This special screening of Defying the Nazis: The Sharps War will occur simultaneously with the Wisconsin Public Television/PBS showing. The film, co-directed by Ken Burns and Artemis Joukowsky,  is an account of a daring rescue mission that occurred on the precipice of World War II. It tells the previously untold story of Waitstill and Martha Sharp, an American Unitarian minister and his wife from Wellesley, Massachusetts, who left their parish and boldly committed to a life-threatening mission in Europe. Over two dangerous years they helped to save scores of imperiled Jews and refugees fleeing Nazi occupation across Europe

The 90 minute film screening will be followed by a panel discussion to connect the film to the struggles of refugees today.

Panelist:

• Rev. Michael Schuler (Moderator), Senior Minister at First Unitarian Society
• Dawn Berney, Executive Director at Jewish Social Services of Madison
• Dr. Abdul Halabi, Madison Physician and Volunteer at Open Doors for Refugees
• And More TBA

There is no charge for the event. Doors open at 6:00 pm. Film starts at 7:00 pm.

The event is being organized by a number of sponsors, among them the Jewish Congregations for Social Justice. Beth Israel Center, Congregation Shaarei Shamayim, Hillel, Jewish Social Services, Temple Beth El, First Unitarian Society, James Reeb Unitarian Universal Church, Open Doors for Refugees, and Wisconsin Public Television.