Washington DC, Unlocked!

WASHINGTON, DC [CHI] — In a paring that goes into the “only in Washington” category, the Motion Picture Association of America’s Private Screening Room played host to a most unlikely gathering.

Black-hatted Shluchim mingled with supporters in the exclusive and upscale space located less than one block from the White House.

More pictures in the Extended Article! (Photos by: Eli Kahan)

In a presentation that included archival films intermingled with statistics, projections and restoration samples, the gathering learned about the archival treasures contained in JEM’s Living Archive, and about the plans for restoration, preservation and access.

Shluchim from across Maryland, Virginia, and Washington DC invited supporters to learn about the unique and historic project. Individuals from across the spectrum were struck by the unique collection and the opportunity of preserving and providing access to its moments. At the event, Rabbi Shmuel Kaplan, Head Shliach in the State of Maryland, said, “This effort to save the Rebbe’s videos and audio for the future is one of the most important challenges facing Chassidim. It is an absolute obligation for us all to get involved in this effort in a significant way.”

Rabbi Levi Shemtov of American Friends of Lubavitch worked with the MPAA’s President Dan Glickman of the to arrange the space.

Top archivists from government and private institutions took part, interested in learning about how one of the cutting-edge archives is facing the challenges of magnetic media deterioration. The Smithsonian Institution, National Geographic Society, United States National Archives, National Institutes of Health, Association of Moving Image Archivists, and the United States Holocaust Museum all took part in the event.