The Rehoboth Beach Film Society (RBFS) continues its partnership with the Seaside Jewish community and presents the 9th annual Rehoboth Beach Jewish Film Festival (JFF) from April 10th to 14th at the Cinema Arts Center in Lewes. It will be held at the theater (CAT). The five-day film festival is open to the public and members of the film society. This year's festival program features 11 carefully selected films, ranging from documentaries and feature films to international productions. Several social receptions will be announced soon.
As part of the Film Institute's spring mini-festival season, the Jewish Film Festival showcases Jewish values shaped by the past, along with 21st century contributions in food, culture, philanthropy and faith. This year, the JFF Planning Committee selected four Holocaust documentaries that focus on the experiences of Jewish women and their courage to survive. One of his such titles is “The Vow of Irena,'' which will be released in theaters on April 15th, and will premiere on his CAT on April 10th at 7pm as part of the JFF.
“Now more than ever, the Jewish community understands the importance of remembering its history and continues to reaffirm its faith, work and support for all communities here in Sussex County,” RBFS Board of Directors said Marty Rosensweig, vice president and member of the JFF Planning Committee. “We hope you will find value in the committee’s final selection of such a diverse range of films that touch on the Holocaust from the experiences of women.” , 'Rabbi on the Block' touches on today's Jewish faith. A special thank you to the Jewish Federation of Delaware, our 2024 premier sponsor.”
Tickets are on sale now. JFF tickets are $12 per movie for the general public and RBFS members. Student prices can be purchased at the ticket office. View a complete list of film titles and purchase tickets at https://www.rehobothfilm.com/jewish-film-festival or visit the Society's His CAT Box Office Wednesday through Sunday from noon to 5 p.m. Please visit or call us.
Note: In order to respect the Jewish Sabbath, the Seaside Jewish Community will not host movies on Friday nights and Saturday afternoons.
The confirmed Jewish film festival titles are:
• “Rabbi on the Block” (documentary), Wednesday, April 10, 4 p.m.
“Rabbi on the Block” is a documentary about how a black rabbi unites Jews of all colors. Tamar Manasseh, a charismatic rabbi and community activist from the South Side of Chicago, wants African Americans and Jews to become closer allies. These black Jews like Tamar, who have their feet firmly planted in each of the two communities, are a natural bridge to overcome decades of initial misunderstandings and lack of communication. This 2023 movie was produced in the United States and has a running time of 88 minutes, but there are no ratings.
Former Seaside Jewish Community Rabbi Beth Cohen will lead a discussion with attendees after the screening.
• “Irena’s Vow” (special feature), Wednesday, April 10, 7 p.m.
“Irena's Oath'' is an extraordinary war drama that depicts the life of Irene Gutt Opdijk, a Polish nurse who is rounded up by the German army to be used as slave labor. She is a German army major. She became a housekeeper and risked her life to shelter more than a dozen Jews in a major's home. She was awarded the “Righteous Among the Nations” medal for her amazing courage. ” This 2023 film is produced in Poland and Germany, has a running time of 121 minutes, and is rated R.
• “A Question of Survival” (documentary), Thursday, April 11, 5 p.m.
“A Question of Survival is a compelling documentary about the legacy of the Holocaust in the Balkans, as seen through the eyes and conflicting memories of three Bulgarian-Jewish survivors living in New York.” Chaim Zemacher , cellist. Robert Bakish, engineer. Misha Avramov, a social worker on Manhattan's Lower East Side, lived with his family in Bulgaria during the alliance with the Nazis. After the war, their family moved to Bulgaria. It was not until they arrived in New York and learned the fate of millions of European Jews that the three young men realized how close they were to death. Understanding how they narrowly escaped death camps led them to question the value of their experience and to debate whether they were true Holocaust “survivors.'' '' This movie was produced in the United States in 2023 and has a running time of 55 minutes. It is not rated.
• “Stay With Us” (Special Feature/Foreign Language), Thursday, April 11, 7:30 p.m.
“'Stay With Us' is a heartwarming and charming comedy in which a filmmaker's difficult relationship with Judaism touches on faith, family, and acceptance.” French-Jewish actor and comedian Gad Elmaleh After three successful years of living and working in America, Gad decides to return to his hometown of Paris. He misses his family and friends. , tells Regine and David. However, it didn't take long for his parents to learn the real reason for their son's return. After a long period of ambivalence about his own Jewishness, Gad , decides to officially convert to Catholicism. Stunned by Gad's sudden obsession with the Virgin Mary, and with five weeks left until his baptism, Gad's family abandons him for fear of losing him forever. This 2022 film is produced in France, has a running time of 90 minutes, and has no ratings. It's in French with English subtitles.
• “No Name Restaurant” (Featured/Foreign Language), Friday, April 12, 4 p.m.
“No Name Restaurant is a lively culture-clash comedy about two men of strict faith. Ben, a sect Jew, is sent as a much-needed 10th person for the Pesach ritual. After missing his flight and being thrown off a bus in the Sinai desert, his last hope is with a cranky Bedouin looking for a camel. When their car breaks down, it becomes a matter of their very survival.'' This 2023 film was produced in Germany, has a running time of 121 minutes, and is not rated.
• “Who is Marcus?” (Documentary/Foreign Language), Friday, April 12, 7 p.m.
“'Who is Marcus?' is a moving documentary that reveals the fascinating story of a mysterious Jewish couple on Long Island. The couple's $500 million donation to Israel , the largest single donation in the nation's history, inspiring peace and climate action through water technology. The film meticulously tells the life story of this enigmatic couple, Lottie and Howard Marcus. We learn that they are Holocaust refugees living a quiet life in a modest apartment in San Diego. Remarkably, they have a clear purpose: to advance research in water management. They chose to bequeath their significant fortune to Ben-Gurion University in the Negev. Their underlying desire is to contribute to Israel's regional conflict resolution through innovative water solutions and to play a role in championing peace. This 2023 movie was produced in the United States and has a running time of 88 minutes, but there are no ratings.
• “The Longest Night” (Documentary/Drama), Saturday, April 13, 3 p.m.
“The Longest Night is a powerful documentary that begins just before the second Passover in 1980, when five special forces belonging to the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) breach the northern border fence. , invade the kibbutz Misgab Am. Their goal is to take the kibbutz members as hostages and negotiate the release of the prisoners from Israeli prisons. However, most of the kibbutz residents are unable to attend the concert that night. The community remains partially deserted as special forces target small houses on the kibbutz, believing them to be family residences and dormitories for young children. By the time you realize it, it's too late.'' This 2022 movie was produced in Israel, has a running time of 109 minutes, and has no ratings.
• “Less Than Kosher” (Featured), Saturday, April 13, 6 p.m.
“Less Than Kosher is a musical comedy about Viv, a 20-year-old promising young singer who, at 30, returns to her mother's basement after her music career fails. But when this self-proclaimed bad Jew takes a job as cantor at his family's synagogue, his days are filled with illegal activity, drug trips, tense family drama, self-discovery, and some serious Jewish bop. This movie was produced in Canada in 2023 and has a running time of 67 minutes. It is not rated.
• “999: The Forgotten Girls” (documentary), Saturday, April 13, 8 p.m.
“999: Forgotten Girls'' reveals the hidden story of 999 unmarried young Jewish women who were enrolled as civil servants in what appeared to be a shoe factory and ended up being sent to Auschwitz. This is a powerful documentary. Who were these young women and why were they chosen? How did a small number of people survive for three years in a death camp?'' This 2023 American film has a running time of 87 minutes and is not rated.
Filmmaker Heather Dune McAdam will host a post-panel discussion with ticket holders immediately following the screening.
• “The Story of Annette Zelman” (Featured), Sunday, April 14, 2 p.m.
“The Annette Zelman Story is a romantic drama comparable to Romeo and Juliet, set in 1942. She was Jewish. He was Catholic. Annette and Jean wanted to get married. However, Jean's parents objected. Annette Zelman was reported to the Gestapo by her fiancé's father and sent to Auschwitz. The true story told in the book “Information about Jews under Occupation'' by Laurent Joly. This movie was produced in France in 2022 and has a running time of 93 minutes. Presented in French with English subtitles.
• “The Catskills” (documentary), Sunday, April 14, 5 p.m.
“'The Catskills' is an entertaining documentary about the rise and fall of the Borscht Belt in the 1950s. With a treasure trove of lost and found archive footage and a cast of oratorical characters, 'The Catskills' travels to a storied mountain retreat north of New York City that served as a haven for Jewish immigrants and others fleeing poverty. A luxurious playground for wealthy Jewish families. A stand-up comedian shows off his best swearing, and a former waiter, entertainer and dance instructor tells stories of the family resorts and bungalows that inspired movies like Dirty Dancing. ' has not been rated.
After the screening, a panel discussion will be held via Zoom with director Rex Gillespie.
So that festivals do not rely solely on ticket sales to cover their overhead costs, film festivals offer sponsorship opportunities to support the festival by hosting a film. It is also an opportunity to celebrate special events and remember family members. For more information about hosting a film, email info@rehobothfilm.com or visit rehobothfilm.com/filmfestivals. A portion of the festival's proceeds will be donated to the Seaside Jewish community.