Jewish Cinema: Culture, Community, Conversation
The Jewish Film Festival is a hallmark event that runs throughout the calendar and brings exciting, entertaining, and thought-provoking films
to our community along with a discussion led by an area expert.
Festival pass (9 Films): $85, $45, JCC Member discount ($87.55, $46.35 when paying with a debit or credit card)
Individual films: $13 $7 JCC Member discount ($13.39, $7.21 when paying with a credit card)
Please Note: Most films are intended for an adult audience
For more information, please call Judy Ben-Ami at (518) 377-8803 or email judyb@schenectadyjcc.org
Beyond October 7: The Story of The Gad Family from Be'eri
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 26, 7:30 PM
2024, 67 Min., Israel, Hebrew with English Translation Three generations of the Gad family physically survived the devastating assault by Hamas on October 7th. This documentary begins just two days after their rescue from the massacre, capturing the family’s painful struggle with shock, trauma, and grief at both personal and communal levels. Every family member copes differently with the aftermath. Despite their fears and anguish, a sliver of hope glimmers in the eyes of each member of their family. As they muster the will to restore the once lush, green kibbutz they fled from under fire, one question remains: Will they ever return home?
The discussion following the hour-long film will be led by Avi Melamed, renown international speaker Avi is a former Israeli Senior Official on Arab Affairs and former Intelligence Official and educator, is today, an Independent Middle East Strategic Intelligence Analyst, Regional Expert and lecturer specializing in the current affairs of the Arab and Muslim world and their impact on Israel and the region.
Reserve your Film Tickets: Here
$7 JCC Member, $13 Guests, Refreshments are included ($7.21, $12.36 when paying with Credit Card)
The Film Festival is sponsored by The Jewish Federation of Northeastern NY. The festival was also made possible through the generous support of the JCC Friends of the Arts, the Epstein Jewish Cultural Fund, Meyer and Mary Kurland/Gebell Fund, Jonas and Edith Fleminberg Jewish Cultural Fund, and The Jewish World.
Next Film:
STAY WITH US
Saturday, November 16, 7:30 PM
Discussion Leader: Rabbi Rafi Spitzer
2023, 93 min., France, French with English subtitles
French-Jewish entertainer Gad Elmaleh (one of France’s best-loved comedians) takes a journey of spiritual discovery in this poignant, warmly humorous self-portrait. Fusing fictional and autobiographical elements, Elmaleh directs and stars alongside his Jewish-Moroccan actual family in this religious “coming out.” Harboring a crisis of faith, Gad returns home to Paris after some years in America. When his bewildered parents discover a figurine of the Virgin Mary in his suitcase, he is forced to admit his secret — and for them, it's a nightmare. Delicately facing a difficult topic, this affirmation of faith and family features many moving, semi-improvised performances.
Stay With Us puts a unique spin on humanity’s age-old search for truth. Director: Gad Elmaleh
The Film Festival is sponsored by the Jewish Federation of Northeastern NY. This program was made possible through the generous support of the JCC Friends of the Arts, the Epstein Jewish Cultural Fund, Meyer and Mary Kurland/Gebell Fund, Jonas and Edith Flemiberg Jewish Cultural Fund, the Jewish World, and by a grant from the Schenectady County Legislature through its County Initiative Program.
Jewish Film Festival Committee: Erica & Len Berger, Ellen Blake, Art Clayman, Alex Hallenstein, Elaine Klein, Gail Sternstein and Judy Ben-Ami, Jewish Cultural & Adult Programming Director