Don’t forget the Jewish Book Festival – flip your brochure over!
November 9-15, 2020 Virtual Home Edition
stljewishfilmfestival.org A program of the Jewish Community Center
Celebrating 25 Years!
HELLO, MOVIE LOVERS! This has been an unusual year; however, we are now able to offer a wonderful selection of films online, so you can watch them in the comfort of your own home! We plan to make the 25th Festival incredibly special by offering a terrific array of documentaries and feature films from around the world. What a great way to honor the memory of Natalie Kauffman, our wonderful Film Selection Committee Chair. How pleased Natalie would be to know that the Festival will go on…virus or no virus! While the films will be available live to view, we hope you will also watch and participate in our numerous film discussions, featuring many of the film’s producers, directors, and authorities in pertinent fields. Plus, you can now purchase an All-Access Pass…something we could not do in an actual theatre setting. So, get your popcorn ready, slide into your favorite slippers, find that perfect place on the couch and join us for this wonderful movie-going experience! Marilyn K. Brown, Jeffrey Korn, Paula Sigel Co-Chairs
VIRTUAL FESTIVAL INFORMATION The Festival’s complete lineup of features and documentaries will be available to view on demand at any time from November 9-15. Once a ticketholder begins watching a program, access to it remains available for 48 hours and must be completed by the end of the festival. Live, Zoom Q&As with filmmakers, documentary subjects and local speakers will accompany many of the programs so it is recommended you view the film by that time. Q&As are free of charge.
FILM VIEWING INFO All films and programs will be purchased and shown via our special viewing platform, events.jccstl.com Once you purchase a ticket or pass, you will be emailed information on how to unlock films for viewing during the week of the festival. Complete info can also be found on stljewishfilmfestival.org
Festival tech support is available online! Don’t be nervous about watching films at home. We’re here to help. We will also offer live technical support during the Festival week.
TICKETS Individual movie tickets are $14. One purchase is valid for your entire household. All-Access Passes are $95 and provide access to all 12 films! For a two-person household, this is more than a $325 value. Purchase tickets at stljewishfilmfestival.org. • Some films are “geo-blocked” which can limit the viewing area to the Missouri and Illinois region. • Despite being virtual, it is possible for a film to sell out, so please purchase your tickets early. • For more information call 314.442.3179 314.442.3179 | stljewishfilmfestival.org
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FIDDLER: A MIRACLE OF MIRACLES USA • English Director: Max Lewkowicz Documentary: 92 minutes
TRADITION!...A musical that changed the world… Learn how this singular icon of the stage and screen was born, triumphed and continues to resound. In the halfcentury since its premiere, Fiddler on the Roof has had an unprecedented global impact, beloved by audiences the world over. See excerpts of it everywhere…from suburban middle schools in Nebraska to grand state theaters in Japan. Featuring interviews with Joel Grey, Lin Manuel Miranda, and original lyricist Sheldon Harnick. Sponsored by Aurelia Konrad Charitable Foundation, Howard N. Lesser, Merle & Marty Oberman and Laurie & Lee Wielansky
Film Discussion
Monday, November 9 at 7:00pm Led by Mike Isaacson, MUNY Artistic Director and Executive Producer
CRESCENDO
Germany • English and Hebrew/Arabic/German with English subtitles Director: Dror Zahavi Feature: 102 minutes The power of music… No sooner does renowned conductor Eduard Sporck agree to form an Israeli-Palestinian youth orchestra than he is drawn into a tempest of raw emotions. The young musicians, impacted their entire young lives by war, suppression and the constant risk of terrorist attacks, align behind their best violinists – the Palestinian Layla and the Israeli Ron – forming two columns of mistrust that are manifested both on and off the stage. Can Sporck convince these talents to set aside their hatred and make music instead of war? Sponsored by Harvey Kornblum Foundation
Film Discussion
Tuesday, November 10 at 7:00pm Led by Michael Ochs, creator of The Pursuit of Harmony, an interfaith project which shows, through music and hope, that friendship between Jews and Palestinians is possible. 3 | 25th St. Louis Film Festival
THE SPY BEHIND HOME PLATE USA • English Director: Aviva Kempner Documentary: 101 minutes
An unknown Jewish hero… Here is the first feature-length documentary to tell the real story of Morris “Moe” Berg, the enigmatic and brilliant Jewish baseball player turned spy. Berg played in the major leagues during baseball’s Golden Age in the 1920s and 1930s. But few people know that he also worked for the Office of Strategic Services (OSS), spying in Europe and playing a prominent role in America’s efforts to undermine the German atomic bomb program during WWII. His life is explored through rare historical footage and photographs as well as interviews with an All-Star roster of celebrities from the world of sports, spy craft, and history. Sponsored by Lindsay & Norman Druck and Sue Matlof, Gail Glaser, Nancy & Ken Kranzberg, Stacy & Greg Siwak and USA Mortgage
Film Discussion
Wednesday, November 11 at 7:00pm Led by Aviva Kempner, writer, director and producer of The Spy Behind Home Plate.
GOLDA
Germany/Israel • English/Hebrew with English subtitles Directors: Sagi Bornstein, Udi Nir, Shani Rozanes Documentary: 88 minutes A riveting portrait of “the queen of the Jewish people”… During her turbulent 5-year tenure, Golda Meir, idolized globally but often reviled in Israel, confronted unthinkable domestic and international challenges. Shortly before her death, she was interviewed for Israeli television. After shooting ended, the cameras kept rolling, recording an intimate talk with the first and only woman ever to rule Israel. As she lit one cigarette after the other, she spoke freely, pleading her case for her turbulent term as Prime Minister. Sponsored by Consulate General of Israel to the Southeast
Film Discussion
Thursday, November 12 at 7:00pm Led by Anat Sultan-Dadon, Consulate General of Israel to the Southeast
LOVE IN SUSPENDERS
Israel • Hebrew with English subtitles Director: Jorge Weller Feature: 98 minutes Delightful…laugh-out-loud funny… When absent-minded widow, Tami, accidentally hits 70-year-old widower, Beno, with her car, the last thing on her mind is love and romance. Trying to ensure Beno will not sue her, she invites him over to her apartment. Against her wishes, and still talking to her husband, now dead for a few years already, Tami and Beno fall for each other. Will their budding relationship survive? A charming romantic comedy for the young and young at heart. Sponsored by Judith Gall
GOOD THOUGHTS, GOOD WORDS, GOOD DEEDS: THE CONDUCTOR ZUBIN MEHTA Germany • English/German and Italian with English subtitles Director: Bettina Ehrhardt Documentary: 89 minutes
Chutzpah…and class… Born in India, Zubin Mehta has conducted philharmonics the world over, but he is most identified with the Israel Philharmonic, where he serves as Music Director for Life and the nation’s face of cultural excellence. Filled with stirring performances, and interviews with friends, family and colleagues, this globe-trotting biography is a magnificent tribute to an artistic virtuoso and true believer in the international language of music. Above all, the film touts Mehta’s graciousness, absence of ego, and love and trust in his musicians. Sponsored by Elaine & Jeffrey Korn
HOLY SILENCE
USA • English/Italian with English subtitles Director: Steven Pressman Documentary: 72 minutes A damning failure of moral authority… The Catholic Church’s response to the Holocaust is re-examined through historic footage, rare documents and contemporary interviews. Pope Pius XI denounced the anti-Semitism taking hold in 1938 Germany, but his successor adopted a starkly different position. To this day, the inaction and complicity of Pius XII in dealing with Nazism remains a source of deep controversy. What more, if anything, might the Church have done to stop Hitler’s Final Solution? This timely exposé examines all sides of this hotly debated topic. Sponsored by Kuhn Foundation
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Film Discussion
Friday, November 13 at 2:00pm Led by Steven Pressman, director of Holy Silence
PARIS SONG
WHEN HITLER STOLE PINK RABBIT
A beautiful and unlikely friendship… An unknown musician is representing the Soviet Union in 1925’s Paris Expo. Amre Kashaubayev is a traditional singer from rural Kazakhstan, who steals the show every time he performs but remains an outsider in high-culture Paris. He forms a quick friendship with two American Jews, George Gershwin and Irving Berlin, and he begins a flirtation with the beautiful photographer, Lee Abbott. Based on the true story of a Kazakhstani folk hero, the film illuminates how talent and determination can overcome adversity within a repressive regime.
Gentle…engrossing… 9-year-old Anna, a precocious German-Jewish girl, is too busy with schoolwork and friends to notice Hitler’s face glaring from posters all over 1933 Berlin. But when her father suddenly vanishes, and the family is secretly hurried out of Germany, Anna and her brother, Max, begin to understand life will never be the same. What follows is a courageous adventure full of fear and uncertainty as the family navigates new lands and copes with the challenges of being refugees. Based on Judith Kerr’s semiautobiographical bestselling children’s novel.
USA/Kazakhstan/Latvia • English and Arabic/French/Hebrew with English Subtitles Director: Jeff Vespa Feature: 90 minutes
Germany/Switzerland • German/Swiss German/French with English subtitles Director: Caroline Link Feature: 119 minutes
Sponsored by Susan & Bob Bernstein Sponsored by Margie Horowitz
SHARED LEGACIES
USA • English with English subtitles Director: Dr. Shari Rogers Documentary: 95 minutes
Film Discussion
Sunday, November 15 at 7:00pm Led by Shari Rogers, writer, director and producer of Shared Legacies.
A fight for fairness, inclusion, equality… Here is a look at the modern-day alliance…and the dissolution of the alliance…between African Americans and Jewish Americans. It begins with the founding of the NAACP in 1909 and showcases the bigotry and segregation that both groups have faced. There are narrations and testimonies from Holocaust survivors, leaders, advocates, and prominent figures such as U.S. Rep. John Lewis, Harry Belafonte and members of the Martin Luther King family, along with St. Louisans Rabbi Susan Talve and Rev. Traci Blackmon. Sponsored by AARP Missouri and Eileen & Larry Schechter 314.442.3179 | stljewishfilmfestival.org
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INCITEMENT
Israel • Hebrew with English subtitles Director: Yaron Zilberman Feature: 123 minutes A chilling portrait of fanaticism… A chilling psychological thriller expertly dramatizes the political and personal motivations behind Prime Minister Rabin’s 1993 assassination. This watershed tragedy is told through the perpetrator’s eyes. Jewish extremist, Yigal Amir, spans his Yemeni upbringing and failed relationships to radicalization. As peace efforts mount to end the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, the young zealot is egged on by national leaders, religious orthodoxy, and right-wing media…their ultranationalist rhetoric is seamlessly interwoven through archival footage. Sponsored by Gloria & Sanford Spitzer
OLIVER SACKS: HIS OWN LIFE USA • English Director: Ric Burns Documentary: 114 minutes
Awakenings…The Man Who Mistook His Wife for a Hat… An exploration into the life and work of the legendary neurologist and storyteller as he shares intimate details of his battles with drug addiction, homophobia, and a medical establishment that accepted his work only decades after the fact. Sacks draws on deeply personal reflections, as well as nearly two dozen interviews with close friends, family members, colleagues and patients as well as archival material from every point in his life. This film is the story of a beloved doctor and writer who redefined our understanding of the brain and mind.
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Sponsored by Ellen & Dr. Ronnie Gross, Sima & Phil Needleman and The Silk Foundation
We Love Our Sponsors Oscar
Howard N. Lesser Golden Globe
Dorothy & Melvyn Lefkowitz
Aurelia Konrad Charitable Foundation
Laurie & Lee Wielansky
Red Carpet Susan & Bob Bernstein Lindsay & Norman Druck and Sue Matlof Fox Family Foundation Judith Gall
Gail Glaser Ellen & Dr. Ronnie Gross Margie Horowitz Elaine & Jeffrey Korn Harvey Kornblum Foundation
Nancy & Ken Kranzberg Kuhn Foundation Sima & Phil Needleman Merle & Marty Oberman Eileen & Larry Schechter
Stacy & Greg Siwak Gloria & Sanford Spitzer Ultra-Color Corporation USA Mortgage
Two Thumbs Up Edward Balk B’nai B’rith St. Louis Missouri Lodge #22 Marilyn K. & Steven Brown Linda & Nathan Cohen The Delmar Gardens Family Irene Fox & Floyd Emert Diane Fredman
Wilma & Harvey Gerstein Judith & Alfred Goldman Carole & Jay Goldstein Natalie & Neil Handelman Terry & Harvey Hieken (of blessed memory z”l) Joanne & Joel Iskiwitch
Phyllis & Stephen Kamenetzky Michael Karasick-Morgan Stanley Merle & Richard Linkemer Ann S. Lux Jean & Stan Margul Leslie Nackman Mary & Sanford Pomerantz Adinah & Heschel Raskas
The Rubin Family Foundation RubinBrown LLP Helen & Julian Seeherman Pamela Sherman-Brown Paula & Robert Sigel Ruth & Alvin Siteman Patsy & Gershon Spector Karen & Thomas Stern
Mitzvah Sponsors Gerald Bamberger Faith & Corey Berger Judy Berger Barb & Dan Bindler Marla & Ed Cohen Rita Eiseman
Rochelle & Stanley Ferdman Julie & Leonard Frankel Dorette & Ed Goldberg Martin Gordon Alan Korn Nancy & Harvey Lehrer
Tannie Lewin Fund Susie & Steven Lowy Lucy Lopata Transportation Fund Frances & Charles Mannis Shirley Mosinger Hessie & Barry Needle
Judy & Stan Plocker Leslie & Jake Reby Helen & Dr. Cary Stolar Janet Weinberg Leslie & Harvey Wolf Judith & Gerald Zafft
Co-Sponsoring Organizations AJC ADL Heartland Center for Jewish Learning Central Reform Congregation Congregation B’nai Amoona Sisterhood Congregation Shaare Emeth Congregation Temple Israel The Harris-Newman Fund International Institute of St. Louis Jewish Community Relations Council
Jewish Family Services Kol Rinah Sisterhood Miriam School National Council of Jewish Women-St. Louis Section New Mount Sinai Cemetery Association Saul Brodsky Jewish Community Library Shaving Israel Shir Hadash Reconstructionist Community St. Louis Holocaust Museum & Learning Center St. Louis Jewish Light
St. Louis Rabbinical & Cantorial Association Temple Emanuel The Department of Jewish, Islamic & Middle Eastern Studies (JIMES) at Washington University in St. Louis United Cemetery Association: B’nai Amoona Cemetery Chevra Kadisha Cemetery, United Hebrew Cemetery United Hebrew Congregation Women’s Auxiliary Foundation for Jewish Aged (WAF) Young Israel of St. Louis
Our sincere appreciation for sponsorships received after the printing of this brochure. 314.442.3179 | stljewishfilmfestival.org
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2020 St. Louis Jewish Film Festival Committee Festival Co-Chairs: Marilyn K. Brown, Jeffrey Korn & Paula Sigel Programs: Julie Frankel, Tamie Goldenhersh, Jay Goldstein, Jeffrey Korn, Lois Perryman, Paula Sigel, Janet Weinberg 25th Anniversary: Judy Berger, Julie Frankel, Judy Kaplan, Jeffrey Korn, Merle Oberman, Judy Plocker, Marlene Sachs Film Selection: Susy Alias, Dee Berman, Marilyn Brown, Julie Frankel, Oscar Goldberg, Tamie Goldenhersh, Jay Goldstein, Martin Gordon, Ronnie Gross, Kent Hirschfelder, Judy Kaplan, Leon Kravitz, Jerry Kreisman, Harvey Lehrer, Hessie Needle, Merle Oberman, Lois Perryman, Judy Plocker, Claire Powell, Sissy Price, Marlene Sachs, Larry Schechter, Steve Schwedt, Paula Sigel, Patsy Spector, Hillie Ullman, Janet Weinberg Target Marketing: Kent Hirschfelder, Claire Powell, Marlene Sachs Organization Liaison: Hessie Needle, Janet Weinberg Ticket Sales: Susy Alias, Judy Berger, Julie Frankel, Susie Koch, Harvey Lehrer, Merle Oberman, Paula Sigel, Hillie Ullman Jewish Film Society: Marilyn K. Brown, Larry Schechter Raffle: Susy Alias, Jay Goldstein, Judy Kaplan, Jeffrey Korn, Judy Plocker, Steve Schwedt, Paula Sigel, Janet Weinberg Brochure Development: Judy Berger, Marilyn K. Brown, Susie Koch, Marlene Sachs
Staff Director, Cultural Arts: Zelda Sparks Director Jewish Engagement & Adult Programs: Rabbi Brad Horwitz Technical Director: Laura Skroska
Enjoy Films Year Round
Films inspire, entertain, educate and enlighten! Engage in lively discussions post-viewing and more. Call for further details: 314.442.3169
2021 Film Dates
Dates will be announced as Covid-19 conditions allow. $36 for individual • $54 for a couple $18 for students Additional guest tickets $10 per film Membership is tax deductible
CELEBRATING NATALIE
The 25th Annual Jewish Film Festival is dedicated to the memory of Natalie Kauffman who served as the Film Selection Chair since the festival began until her death in the fall of 2019. Natalie searched the world for Jewish films and got to know the filmmakers and distributors from around the globe. We thank her for her knowledge and dedication to the St. Louis Jewish Film Festival.
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