The Immigrant
By Mark Harelik
September 7–8, 2024
LACONIA PUBLIC LIBRARY &
CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH OF LACONIA
In pairing with Fiddler on the Roof, we present a play reading about one Jewish immigrant’s experience arriving in Galveston, TX in the early 1900’s, much like Tevye and his family. Based on the real life experiences of playwright Mark Harelik’s grandfather, The Immigrant explores the experience of those coming to America to seek a better life from poverty or violence in their homelands.
Cast
Haskell Harelik
Joel Iwaskiewicz
Leah Harelik
Laura Iwaskiewicz
Ima Perry
Alex Picard
Milton Perry
Peter Josephson
Guest Speakers
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CLEMENT KIGUGU
SAT GUEST SPEAKER
Clement Kigugu is the Executive Director at Overcomers Refugees Services. Mr. Kigugu has a broad range of experiences in the areas of social service, employment, medical interpretation, and case management.
Clement has diverse experiences supporting refugees, immigrants, and low-income families. Besides English, Mr. Kigugu speaks Kinyarwanda, French, Swahili, Kirundi, Lingala, and other Congolese languages.
Mr. Kigugu also has a decade worth of non-profit experiences in Rwanda, Africa. Mr. Kigugu has a degree in Management from University Libre de Kigali (ULK), Africa, and is a trained and certified medical interpreter.
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Barbara Katz
SUN GUEST SPEAKER
My family's story is etched into the fabric of the American experience. My grandparents, fleeing persecution in Russia, Poland, and Hungary, arrived during the great wave of immigration at the beginning of the 20th century. As a member of Temple B'nai Israel in Laconia, I'm part of the vibrant Lakes Region Jewish community. Having lived in Galveston, Texas, a historical port city that welcomed immigrants, further resonates with my family's journey. My heritage inspires me, and I'm proud to represent the spirit embodied in works like "The Immigrant." This blend of faith, heritage, and the American dream shapes who I am.
