Jeff Sherr

My primary artistic work today is Stumbling Stones, a solo play that brings the life of Holocaust survivor and civil rights lawyer John Rosenberg to the stage. Stumbling Stones is the place where my Jewishness and my artistic practice meet most directly. The play, John's life, and my work are grounded in tzedakah, tikkun olam, and l’dor v’dor. John’s story demands that kind of telling. His journey—from a childhood steeped in Torah and tradition, through the terror of Kristallnacht, to the Civil Rights Division, and then to fifty years of legal-aid work in the mountains of Appalachia—is a lived expression of Jewish action, courage, and responsibility.

Before returning to theater, I spent more than 30 years as a public defender and training public defenders across the country, teaching not only how to argue cases but how to bring dignity and humanity into courtrooms. I hold a theatre degree from the University of Kansas and trained at the National Shakespeare Conservatory. I continue to perform in the central Kentucky area with local theaters and monthly improv shows with Central Kentucky Improv. I donate my time and artistry to share this story as widely as possible—there is no performance fee. Venues are simply asked to cover travel and related expenses, typically $1,000–$3,000 depending on location and logistics. Venues are welcome to charge admission, and many choose to make a donation to one of the organizations John Rosenberg supports as a meaningful way to extend the play’s message of justice, repair, and community. I’m happy to provide recommendations. For more details about the play, a trailer, and how to contact me to bring the show to you see https://jeffsherr.org/stumblingstones/