Festival Will Feature Three Films Promoting Awareness and Appreciation of People With Disabilities
The Shimon and Sara Birnbaum Jewish Community Center (JCC), located at 775 Talamini Road in Bridgewater, will be hosting virtual ReelAbilities Film Festival New Jersey. This festival is the largest in the United States dedicated to promoting awareness and appreciation of the lives, stories and artistic expressions of people with different disabilities. ReelAbilities NJ at the JCC is open to the entire community, and is supported in part by The Kessler Foundation.
The virtual ReelAbilities Film Festival will feature three films screened on Monday November 30 online. The Festival schedule is as follows:
Monday, November 30, 12 PM (two short films): The Matchmaker, directed by Leonora Pitts, follows a man who recently put his mother in a retirement home and takes us on his journey of becoming an eHarmony anti-Alzheimer’s matchmaker. Sock Guys, directed by Katie Turinkski, offers us a look inside the long island duo of a father and his down syndrome son that runs a successful and truly unique business. Registration is $5 for both short films.
Monday, November 30, 7 PM (Full length film): Code of the Freaks (for adults only), directed by Salome Chasnoff, provides a blistering critique of Hollywood’s representation of disabled characters and provides insight on the most ignored critics – actual disabled people. Fee: $5.
To register for all films, go to ssbjc.org/reelabilities or call 908-443-9018. Zoom link and password will be e-mailed once registered.
The JCC offers a variety of special needs programs including The J-Zone Respite Program for children ages 5-16, J-Cares Adult Internship Program, J-Connect Social
Programs for Adults, Adaptive Aquatics Skills Program and the Rising Tide Special Olympics Swim Team. The JCC Blaustein Early Childhood Center, JCC Camp Ruach and J-Crew After School Program work with families with children with special needs. The JCC offers adjusted schedules and one-on-one assistance. For additional information, please contact Ellie Willoughby, JCC Special Services Director, at 908-443-9029; EWilloughby@ssbjcc.org.
