"Where Can I Go? / Wo Ahin soll Ich Geh’n?"

A Moving Portrait of Trauma and Resilience

Join us for the Film's World Premiere on Thursday, April 8, Holocaust Remembrance Day

RALEIGH: Join Raleigh-Cary Jewish Family Services (a beneficiary of The Jewish Federation of Raleigh-Cary) and The Justice Theater Project on April 8, 2021, for the world premiere of “WHERE CAN I GO / WO AHIN SOLL ICH GEH’IN”, an original film documenting the experiences and resilience of five Holocaust Survivors living in Wake County. Additional viewings are available through July 31, 2021.

Complex histories collide with our challenging present in this documentary film event which debuts on Yom Ha’Shoah, Holocaust Remembrance Day. A group of five Wake County Holocaust survivors, filmed during the 2020-21 global Coronavirus pandemic, share their experiences of trauma and resilience as part of an urgent effort to ensure we never forget. This fascinating film will resonate with a broad swath of the population as people around the world are struggling with feelings of isolation and displacement.

The survivors featured in “Where Can I Go” are part of the 2020-21 Kesher program, a Raleigh-Cary Jewish Family Services program that utilizes creative arts therapy to improve mental health and reduce the social isolation of Holocaust survivors. Barbara Kaynan, a registered drama therapist, facilitated the Kesher group and serves as one of the film’s co-directors. According to Kaynan, “Once the participants settled into the virtual session format and became more comfortable with each other, they expressed a desire for their stories to reach beyond the group”. The sociopolitical crises and spread of COVID 19 over the past year created an urgency that moved the participants to speak out about their experiences of antisemitism and hatred. The group’s desires inspired Raleigh-Cary JFS to partner with The Justice Theater Project, whose mission is to create community dialogue and give voice to social concerns.

The interviews and filming were done with the utmost care and concern for the health of survivors and the crew. The filming by co-directors Barbara Kaynan and Jesse Bonnell (videographer) took place outdoors with one survivor interviewed at a time to ensure safety. Covid testing was required for all participants and staff. “While these conditions presented extreme challenges, they also provided radical opportunities,” said Kaynan. “Each part of the process, from arranging a test to watching themselves on screen, provided an opening for discovery and growth among the participants.” Kaynan believes the film will help viewers better understand the far-reaching impact of the Holocaust, as well as the dangers spawned by hatred and violence around the globe. “We hope people will reflect on how we can either be complicit in discrimination and divisiveness or work actively work toward respect and peace. I hope this film impacts our communities to be a little kinder to one another every day.”

“Where Can I Go” will be available for viewing and watch parties via ticketed streaming and is appropriate for all adults and children middle-school-aged and up.

Performance Schedule and Calendar Listing:

Thursday, April 8, 2021, through June 30, 2021, via streaming. Call 919-264-089 for ticketing or visit www.thejusticetheaterproject.com.

“WHERE CAN I GO”: Executive Produced by Raleigh-Cary Jewish Family Services (a beneficiary agency of The Jewish Federation of Raleigh-Cary) in partnership with The Justice Theater Project. Co-Directed by Barbara Kaynan and Jesse Bonnell, Music by the North Carolina Chamber Institute, Elizabeth Beilman, Produced by the Raleigh-Cary Jewish Family Services and The Justice Theater Project. www.thejusticetheaterproject.com Vimeo on Demand $20/family, $10/individuals

Events:

April 7, 2021: RALEIGH-CARY JEWISH COMMUNITY CENTER VIRTUAL SPEAKER SERIES 7:30 pm: Behind the Scenes: Inside the Process of Where Can I Go featuring co-directors Barbara Kaynan & Jesse Bonnell”– Free to JCC members; $10/non-members. Registration at http://bit.ly/apr7speakerseries
April 8, 2021: FILM PREMIERE WATCH PARTY 7:00 pm slide show, 7:15 opening message by Barbara Kaynan, co-director and JFS Kesher Coordinator 7:30 pm show. A community opportunity to be led through a short pre-show introduction by the Co-Director, watch the show on Vimeo and make comments. We invite the community to email their reactions, responses, and words of encouragement to the survivors who will answer these questions and comments during a podcast to be aired on April 22nd by RDU ON STAGE’S Lauren Van Hemert.
April 13, 2021, 7:30 pm: FACEBOOK/YOUTUBE LIVE: RDU ON STAGE will interview Co-Directors Barbara Kaynan and Jesse Bonnell, and JFS Director of Jewish Family Services, Limor Schwartz. FREE.
April 18, 2021: WATCH PARTY on Vimeo 1:00 pm slide show, 1:15 opening message by Barbara Kaynan, co-director, and JFS Kesher Coordinator, 1:30 pm show. A community opportunity to be led through a short pre-show introduction by the Co-Director, watch the show on Vimeo and make comments. We invite the community to email their reactions, responses, and words of encouragement to the survivors who will answer these questions and comments during a podcast to be aired on April 22nd by RDU ON STAGE’S Lauren Van Hemert.
April 22, 2021: PODCAST interviews by RDU ON STAGE with the five participants as well as Co-Directors Barbara Kaynan and Jesse Bonnell on www/rduonstage.com or subscribe to RDU on Stage podcast on Apple Podcasts or your favorite provider. FREE.

About Raleigh-Cary Jewish Family Services

Raleigh-Cary Jewish Family Services is a beneficiary agency of The Jewish Federation of Raleigh-Cary. Guided by the wisdom and values of Jewish tradition, Raleigh-Cary JFS offers compassionate and affordable social services and programs to empower families and individuals of all ages to maximize the quality of their lives and reach their full potential with dignity, hope, and strength.

The Kesher program is supported by a grant from The JFNA Center on Aging and Trauma, a project of the Holocaust Survivor Initiative.

About The Justice Theater Project

The Justice Theater Project is supported by the North Carolina Arts Council, a division of the N.C. Department of Cultural Resources funded in part by the City of Raleigh based on recommendations by the Raleigh Arts Commission and is supported by the United Arts Council of Raleigh and Wake County. Additional support from Kymanox and Carol Woods Retirement Community.

Media Contacts and Web Information:

Limor Schwartz, JFS Director, (919) 676-2295 ext.120, JFS@Shalomraleigh.org

General JFS information www.RaleighCaryJFS.org (919) 676-2295

Melissa Zeph, JTP Executive Producer, (919) 215-0889, mjzeph@gmail.com

General JTP information and to purchase online tickets: www.TheJusticeTheaterProject.org

thejusticetheaterproject@gmail.com (919) 264-7089