WE EXCEEDED THE MATCH!!
Dear Friend
Thanks to you, we not only made the $25,000 match but exceeded our wildest expectations by more than $10,000!!!!!
While we celebrate this wonderful achievement, our work is harder than ever while hostages are still in captivity, and millions of refugees globally are living under the threat of war. America alone saw three acts of terrorism over the New Year. How can we turn this around?
I read in a newsletter that hope is not the strategy when it comes to terrorism, antisemitism, bigotry and hate. Although I appreciate the call to action without hope, what is the point of living?
We are each here, put on this mortal plane, to do something with our lives. As the great poet Mary Oliver says in her breathtaking poem Summer Day, "Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?"
I am honored that so many of you have joined our journey of hope with words of encouragement and donations, small and large. Thank you for breathing life into UnBroken and helping us spread the word of courage, bravery and hope.
Thank you for sharing your one wild and precious life with my family and me.
Hope is the strategy, now and always.
With gratitude and love,
MENTOR SPOTLIGHT!
There are people in our lives who just make a giant difference. How do we thank them? Well, sometimes, we pay it forward.
My dear friend and mentor, Ken Fischer, president Emeritus of The University Musical Society at my beloved undergraduate alma mater, The University of Michigan, has turned 80! In addition to our shared love of the arts and all things Michigan (Go Blue!), we also share our love for Interlochen Center for the Arts, another alma mater he and I share, where Ken served from 1972-1974 as President (and ex-officious board member) of the Interlochen Alumni Association. From 2000-2009 Ken was an Elected board member, and at the end of his elected term, was named Trustee Emeritus, a title he held until July 2024, when this most wise, fun and beneficent man I know was named Life Trustee, which is the highest designation for a retired trustee.
Without a doubt, Interlochen's influence on me is the reason I insisted on using the original compositions for UnBroken and recording classical music in the studio despite the expense for such a small-budget indie doc film. Our composer, the amazing Jonathan Snipes, met my heart and told our story sonically with his trademark merging of sound effects, memory and score. I would often meet with Ken about both music and fundraising. He is my fundraising guru and was my go to phone call when I would hit a roadblock. I can hear hi now..."make the call, make the call, make the call!!!!" Ken also introduced me to one of our producers, Josh Buoy, another Wolverine, who secured our animation team Misfit. The list of introductions and connections to UnBroken vis-a-vis Ken make him my own personal "Kevin Bacon"... six degrees...He is my true North.
Ken was a French horn player and we have an “Easter egg” in UnBroken. This means there is a secret hidden meaning for the filmmaker, me, and anyone else who might recognize the significance, but friends, Ken Fischer is in one of the most iconic and hopeful scenes in the form of a French Horn. Next time you screen UnBroken, I hope you hear it!
To celebrate Ken's 80th turn around the sun, he is raising funds for Interlochen Center for the Arts so that young artists will have a chance to tour in 2026 (America's 250th birthday) with Yo-Yo Ma performing Wynton Marsalis' new cello concerto under the baton of Cristian Măcelaru. All three guys are good friends of Ken's and understand the value of the arts as a place to build bridges and have meaningful conversations about differences. Working with these incredible artists would be inspiring enough for these young musicians. Still, there's more: They'll be performing side-by-side with members of the orchestras of Philadelphia, Washington, and Detroit. Furthermore, the concerts will also feature multidisciplinary appearances from Interlochen dancers, actors, creative writers, filmmakers, and visual artists.
Ken is inviting all of us to help him celebrate by joining his wife Penny in making this extraordinary opportunity possible for these young people. To learn more and to make a gift now through January 31, click Ken's 80th for Interlochen.
HOST A SCREENING
Bring UnBroken to your community! CLICK HERE to inquire.
THANK YOU TO THE TEAM!
I am inspired to continue to celebrate all the team members from 2024 who made our work so meaningful and fun. Aurora, Mary, August, Isa, Michael, Kelli, Sarah, Brandon, Chase, Jeremy, Sebastian, Niki, Nat, Dan, Eric and Samantha. Thank you!
Life would not be the same without Doug, Josh and Ben. Those three men all deserve capes, winged sneakers and halos.
Spectacular plans await in 2025, so please keep reading and I will keep writing!
UPCOMING DATES FOR UNBROKEN
Maine Cinema Explorations - Waterville, ME - 1/4/25 + 1/5/25
Museum of Tolerance - Simon Wiesenthal Center - Los Angeles, CA - 1/26/25
The United Nations, Vienna, Austria - 1/27/25
The United Nations & The Center For Jewish History - New York, NY - 1/29/25
San Diego Jewish Film Festival, San Diego, CA - 1/31/25
Charlotte Jewish Film Festival - Charlotte, NC - 2/5/25
Boca International Jewish Film Festival, Boca Raton, FL - 2/23/25
Temple Sholom, Colorado Springs - CO - 3/16/25
92nd Street Y - New York, NY - 4/26/25
Wishing you the happiest New Year from the Weber Family Arts Foundation! May your most precious dreams come true.
Visit The Weber Family Arts Foundation to learn more and to donate.