SARATOGA SPRINGS–Saratoga Jewish Community Arts opens its 2026-2027 season on Wednesday, Sept. 23, with a documentary “Labors of Love: The Life and Legacy of Henrietta Szold,” directed and produced by Abby Ginzberg. Doors will open at Beth Shalom, 688 Clifton Park Center Rd., Clifton Park at 6:15 p.m. and the screening will begin at 6:30 p.m. A reception with light refreshments will precede and also follow the film.

This SJCA program is cosponsored by Hadassah, which joins with Temple Sinai of Saratoga and Congregation Beth Shalom of Clifton Park for this showing.

Szold founded Hadassah, The Women’s Zionist Organization of America, in 1912. Hadassah became the largest Jewish women’s organization. Born in Baltimore, Md., Szold supported Jewish immigrants and initiated English language night schools. She became one of the most influential American Jewish women of the 20th century. Blending archival footage, personal letters, and reflections, actress Tovah Feldshuh, who brought the story of Szold to the Broadway theater, narrates the documentary.

In 1909 at age 49, Szold made her first trip to what was then called Palestine where she discovered her life’s mission. She built a modern healthcare system with a mandate to treat Jews and Arabs equally. She shaped education and social services in the region and led Youth Aliyah, rescuing and transporting 11,000 Jewish children from Nazi-occupied Europe to safety in Palestine in the 1930s.

“The film is both a tribute to Szold’s life and a call to action, showing how compassion, resilience, and service can impact history,” said Phyllis Wang, coordinator of SJCA.

Szold died in 1945 in Hadassah Hospital, the same one she helped to build, and was buried in the Jewish Cemetery on the Mount of Olives in Jerusalem.

Information and registration may be obtained at https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/sl/4Ekw0AB/LaborsofLove09032026