An Article of Hope

Tuesday, November 1 :: 7:00pm
Opening Event:  An Article of Hope
Lafayette Theatre
Guest Speaker:  Joseph Lennox
Sponsored by Rockland Jewish Federation Reporter, Jewish Federation of Rockland County,  and Town of Ramapo, Christopher P. St. Lawrence, Supervisor

Senior/Under 18 Ticket:  $9      Adult Ticket:  $12

An Article of Hope is a film that explores important ideas. It tells the tragic story of the crew of the Space Shuttle Columbia and focuses on a tiny Torah scroll born out of the Holocaust that was brought on board by Israel’s first astronaut. The larger meaning in the story involves universal themes: courage, leadership, promises, and unwavering hope, and is relevant to people of all backgrounds and faiths.

On February 1, 2003, the Space Shuttle Columbia descended towards Earth with seven astronauts on board: six Americans and Ilan Ramon, Israel’s first astronaut. While the Columbia Shuttle broke up and never made it back to earth in one piece, the story and significance of this mission have not vanished. An Article of Hope tells the story of Ilan Ramon, Israel’s first astronaut. More importantly, it tells the story of Ilan’s promise to a friend and colleague, a promise tied to a third story: the story of a special Torah scroll1 from the Holocaust that Ilan took into space.