Alumni Spotlight: Jack Leichtung '10
Jack Leichtung ’10
Jack Liechtung ’10, a founder of Red Apple Productions, has specific reasoning for highlighting Jewish storytelling: “in this incredibly difficult time, it’s more important than ever to keep [Jewish] stories alive and loud.” In keeping with this stance, Jack has produced the new film We Met at Grossinger’s, a film he describes as “rooted in resilience, inclusivity, and cultural pride.”
We Met at Grossinger’s is a feature documentary that brings audiences back to the heyday of the Catskills and the iconic Grossinger’s Resort Hotel. Built by three generations of pioneering Jewish women, including the famed Jennie Grossinger, the hotel became a symbol of Jewish American identity, inclusivity, and creativity at a time when Jews and other minorities were excluded from much of mainstream leisure culture. Through archival footage, audio reels, animation, and first-hand interviews, the film captures both the vibrant rise and poignant decline of this cultural touchstone, which inspired Dirty Dancing and hosted visionaries like Jackie Robinson, Eddie Fisher, and Eleanor Roosevelt.
There’s an additional excitement—the film has been selected to headline the DOC NYC Film Festival this November for their world premiere. “It’s a huge honor,” Jack says. As to how his experience at Heschel helped him get where he is, he explains, “Heschel’s open and receptive environment fostered artistic expression in ways that left a lasting impression on me, teaching me that ideas—when collectively nurtured—could truly come alive with great teams and collaborators behind them.”
To that end, Jack’s excited to share this meaningful moment in Jewish cinema “with the Heschel community that’s given me so much.” Among the perks are Executive Producer credits for those that want to get involved further in the project. There’s symmetry in the film reaching across the Heschel community; before attending Heschel, Jack didn’t go much farther than East 85th between Park and Lexington—”so enrolling in high school at 60th and West End wasn’t only a unique and eye-opening experience, but also one that expanded my understanding well beyond a square block… the school instilled in me a deep sense of tolerance, open-mindedness, and appreciation for the richness of Jewish culture, values that continue to guide my work today.”
After graduating Heschel, Jack spent a year in Israel with Young Judaea’s Year Course before attending the University of Miami and studying Business Law and Film. Following his roots back to New York, he then pursued his JD at Brooklyn Law School, and has established Red Apple Productions in Manhattan.
“I hope you’ll join me in amplifying We Met at Grossinger’s at its New York premiere,” says Jack, “ensuring that the spirit of Grossinger’s—and the values of community, creativity, and belonging—are honored and shared with audiences far and wide.” He urges anyone interested in learning more or wanting to get involved to reach out to him at jack@redappleprods.com.
