Stumbling Stones Play

08/11/2026

American Bar Association honors civil legal aid champion John M. Rosenberg with 2026 ABA Medal

John M. Rosenberg, executive director emeritus of the Appalachian Research and Defense Fund, was awarded the 2026 ABA Medal, the association’s highest honor recognizing outstanding lifetime service in the law and jurisprudence, during the American Bar Association “Architects of Justice: Lawyers Advancing American Ideals 250th Anniversary Gala” on July 31 at the ABA Annual Conference in Chicago.

Full article at
https://www.americanbar.org/news/abanews/aba-news-archives/2026/08/john-m-rosenberg-honored-with-aba-medal/?fbclid=IwZnRzaATnYm5wZG9mBWZkaWQWUMQJh9uUGt7VnWRqK0fkOdUvIlS_GWV4dG4DYWVtAjExAHNydGMGYXBwX2lkCjY2Mjg1NjgzNzkAAR7Xdq-eDRMtXgc-xlikRH6wntkewMB4FXIjJ_Q9jtHp9GusRtPjCiBXKCU9pQ_aem_PXU640RTOaAhektNdlrHmg

08/05/2026

I need your help spreading the word about these upcoming shows in Lexington on August 9 & 16.

Facebook’s algorithm doesn’t put these posts out as much unless they get shared, liked, and commented on.

So, if you’ve seen the show already, please post to your feed, like this, and leave a comment. Feel free to let people know outside of social media as well, of course.

This will help to let others know about the show and spread John and Jean’s story. Thanks!

Tickets available at

Join us for an unforgettable live performance as Jeff Sheer tells the captivating story of John Rosenberg at The Spot: Lex.

08/03/2026

Congratulations John!

Upcoming performances of Stumbling Stones
Lexington at Aug 9 & 16
Cowan Community Center on Aug 14

Followed by a talkback with John and Jean.

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/stumbling-stones-the-john-rosenberg-story-live-at-the-spot-lex-tickets-1994269356329?aff=oddtdtcreator

08/02/2026

AMERICAN BAR ASSOCIATION HONORS CIVIL LEGAL AID CHAMPION JOHN M. ROSENBERG WITH 2026 ABA MEDAL

John M. Rosenberg, executive director emeritus of the Appalachian Research and Defense Fund, was awarded the 2026 ABA Medal, the association's highest honor recognizing outstanding lifetime service in the law and jurisprudence, during the American Bar Association "Architects of Justice: Lawyers Advancing American Ideals 250th Anniversary Gala" on July 31 at the ABA Annual Conference in Chicago….

"It is really quite miraculous [that] life allowed us to come to this country," said Rosenberg, a Holocaust survivor, describing his family's immigration to the United States from Germany and his matriculation at Duke University, where he joined the Air Force Reserve Officers' Training Corps program, serving for three years in the U.S. Air Force, and later studying law at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Throughout his career, Rosenberg, executive director emeritus of the Appalachian Research and Defense Fund (AppalReD), has helped shape the civil legal aid field and expand meaningful access to justice for people and communities that often are left behind. Under his leadership, AppalReD Legal Aid became a national model for the field, combining impact litigation, policy work and community engagement to advance fairness and economic justice across eastern and south-central Kentucky and parts of Appalachia.

"I'm proud of the ABA. I'm proud of the Legal Services Corp. But probably I'm most proud of the fact that I'm a citizen of the United States of America," Rosenberg said, describing the impact his parents' citizenship journey during his childhood had on him. "I've never forgotten that they kept reminding us how important being a citizen of this country was.

"Today, there are millions of others who would like to have the experience of the Rosenbergs," he said. "So, help those immigrants all you can. Represent them where you can. And do what you can for them," he said.

Full article below

07/27/2026

You're Invited

Cowan Community Action Group, Inc. invites you to join us for a special evening of hospitality, storytelling, and community as part of the Growing Home Community Revival – Instruments of Change Series.

On Friday, August 14, gather with us at the Cowan Community Center for Stumbling Stones: The John Rosenberg Story, a powerful one-man play written and performed by Jeff Sherr.

6:00 p.m. – Community Gathering

The evening begins beneath the hemlocks with Cowan hospitality as we gather around a shared meal of Stone Soup, fresh bread, and a local harvest. Enjoy music, art, conversation, and a clay bead-making activity led by local artist Kirk Banks before gathering indoors for the performance.

7:30 p.m. – Stumbling Stones

Written and performed by Jeff Sherr, Stumbling Stones tells the remarkable story of John Rosenberg—Holocaust survivor, educator, and humanitarian. Through one man's extraordinary journey, the play invites us to reflect on justice, compassion, resilience, and the power each of us has to shape a more hopeful future.

Following the performance, guests are invited to remain for a community conversation as we reflect on John's legacy and consider how each of us can become an instrument of change in our own communities.

This special evening is presented by Cowan Community Action Group, Inc. in collaboration with Appalachian Citizens' Law Center, Rural Strategies, Appalshop, Girl Scouts of Kentucky's Wilderness Road Council, CANE Kitchen, and the Whitesburg Farmers Market.

Admission is free, but seating is limited. Registration is requested.

🎟️ Reserve your seat here:
https://cowancommunitycenter.dm.networkforgood.com/forms/stumbling-stones-registration

We look forward to welcoming you to Cowan for an evening of remembrance, reflection, hospitality, and community.

07/27/2026

One year ago today, I stood on a stage in Lawrence, Kansas and told John and Jean Rosenberg’s story for the first time. I still don’t fully know how to describe what a privilege that has been and how much I’ve learned along the way.

In this first year, I’ve performed Stumbling Stones 17 times, including Off-Off Broadway in New York City with my daugher, Abby, as the stage manager. Seven more shows are already on the calendar, and more are in the works.

Telling this story is what I bring to tikkun olam, using the skills I have to do the piece of the work that’s mine to do. I hope it moves you to do the same with yours.

Stone by stone…