“Create an environment where getting help and discussing suicide is something we do before a life is lost and not after.”

— Dexter A. Daniels

Our educational programs

Putting the pieces back together after losing a child to teenage suicide is a life-long process that doesn’t have to be faced alone. Shanee Epstein has created a series of programs, that include a screening of a film about her son Ezra and losing him to teen suicide, to highlight mental health issues that focus on depression and suicide.

Shanee Epstein, an educator for over 40 years, will work with you to create a program for your community. 

Exhibits, talks, and screenings can be adapted to fit your programming needs. Please fill out our contact form below, and we will connect with you to determine which of our offerings will best serve your needs.

All funds raised support our suicide education programs.
Reduced pricing available, if needed. 
Contact us for more info.

  • Start a powerful conversation. Ezra(z”l) May His Memory Be For a Blessing is a heartfelt film that opens the door to profound discussions.

    With a runtime of 72 minutes, this film offers a compelling narrative that leaves a lasting impact and facilitates difficult but essential conversations about teen suicide. Our screenings, accompanied by engaging Q&A sessions, extend the experience to approximately two hours.

    These screenings can be customized to complement various educational modules. Contact us using the form below, and our team will work with you to tailor the program to your specific needs. Let's come together to address this important issue.

  • One year after Ezra's passing, Shanee curated an art exhibit that seamlessly melds her son's artistry with her own, capturing the essence of their mother-son relationship amidst intense loss and grief. Mother and Son: A Journey of Art, Love, and Loss is a poignant showcase of the aftermath of loss.

    Ezra's artwork serves as a portal to draw closer to his spirit. As a gifted naturalist, he spent countless hours meticulously capturing life's beauty on paper. Shanee’s works, on the other hand, offer a glimpse into the overwhelming sorrow that accompanied the loss of her beloved son.

    This exhibit serves as more than just an art display; it creates a meaningful environment for fostering ongoing conversations and contemplations. It is a powerful catalyst for shedding light on the subject of teen suicide and the profound impact it has on families and communities.

    Installations are accompanied by an artist talk from Shanee, and can be paired with a screening of the film, Ezra(z”l) May His Memory Be For a Blessing. Contact us using the form below, and our team will work with you to tailor the program to your specific needs.

  • Putting the pieces back together after losing a child to teenage suicide is a life-long process that doesn’t have to be faced alone. Watching the movie together, with other people who have lost loved ones to suicide, can provide an opportunity for healing conversations.

    The film is now available online for rental. Go here to see all the rental the options.

Speaker Bios

  • Shanee Epstein

    Shanee has a unique relationship to suicide. 12 years ago, her son Ezra—just a month shy of his 17th birthday, took his life. Shanee has also made 3 attempts on her life. She understands suicide from both sides.

    As an educator of 40 years, Shanee has a keen understanding of learning. She asks the right questions and listens well. As an artist, Shanee uses collage, a very friendly medium, to create conversation.

    In Brooklyn, NY, Shanee earned her MFA at Pratt and in 2005 cofounded 440 Gallery, still a thriving Artist space 17 years later! Shanee now splits her year between Deerfield, MA and Yafo, Israel. Shanee lives and believes in living life with joy, connections and gratitude.

  • Walter Schlomann

    Walter is an award-winning filmmaker and speaker. He has filmed and collaborated with rock stars and rabbis, philanthropists and teachers, mermaids and kangaroos, and believes in the power of recounting life-stories. He created Life-Stories Sharing, a dynamic, participatory story-telling program for seniors, and is the founder of Heritage Media Group, a boutique video company that creates custom made biographies that preserve family stories for future generations.

    Walter is a friend of Shanee and Moshe, and not only knew Ezra, but was fortunate to receive Ezra's deep felt hugs. Making this film about Ezra and his loving circle of family and friends, and the issues revolving around teen suicide and mental health, has been extremely meaningful, consuming, emotional, and challenging - and one of the most important and gratifying projects he's ever been a part of.

  • Moshe Weidenfeld

    Moshe is Ezra's father, conceiver of this film, musician and educator.

    Moshe grew up in a musical family in Massapequa NY and moved to Amherst, MA at age 11, where he had the opportunity to learn and in many cases perform with such great musicians and educators such as Roland Wiggins, Dr. Billy Taylor, Archie Shepp, Max Roach and Ray Copeland and others. Moshe taught in NYC for over 30 years, and is one of the authors of the NYC Dept. of Education ‘Blueprint for Teaching and Learning in Music’.

    Moshe splits his time between Deerfield, MA and Yafo, Israel. In Deerfield he spends a lot of time walking in the woods with his friend George and hanging out with Rafi. In Yafo, Moshe can often be found walking on the beach, scooting around Tel Aviv, visiting with family and exploring Israel with Shanee.

Please fill in our contact form to get in touch about working together.