Set in Jerusalem, this gripping documentary exposes the harmful practices of so-called conversion therapy from within. Director Zvi Landsman compassionately follows the lives of two gay men—Lev (54) and Ben (23)—who underwent conversion therapy and end up testifying before the Knesset about whether or not conversion therapy practices should be made illegal. Lev, a divorced ultra-Orthodox Jew, clings to conversion therapy because it provides the only space where he can be openly gay within a community. In contrast, Ben, seven years into conversion therapy, comes to understand that conversion therapy is extremely harmful, and despite discrimination and alienation from his family, he sets out on a journey of self-discovery and self-acceptance. Featuring footage from one-on-one and group sessions, this documentary is an unprecedented exposé of this abusive, tragic and terrifying practice in ultra-Orthodox Jewish communities in contemporary Israel. Winner of Special Jury Award at Doc Aviv Film Festival.

Tuesday, February 7, 7:00pm – 8:00pm

Dr. Clint Nowicke, he/him/his, a Psychologist specializing in gender-affirming care and trauma work with LGBTQ+ individuals will join us for this special programming. Dr. Nowicke will discuss the traumatic impact of conversion therapy, and the overall psychological considerations of the LGTBQ+ community. Our moderator is Bonnie McCullagh, she/her/hers.

In this riveting and joyous film, Academy Award-nominated filmmaker Daniel Raim captures the humor and drama of director Norman Jewison’s brilliant vision to recreate the lost world of Jewish life in Eastern Europe while telling a universal story about the importance of family and the fragility of tradition in his iconic musical Fiddler on the Roof. Narrated by Jeff Goldblum, this film draws on behind-the-scenes footage and never-before-seen stills as well as original interviews with Norman Jewison and his key collaborators, including lyricist Sheldon Harnick, lead actor Topol, production designer Robert Boyle, and many others. They illuminate the untold story behind the making of Fiddler on the Roof, Jewison’s favorite movie.

 Winner of best documentary at Atlanta Jewish Film Festival; Winner of Best Film at Houston Jewish Film Festival; Best Documentary at RiverRun International Film Festival.

Sponsored by Susan and Jeffrey Callen    

In this sophisticated animated feature, a dark family secret is revealed unexpectedly and opens an abyss between two close friends. Jennifer, a German black woman, discovers that she is the granddaughter of a notorious Nazi commander, a shocking discovery which has the potential to destroy her 22-year friendship with Noa, an Israeli Jew.

Winner of Best Short Film at Jerusalem Jewish Film Festival; Winner of Best Short Documentary at Centre Film Festival.

Ultraorthodox Feigi and Naftali are a young childless couple living with Naftali’s parents. Naftali travels to Ukraine to pray at Rabbi Nachman’s grave for a child. During Naftali’s absence Rabbi Eliyahu, the barren healer, is invited to stay for the holiday with the family. Abusing Feigi’s trust and desire for a child he forces himself on her claiming it is divinely sanctioned as part of her treatment for barrenness.. When Naftali returns, the couple face a difficult crisis, which raises fundamental questions about faith and trust.
Best Full-Length Feature Film Nominee at Jerusalem Film Festival.

Meir and Tova are an upper-middle-class Sephardic couple, seemingly resigned to live out the rest of their semi-retirement in the banal comforts of an upscale apartment complex in a Tel Aviv suburb. When Itsik, a sexy bachelor from Miami, moves into the building’s penthouse, their lives are gleefully upended. Energized by their newfound friendship with Itsik, Meir and Tova undergo personal transformations, but will their relationship as a couple be a casualty of expressing their individual desires? Taking inspiration from his own family, director Moshe Rosenthal focuses on the Sephardic middle class, largely underrepresented in Israeli cinema, as he explores issues of identity: masculinity, the institution of marriage, social status, narcissism and conformity. Karaoke is an optimistic portrait of midlife self-discovery, laced with poignant wisdom and barbed humor.
Opening Film at San Francisco Film Festival; Winner of Best First Film at Jerusalem Film Festival; Winner of Best Screenplay at Raindance Film Festival.

Hebrew, English, Arabic
58 minutes

Referred to as “the Israeli Faulkner” by the New York Times, A.B. Yehoshua was one of the greatest contemporary Israeli writers. In this incisive biography, director Yair Qedar follows the 84-year old writer as he reflects on the final stage of his life. Widowed and suffering from ill health, Yehoshua keeps writing despite his insistence that he no longer wants to. Still possessing a clear-eyed perspective, Yehoshua discusses his complicated heritage (Sephardic father and Moroccan mother) and his belief that both Jews and Arabs are paralyzed by the past. Despite his declining health, Yehoshua remains wholeheartedly engaged with the world and continues to be a source of inspiration.

Special virtual event on Sunday 2/12 at 1 p.m.

Sponsored by The Naanmani Memorial Fund for Jewish Culture