For more than a decade, Joe Fab has appeared at screenings of Paper Clips and other films, as well as serving as a popular keynote speaker, workshop and seminar leader, motivational speaker, and documentary film lecturer. Below you will find examples of the kinds of groups who have welcomed him, subject areas he has addressed, and endorsements from clients.
Every speaking event is custom-designed in collaboration with the client in order to both meet the specific interests and concerns of the audience and maximize the use of Joe’s presence at the hosting organization. The philosophy is this: if you’re bringing him in, put him to work and “use him up!” For example, if he’s coming to show Paper Clips and speak to your middle school students, let’s create a sidebar event with teachers on creating a class project that gives students the experience of changing the world around them.
Interested? Read on…
Joe Fab has spoken before scores of audiences, representing a great variety of groups, ranging in size from twenty to hundreds, all over the U.S. and around the world:
- Congregations at synagogues, churches and interfaith organizations
- Middle schools
- High schools
- Universities and colleges
- Educational conferences
- Film festivals
- Special film screenings of Paper Clips and other films by Joe and other filmmakers
- Civic groups
Speaking topics have included:
- Paper Clips – lessons from the film; making of the film; Q&A sessions; etc
- “The Power of One” – every child is curious, compassionate and capable and can engage today in shaping his or her own world
- Bullying, using Paper Clips and the Holocaust as a point of departure
- The Art and Science of Making Documentary Films
- Tolerance and Diversity
- Media Literacy
- … and more
A few kind words from educators…
Wow! Thank you so much for the eloquent speech and moving presentation… Paper Clips touched the hearts of our middle grades educators because it showed to all what can happen when middle grades students are actively engaged in crucial issues and human caring… Tapping into the spirit and potential of young adolescent learners is an important part of our message. Paper Clips can be a valuable tool in spreading this message. — Deborah Kasak, Ed. D., Executive Director, The National Forum to Accelerate Middle-Grades Reform
We carried his thoughts throughout the rest of the year… I believe our school climate changed this year as a direct result… our suspension rate has dramatically declined this year and our students are demonstrating more tolerance towards others as indicated by a decrease in bullying… I highly recommend this presentation for any middle or high school program. — Elizabeth Gillingham, Principal, De Portola Middle School
…my highest recommendation… He knew just what to ask to get them to open up and be themselves… I literally had tears in my eyes watching my students interact so closely with a man they had met for the first time just a few minutes ago. — Betsy Sawyer, Groton-Dunstable Regional Middle School
Thank you for making such an inspiring movie and helping to open the eyes of so many people, especially the students and faculty at Seventy-First Classical Middle School.” Scott Pope, Seventy-First Classical Middle School
Your presence on campus yesterday was truly special… thank you for helping us see the world through a more enlightened, thoughtful and open lens… [and] for helping us focus and imagine. — Tom Doar, North Shore Country Day School
Your film and your talk are still talked about in Richmond on a continual basis. We loved having you! — Darcy Adler, Weinstein JCC
Representative examples from the scores of organizations for which Joe has spoken:
AIPAC Events (in Austin, TX; Seattle, WA; San Francisco, CA) – various speeches at AIPAC (American Israel Public Affairs Committee) member dinners and college group events
JCC Forum Series (Richmond, VA) – film screening and discussion in JCC (Jewish Community Center) special event series
Chicago Sinai Congregation – Shabbat service guest speaker, film screening and discussion
Hillel of Tufts University, University of Oregon, Washington & Lee University, George Mason University, the University of Delaware and others – film screenings and discussions, documentary film classes
Interfaith Yom Hashoah Service (Latrobe, PA) – featured speaker for interfaith services
Summit Middle School (Summit, NJ) – media literacy presentation, Darfur project creation workshop, film screening and discussion
SUNY Oneonta Three-Day Session – motivational presentation for education majors prior to their first student teaching assignments; film class on documentary filmmaking; educator discussion on creating student projects; local student group coaching on developing their community project
Rye Middle School (Rye, NY) – film screening, leadership workshop
North Shore Country Day School (Chicago, IL) – film screening and discussion
Bogle Junior High School (Sun Valley, AZ) – motivational presentation for students, workshop with media students
North Carolina Middle School Association – keynote address, workshop on student motivation, film screening and discussion
Tennessee Association of Middle Schools – keynote address, film screening and discussion
Middle School Teachers’ Workshop (Jackson Hole, WY) – workshop leader on student-led projects, film screening and discussion
American Embassy in Kuwait – special cultural envoy for U.S. Dept of State at personal request of U.S. Ambassador to Kuwait, film screening and discussion, lectures at Kuwait University and American International School
Conference on World Affairs (Boulder, CO) – guest panelist (with renowned film critic Roger Ebert, et al.), film screening and discussion
International Film Festival of Kerala (India) – special cultural envoy for U.S. Dept of State, film screenings and discussions
Baltimore Jewish Film Festival – introduced and led discussions for various dramatic feature films
Mexico City Jewish Film Festival – film screenings and discussions
Virginia Film Festival – film introductions, panel moderator (2010, 2011, 2012)
Jackson Hole Film Festival – Iranian/American filmmakers workshop
Film and Television Institute of India – guest lecturer
As well as appearances at:
JCC National Conference (Cherry Hill, NJ)
Palm Springs International Film Festival
North Shore Synagogue (Syosset, NY)
LV Prasad Film and TV Academy (Chennai, India)
Tribeca Film Festival
Seattle International Film Festival
Washington (DC) Hebrew Congregation
Sidwell Friends School (Washington, DC)
Lenore Marwick Jewish Film Festival (Detroit, MI)
Filmfest DC
Washington DC Jewish Film Festival
Jewish Image Awards, (Los Angeles, CA)
Harper College (Pallatine, IL)
Temple Judea (Miami, FL)
Berman Academy (Rockville, MD)
East Meadow Public Library (East Meadow, NJ)
Rotary International (Dunn Loring, VA)
Chennai (India) International Film Festival
Young Israel of Miami Beach (FL) Congregation
South Hills Interfaith Ministries, (South Park, PA)
ACCESS Student Programs (Trevandrum, India)
Hebrew Institute of Riverdale (NY)
Yeshiva High School (Boca Raton, FL)
University of Pune (India)
… And many more!