YOF Community Attends Exclusive Screening of Witness Theater: the Documentary

March 28, 2019

 

On Tuesday night, the YOF community gathered for an exclusive screening of the newly released documentary - Witness Theater. The evening began with opening remarks from Dean of Students Rabbi Naftali Besser followed by the screening.

The film, created by renowned filmmaker Oren Rudavsky, documented the year-long journey of participants in the Witness Theater program during the 2016 – 2017 school year. Through a mix of archival footage, interviews, animation and staged recreations of stories to blend past and present, a poignant moving depiction of this remarkable program emerged.

Viewers got a glimpse into the therapeutic journey that unfolded between the students and the survivors and how they each grappled with what it means to bear witness to somebody’s most painful memories. This transformative process was guided by Drama Therapist and Program Director Sally Grazi-Shatzkes, whose work is depicted in the documentary.

Following the film, Sally and the students (now graduates) were on hand to answer questions about the program. The students reflected on how the experience has impacted their lives to this day, and how the bonds they made with the survivors have lasted.

The evening was dedicated in memory of Aaron Tambor A”H. Thank you to Belinda and Jack Levavi for sponsoring the screening and to Ami Sasson and The Naomi Houllou A”H Ladies Auxiliary for sponsoring the dessert reception.