(NISKAYUNA, N.Y.) – The Schenectady JCC Jewish Film Festival 2013-2014 kicks off on Saturday, October 5, 7:30pm, with a screening of “Where I Stand: The Hank Greenspun Story,” a documentary recounting the amazing life of this Jewish-American hero. The event will include a post-screening talk and discussion led by Seth Rogovoy, author, editor, and publisher of the online magazine the Rogovoy Report, which is also heard on WAMC Northeast Public Radio on Fridays. Refreshments will be served.
Hank Greenspun’s remarkable American life reads like something out of “Zelig” or “Forrest Gump.” The film portrays the life and times of Greenspun as a convicted gun runner, Las Vegas visionary, crusading newspaper publisher, target of the Watergate burglars, hero of Israel’s War of Independence, instrumental in bringing Anwar Sadat and Menachem Begin together to the negotiating table. From his early days working for notorious gangster, Bugsy Siegel, and his secret life in the underground Haganah, to his public battles with Senator Joseph McCarthy, bigoted casino owners and the IRS, Hank Greenspun lived life large.
The film, 98 minutes long, is narrated by Academy Award winner Anthony Hopkins.
Award-winning cultural critic Seth Rogovoy is a frequent contributor to the arts pages of the Forward. His books include “Bob Dylan: Prophet Mystic Poet” and “The Essential Klezmer.” In his post-screening talk, Rogovoy will provide some additional context for the film, fill in some blanks that were left out of the documentary, and provide an update about the Greenspun family.
The screening takes place at the Jewish Community Center of Schenectady on The Golub Family Campus, 2565 Balltown Rd., Niskayuna, N.Y., 12309-1096