Rosenwald - B

Unrated, 100 minutes

The next time you buy that mower or refrigerator at Sears, you are also buying into the legacy of one of its early leaders, Julius Rosenwald. The engaging, fascinating new documentary "Rosenwald" tells how the wealthy, Jewish CEO would become one of the most unlikely leaders in the Civil Rights movement and champions for racial equality  The movie Rosenwald's story, who never finished high school, but rose to become the President of retail giant Sears, Roebuck and Company. Inspired by the Jewish ideals of tzedakah (charity) and tikkunolam (repairing the world) and a deep concern over racial inequality in America, Julius Rosenwald used his wealth to become one of America's most effective philanthropists and civil rights pioneers. Rosenwald's philanthropy and social activism are not well known today, and not many people are aware that he gave away nearly $62 million of his fortune in his lifetime, and even more after he passed away in 1932. The understated but worthy "Rosenwald" is one of the more interesting documentaries of late, and a nice historical look at one of the civil rights movement's earliest and most unlikely pioneers. Directed and written by documentarian Aviva Kempner ("The Life and Times of Hank Greenberg"), "Rosenwald" is akin to walking through a museum of fascinating artifacts you didn't know existed. Rosenwald, who became super wealthy as head of Sears, would become inspired by Booker T. Washington to channel some of that wealth to build and support numerous African-American schools, shops and teachers throughout the South. Rosenwald funded numerous scholarships and grants to many, including many notable African-American intellectuals and artists such as W.E.B. Dubois, Marian Anderson, Langston Hughes and the late Julian Bond, among many others. "Rosenwald" is filled with many interviews from some of these scholars, as well as many historians, biographers, and family members, along with numerous photographs, illustrations and movies though Kempner overuse of stock footage is unnecessary (thanks, "Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman"). The first part of the documentary spends too much time detailing Rosenwald's rise to business icon at Sears, and becomes more absorbing once it delves into Rosenwald's philanthropy, which is the heart of the film. "Rosenwald" is a low-key but important look at an important figure and may appeal most to historians, but it's still a satisfying portrait of someone whose influence is still felt today.