Submerge Yourself in the 8Th Annual Houston Jewish Film Festival MARCH 6 - 18

OPENING NIGHT literature film art

Summer/Spring 2012 music dance learning

submerge yourself in the 8th annual houston jewish film festival MARCH 6 - 18

8th Annual HOUSTON JEWISH FILM FESTIVAL

8 elcome to the 8th Annual Houston Jewish Film Festival, a collaboration between the ERJCC of Houston and the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, with Holocaust Museum Houston as a longstanding venue.

A big thanks to our dedicated film committee volunteers, Wwho spend dozens of hours screening films to select the best ones from around the world that tell stories of Jewish significance, with poignancy and creativity, and reflect the values that shape Jewish life. This year we are pleased to have three filmmakers and one actor to introduce their films and lead post-screening discussions.

We are grateful to our underwriters, sponsors, community partners, and patrons for their generous support. Enjoy the Festival and spread the word!

Barbara Bronstein, Chair Doreen Joffe and Sharon Kagan, Honorary Chairs

2012 FILM COMMITTEE: HJFF STAFF: Karen Aptekar Ariela Emery, ERJCC Neil Aussenberg Marian Luntz, MFAH Margie Beegle Tamara Savage, HMH Nada Chandler John Dreyfus COMMUNITY PARTNERS: Justine Fanarof Alexander Institute for Inclusion, a Division of Sue Goott JFS Department of Disability Services Patti Hanfling The American Israel Public Affairs Committee Diane Lee Anti-Defamation League David Mendel Congregation Beth Israel Miriam Pacht Holocaust Museum Houston Paula Siegel L’Chaim Center Stefani Twyford NCJW – Greater Houston Section Helen Wils United Orthodox Synagogues

Throughout HJFF we will be accepting donations of gently used children’s books. Designated book drop-off screenings are Deaf Jam on March 6, 8Young Abraham on March 11, and Nicky’s Family on March 16. 8th ANNUAL HOUSTON JEWISH FILM FESTIVAL ||| MARCH 6 – 18

OPENING NIGHT FREE EVENT

DESIGNATED USED CHILDREN’S BOOKS DROP-OFF FILM

KADDISH FOR A FRIEND DEAF JAM CURB YOUR ENTHUSIASM (KADDISCH FÜR EINEN FREUND) Wednesday, March 7 • 1:00 PM • ERJCC Wednesday, March 7 Tuesday, March 6 • 7:30 PM • ERJCC Directed by Judy Lieff Studio Movie Grill at CityCentre Friday, March 9 • 1:00 PM • ERJCC USA, 2011, 70 min. 6:00 - 7:30 PM Happy Hour at the Directed by Leo Khasin English and American Sign Language Cinema Bar • 7:30 PM Screening Germany, 2011, 94 min. with English Subtitles Arabic, German, Russian with English Documentary Created by Larry David Subtitles USA, Three 30 min. episodes Drama Aneta Brodski, a deaf Israeli teen, at- English tends a school for the deaf in Queens, TV Series, Comedy Alexander, an 84 year old widowed N.Y. where she explores slam poetry Russian Jewish war veteran living using American Sign Language. Proud In this largely improvised series starring alone in Berlin, wants to maintain his of her deafness but aware of the isola- himself, Seinfeld co-creator Larry David independence despite pressures from tion it brings, Aneta utilizes her unique shamelessly takes issue with frustrating social workers to move into a nurs- experiences to create a powerful poetic and frivolous social conventions. Always ing home. A Palestinian family from art form. When Aneta meets Tahani, a landing himself in awkward situations, Lebanon occupies a downstairs flat. Ali, hearing Palestinian slam poet, the two David must negotiate how to get out the teenage son in the family, together create a deaf/hearing duet in which of them…or decide that they aren’t so with his friends, vandalize and ransack they explore their shared and personal awkward after all. The three episodes Alexander’s flat and destroy some of his experiences and generate a new form of featured at HJFF will get you laughing at most treasured possessions. In order to slam poetry which speaks to the deaf as David, at the convoluted yet familiar sce- avoid deportation, Ali’s family insists he well as the hearing. narios, and most importantly, at yourself. repair the damage. Slowly, the mutual disdain each feels for the other turns to Seating opens at 7:10 PM and is first- understanding and ultimately friendship come, first-served. in this coming-of-age film inspired by Holy Mordechai! Dress up like your favorite two real people. Curb character for Purim. Best costume Sponsored by June & Leonard Goldberg wins a special prize! Patron Sponsors: Helen Wils & Leonard Goldstein Paula & Irving Pozmantier LUNCHAND A

MORDECAI RICHLER: MOVIE THE LAST OF THE WILD JEWS For Adults 65+

Wednesday, March 7 • 7:30 PM • 14 Pews Wednesday, March 14 • 5:00 PM • ERJCC FEATURING: Directed by Francine Pelletier Deaf Jam and Nicky’s Family Canada, 2010, 52 min. English and French with English Subtitles $8 Member/$10 Public Documentary RSVP required w/ 24 hr. notice Canadian novelist Mordecai Richler was one of the Jewish writers who dominated the Call Esther Bethke at 713.729.3299 literary landscape in the latter half of the twentieth century. Richler, born to immigrant ext. 3258 parents and raised on Talmud, comic books, and tales of the old world, explored the Jewish immigrant experience in the new world. His best known novels, The Appren- ticeship of Duddy Kravitz and Barney’s Version, were made into award winning films. This documentary features conversations with other outstanding literary voices, and SPECIAL PRICES APPLY captures the personality of the man known as contrary and unpredictable, one of the FOR 14 PEWS outstanding Jewish voices of the 20th century. SCREENINGS

See erjcchouston.org/filmfest for details. 8th ANNUAL HOUSTON JEWISH FILM FESTIVAL ||| MARCH 6 – 18

RECOMMENDED FOR AGES 5 - 10

DIRECTOR APPEARANCE

PAUL GOODMAN CHANGED MY LIFE JOANNA YOUNG ABRAHAM: FROM THE ANCIENT STORIES OF THE Thursday, March 8 • 7:00 PM • MFAH Thursday, March 8 • 7:30 PM • ERJCC ISRAELITES Introduced by Filmmaker Jonathan Lee Tuesday, March 13 • 5:00 PM • ERJCC Sunday, March 11 • 1:00 PM • MFAH Directed by Feliks Falk Sunday, March 11 • 11:00 AM • ERJCC Introduced by UH Professor Tony Hoagland Poland, 2010, 105 min. $4/person, $20 family max Polish with English Subtitles Directed by Todd Shaffer Directed by Jonathan Lee Drama Canada, 2011, 48 min. USA, 2011, 89 min. English English In this tense and compelling film, Animation Documentary Joanna, a Polish piano teacher living in Warsaw during the Nazi occupation, Written by two Chabad-Lubavitch Author of the legendary bestseller Grow- waits in vain to hear from her husband rabbis, this cutting-edge animated film ing Up Absurd, Paul Goodman (1911–1972) on the front line when she discovers relates the story of Abraham and his was also a bisexual poet, family man, a young Jewish girl hiding in a church quest to prove that God is much more pacifist, visionary, cofounder of Gestalt after a round-up of Jews. At tremendous than just stone idols. Spanning the first therapy and a moral compass for many risk to her own safety, Joanna hides 75 years of the Jewish patriarch’s life, in the burgeoning counterculture of the Roza in her home. Amidst the suspicions Young Abraham is the perfect way to 1960s. Paul Goodman Changed My Life of neighbors and Nazi officers, Joanna teach children K-5 of the midrashim that immerses audiences in an era of high in- faces difficult decisions and moral describe who Abraham was before he is tellect, when New York was peaking cul- choices if Roza is to survive. introduced to us in the Torah. turally and artistically. Using a treasure trove of archival multimedia, director/ producer Jonathan Lee and producer/ DESIGNATED USED CHILDREN’S BOOKS editor Kimberly Reed (Prodigal Sons) DROP-OFF FILM have woven together a rich portrait of an intellectual heavyweight whose ideas are long overdue for rediscovery.

MY BEST ENEMY (MEIN BESTER FEIND)

Saturday, March 10 • 8:00 PM • MFAH Directed by Wolfgang Murnberger Austria, Luxembourg, 2011, 109 min. German with English Subtitles

Vienna, 1939: Jewish art dealer Victor and newly minted SS officer Rudi are childhood friends who find themselves on opposite sides of the coming storm. With an international incident over a hidden original Michelangelo print at stake, Rudi, who has appropriated Victor’s family estate and fiancée, must also secure Victor’s cooperation to ensure his own survival. Action-packed, full of twists, turns, and reversals of fortune, My Best Enemy is a much welcomed first course that will have audiences on the edge of their seats wanting more. —Philadelphia Jewish Film Festival

Did you know? Every movie ticket at the MFAH gets you 10% off at Café Express in the Museum. Make it ‘dinner and a movie’ on Saturday nights! 8th ANNUAL HOUSTON JEWISH FILM FESTIVAL ||| MARCH 6 – 18

MARY LOU (TAMID OTO CHALOM) SURVIVING HITLER: A LOVE STORY OTTO FRANK, FATHER OF ANNE

Sunday, March 11 • 3:00 PM • MFAH Sunday, March 11 • 7:30 PM • HMH Monday, March 12 • 7:30 PM • ERJCC Directed by Eytan Fox Directed by John-Keith Wasson Directed by David De Jongh Israel, 2010, 150 min. USA, 2010, 65 min. Netherlands, 2010, 75 min. Hebrew with English Subtitles English Dutch, English, German with English Mini-Series, Musical Documentary Subtitles Documentary Jutta Cords is a high school student in Following the trend of contemporary mu- Nazi Germany when she learns that her Dutch director David De Jongh’s docu- sicals like Glee, the made-for-Israeli-TV maternal grandparents had converted mentary draws upon archival footage series Mary Lou features a soundtrack from Judaism to Christianity. Accord- and interviews to create a complex by Israeli pop star Svika Pick (who ap- ingly, Jutta is considered Jewish, and portrait of Otto Frank, the father of Anne pears as himself). Acclaimed director as such, is denied every opportunity Frank and the only family member to Eytan Fox (The Bubble, Walk on Water) of a future. Jutta reconnects with her survive the Holocaust. The film explores tells the story of a boy’s (Ido Rosenberg) childhood friend, Helmuth, who, upon his Otto’s early years as an assimilated search for his wayward mother (Maya return from the German front, becomes German Jew, his obsession with main- Dagan, The Matchmaker) that eventually involved in the Valkyrie plot to assas- taining Anne’s memory, his correspon- leads him to a new identity in Tel Aviv: sinate Hitler. Jutta and Helmuth do their dence with young readers, and the zeal as a drag queen named Mary Lou. The best to maintain a romance while they to promote her diaries. De Jongh does TV series won Israel’s national award for fight in the resistance alongside Jutta’s not ignore the controversies and ques- Best Miniseries in 2010. parents who use their home as a safe tions surrounding editorial tinkering house. The documentary is narrated by with Anne’s diaries and their Hollywood Jutta herself with original 8 mm footage and Broadway adaptations in this well- shot by Helmuth. rounded portrait of a man whose grief and pride inform his life’s work.

FREE MEN (LES HOMMES LIBRES)

Tuesday, March 13 • 7:30 PM • ERJCC Directed by Ismaël Ferroukhi France, 2011, 99 min. French with English Subtitles Thriller

Set in 1942 in German-occupied Paris, Younes, a young Algerian immigrant, makes his living on the black market. Tracked down by the German occupation forces, and desirous of avoiding a jail sentence, he agrees to spy at the Paris Mosque, a meet- ing ground for Muslim Resistance fighters whose activities include rescuing North African Jews, providing false identity papers, and assassinating Vichy government informers. There he befriends an Algerian cabaret singer involved in the Paris underground whom he later discovers is a Jew. Slowly, Younes is transformed from a politically ignorant black marketeer to a full-fledged freedom fighter.

Patron Sponsors: Graciela & Albert Handy Patti & Dan Steiner 8th ANNUAL HOUSTON JEWISH FILM FESTIVAL ||| MARCH 6 – 18

ACTOR APPEARANCE

LITTLE ROSE (RÓYŽCZKA) SRUGIM NICKY’S FAMILY

Wednesday, March 14 • 7:30 PM • ERJCC Thursday, March 15 • 7:30 PM • ERJCC Friday, March 16 • 1:00 PM • ERJCC Directed by Jan Kidawa-Bło`nski Actor Amos Tamam in Attendance Directed by Matej Mináˇc Poland, 2010, 118 min. Created by Eliezer (Laizy) Shapiro and Czech Republic/Slovak Republic, 2011, Polish with English Subtitles Chana Divon 96 min. Thriller Israel, Three 35 min. episodes from English Season 1 (2008) Documentary 1967 was the Summer of Love in the Hebrew with English Subtitles United States; in the Soviet Bloc, the TV Series, Dramedy In 1938, Nicholas Winton, a 20 year old yearnings for democracy played out London stockbroker visiting Prague, or- against political repression and heavy- Just wrapping up its third season, ganized a rescue of 669 Jewish children handed attempts to discourage such Srugim is one of Israel’s most popular in danger of deportation and arranged yearnings. Once again, Jews were TV shows. Named after the knitted kip- for seven rail-sea transports of the scapegoats. In this thriller, Roman Rožek, pah worn by Modern Orthodox men in children. For more than half a century, a Polish Security Service officer, enlists Israel, the series follows the lives of five Winton did not speak of these events. his naïve girlfriend, code name “Little observant Jewish single men and women Had not his wife found a suitcase in their Rose,” to spy upon and become the lover in the Katamon neighborhood of Jeru- attic filled with documents and transport of Warczewski, a professor, writer, and in- salem. This well-educated, professionally plans, the story would have remained tellectual believed to be a Zionist. Little ambitious group of friends struggles to locked away. The children, now grown Rose begins to enjoy her role as a spy find its place within the existing religious and living all over the world, relate their and the refined experiences she enjoys frameworks, as the pressures of love, memories of the period to a background with Warczewski as opposed to the marriage, and career are often at odds. of newsreel footage, archival photos, crude pleasures of Rožek. As she starts and dramatic re-enactments of events questioning her role and her loyalties, Sponsored by the Consulate General of of the era. Sir Winton, now 102 years old, the love triangle becomes ever more Israel to the Southwest was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II and dangerous: the totalitarian regime will nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize for go to any lengths to protect its interests. his humanitarian work.

DESIGNATED USED CHILDREN’S BOOKS DROP-OFF FILM

DOLPHIN BOY

Thursday, March 15 • 5:00 PM • ERJCC Director Dani Menkin in Attendance ALL FIVE O’CLOCK MOVIES ARE ONLY Directed by Dani Menkin and Yonatan Nir $5@5:00! FIVE DOLLARS! Israel, 2011, 72 min. Hebrew with English Subtitles DIRECTOR Documentary APPEARANCE

Dolphin Boy is a four-year study of Morad, an Arab teenager who is beaten and left for dead by his assailants. Israeli psychologist, Ilan Kutz, an expert in post-traumatic disassociation, agrees to take on his case. When Morad awakens, he is unable to speak, communicate or focus. His father quits his job and vows to devote himself to bringing Morad back from the near dead. As a last resort, Dr. Kutz decides to relocate Morad to the Eilat Dolphin Habitat where Morad begins to swim, play and spend time with dolphins. Initially non-responsive, as the months pass, we watch as Morad slowly emerges from the abyss as he responds to the healing powers of nature and love. 8th ANNUAL HOUSTON JEWISH FILM FESTIVAL ||| MARCH 6 – 18

PRODUCER APPEARANCE

RESTORATION BEYOND THE BOUNDARIES FRACTURE (BOKER TOV ADON FIDELMAN) Sunday, March 18 • 1:00 PM • ERJCC Sunday, March 18 • 3:00 PM • ERJCC Saturday, March 17 • 8:00 PM • MFAH Producer Nina Hawn Zale in Attendance Directed by Alain Tasma Directed by Joseph Madmony Directed by Yonatan Nir France, 2011, 115 min. Israel, 2011, 105 min. USA, 2011, 60 min. French with English Subtitles Hebrew with English subtitles English and Hebrew with English Subtitles Drama Drama Documentary

Seventy-year-old Yaakov Fidelman (The For years photographer Nina Hawn Zale has Anna, an idealistic young Jewish teacher, Band’s Visit’s Sasson Gabai) is thrown been volunteering her services for embarks on her career at a junior high into turmoil after the sudden death Golshim L’Chaim-Ski to Live, and in 2011 she school in a poor, immigrant, Parisian of his long-time partner in a Tel Aviv engineered the making of a documentary neighborhood. Her students are angry antiques restoration workshop. Just as about the organization’s work. Beyond the about their lack of opportunity, unin- his ambitious son Noah pressures him to Boundaries follows several injured Israeli terested in education, belligerent, and sell the business and build an apartment veterans—some of whom are amputees— beset with financial, medical, and social complex on the site, a talented new as- who were invited by Golshim L’Chaim for problems. One of her once-promising sistant shows up, giving him hope. Anton rehabilitative skiing in Aspen. Directed by students, Lakdar, is a talented artist left has many secrets, yet he forms a bond award winning Yonatan Nir (co-director of without the use of his hand as a result of with Yaakov that Noah finds as threat- Dolphin Boy) with Highlight Films Israel, the a bungled medical procedure. His anger ening as the flirtation between his very film outlines the universal message of hope, is further fueled by his older brother, pregnant wife and Anton. A complex overcoming life’s challenges, and how ad- a radicalized Muslim, who encourages character study that also displays great versity opens the door for human potential. Lakdar to take revenge. Anna herself is reverence for a very traditional profes- the victim of anti-Semitic slurs, and in sion, the film’s title resonates on several Patron Sponsors: such an environment, her enthusiasm levels without providing easy answers. Linda & Jerry Rubenstein and idealism begin to wane in this grim n but realistic chronicle of alienated im-

migrant youth. YOUR CHANCEn TO WIN!

Each ticket purchase enters you into a raffle to win a gift card from Sun & Ski Sports.

THE FLOOD (MABUL)

Sunday, March 18 • 7:30 PM • ERJCC Directed by Guy Nattiv Israel, 2010, 100 min. Hebrew with English Subtitles Drama

The already dysfunctional Roshko household is thrown into further disarray when their autistic son and brother Tomer is sent home from the suddenly closed institution in which he has been living. Miri, Tomer’s mother, is a preschool teacher having an affair with the father of one of her students. Gidi, Tomer’s father, is a crop-duster who has been grounded for getting stoned. Yoni, Tomer’s brother, who resents Tomer’s reappearance in the household, is selling his services completing homework assignments for his not so intellectually gifted classmates while studying for his Bar Mitzvah portion—the story of Noah and the flood. Family pressures mount as secrets emerge and impact the lives of family and community in this touching and sometimes comic film.

Closing Night Reception courtesy of Fleischer Wines MARCH 6 – 18 2012 8th Annual

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

6 OPENING 7 8 9 10 NIGHT 7:30 PM 1:00 PM 7:00 PM 1:00 PM 8:00 PM LEGEND Kaddish for a Deaf Jam Paul Goodman Kaddish for a My Best Enemy Friend Changed My Life Friend 7:30 PM with director ERJCC, KAPLAN THEATRE Curb Your STUDIO MOVIE GRILL AT CITYCENTRE Enthusiasm 7:30 PM MFAH, BROWN AUDITORIUM THEATER Joanna 7:30 PM 14 PEWS Mordecai Richler: HMH, HERZSTEIN THEATER The Last of the Wild Jews

11 12 13 14 15 16 17 11:00 AM Young Abraham 7:30 PM 5:00 PM 5:00 PM 5:00 PM 1:00 PM 8:00 PM Otto Frank, Joanna Mordecai Richler: Dolphin Boy Nicky’s Family Restoration 1:00 PM Father of Anne The Last of the with director Paul Goodman 7:30 PM Wild Jews Changed My LIfe Free Men 7:30 PM 3:00 PM 7:30 PM Srugim Mary Lou Little Rose with actor 7:30 PM Surviving Hitler: A Love Story

18 CLOSING NIGHT 1:00 PM Beyond the ADOPT A This year’s HJFF has four filmmakers visiting, and we’d like to show them Boundaries with producer some Southern hospitality. Grab some friends and sponsor the visitor of 3:00 PM FILM your choice for $1000 — and have the added bonus of getting to know the Fracture MAKER filmmaker over dinner. Email [email protected] for details. 7:30 PM 8The Flood 8th ANNUAL HOUSTON JEWISH FILM FESTIVAL ||| MARCH 6 – 18

SUPPORTERS

Official Hotel of the ERJCC

Lillian Kaiser Lewis Foundation The Consulate General of Israel to the Southwest Fleischer Wines The Jewish Herald-Voice June & Leonard Goldberg Sun & Ski Sports

TICKETS VENUES

INDIVIDUAL TICKETS: Evelyn Rubenstein Jewish Community Center of Houston All 5:00 PM Movies are $5.00 5601 South Braeswood Houston, TX 77096 $8 ERJCC Member/Patron of the Arts & MFAH Member 713.551.7255 erjcchouston.org $10 Public $1 discount for students and seniors The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston 1001 Bissonnet Street Houston, TX 77005 FESTIVAL PASS 713.639.7515 mfah.org/film Free for MFAH Film Buffs and ERJCC Patrons of the Arts who elect the Jewish Film Series Holocaust Museum Houston $50 ERJCC Member/Patron of the Arts & MFAH Member Morgan Family Center $70 Public 5401 Caroline Street Houston, TX 77004 $5 discount for students and seniors 713.942.8000 hmh.org

wanna step it up? Studio Movie Grill at CityCentre BECOME A REEL FAN OR CINEMATOGRAPHER 805 Town and Country Ln., Houston, TX 77024 REEL FAN: $150 includes Festival Pass 713.461.4449 studiomoviegrill.com CINEMATOGRAPHER: $250 includes Festival Pass erjcchouston.org/filmfest 14 Pews 800 Aurora St., Houston, TX 77009 281.888.9677 14pews.com

Eat at Café at the J during HJFF! The Café is open until 7:30 PM every night of an ERJCC screening.

erjcchouston.org/filmfest 8 DR. STEPHEN BERK Center for Jewish Living and Learning Scholar Series

LECTURES The Last Century that Shattered the World and Transformed the Jewish People

Dr. Stephen Berk is the Henry and Sally Schaffer Chair in Holocaust and Jewish Studies at Union College in Schenectady, NY. Dr. Berk has published and lectured extensively on the intersection of Judaism and modernity, particularly in the fields of Holocaust Studies, anti- Semitism, the American Jewish experience, Soviet and Eastern European Jewry and Jewish/ African-American relations. He has been a visiting professor at Williams College, Bennington College, and the State University of New York.

$10 Member / $15 Public (per lecture) $27 Member / $36 Public (series pass)

Roosevelt and the Jews Thursday, March 29 • 7:30 PM This lecture will explore the motivations behind Roosevelt’s policies during the Second World War and how his action or inaction affected the Jewish community during this dark time in human history. THE LAST CENTURY THAT SHATTERED THE WORLD Three Who Made Israel: Weizmann, Ben Gurion and Begin AND TRANSFORMED Thursday, Apr. 26 • 7:30 PM THE JEWISH PEOPLE This lecture will consider how these early statesmen both created the first modern, Jewish state and changed the socio-political reality of the Middle East and the world post the Second World War.

Steven Spielberg in History Thursday, May 24 • 7:30 PM This lecture will explore how three of Spielberg’s films: Schindler’s List, Amistad Maimonides on the Issues and Saving Private Ryan can be used as a valuable window into modern history of Our Times and how these films changed the world’s perception of the modern Jewish experience. Instructor:

Amy D. Goldstein THESE LECTURES ARE MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY A GRANT FROM HUMANITIES TEXAS, Four Wednesdays A STATE PARTNER OF THE NATIONAL ENDOWMENT FOR THE HUMANITIES. Beginning May 9 7:30 PM – 8:30 PM $36 Member/$45 Public

NURTURE: Motherhood after 40: One of Judaism’s greatest thinkers, Stories of New A Conversation Moses Maimonides, addressed the most Midlife Mothers Thursday, March 22 pressing issues of his own times for Jews Curated by Cyma 7:30 PM - many of which reflect concerns today. Shapiro FREE His life experience and writings included Feb. 28 – Apr. 18 addressing the challenge of radical Islam, Join Elizabeth Gregory, author of Ready: conversion, women’s issues, anti-Semi- Cyma Shapiro collected stories from Why Women Are Embracing the New tism, interfaith relations, secular versus women across the country who chose Later Motherhood and UH professor, as religious education, Jewish communal motherhood after 40. Comprised of she moderates a panel of midlife moth- responsibility and medical ethics. We will dramatic black and white photographs ers. Whether through adoption, surroga- explore these and other related topics in and transcribed words, Nurture cel- cy, or natural conception, these women Maimonides’ writings such as his Mishneh ebrates the lives of women who became are part of a growing trend of becoming Torah, Guide for the Perplexed, various new older mothers through IVF, natural mothers at a later age. Hear firsthand letters and other writings. childbirth, adoption, fostering, guardian- about their experiences and how their ship, surrogacy and blending stepfami- lives redefine the traditional patterns of Amy D. Goldstein holds a Masters in Jewish lies. Shapiro’s website, www.MidlifeMoth- Cultural History specializing in Sephardic Jewry motherhood and women’s work. from the Jewish Theological Seminary, where she ers.org, is dedicated to promoting the pursued her doctoral studies. For more than 20 advancement of new midlife mothers years she applied this knowledge while working through voice, face and forum. This ex- For further information or to register for for such organizations as Hadassah, AIPAC, the hibit is the first of its kind in the country. classes, lectures and programs contact Anti-Defamation League and B’nai B’rith Interna- Nomi Barancik at 713.729.3200, ext. 3288 tional - all the while teaching about the history Photographs were taken by Shana Sureck and Tracy Cianflone. or at [email protected] and culture of the Jewish people. The Menorah at the The Book was Better: Jewish Alamo? Unlocking the Literature from Stage to Screen Myths and Secrets of Jewish Identities in the Instructor: Dr. Melissa Weininger, Post- Americas Doctoral Fellow in the Jewish Studies Instructor: Program at Rice University Dr. Marie-Theresa Hernandez Five Mondays Beginning March 19 Two Wednesdays, April 25 and May 2 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM 7:30 – 8:30 PM $45 Member/$60 Public TRAVEL $18 Members/$22 Public Since the inception of modern cinema, Cuba: A Jewish Mission The idea of secret Jews in the southwest literature has always been a potent March 7 – 15, 2012 United States is an intriguing subject source of ideas, stories, and themes $2999 per person that has captivated readers for the past for the big screen. Jewish literature in (double occupancy)* two decades. In this course, narratives all its varieties has also spawned many surrounding the idea of hidden Jews cinematic adaptations. In this course we Join us on this extraordinary mission that came to the Americas from Spain will take a closer look at five different to Cuba and bring support and aid to after 1492 will be discussed and analyzed, works of Jewish literature – originally the Cuban Jewish community. Meet including a story about two menorahs written in Yiddish, Hebrew, and English the children of the ORT Sunday School located in the Alamo museum. The – and their film versions. We will discuss and advance Jewish practices, ideals Mexican colonial period will be presented both the themes and ideas raised by the and education. Learn first-hand about as well as present day explorations of literature itself and the similarities and today’s Jewish community and share American families who attest to having differences between the texts and the their dreams for the future. The spirit a secret Jewish heritage that dates to films; with special attention to the way of the Jewish community will open your Sephardic Spain. that historical context affects cultural eyes, heart and mind. productions. Marie-Theresa Hernandez is Chair of the Chai Cotton: Jewish Life in Mississippi University of Houston Jewish Studies Melissa Weininger is currently a Post- Thursday, May 3 – Sunday, May 6 Initiative, as well as undergraduate doctoral Fellow in Jewish Studies at director of the World Cultures and Rice University. She received her Ph.D. On this four-day, three-night trip, co- Literatures Program. in 2010 from The University of Chicago. sponsored by the Texas Jewish Historical Her areas of scholarly interest include Society and the Evelyn Rubenstein Jewish This two part series is modern Hebrew and Yiddish literature, Community Center, you will learn about the in collaboration with the gender studies, and Jewish nationalism. history of Jews in this deepest of southern Jewish Studies Initiative of the University of Houston. states. We will visit Mississippi’s oldest Jewish congregation in Natchez, touring its beautiful and historic synagogue, spending Shabbat with a small congregation in the Mississippi Delta region, birthplace of the blues. We will also visit the state’s largest Jewish community, Jackson, and receive J Teen Art Scene: Showcase for e(art)h a guided tour of Jewish sites in the city. In Sunday, Apr. 22 addition, we will also explore the history of 3rd Annual Teen Visual Art Exhibition Purim Flour Frenzy the Civil War, the Civil Rights Movement, April 22 – June 1 Sunday, March 4 • 3:00 PM the state-of-the-art B.B. King Blues Museum Advance: $10 ERJCC Member Family / in Indianola, the Civil War Battlefield in For the 3rd year, the ERJCC Deutser $12 Public Family Vicksburg, as well as antebellum plantation Art Gallery will exhibit original works by At the Door: $12 ERJCC Member Family / homes in Natchez. local Jewish teenagers. This year, the ex- $14 Public Family hibit will open with the J Teen Art Scene: Led by Dr. Stuart Rockoff, director of the Showcase for (e)ART(H), an all-day arts Why dirty your kitchen when you can History Department at the Goldring/ festival showcasing teenage artistic have fun in ours? Join us to make Woldenberg Institute of Southern Jewish Life. talents across many platforms. hamantachen from scratch and decorate your own Purim Megillah for the upcom- Now accepting submissions in several ing holiday. Flour will be everywhere, arts categories until Monday, March 19. but your family will take home a dozen For more information visit jtas.weebly.com. hand-made hamantaschen that just need a few minutes in the oven. literature Drama film PAID U.S. Postage Nonprofit Org . Houston, Texas Permit No. 6217 art

Summer/Spring 2012 music dance Germany, 2011, 94 min. 94 2011, Germany, Directed by Leo Khasin Leo by Directed learning KADDISH FOR A FRIEND A FRIEND FOR KADDISH Friday, March 9 • 1:00 PM • ERJCC ERJCC 9 • 1:00 PM • March Friday, (KADDISCH FÜR EINEN FREUND) FÜR (KADDISCH submerge Tuesday, March 6 • 7:30 PM • ERJCC 6 • 7:30 March Tuesday,

OPENING NIGHT OPENING yourself in Arabic, German, Russian with English Subtitles German, Russian Arabic, the 8th annual houston jewish film festival MARCH 6 - 18 EVELYN RUBENSTEIN JEWISH5601 S. COMMUNITY Braeswood erjcchouston.orgCENTER | Houston, TX 77096 8th Annual MARCH 6 - 18 MARCH

8th Annual

Sunday, March 18 • 7:30 PM • ERJCC 18 • 7:30 March Sunday, Guy Nattiv by Directed 100 min. 2010, Israel, with English Subtitles Hebrew Drama THE FLOOD (MABUL) THE FLOOD CLOSING NIGHT CLOSING