May 21, 2017 in the US, Sweden, and Rwanda
The Jüdische Kulturbund Project is launching “Connecting Classrooms”, a pilot education workshop that connects students using Skype technology, grades 7-12, in Fairfax, Virginia (US); Hagfors (Sweden); and Kigali (Rwanda) on May 21, 2017 at 10 am in the US and 4pm in Sweden and Rwanda. Technology connections using Skype mean that these youngsters can learn not only at the same time, but from one another in a real-time exchange.
“Connecting Classrooms” leads students from the United States, Sweden, and Rwanda in a discussion about the issues artists face living under oppression and how they respond through their art and music. Questions about staying or leaving one’s homeland, the role of identity, and the power of art and music are explored. Students will be asked to express their own responses to directed art and music exercises to feel the challenges artists and musicians face when their freedom of expression is restricted.
The Jüdische Kulturbund Project explores heroic stands for artistic freedom and response to unjust control and oppression. Based on filmed interviews, the Project features stories of Jewish musicians and performing artists who organized in 1933 Nazi Germany and performed until the Final Solution in 1941. The Project connects their stories to contemporary musicians and artists living under oppression around the world. “Connecting Classrooms” is one of several initiatives produced by The Jüdische Kulturbund Project. In addition to “Connecting Classrooms”, The Jüdische Kulturbund Project is producing other education programs, a multimedia play “Playing for Life: Art Under Tyranny”, and a dramatic feature film “Singer”.
“Connecting Classrooms” is led by The Jüdische Kulturbund Project’s creator and executive producer Gail Prensky and education director Sarah Baumgarten from Washington, DC in collaboration with The Gesher Jewish Day School in Fairfax, Virginia (USA); Musicians for World Harmony, Ithaca, New York (USA); Biblioteks och kulturchef, Hagfors (Sweden); and Root Foundation.
Please see The Jüdische Kulturbund Education Program and Shared Stories for more information.
CONTACT:
US
Ms. Gail Prensky
+1 202 333 8624
Sweden
Biblioteks och kulturchef
+46 56318774
Rwanda
Root Foundation
+250 788654402