We recently connected with Caroline Warthen and Helaine Meyers and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, so we’re so thrilled to have Caroline with us today – welcome and maybe we can jump right into it with a question about one of your qualities that we most admire. How did you develop your work ethic? Where do you think you get it from?
Both Helaine and I come from an era of no cell phones or computers. We both evolved from backgrounds that taught us to work hard for everything. Helaine’s background of being an elementary school teacher taught her to be on her toes and to persevere. My background of home textiles taught me of a never ending environment of change. Change always teaches us to persevere.
Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
We believe that film is a powerful tool for bringing people together and fostering understanding. Through our Festival, we hope to create a space where people of all different backgrounds can come together and celebrate the diversity of Jewish culture and explore the ways in which it intersects with other cultures and traditions. Whether you are a member of the Jewish community or simply interested in learning more about Jewish culture, there is something for everyone at our events.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
As mentioned in the 2022 Article in SC Voyager, Helaine and I came from very different career backgrounds. Helaine was an Elementary school teacher, and I was a home textiles business manager. Both of us learned on the job as to the legal aspects, accounting, writing grants, creating and managing the events including getting speakers and entertainment, catering selections, movie selections, and much more. We’ve learned how to ask for donations and sponsorships. Public speaking was another hurdle, and we are becoming quite good at it. Both of us are detail oriented and compliment each other.
Okay, so before we go we always love to ask if you are looking for folks to partner or collaborate with?
We are currently partnering with another local organization, The Greenville Jewish Federation, for an event that is coming November 9, 2023. This event is commemorating the 85th Anniversary of Kristallnacht; a Nazi-led wave of destruction aimed at Jewish citizens living in Germany, Austria and the Sudetenland in 1938. The Greenville Jewish Film Festival does not generally show WWII/Holocaust related film, but for this partnered event, we felt is important for people to “Never Forget”. The event will include a pre-movie panel discussion featuring local educators and the movie, Farewell Mister Haffmann.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.greenvillejewishfilmfestival.com
- Instagram: @greenvillejewishfilmfestival.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GreenvilleJewishFilmFestival
