Seaside Jewish Community to screen '50 Children' documentary Nov. 2

The acclaimed documentary film “50 Children - The Rescue Mission of Mr. & Mrs. Kraus,” will be shown at 2 p.m., Sunday, Nov. 2, at Seaside Jewish Community Center near Rehoboth Beach. The film is narrated by Alan Alda and co-produced by HBO and the Holocaust Museum.

Retired Immigration Judge Joan Churchill will introduce the film and facilitate a discussion afterward comparing the U.S. immigration system then and now, with a special focus on unaccompanied children.

“50 Children” presents the true story of Gilbert and Eleanor Kraus, an ordinary couple from Philadelphia who traveled to Nazi Germany in 1939 at personal risk to themselves, and brought 50 unaccompanied Jewish children to the United States. Gilbert Kraus, a business lawyer, successfully navigated the United States immigration system, then governed by strict quotas, to arrange for immigrant visas for the children.

Now, 75 years later, 50,000 or more unaccompanied children from Central America have come to the U.S. to get away from violent conditions at home. A few hundred of these children are now here in Sussex County communities.

Churchill served on the United States Immigration Court for over 24 years. During her tenure, she also served several terms as a temporary member of the Board of Immigration Appeals.

This special public program is being presented by Seaside Jewish Community Center, an unaffiliated egalitarian congregation at 18970 Holland Glade Road, Rehoboth Beach. The building is handicapped accessible.

All are invited to see the film and join the discussion. There is no charge to attend. Advance registration would be appreciated. Walk-ins are welcome.

Seaside will be a collection point from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m., Nov. 2, for La Esperanza’s emergency winter coat drive. La Esperanza, a Georgetown-based social services agency, is seeking donations from the community of new and clean used coats, scarves, gloves and hats for children, including for high-school-age teens.

To register for the program and for more information, contact George Beckerman by email at beckerman.george@gmail.com.