There is no shortage of clips on social media depicting people tearing down Israeli hostage flyers in public. Now, there is a documentary telling the story.
“Torn: The Israel-Palestine Poster War on NYC Streets,” a film by Nim Shapira, was presented at Yeshiva University’s Belfer Hall on October 30 to an audience that included students, faculty and pro-Israel sticker designers. The event was a joint effort of YU’s Center for Israel Studies, Political Action Club, Jay and Jeanie Schottenstein Honors Program and Rabbi Arthur Schneier Program for International Affairs.
“I was moved to create ‘Torn’ after witnessing the rapid transformation of New York City following the events of October 7,” director/producer Shapira wrote to The Jewish Link. “Posters of kidnapped Israelis began appearing across the city, quickly becoming more than images—they sparked conversations, confronted passersby, and resonated deeply with many, regardless of whether they had ‘skin in the game.’ I wanted to capture how the city reacted, how individuals responded, and how this tragic symbol ignited a ‘paper war’ of its own.”
Discussing the message he wanted to convey in the film, Shapira reflected: “‘Torn’ explores community resilience, the challenges of free speech and the complexities of cancel culture. It highlights the often-surprising intersections of art and activism, raising questions about boundaries and how we navigate differences. The film aims to be a mirror, prompting us to consider our roles in shaping societal narratives and what it means to stand for empathy in a divided world.”
The movie features interviews with hostage relatives Liam and Alana Zeitchik and a number of other figures involved in the story. One such person is Elisha Fine, a YU alumnus involved in producing stickers to further awareness of the hostages. “There was a problem, very practically, with the posters,” Fine said. “They rip easily, they’re made of paper, so we made stickers. We advocate by putting together groups of people that put them up together, and we maintain a community around the putting up of hostage stickers.” In an interview with Izzy Fridman, another leader in the push to make the stickers, and Elior Garfinkel-Selis, co-founder of the Hatikvah Sticker Collective, Fridman said that 350,000 stickers have been displayed.
How did Fine make it into the film? “I did it on a lark. … Nim came up to me when I was collecting posters and said, ‘Do you want to be in a film?’ It happened, and I’m delighted that it did.”
Following the film, Shapira and Fine sat down with YU Mashgiach Ruchani Rabbi Yosef Blau and moderator and Provost Dr. Selma Botman for a discussion and Q&A. Shapira explained that a goal of the film was to show the Jewish/Israeli point of view to non-Jews. He also remarked that the audience was among the first hundreds of viewers of ‘Torn.’
How can the public watch the documentary? “The film is currently screening at festivals, universities and private events,” Shapira said. “For updates on future viewings, please visit www.torn-film.com or follow @torn-documentary on Instagram.” See the aforementioned website for more information on the film, including the December 12 screening at the Temple Emanu-El Streicker Center in Manhattan.
Daniel Brauner is a contributor and former summer intern for The Jewish Link. He attends Yeshiva University and lives in Teaneck. Contact him at [email protected].
