[Past event] The SJCC slates ‘Remembering Gene Wilder’ as first in film festival lineup

The SJCC’s 2025-26 Film Festival opens Sept. 7 with ‘Remembering Gene Wilder,’ the first of nine carefully curated films across the season.

Awards & Honors

Capital District

Film

Holocaust

The Jewish World Team

Aug 28, 2025

2

mins read time

Published by

The Jewish World

Copy Website URL

GENE WILDER

Editor’s note: This event has already taken place.

SCHENECTADY– The Schenectady Jewish Community Center (S.J.C.C.) Film Festival 2025-26 season is slated to begin with “Remembering Gene Wilder” on Sunday, Sept. 7, at 7 p.m. The festival will feature nine monthly films through April, most shown at the Center, 2565 Balltown Rd., Schenectady.

“Each year, we thoughtfully curate the finest documentaries, narratives, and international award-winning films that explore the Jewish experience, and this year is no different,” said Judy Ben-Ami, S.J.C.C. cultural and adult programming director. “We also have some incredible guest experts that will be joining us at each film showing to discuss the film’s themes with the audience.”

The 90-minute documentary, “Remembering Gene Wilder,” relates the biography of Gene Wilder, born Jerome Silberman to a Jewish family in Milwaukee, Wisc. The comedic actor was known for performances in such movies as the original “The Producers,” “Willy Wonka and The Chocolate Factory,” “Blazing Saddles” and “Young Frankenstein.” The documentary is packed with clips, and features reflections from friends like Mel Brooks. The movie details Wilder’s relationship with his wife, Gilda Radner, the late comedienne, and his challenges with Alzheimer’s disease.

The film was directed by Ron Frank and Glenn Kirschbaum.

Discussion leader will be Alex Rabinowitz of Mopco and Pop Culture Brain.

The schedule for the season includes:“Soul of a Nation” on Sunday, Oct. 5, 7 p.m.; “The New Jew — Days of War” on Sunday, Oct. 19, p.m.; “Adventures of a Mathematician” on Saturday, Nov. 8, 7 p.m.; “Greener Pastures” on Saturday, Dec. 6, 7 p.m.; “Saul & Ruby’s Holocaust Survivor Band” on Saturday, Jan. 24, 7 p.m.; “Pink Lady” (shown on Zoom) Thursday to Sunday, Feb. 12 through 15, Discussion Feb 15, 7 p.m.; “This is My Mother” on Sunday, March 22, 7 p.m.; and “999: The Forgotten Girls” on Sunday, April 26, 7 p.m.

Members and non-members of the SJCC may purchase a festival pass for $95. JCC members will receive a $45 discount per person. Single price tickets are $7 for JCC members and $13 for guests.

Information about the Film Festival and tickets may be obtained at .

Local

Events

[Past event] The SJCC slates ‘Remembering Gene Wilder’ as first in film festival lineup

The SJCC’s 2025-26 Film Festival opens Sept. 7 with ‘Remembering Gene Wilder,’ the first of nine carefully curated films across the season.

Awards & Honors

Capital District

Film

Holocaust

The Jewish World Team

Aug 28, 2025

2

mins read time

Published by

The Jewish World

Copy Website URL

GENE WILDER

Editor’s note: This event has already taken place.

SCHENECTADY– The Schenectady Jewish Community Center (S.J.C.C.) Film Festival 2025-26 season is slated to begin with “Remembering Gene Wilder” on Sunday, Sept. 7, at 7 p.m. The festival will feature nine monthly films through April, most shown at the Center, 2565 Balltown Rd., Schenectady.

“Each year, we thoughtfully curate the finest documentaries, narratives, and international award-winning films that explore the Jewish experience, and this year is no different,” said Judy Ben-Ami, S.J.C.C. cultural and adult programming director. “We also have some incredible guest experts that will be joining us at each film showing to discuss the film’s themes with the audience.”

The 90-minute documentary, “Remembering Gene Wilder,” relates the biography of Gene Wilder, born Jerome Silberman to a Jewish family in Milwaukee, Wisc. The comedic actor was known for performances in such movies as the original “The Producers,” “Willy Wonka and The Chocolate Factory,” “Blazing Saddles” and “Young Frankenstein.” The documentary is packed with clips, and features reflections from friends like Mel Brooks. The movie details Wilder’s relationship with his wife, Gilda Radner, the late comedienne, and his challenges with Alzheimer’s disease.

The film was directed by Ron Frank and Glenn Kirschbaum.

Discussion leader will be Alex Rabinowitz of Mopco and Pop Culture Brain.

The schedule for the season includes:“Soul of a Nation” on Sunday, Oct. 5, 7 p.m.; “The New Jew — Days of War” on Sunday, Oct. 19, p.m.; “Adventures of a Mathematician” on Saturday, Nov. 8, 7 p.m.; “Greener Pastures” on Saturday, Dec. 6, 7 p.m.; “Saul & Ruby’s Holocaust Survivor Band” on Saturday, Jan. 24, 7 p.m.; “Pink Lady” (shown on Zoom) Thursday to Sunday, Feb. 12 through 15, Discussion Feb 15, 7 p.m.; “This is My Mother” on Sunday, March 22, 7 p.m.; and “999: The Forgotten Girls” on Sunday, April 26, 7 p.m.

Members and non-members of the SJCC may purchase a festival pass for $95. JCC members will receive a $45 discount per person. Single price tickets are $7 for JCC members and $13 for guests.

Information about the Film Festival and tickets may be obtained at .

Local

Events

[Past event] The SJCC slates ‘Remembering Gene Wilder’ as first in film festival lineup

The SJCC’s 2025-26 Film Festival opens Sept. 7 with ‘Remembering Gene Wilder,’ the first of nine carefully curated films across the season.

Awards & Honors

Capital District

Film

Holocaust

The Jewish World Team

Aug 28, 2025

2

mins read time

Published by

The Jewish World

Copy Website URL

GENE WILDER

Editor’s note: This event has already taken place.

SCHENECTADY– The Schenectady Jewish Community Center (S.J.C.C.) Film Festival 2025-26 season is slated to begin with “Remembering Gene Wilder” on Sunday, Sept. 7, at 7 p.m. The festival will feature nine monthly films through April, most shown at the Center, 2565 Balltown Rd., Schenectady.

“Each year, we thoughtfully curate the finest documentaries, narratives, and international award-winning films that explore the Jewish experience, and this year is no different,” said Judy Ben-Ami, S.J.C.C. cultural and adult programming director. “We also have some incredible guest experts that will be joining us at each film showing to discuss the film’s themes with the audience.”

The 90-minute documentary, “Remembering Gene Wilder,” relates the biography of Gene Wilder, born Jerome Silberman to a Jewish family in Milwaukee, Wisc. The comedic actor was known for performances in such movies as the original “The Producers,” “Willy Wonka and The Chocolate Factory,” “Blazing Saddles” and “Young Frankenstein.” The documentary is packed with clips, and features reflections from friends like Mel Brooks. The movie details Wilder’s relationship with his wife, Gilda Radner, the late comedienne, and his challenges with Alzheimer’s disease.

The film was directed by Ron Frank and Glenn Kirschbaum.

Discussion leader will be Alex Rabinowitz of Mopco and Pop Culture Brain.

The schedule for the season includes:“Soul of a Nation” on Sunday, Oct. 5, 7 p.m.; “The New Jew — Days of War” on Sunday, Oct. 19, p.m.; “Adventures of a Mathematician” on Saturday, Nov. 8, 7 p.m.; “Greener Pastures” on Saturday, Dec. 6, 7 p.m.; “Saul & Ruby’s Holocaust Survivor Band” on Saturday, Jan. 24, 7 p.m.; “Pink Lady” (shown on Zoom) Thursday to Sunday, Feb. 12 through 15, Discussion Feb 15, 7 p.m.; “This is My Mother” on Sunday, March 22, 7 p.m.; and “999: The Forgotten Girls” on Sunday, April 26, 7 p.m.

Members and non-members of the SJCC may purchase a festival pass for $95. JCC members will receive a $45 discount per person. Single price tickets are $7 for JCC members and $13 for guests.

Information about the Film Festival and tickets may be obtained at .

Local

Events

[Past event] The SJCC slates ‘Remembering Gene Wilder’ as first in film festival lineup

The SJCC’s 2025-26 Film Festival opens Sept. 7 with ‘Remembering Gene Wilder,’ the first of nine carefully curated films across the season.

Awards & Honors

Capital District

Film

Holocaust

The Jewish World Team

Aug 28, 2025

2

mins read time

Published by

The Jewish World

Copy Website URL

GENE WILDER

Editor’s note: This event has already taken place.

SCHENECTADY– The Schenectady Jewish Community Center (S.J.C.C.) Film Festival 2025-26 season is slated to begin with “Remembering Gene Wilder” on Sunday, Sept. 7, at 7 p.m. The festival will feature nine monthly films through April, most shown at the Center, 2565 Balltown Rd., Schenectady.

“Each year, we thoughtfully curate the finest documentaries, narratives, and international award-winning films that explore the Jewish experience, and this year is no different,” said Judy Ben-Ami, S.J.C.C. cultural and adult programming director. “We also have some incredible guest experts that will be joining us at each film showing to discuss the film’s themes with the audience.”

The 90-minute documentary, “Remembering Gene Wilder,” relates the biography of Gene Wilder, born Jerome Silberman to a Jewish family in Milwaukee, Wisc. The comedic actor was known for performances in such movies as the original “The Producers,” “Willy Wonka and The Chocolate Factory,” “Blazing Saddles” and “Young Frankenstein.” The documentary is packed with clips, and features reflections from friends like Mel Brooks. The movie details Wilder’s relationship with his wife, Gilda Radner, the late comedienne, and his challenges with Alzheimer’s disease.

The film was directed by Ron Frank and Glenn Kirschbaum.

Discussion leader will be Alex Rabinowitz of Mopco and Pop Culture Brain.

The schedule for the season includes:“Soul of a Nation” on Sunday, Oct. 5, 7 p.m.; “The New Jew — Days of War” on Sunday, Oct. 19, p.m.; “Adventures of a Mathematician” on Saturday, Nov. 8, 7 p.m.; “Greener Pastures” on Saturday, Dec. 6, 7 p.m.; “Saul & Ruby’s Holocaust Survivor Band” on Saturday, Jan. 24, 7 p.m.; “Pink Lady” (shown on Zoom) Thursday to Sunday, Feb. 12 through 15, Discussion Feb 15, 7 p.m.; “This is My Mother” on Sunday, March 22, 7 p.m.; and “999: The Forgotten Girls” on Sunday, April 26, 7 p.m.

Members and non-members of the SJCC may purchase a festival pass for $95. JCC members will receive a $45 discount per person. Single price tickets are $7 for JCC members and $13 for guests.

Information about the Film Festival and tickets may be obtained at .

Sign In

Sign Up

Sign In

Sign Up

Sign In

Sign Up

Sign In

Sign Up

[Past event] The SJCC slates ‘Remembering Gene Wilder’ as first in film festival lineup

The Jewish World Team

[Past event] The SJCC slates ‘Remembering Gene Wilder’ as first in film festival lineup

The Jewish World Team

[Past event] The SJCC slates ‘Remembering Gene Wilder’ as first in film festival lineup

The Jewish World Team

[Past event] The SJCC slates ‘Remembering Gene Wilder’ as first in film festival lineup

The Jewish World Team

Related News

Schenectady Jewish Community Center names Ilene Friedman as board president

Historian Paul Lear to review “Where the Holocaust Came to America,” at Beth Shalom

Bronfman Fellowship CEO talks funding beyond a single donor

Schenectady Jewish Community Center names Ilene Friedman as board president

Historian Paul Lear to review “Where the Holocaust Came to America,” at Beth Shalom

Bronfman Fellowship CEO talks funding beyond a single donor

Columbia County Jewish Fest to feature music, family activities at Hudson’s Riverfront Park