The Jewish Federation Connecting with Community will screen the film My Italian Secret: The Forgotten Heroes by Oren Jacoby and narrated by Isabella Rossellini and Robert Loggia.

This film details the story of sports idol, Gino Bartali, and other courageous Italians who carried out ingenious schemes to rescue Jews, partisans and refugees from Nazi occupied Italy.  The story of Bartali and the secret network he worked with stands in for the stories of thousands of Italians who risked their own lives to save others from capture and death.

Bartali, like most rescuers, never sought recognition or reward.  Few of those he helped knew his name or what role he played in their rescue.  Film, with a 92 minute run time will begin at 10:45, break for lunch at noon, and complete by 1:15.

This free program is part of the Federation’s Connecting With Community Series and will be followed by a kosher hot lunch. Lunch is a $2 suggested donation for adults over 60 years of age or $7 for all others. Advance reservations are required for lunch and can be made by calling (413) 442-2200 before 9 a.m. on the day of the program.