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About the Film
A story of Jewish faith, family, and a tragedy that reverberated for generations. It is highly likely that if you are an American Jew, you have roots in Eastern Europe and share Feiga’s story. While rare that she wrote her story down, her story itself is not unique. And yet many know little about the waves of pogroms that swept across Eastern Europe from the 1880s through 1921.
The pogroms in the years following the Russian Revolution of 1917 killed tens of thousands of Jews and marked the beginning of the near-obliteration of Jewish life from an area of the world to which nearly 80% of the world’s Jewry can trace its roots. Feiga Shamis, a Jewish mother of 12, wrote about those years in a rare first-hand account. What happened drove her to make a choice no mother should ever have to make. But it was a choice that ensured the survival of two of her children.
We’ve created the My Dear Children Screening Kit to give nonprofits, community organizations and businesses, universities, and public libraries an easy-to-use resource for showing the film and leading discussions around the subjects of religious persecution and social justice, genealogy, trauma, and heritage travel, among others. Order a Screening Kit for your nonprofit, community organization, university, or public library below.
Note: You may now purchase individual DVD's and digital downloads for private use. Digital downloads are available to be shown in your home to groups of up to 20 people. Just click on the "Visit our store to learn more" link below. If you want to show the film outside your home, you must purchase a screening license. Details are below and on our store page.
The Screening Kit
The My Dear Children Screening Kit is an easy-to-use, comprehensive resource that includes everything you’ll need for planning, promoting, and hosting a successful community screening. Here’s what’s included in each kit:
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DVD - 70min feature-length version of the film
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Bonus features
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19-page planning and discussion guide
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10 postcards and and five full-size posters
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License to exhibit the film at your facility
How licensing works
We offer a tiered licensing and pricing system to make the film accessible to all types of organizations. The Screening Kit includes an unlimited public performance license at one facility—contact us about purchasing multiple kits at a discount.
As independent filmmakers, we rely on your support to keep producing great documentaries and making them available to the public. Keep in mind you are legally obligated to purchase the appropriate license to show the film at your institution.
What people are saying
This film is really, really special. I don’t think I’ve ever cared so much about Jewish history since reading Mila 18. I can tell, based on being a storyteller myself, that it’s an extraordinarily difficult story to tell. The archival work they’ve done is astounding. I genuinely think it’s only slightly hyperbolic to say they’re preventing this history from vanishing."
Jeffrey E. Stern
Author of The Last Thousand & 15:17 to Paris
I found My Dear Children incredibly touching and actually breathtaking — as I watched it, it occurred to me over the years I’d simplistically (and perhaps shamefully) made “Fiddler on the Roof” my mental touchstone for the word “pogrom,” when in fact the reality was a holocaust before the Holocaust. To say thank you might not exactly be appropriate, but you have created a very, very necessary and important testament."
Julie Sherman
Chair, The Harrisburg Jewish Film Festival
Finally! A visual presentation of the holocaust that preceded the Holocaust. My Dear Children is significant for its moving presentation of the dire environment facing Eastern European Jewish families in the early 20th Century. Powerful for its reminder that history will repeat itself."
Paul F.
Attendee, IAJGS Conference 2017
Speaking Engagements
The filmmakers have spoken at numerous conferences, film festivals, and events, from small to large groups. Whether you are interested in Jewish history, exploring family trees, or the importance of resistance against hatred, your audience will be moved by My Dear Children. This film reminds everyone about the strength of the ties that bind us. Together we can inspire your audience, generate local media coverage, and help you achieve your marketing goals.
We have presentations at a variety of lengths and are ready to get you on our schedule. Contact us now to learn more about booking the filmmakers for your next conference, screening, or special event.
We can also do virtual Q&A's with your group -- set up your virtual screening, then follow-up with a filmmaker Q&A. It's easy!
The film is a remarkable account of a neglected period of Jewish history. Moreover your talk-back was delightful and informative. You have a true gift for connecting with and stimulating your audience. We looking forward to hosting you again!"
Sandra Brett
Charleston Jewish Federation