,” hand-stitched luggage tags, VIP tickets to the film premiere, and a co-executive producer credit in the film.

“We’re calling our campaign Small Matters Big because EVERY single contribution (small and big) matters, said Leah Warshawski, Sonia’s granddaughter, who co-directed the film with Todd Soliday.

‘BIG SONIA’ is relatable and universal and more important than ever. “On the festival circuit, we’ve seen firsthand the hope and inspiration our film provides,” said Leah Warshawski. “Within our lifetime, all the Holocaust survivors will be gone, and then how will their memories carry on?”

In its review of the film, “The Hollywood Reporter” wrote, “Engaging and thoughtful ... An unforgettable woman refuses to forget in this thoughtful exploration of history’s fallout.”

To learn more about the film and to contribute to the campaign, visit fund.bigsonia.com.