One, two, three, four.

Get my shoes then out the door.

Five I'm alive, six, seven, eight feelin' great.

Nine, gonna shine, life is good I'm doing fine.

Ten, Gonna do it right then do it again.

Yeah yeah.

I look up to the sky with all the beautiful color but, there's more than just for me so gonna share it with another.

I got to show, to give, let out, I want to sing and shout.

Take a look and see A beautiful morning that turns into beautiful evening.

And together make a beautiful life.

And if you want see, then come along with me.

That's right.

Welcome to Experience Michiana.

I'm show's producer, Kelsy Zumbrun, and thank you so much for being with us as we get out and explore the Michiana area.

We're headed over to Elkhart to find out about mosaic, who is offering all kinds of services to some people in need in the community.

We're also going to Notre Dame to find out about the 15th annual Jewish Film Festival, which is taking place at the Browning Cinema on campus.

But first, also at Notre Dame, we're finding out about a concert series that's happening at the Raclin Murphy Museum of Art featuring Merriman Playhouse.

Well, we're hanging out at one of my favorite places.

And, of course, we have to be a little bit quiet.

But there's nobody here, right?

So, yeah, we get a little bit messy, a little bit noisier, but things are going to be getting noisy and loud here pretty soon.

You guys have an awesome performance concert series that's going to be starting here just this month.

Yes.

So the Merriman Playhouse at the Raclin Murphy Museum of Art is a jazz series we do every summer, once a month.

We have performances from amazing jazz groups around the country and sometimes around the world, all put together by Stephen and Mary Merriman, who are wonderful humans.

And the place to go for jazz at City.

Yeah.

So our first concert is actually May 8th.

Okay.

Starts at 530, goes to 730.

These are always free events.

I love that, and family friendly.

Very family friendly.

I love seeing the littles running around in the grass and they all take place outside.

Oh, that's good to know which given the weather is getting a lot nicer.

Yeah, as a very pleasant, experience.

So maybe, like, bring your lawn chair.

Definitely.

Something is definitely get comfy.

Whatever you need.

Yeah.

We also let's talk about the outdoor space because I feel like definitely that's fresh and new for you guys.

What does that look like?

What does it feel like people are going to be out there this year?

So I jokingly call it the back porch of the museum.

But it is actually officially the Hiller Family Terrace.

Okay.

And it's this amazing patio, that we set up with the, the group is in one section, the audience is in the other.

There's a little hill that folks can sit on.

Again, bring your own lawn chairs, bring your own kind of picnic blanket, and just really get comfortable.

Bring your friends, bring your family.

It's a really casual, really fun atmosphere out in the beautiful Charles Hayes Family Sculpture Park.

And as you do over here.

Yes, absolutely.

And I love that you can bring the family to this.

But, I would say, almost more importantly are important as well is the museum will be open.

That's next to the museum is open until 730 every Thursday night.

And so when we have these jazz performances, we really encourage folks to come in during a break or if they need a break.

We have a selected work of art for each performance.

So there's a way to kind of let the music influence your appreciation of the artwork and vice versa.

So each one is different every month.

We also, this is our 10th year of doing this program with Steven and Mary and so it's a great partnership.

Exactly that.

Again, wonderful humans, great, members of the community and really amazing champions of jazz, and the arts in general.

So we're doing a little bit of a celebratory kind of, vibe.

Yes, yes.

Okay, so a couple special things we have going on.

We have we will have refreshments obviously available for purchase from Ivan's Cafe, our cafe, so you can get sandwiches, caffeinated beverage, things like that.

We are also working with Perry Vine.

And they make amazing leads and wines.

And the really cool thing is they are making a specific wine for the series.

Oh my gosh.

So we are very excited about that.

You can buy it by the glass or the bottle.

So if you have other friends just different, but it's not a tailgate.

So so that's one thing.

And then oh, is, is we're working with them and they're creating special small charcuterie plates that you can purchase so you don't have to bring anything but your lovely self and maybe a picnic blanket, and you can pick up dinner and snacks and drinks and just have a really amazing time.

I love it, I love it.

What a great opportunity that's free here right in our community.

Definitely.

You know, you guys have been open just over a year now.

And you guys did this last year here.

Yes, yes.

Tell us more about that.

Like, what did that look like, what it feel like to have people come into this space?

It's amazing every time just seeing people's response to coming into the space, being able to, like I said, use kind of our backyard, which is the sculpture park.

It's nine acres, so it's a pretty nice backyard.

Dozens and dozens of sculptures.

So just seeing people kind of really settle in and, and treat this museum and the sculpture park like it's their museum and their sculpture park.

And so we really want folks to feel a sense of kind of connection and ownership to this museum.

I love that, absolutely.

And I know one of the questions that we had when we first talked to you guys, you know, last or when I first saw it last year, was a reminder that this museum is open for all.

It is not limited to just Notre Dame students and staff.

This is really a welcoming and yes, for everyone it is.

And we free admission at all times.

We have a ton of programs happening all the time for all ages, adults, young people, everybody in between.

All those are available on our website.

We have an amazing events calendar.

Oh, great.

And all of those are also free.

So we don't want anyone to feel that there are any barriers.

We truly believe that everyone belongs here.

And we love seeing familiar faces and we love seeing new faces.

That's great.

Now, are there any events that people might have to register ahead of time for?

There are a handful, some that are kind of multiple sessions.

But again, all that information is on our website.

We try to make it as easy as possible for folks, I love it.

I know you guys have other stuff that's going on this year too.

Yes.

Museum tours are fantastic.

I love having a guided tour because I can go through very quickly, or I can take my time and take for hours.

Yeah.

What does a guided tour look like?

So there's a statistic, in the museum field where the average visitor takes about 13 seconds looking at a work of art?

Usually, yes.

Which is you might as well be on roller skates at that point.

Okay.

So we try to slow things down.

We try to have conversations with the group, answer questions, ask questions.

So it's really much more of like you are touring or walking through a museum with your friends than it is like a tour guide standing up and telling us exactly what you should think.

So we try to make those again warm, welcoming, casual kind of experiences, but also fun and informative and and kind of hopefully eye opening to one of yours and mine.

Yes.

Faces.

Yes.

Right.

This is one of our favorite.

Reminds of my favorite.

It is definitely there.

It's so bright.

It's so colorful.

You guys have always done just a phenomenal job with how all the artists displayed in here too.

And of course, the rotating galleries, that come and go too.

Okay, there's other stuff that's happening as well.

Storytime.

Is that for kids?

Yes.

Okay.

But I think the adults that come with the kids also get a lot out of it.

Just kind of be honest.

So this is a partnership we've had with the Saint Joseph County Public Library for several years now.

And so a librarian, a children's librarian comes in and we read stories and sing songs and do hand games.

And then we go into the galleries and we look at a work of art, and then we go into our studios and we make a work of art, and it's all thematic based.

It's all about visual literacy and verbal literacy.

And it's just a really fun way for families to be together.

It's not just the kids listening to us and interacting with us, the parents and the families and the grandparents get involved, too.

So it's one of my favorite programs.

And yeah, it's just, one Saturday a month from 1 to 2, again, free.

Yep.

Definitely.

And you guys have do you have studios here?

We do have studios.

And a lot of our programs integrate art making in them.

So a family day or a workshop, there's a lot of hands on.

We try to get, give people opportunities to kind of physically kind of integrate those ideas or inspirations they got in the galleries into their own works.

And even just starting with the summer series, you know, having the performances out there is a great way to open it up to your family, bring them in and show them with that.

The museum is something that, okay, not everybody can touch, but everyone can see, right to do that.

Don't do that.

But come on in.

Yes.

And see what you guys have to offer here.

There's so much, so much to offer here, I love that.

Is there anything else you want to share with us?

I don't think so.

We just love to see everybody spend their summer, at the Raclin Murphy Museum.

Yeah, absolutely.

Well, you guys know where to find it.

Check out the website, get the details on the event calendar, and everything's free so you don't have a reason not to come.

We'll see you here.

So while I'm out here in Elkhart and I'm here with Rachel, who's the executive director of mosaic.

Can you tell me a little bit about what mosaic is and what you do?

Sure.

We work with people with disabilities, intellectual and developmental.

We help them in residential settings inside of their home.

Or we help them, with day program activities, community inclusion, and just helping them be part of the community.

How big of, a desert is it for services like this?

For people to be able to stay in their own home?

Because I know there's a lot of programs where people might go and live somewhere or, or go out to somewhere.

But a big difference is that you try and keep people in your in their actual home.

Always makes a big difference.

And we're at Julia's home right now which we will talk to her in a little bit as well.

But yeah.

Tell me about what the difference is with mosaic.

Okay.

So we do have folks who live in their own homes.

Some of them are even, staffed by their family members, which is a really cool experience.

So those caregivers can get paid for the work that they're doing with their loved ones.

We also have situations like where Julia is, where she shares rent with other housemates who have disabilities.

So that the cost of living is less for them and they're able to remain as independent as possible.

Why is that so important?

I mean, I know it's obvious, but just asking, like it's a big part of your mission.

But independence is really key for people's growth and for them reaching their own potential.

Right?

Yes.

Everybody wants to feel like they are doing everything on their own as much as possible.

No one wants to depend on someone else.

So we provide our services as much in the background as we can so that the individuals guide how much help they need.

We tend to want to over help people as humans, but, our services really stand out because we let people guide how they want to be served.

And for people watching who feel.

Because often when there's somebody in the home with physical or intellectual disabilities, a lot of people just don't know where to turn.

They feel very isolated.

You know, maybe there's a caregiver watching right now.

What are the services that you can really help them?

So say there's, I don't know, a wife watching right now, and she's caring for her husband who might have physical disabilities.

Can can anybody reach out, or do you have to go through a certain program?

Can I just directly talk to you or how does that work?

Yeah, we can help guide people to, how to apply for the waiver or how to get in to our services.

We're definitely happy to help with that.

A lot of it starts at the state.

And, with the Medicaid waiver.

But we can help navigate some of that process because it does get pretty complicated at times.

Yeah, I'm sure it does.

And, you know, do you get inundated with people looking for services or are there an adequate amount of like available services like yours in the community?

We noticed that there are some gaps in services, especially in the ages of transitioning from teen into adulthood, because what do you do next?

Yeah.

And we want to be here to fill that gap.

Well, and I know a huge thing for parents, too, that have children who have physical or mental disabilities is also thinking about what happens when they're no longer here.

It's like the elephant in the room that nobody wants to talk about.

But it's a huge thing for people, as you mentioned, going from children into adulthood because often the children realm is very well covered, and then it drops off a little bit.

Once they get to 18, it's like, no.

Yes, you know, so and we're here for that.

Yeah.

So tell me a little bit about Julia, who we're going to meet as well.

We're going to head inside and meet her.

So is this home?

Is this as you mentioned, it's a shared rent.

Is that something that's owned by mosaic or is it a government or how does that work?

No, this situation is a little unique, but it worked out very well.

Julia's, mom, her her guardian was able to purchase the home.

Okay, so she acts as a landlord in that situation and rents the home to the ladies who live here.

So they all pay equal rent and have equal access to the house.

So very neat situation because housing is something that we struggle with in our area, just trying to find places to rent, that are accessible for our folks.

Now, as you mentioned, Julia has a very unique situation here that our mom was able to act as a landlord, but that's, you know, not in everyone's reach.

So what other kind of housing is there available to people in the area?

So we have some folks who rent apartments, and so they fill out the application and do the same rental that you or I would if we were going to run an apartment.

Same with housing.

Yeah.

And then we also offer another service, the ICF Group homes, which is more of a historical setting that individuals are in.

So those are the five houses that mosaic owns that are Medicaid licensed facilities.

So we do have five of those funds as well.

And is it just we're in Elkhart right now.

Is it just Elkhart County or does it reach out beyond that?

We serve, Elkhart County and, Saint John County, both.

Okay.

Well, I think we should go to meet Julia and just learn a little bit more about the services mosaic is helping her with.

So.

Sure.

Nice chatting with you.

Good to chat with you.

Hopefully there's air conditioning in there, All right, so, I'm here with, Becky and Julia.

Julia, thank you so much for letting us come into your home.

How are you today?

Okay.

You're doing good.

Yeah, I know that later on today, you have an appointment, and then you're going to go to the zoo as well.

Yeah.

So we recently went to the zoo.

I think because you're going this evening, it's the.

It's the Zoo Lumination, which is all the lights that they have their nighttime.

So I think you're going to have a great time.

Yeah, that sounds fun.

Yeah.

It is, it's beautiful.

And, Becky, tell me a little bit about your role with mosaic.

Yeah.

So I'm the community relations manager.

I've been in this role for about six months.

So it's been, one of the most fun set of months.

I've, so my role is, is pretty simple.

I'm relating with the community.

Right.

And so I'm, making, connections, whether it's, churches, businesses, individuals.

And my role is really to make sure that people know who we are.

And as Rachel has mentioned, we're in Saint Joe and Elkhart County.

Yeah.

And, so a lot of people aren't, aren't really aware of mosaic, and that's okay.

We'll change that.

Yeah.

And I have just really enjoyed being able to make those relationships.

Not not just so that they can figure out ways of supporting us volunteering.

Maybe they have a a space that we're able to use for a particular need, but then also for, families that may have somebody, whether it's a family member or a friend who is, in need of some of the services that we can provide.

Yeah.

And sometimes there's a lot more people out there that might need your services but just don't know about it.

Correct.

Or they've tried other organizations, but there might be a weight or things like that.

So, so tell me a little bit about your relationship with with Julia.

Yeah.

So Julia, she is one of my mosaic friends, right?

We first met, well, obviously when I came to to mosaic, so it's not been very long, but we have a lot in common, don't we?

We both play the piano.

Yes.

I learned when I was little.

Yes.

And you learned when you were little.

And so did I. I think, I, I learned, that it wasn't I forgot.

Yes.

Yeah, yeah.

And that's okay.

Some people.

Well, I'm a piano teacher, too, and some people don't use the pedals anyway, so I was taught, but I forgot.

Oh, you were taught.

You forgot?

Yeah.

So what are some of the services that Julia gets through mosaic?

I mean, obviously we talked about living in this home with some other people, but what is it that mosaic does right for you?

Right.

At mosaic, we're able to, facilitate if a family member or guardian wants to be involved in and and take, you know, the individual to their appointment, that's great.

But we also have a team that can make sure that all of those things happen.

So we have a we have a full medical team, here at mosaic, we also are able to facilitate any other, you know, music therapy or behavioral things, all of those sorts of things.

Not that we have them on staff, but we're able to collaborate right with the others.

We also have day program, which gives us a lot of opportunities to have, fun within the community.

So our day program is not we don't have a huge facility where everybody comes in and and enjoys a day together.

We are out in the community.

Yeah.

So we are in the mall, we're going to movies, we're grocery shopping, and we do have a few, places they happen to be churches that have gymnasiums or other spaces that have opened their doors.

And so we're building natural supports and natural relationships and that way, and meeting new people.

So you talk about being out and about and letting people know about it.

And a lot of people don't.

If there's churches or organizations watching and they would like you to come and speak, to talk about what you're doing, how can they get in touch?

Yeah, they just have to email me.

Simple as that.

They can just get in contact with me and we'll make those arrangements.

So.

So, yeah.

Church.

Rotary.

I'm going to be speaking at the Lions Club here in a couple of weeks.

So we love to do that.

Yeah.

Just because you have some kind of difference, it does not mean that you are that much different than you.

And I Right?

We want community.

We want friends, we want options.

And and mosaic really focuses in on that independent, individuality as much as we as much as we can.

Obviously with also keeping our, our folks safe, healthy, and all of those things.

Yeah.

Yeah.

Awesome.

Well, Julia, thank you so much for letting us come into your home this morning.

I really appreciate it.

Thanks.

I feel honored today that we are getting to talk about the Jewish culture and heritage.

And the Jewish Film Festival is coming up.

This is your 15th anniversary of doing this, and what a phenomenal project.

Thank you.

Yes, it's the 15th anniversary of the Michiana Jewish Film Festival.

We've been lucky to partner with Notre Dame and the DeBartolo Performing Arts Center for our entirety of our 14 seasons prior to this year, and this year being our 15th, we have just, a terrific lineup of films in store for the community.

You guys really do.

And thank you so much for having us here.

I know you and I are usually on different stages today.

Which one are we in?

We are in the Philbin, the Regis Philbin Theater, which is a black box that gets used particularly for studio performances.

Okay.

And where all of the actual performances for this going to be taking place.

They will be in the Browning Cinema just across the hallway.

Okay.

Our 200 seat cinema where all of our screenings are throughout the year now, 200 seats.

There's plenty of room for everybody to come and see these.

And you guys, when is this happening?

Because it's not just one day.

No, we get a couple of options.

Yes, indeed.

It's an entire, four days starting May 12th.

Okay.

Each evening, there's, at least one screening there.

One, two evenings there are two screenings.

So Tuesdays and Wednesdays, a double feature.

Yeah, I love it.

All right.

Let's get talking about it.

So first up, what do we have on our first day?

We have a double feature showcase.

We do.

We're showing two Israeli documentaries okay.

The first film, it's part of a double feature that begins at 7 p.m..

The first film is telling Nonie, which is a story about redemption.

An Israeli, officer in the Israeli secret service in the 1950s, wants redemption for a killing that he made, an assassination of a lieutenant in the Egyptian army.

And he is seeking redemption with that lieutenant's now grown daughter.

Oh, interesting.

Trying to reconcile.

You know, what happened?

And it's, an incredible film.

Yeah.

Wonderful, wonderful.

And it's followed up by another Israeli documentary about the, the October 7th massacre of, the Supernova Festival on October 7th.

And, looking at survivor testimonies and seeing how that unfolds through a creative use of miniatures.

So without actually showing violence, where we're able to depict what happened that day.

Yes, it's it's quite a film.

Interesting.

And I do want to point out that one is is called 630, but it's not going to be shown at 630.

Okay.

Just to be clear, in case anybody runs across that that is the name of the film itself.

Okay.

Let's head into day to day two.

We have, starts out at 5:30 p.m. with a finished film called Never Alone, which is about the, you know, a man in Finland, a prominent Jewish physician, I believe, who prevented the deportation or tried to save, Jewish members, okay, community members and Finland from being deported during, during, you know, the when the Holocaust was on, the rise in Nazi Germany was on the rise.

A wonderful film, I'm sure.

Yes.

So following that evening on Tuesday, May 13th at 8 p.m., we are showing a comedy, called Yaniv which is about about, an underground card game that a high school teacher discovers.

Why?

Because, he's looking to raise money for his high school musical.

This card game happens to be in the Hasidic community, Jewish community in Brooklyn.

So.

Okay, it's, it's a hilarious film, a really sweet story.

I think audiences will love it.

And you may be interesting on your guys's web page.

Do you have the synopsis, too, so people can come back and look and see what they might want to attend?

Yeah.

And not only do we have synopses and some information, I will say a lot of these films because they're international or because they haven't been, released in other forms, may not have a rating that people go with.

But there are a lot of websites.

There's a classic one.

Does the dog dot com where you can go and read and kind of give parental advice or just general advice on what you're walking into, if for any reason you think that, you know, you have a child or someone with you who might find something more challenging.

Yeah.

and I should mention that a number of these films are sponsored by organizations in our community.

So we mentioned already never alone.

Holocaust themed drama.

On day three, we were showing a Holocaust documentary called 999 The Forgotten Girls.

Both of those films are sponsored by the Simon Fund for Holocaust Remembrance.

Okay.

Which, works in our community.

Yeah.

Has a mission statement of Holocaust education, Holocaust awareness.

And they partnered with us each year as well.

So that's great.

You know, this being our second Holocaust film of the line up, and it's a documentary about the first transports, to Auschwitz of 999 Slovakian young teenagers.

Wow.

Girls, I'm sure that's going to be a very powerful film, including Survivor Testimony, which it's very powerful.

We can't hear their stories enough, you know, and and we need to hear their stories.

Absolutely.

All right.

And then is there one more that's happening on Thursday?

Yes.

So that one I'm particularly excited about.

It's just another comedy.

So okay.

We love showing comedies.

We love the variety.

But bouncing to a comedy that evening called Bad Shabbos, about it's a, it's a play on a family dynamic of an interfaith relationship where, you know, you're bringing your in-laws to Shabbat dinner, which happens Friday evenings in Jewish households.

Okay.

And sort of that dynamic.

And, you know, some things happen that are kind of interesting.

I won't spoil it.

Don't spoil it.

We got to get people here into the seats talking.

Kyra Sedgwick, Method man, she's, is.

Yeah, just a number.

It's an ensemble comedy.

So it's a great, great film.

Okay, perfect.

And then we are wrapping up as we head into Friday day for Thursday.

Thursday, yes there is.

So Thursday, at 7 p.m., we were showing a documentary called Sabbath Queen, directed by Sandy de Boesky.

The director will actually be in attendance that evening to really give us a Q&A and give us a glimpse behind the film.

That's fantastic.

It is it is.

And that is a documentary about, an enigmatic rabbi in in New York.

Rabbi Amichai lullaby.

I think I'm saying that correctly.

No disrespect, but his journey, and as a, as a queer person navigating, you know, Judaism and and transforming himself, you know, into a leader in his community.

It's an eye opening documentary.

I think our community will enjoy it.

And again, having the director present will allow us to really bubble up some questions at the end that I love us.

Yeah, I love this.

Okay, so people have to get tickets for this, but they you will have tickets still available day.

Correct?

Hopefully.

So if you go to our website Performing Arts that needs you you can find information there.

Okay.

If you Google Michiana, Jewish Film Festival, you will catch you there.

Their site or our site or its.

Okay.

Or you can call our box office at 6 3 1 2800 multiple ways.

And to ensure that you're able to see the movies that you want to check out.

But most importantly, the Jewish Federation has a sponsor that makes popcorn, free to everyone.

Okay, well, now you really got me on that one, and we can't thank our sponsors enough from across the community, from across the broader community.

Our presenting sponsor, Merrill Lynch Wealth Management Cloud, Ruth Roth and Associates, they've been with us a number of years now as our presenting sponsor.

And and we also thank Carrie and Barry Shine, who are, very generous in matching, a number of our sponsorships this year, all of our sponsorships, in fact, and just have a wide variety of community support.

I love that I know it's all going to be in the program itself, too, so people can see everything that you guys have going on, too.

I know we're almost out of time, but you have other stuff coming up here too.

Ricky, just a real quick because we are at the end of our season, we have a couple of screenings that we have to offer performances.

We have Salome and The Barber of Seville, both big productions.

Can check those out.

And then we have two other films to highlight.

We are showing, Pope Francis a man of his word.

And that will be in the weekend prior to, the film festival is just starting up.

Tonight, as it were.

And, that is a documentary by the vendors about, that the Pope sat for and was interviewed.

And it really expands on his view towards, caring for other people and peace and humility.

And so that documentary will run for the weekend.

And we also have a sneak peek of the new live action, How to Train Your Dragon.

Yes.

I'm so excited for that.

May 10th at 10 a.m., and, it's a month before it comes out, and that's free.

Tickets are available an hour beforehand.

We only have 200 tickets, so, so you got to get them.

You got to come early to ensure that you'd have a spot.

All right.

Well, thank you guys so much.

Best of luck to you and your festival.

Thank you.

And, we'll see you here in the seats.

Well, that's it for this week's show.

Everybody.

Thank you so much for being with us.

Remember, if you're out there exploring over the weekend, even you run across something really cool.

Let us know about it.

Hit us up on Facebook and we'll find out if maybe we could share it with the rest of our viewing audience.

Have a great weekend, everybody.

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