Anita Zucker shares faith, family and culture with CSU Players

Charleston Southern University theater students received more than a visit during their fall play preparations. They listened to life lessons, stories of Jewish culture and reflections on family from Anita Zucker, the Charleston philanthropist whose heart for service and education continues to inspire the CSU Players.

Zucker joined the students to thank them for bringing her family’s story to life on stage with the fall production of “On the Other Side,” expressing deep appreciation for their dedication and sensitivity in sharing a narrative close to her heart.

“Thank you for telling this story,” Zucker told the cast. “It means more than you know.”

During her visit, Zucker spoke openly about her Jewish heritage and the importance of preserving culture through family, faith, and shared traditions. She introduced the students to several Yiddish words, teaching not only their meanings but also their spirit.

Words such as go don, meaning “go pray,” kinder, “children,” vail, “to be proud of someone,” and menshi, “a very good person” filled the room with laughter and curiosity. She explained that teaching these words was her way of keeping the language alive.

“It isn’t really taught anymore,” Zucker said. “But my grandchildren have learned a few words, and that means so much to me. Passing that on keeps a piece of who we are alive.”

She also shared about Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, describing the joy of gathering family together for celebration and reflection. The room grew quiet as she recalled celebrating with her loved ones.

“We come together to remind ourselves of where we’ve been and where we’re going,” she said. “That’s what family and faith do. They give you roots.”

Zucker’s reflections turned to her parents, both Holocaust survivors, whose courage and optimism shaped her life. She said her parents “chose joy,” even after loss and hardship, a lesson she carries in every part of her work and family life.

“I was lucky to know them,” she said. “They believed in joy, in laughter, in love. And I try to live that every day.”

Her connection to that legacy can also be found in Charleston through Ms. Rose’s Fine Food & Cocktails, the restaurant named after her mother. Zucker described the restaurant as both a tribute and a love letter to her family.

“Every person who walks through those doors is welcomed like family,” Zucker said.

Before leaving, Zucker shared one of her late husband Jerry Zucker’s keys to success, a principle she continues to live by and encourages others to live by too.

“Have a sense of urgency and a bias for action,” she said, smiling. “When you care about something, do something about it.”

If you would like to see the story brought to life on stage and learn more about what the CSU Players are creating, performances of the fall play will be held Oct. 23 to 26 in Lightsey Chapel.

Performance schedule:
• Thursday, Oct. 23, at 7:30 p.m.
• Friday, Oct. 24, at 7:30 p.m.
• Saturday, Oct. 25, at 7:30 p.m.
• Sunday, Oct. 26, at 3 p.m.

Tickets:
General admission: $15
CSU students, faculty and staff: Free

Photo:Philanthropist Anita Zucker, third from left on front row, met with the CSU Players during rehearsal for the play “On the Other Side,” written by Professor Thomas Keating and the CSU Players about Zucker’s family.