GI JEWS: Jewish Americans in World War II is the first feature-length
documentary for national public television to tell the profound and remarkable
story of the 550,000 Jewish Americans who served in World War II.
These brave men and women fought for their nation and their people, for
America and for Jews worldwide. Like all Americans, they fought against
fascism, but they also waged a more personal fight—to save their brethren
in Europe. After years of struggle, they emerged transformed, more
powerfully American and more deeply Jewish.
Only 6% of World War II veterans are alive today; 225,000 of them died in
2013 alone. The need for support is urgent—to capture the memories of
America’s remaining Jewish veterans —most in their 80s and 90s—before
they are lost forever. Now is the time to ensure that this great legacy is
preserved for future generations.
GI JEWS will be broadcast on national public television, watched each year
by 217 million Americans. It will also be broadcast internationally, screened
at major film festivals, and distributed on home video. Teachers guides will
be distributed through the PBS Learning Library to more than a million
classrooms. An educational website and a social media outreach campaign
for the film will link veterans and students of history throughout the world.