Events in Cleveland
Choosing to Participate provides a range of opportunities to bring people of different backgrounds together to consider complicated questions of prejudice and injustice and realize the possibilities for change. Below is the public events series that will be taking place during the Cleveland presentation of the exhibition from October 2009 through February 2010. We also offer workshops for educators to help them think about how to bring these themes into the classroom. Please visit FacingHistory.org for more events in your area.
Community Events
October 15
REFUSENIK @ Shaker Square Cinemas
Opening Night of the Mandel JCC Film Festival
A true Choosing to Participate story, REFUSENIK is a retrospective documentary to chronicle the 30-year movement to free Soviet Jews. It shows how a small grassroots effort blossomed into an international human rights campaign.
October 21
Opening Celebration & Benefit Dinner 6:00pm-9pm @WRHS
For ticket and sponsorship information, please call (216) 321-9220.
December 1
Community Conversation featuring Congressman John Lewis 7:30pm-9:00pm
Often called "one of the most courageous persons the civil rights movement ever produced," Congressman Lewis has dedicated his life to protecting human rights, securing civil liberties, and building what he calls "The Beloved Community" in America. This event is part of a national speaker series presented by Facing History and Ourselves and The Allstate Foundation.
January 12
Choices in Little Rock featuring Terrence Roberts & Carlotta Walls 7:00pm
On September 23, 1957, nine brave students set off for Central High School in Little Rock, Arkansas, to continue the federal mandate of school integration. Join these two members of the “Little Rock Nine” in conversation as they look back on the impact and the legacy of their actions. Sponsored by the Cuyahoga County Public Library.
January 18
Family Day at Choosing to Participate 10:00am-12:00pm@WRHS
How do you talk to your children about the difficult choices they face? About what to do when they encounter difference or exclusion? Join us for this unique opportunity for families with children in grades K–6 to come together to engage in activities, storytelling, and conversation about these important lessons.
February 17
Community Conversation and Film Preview of Journey to Freedom film preview with Producer Artemis Joukowsky 7:00pm
Artemis Joukowsky tells the story about his grandparents Waitstill Sharp, a Unitarian minister, and Martha, who just days prior to the Nazi occupation of Czechoslovakia left their children in Massachusetts to embark on an uncertain journey. Armed only with their faith and determination, they helped thousands of refugees and assisted anti-Nazi dissidents and Jews as they escaped to safety. The Sharps were recognized as Righteous among the Nations at Yad Vashem—the highest recognition accorded by the state of Israel to non-Jews who risked their lives to save Jews during World War II.
Events for Educators
Below are Cleveland events for educators interested in learning more about the themes of Choosing to Participate.
All workshops are at the Western Reserve Historical Society unless otherwise listed
September 24
Choosing to Participate Teacher Workshop 4:30pm-7:00pm
Educators planning to tour Choosing to Participate are encouraged to attend this free workshop to explore exhibit content and related themes.
October 7
Choosing to Participate Online Workshop
Educators are invited to join this free online workshop designed to introduce the resources and interactive features of Facing History's newly revised website, Choosing to Participate.
October 16
North Eastern Ohio Education Association Day 9:00am-12:30pm
As part of NEOEA day, educators are invited to preview the exhibit with their students and learn about related classroom activities. Participants must register using the NEOEA’s registration form available by request from the NEOEA Office at 216-518-0200.
November 3
Catholic Educator Workshop 9:00am-3:00pm
Catholic school educators are invited to explore themes of religion, identity, and participation. This free workshop will feature a special tour of the exhibit.
January 27
Rock and Roll and the Civil Rights Movement 7:00pm @ Rock & Roll Hall of Fame
The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum, in partnership with Facing History and Ourselves, present a special Rock and Roll Night School class on the music that framed the American civil rights movement. This class will examine the 10 years following the Montgomery Bus Boycott and leading to the Voting Rights Act of 1965, a decade in which music spoke to and for a nation aching for change.
February 3
Banished Educator Workshop 4:00pm-7:00pm
The film Banished profiles three communities in the American South which forcibly removed their entire African American populations in the early 20th century. Banished explores the legacy of these events in the communities and for the descendants of the families who were expelled.
February 19
SLAM U! Performance 10:00am-12:30pm@ Playhouse Square
Teachers are invited to bring their students to PlayhouseSquare for a morning of slamming with teens from all over Northeast Ohio. For more information contact Ray Gargano at GarganoR@playhousesquare.org
