Donation protected
Hi All,
Yep, that's me at my Baptism in December 1970! Looking their Sunday best, dad’s sporting his white collar and mom in her handmade dress. The location was St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Jacksonville, Florida, on the city’s northside. For those of you unfamiliar with Jacksonville, the northside has always been a predominantly African American neighborhood. It was in the heart of that area that my decidedly Midwestern parents chose to start their young, married lives together. My dad became the Pastor at St. Paul's, while my mom – a substitute teacher and soon to be Social Worker – was the busy (but, proud), mother of two toddlers.
Growing up in the South as the only white family in an otherwise all-black neighborhood and church in the 1960's and 70's lends to a captivating story driven by memories and reflections. It becomes even more significant as we take a look around at the current American landscape. The plan is to recapture those days in the late 60s by returning to the church to capture video and interviews with congregants, my parents and brother, neighbors and other prominent leaders in Jacksonville at the time. The stories will be enriched by old home video and still pictures, as well as highlights of how the area has changed over the decades. The objective is to share a story as rich in history as it was unique for its time. It may have been a long time ago, but the love and philosophies that rang out then can still be heard today.
This is where you come in! I have the inspiration and plan, but like most anything, it comes at a cost in the form of production. The greatest birthday gift I could receive (the big 5-0, by the way) would be for you to consider a donation to help me make this endeavor I’m so very passionate about reach fruition.
Thank you in advance for helping me tell this unique and inspirational story that could very well open eyes and even change hearts. And, I promise you will all be invited to the premier party! Thanks, again!
-Rachel
Yep, that's me at my Baptism in December 1970! Looking their Sunday best, dad’s sporting his white collar and mom in her handmade dress. The location was St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Jacksonville, Florida, on the city’s northside. For those of you unfamiliar with Jacksonville, the northside has always been a predominantly African American neighborhood. It was in the heart of that area that my decidedly Midwestern parents chose to start their young, married lives together. My dad became the Pastor at St. Paul's, while my mom – a substitute teacher and soon to be Social Worker – was the busy (but, proud), mother of two toddlers.
Growing up in the South as the only white family in an otherwise all-black neighborhood and church in the 1960's and 70's lends to a captivating story driven by memories and reflections. It becomes even more significant as we take a look around at the current American landscape. The plan is to recapture those days in the late 60s by returning to the church to capture video and interviews with congregants, my parents and brother, neighbors and other prominent leaders in Jacksonville at the time. The stories will be enriched by old home video and still pictures, as well as highlights of how the area has changed over the decades. The objective is to share a story as rich in history as it was unique for its time. It may have been a long time ago, but the love and philosophies that rang out then can still be heard today.
This is where you come in! I have the inspiration and plan, but like most anything, it comes at a cost in the form of production. The greatest birthday gift I could receive (the big 5-0, by the way) would be for you to consider a donation to help me make this endeavor I’m so very passionate about reach fruition.
Thank you in advance for helping me tell this unique and inspirational story that could very well open eyes and even change hearts. And, I promise you will all be invited to the premier party! Thanks, again!
-Rachel
Organizer
Rachel Berkowitz
Organizer
Lafayette, CA