PCS Blog

Jewish Soldiers in Blue and Gray

Posted by Shana | 13 February 2013 | Comments (0)

Coinciding with Portland Center Stage’s production of The Whipping Man and the 150th anniversary of the Civil War, Jewish Soldiers in Blue and Gray is a first-of-its-kind film that reveals the little-known struggles facing American Jews, both in battle and on the home front, during the nation’s deadliest war. The documentary by Jonathan Gruber reveals an unknown chapter in American history, when allegiances during the War Between the States deeply split the Jewish community. It examines a time when approximately 10,000 Jewish soldiers fought on both sides: 7,000 Union and 3,000 Confederate. And it exposes General Ulysses Grant’s controversial decision to expel all Jews from his territory. It also tells the stories of President Lincoln’s Jewish doctor serving as a spy in the South, and how five Union Jewish soldiers received the Congressional Medal of Honor.

Narrated by Oscar-nominated screenwriter John Milius (Apocalypse Now), Jewish Soldiers in Blue and Gray explores the sacrifices Jews made as they defended both the Union and the Confederacy. The film was released in 2011 and is 86 minutes long.

In support of our production of The Whipping Man, the Oregon Jewish Museum will be screening this film on Thursday, March 14 at noon and 7 p.m.  Professor Reiko Hillyer of Lewis & Clark College will introduce the film and lead a Q&A session following the screening. Tickets are $10 for the general public, $8 for Oregon Jewish Museum members and $5 for students.

To reserve your tickets, click here or call 503-226-3600.

The Oregon Jewish Museum is located at 1953 NW Kearney Street in Portland.

The photo on the left is of Captain Jacob Jacobs of the 83rd New York Infantry, who was wounded in action at the Battle of Gettysburg. In 1896 he became a founding member of the Hebrew Union Veterans Association. The photo is courtesy of The National Center for Jewish Film.

______________________________________________________________

PCS will also be hosting a special fundraiser for the Oregon Jewish Museum during

a performance of The Whipping Man.

Join them on Wednesday, March 20 for the 7:30 p.m. performance. The Oregon Jewish Museum has reserved the best seats in the house for the performance AND

a portion of your ticket price will help benefit the museum. Patron tickets are $80 and Supporter tickets are $60. If you already have tickets, please consider making

a donation to Oregon Jewish Museum so that they might purchase a ticket for a student to attend the performance.

To reserve your tickets, click here or call 503-226-3600.