By The Reporter Staff

The Jewish Federation of Greater Binghamton will hold Super Sunday on Sunday, August 29, at 10 am, at the Jewish Community Center, 500 Clubhouse Rd., Vestal. It will feature a brunch, comedy by comedian Josh Wallenstein and a showing of the film “Fiddler: A Miracle of Miracles” about the Broadway musical “Fiddler on the Roof.” Larry Kassan, who has directed productions of the musical, will facilitate the film discussion. The cost of the brunch and film is $15 and reservations are requested by Sunday, August 22. To make reservations, visit the Federation website, www.jfgb.org/, or contact the Federation at director@jfgb.org or 724-2332.

“We are hoping to get community members to pledge early again this year,” said Shelley Hubal, executive director of the Federation. “We started the 2021 Campaign with almost 25 percent of the pledges already made. That helped to cut back on the manpower we needed to get through the Campaign. When the community pledges early the allocation process is much easier. We also want the snow birds to have an opportunity to gather before they leave for sunnier climates this fall.”

Wallenstein, son of Larry Wallenstein, will share a comedy routine. During the pandemic, he returned to this area from California where he had been performing stand-up comedy. Since last November, he has been working as a fifth-grade teaching assistant and was recently featured in a Newsweek article titled “5 TikTok Teachers Share Behind the Scenes of Virtual Teaching.” His comedy videos can be seen at www.tiktok.com/@thatjoshuakid93. (For an interview of Wallenstein, see the article on this page.) 

“Fiddler: A Miracle of Miracles,” a documentary by Max Lewkowicz, tells the origin story of the Broadway musical “Fiddler on The Roof,” and its creative roots in early 1960s New York City. The film includes interviews with the show’s creators, which reveal how the success and worldwide impact of “Fiddler” and its subsequent film adaptation is most appropriately viewed through the lens of the social upheaval and change in mid-20th century America. The documentary also explores a variety of international productions of the show, detailing how individuals of many cultures see themselves in the residents of Anatevka. The film features scenes from productions from Canada, the United Kingdom and the Netherlands, as well as the last Broadway production revival with Danny Burstein and Jessica Hecht. Kassan, who is the coordinator of special events and theatre at the Rod Serling School of Fine Arts at Binghamton City School District, will lead the discussion of the film. 

The Federation would like to thank the Victor and Esther Rozen Foundation for supporting the Film Fest since the pandemic began, including the showing of “Miracle of Miracles.” 
“After not being able to gather during the pandemic and share a meal, it will be wonderful for us to be together again,” said Hubal. “Campaign Chairwoman Marilyn Bell and I really want this event to be a joyful experience for all, filled with laughter – a celebration of our heritage and coming together after the pandemic. I look forward to seeing and talking to everyone.”