The Excelsior German Center is excited to host the Mitzvah Project: a 70 minute, educational, theatrical presentation from Teaching Artist, Victor Talmadge. The program focuses on social-justice themes, addressing both the history and lessons from the Holocaust to life. Roger Grunwald conceived and co-created the Mitzvah Project, and presents it at educational institutions and communities across America.
You can see the Mitzvah Project live, Sunday, November 17th at 2PM. The performance will be hosted at the Altenheim Community Room. For more information, please contact Petra Specht (psspecht@sbcglobal.net). Please note, only street parking is available and walk in gates are at 1699 Excelsior Ave. and 1720 MacArthur Blvd. in Oakland.
As a short preview, here is an excerpt from the Mitzvah news letter:
In this time of rising antisemitism and growing threats to democracy, the Mitzvah Project is making every effort to reach and educate more young people than ever before. Thanks to new grants, including support from the Bay Area Jewish Community Federation & Endowment Fund (see below), the dedication of our talented Teaching Artists – Broadway and Hollywood actors who have joined our mission – and the unwavering support of our growing community, we are expanding both our impact and our team (see below).
Let me share a few examples:
Berkeley High School – on September 27th, we presented The Mitzvah Project for an audience of 400 students, faculty, community members and leaders from neighboring school districts.
“The Mitzvah project… was powerful and compelling. Several faculty members told me that the program opened up important new kinds of conversations with their students. Thank you, Roger Grunwald and [Teaching Artist] Elijah Alexander! I hope your work continues to be seen and experienced by students around the country.” – Linda Carr, Berkeley High’s Visual & Performing Arts Chair
Michael Navia, Ed.D., Principal, at the Renaissance High School for the Arts, Long Beach, CA, said the following about the Mitzvah Project’s presentation for 175 students and faculty, September 30, 2024:
“Such a powerful program and message! The program had a profound impact on our students. Educating our youth about the Holocaust and the atrocities that were committed is essential to empowering them to prevent such tragedies from ever occurring again. Thank you for your invaluable work.”