Now celebrating its 20th year, the Jewish Federation of Northern New Jersey’s annual Israel Film Festival is selling out quickly. Based upon the success of last year’s sold-out performances, this year’s showings, spanning October 31 through November 18, are bound to sell out as well. The films will be shown in various locations throughout the catchment area of JFNNJ to attract viewers from many different communities. Venues include Teaneck, Ridgewood, Wayne, Hoboken and Jersey City.
Suzette Diamond, chair of the Israel Film Festival of JFNNJ, shared, “One of the main priorities of Jewish Federation is to connect Northern New Jersey to Israel, which the annual Israel Film Festival does by screening the best of Israeli cinema. Jewish Federation has demonstrated its commitment to Israeli culture by continuing to add showings throughout the Northern New Jersey area each year. Tickets are selling at twice the pace of last year and we anticipate selling out most of this year’s films.”
Ethan Behring, director of the Center for Israel Engagement, and Joyce Greenberg, program coordinator for the Center of Israel Engagement, explained that the films are carefully selected from hundreds by a consultant from the Israeli film industry as well as a group of 15 lay leaders and supporters. A variety of genres is selected so that the appeal is wide. They include documentaries and dramas, some comical films and some more serious. Last year, a short film produced by the Israeli film school Maaleh was included and because of its positive reception, this year two Maaleh shorts will be added to the full-length features.
The films range greatly in areas of focus. “Scaffolding” deals with an Israeli high school literature teacher who is challenged by an impulsive student for whom he must set boundaries. “Outdoors” deals with a young Israeli couple whose marriage is tested by their move to a new community in the Galilee. “Heading Home” is the much-lauded film about Israel’s national baseball team winning in the World Basketball Classic in Seoul and the challenges they face as Jewish players. A short film, “Getting Serious,” will be added to the “Heading Home” showing.
“The Testament” is a gripping film about an Orthodox historian’s legal battle against Holocaust deniers in Austria. “Beneath the Silence” takes an honest look at the scars left in soldiers returning from Israel’s wars. The humorous short film “Standup” will follow. “Shelter” deals with a Mossad agent on a mission to protect a Lebanese informer. Finally, the much-acclaimed film “The Cakemaker,” which was nominated for eight Israeli Academy Awards, will be presented at two showings.
Israel is a key focus in the work of Jewish Federation of Northern New Jersey. Foremost amongst its goals are deepening the connection between Northern New Jersey and Israel, ensuring the safety and security of Israel’s citizens and fighting and educating against the BDS movement.
To purchase your tickets, go to www.jfnnj.org/filmfestival.
By Pearl Markovitz
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