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Mandell JCC | VIRTUAL Mandell JCC HARTFORD JEWISH HARTFORD JEWISH FILM FESTIVAL FILM FESTIVAL

Mandell JCC | VIRTUAL Mandell JCC HARTFORD JEWISH HARTFORD JEWISH FILM FESTIVAL FILM FESTIVAL FEBRUARY 28-APRIL 2, 2021 | WWW.HJFF.ORG

Zachs Campus | 335 Bloomfield Ave. | West Hartford, CT 06117 | www.mandelljcc.org FILM SCHEDULE All films are available to view starting at 7:00pm. Viewing of films on the last day can begin up until 7:00pm. All Film Tickets - $12 per household

DATE FILM PAGE TICKETS Feb 28-March 3 Holy Silence 11 Buy Now March 2-5 Asia 13 Buy Now March 3-6 Golden Voices 15 Buy Now March 5-8 Advocate 17 Buy Now March 6-9 When Hitler Stole Pink Rabbit 19 Buy Now March 8-11 Here We Are 21 Buy Now March 9-12 ‘Til Kingdom Come 23 Buy Now March 11-14 Sublet 25 Buy Now March 13-16 My Name is Sara 27 Buy Now March 15-18 City of Joel 29 Buy Now March 16-19 Shared Legacies 30 Buy Now March 18-21 Incitement 33 Buy Now March 20-23 Thou Shalt Not Hate 35 Buy Now March 21-24 Viral 37 Buy Now March 23-26 Those Who Remained 39 Buy Now March 25-28 Latter Day 41 Buy Now March 25-26 & 28-30 Mossad 43 Buy Now March 29-April 1 Baby 45 Buy Now March 30-April 2 The Crossing 47 Buy Now

Mandell JCC Ticket Assistance: 860-231-6315 | [email protected]

2 | www.hjff.org SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY

28 1 2 3 4 5 6

HOLY SILENCE GOLDEN VOICES

ASIA WHEN...

Holy ADVOCATE... Silence REEL TALK

7 8 9 10 11 12 13

... HERE WE ARE SUBLET

...HITLER STOLE PINK RABBIT ‘TIL KINGDOM COMES MY...

‘Til Kingdom Come REEL TALK

14 15 16 17 18 19 20

CITY OF JOEL INCITEMENT

...NAME IS SARA SHARED LEGACIES THOU... Shared Shared Legacies Legacies ALEPH REEL TALK REEL TALK

21 22 23 24 25 26 27

THOSE WHO REMAINED VIRAL LATTER DAY JEW ...SHALT NOT HATE Thou Shalt MOSSAD Not Hate & Viral REEL TALK

28 29 30 31 1 2 3

SHIVA BABY

MOSSAD THE CROSSING

2 | www.hjff.org 25th Annual Mandell JCC Hartford Jewish Film Festival | 3 Mandell JCC | VIRTUAL Mandell JCC HARTFORD JEWISH HARTFORD JEWISH FILM FESTIVAL FILM FESTIVAL

Mandell JCC | VIRTUAL Mandell JCC HARTFORD JEWISH HARTFORD JEWISH FILM FESTIVAL FILM FESTIVAL

Dear Film Fans,

As I was leaving the house one morning, my phone rang. Film fest director Jill Ziplow was calling to confirm what we all knew had become inevitable: the 2020 film fest screens would be going dark. I later recorded 9:41AM on March 12 as the moment the pandemic became real to me. Fast forward a year, and we have the resources to produce a virtual festival. I am delighted to be directing the 2021 Hartford Jewish Film Fest, our 25th anniversary.

The nine films remaining from 2020, selected by Jill; my fellow co-chairs Fishman, Avinoam Patt, and Richard Order; and our dedicated committee, will be interspersed this year with ten additional films. All 19 will be shown through our virtual platform, Eventive. Each film will be available for three days, and you may watch when it is convenient. After you start a film, you will have 48 hours to finish it. The calendar is structured so you may watch all 19 films, and even take a few days off.

I am personally grateful to Karen Wyckoff and David Jacobs for inviting me to direct this year’s festival, and to Avi Patt for his expertise. I appreciate the understanding of the Film Fest Committee that this wasn’t a usual year, and the selection process followed suit. Thank you to the committee members who sent encouraging notes, just as I was wondering what exactly I had undertaken! For teaching me so much along the way, which allowed us to cram six-eight months of work into four, I am indebted to former Directors Harriet Dobin and Jill Ziplow.

Stay safe and enjoy the show,

Jennifer Sharp 2021 Hartford Jewish Film Festival Director

4 | www.hjff.org 25th Annual Mandell JCC Hartford Jewish Film Festival | 5 Mandell JCC 2021 Committee Mandell JCC Board of Directors Hartford Jewish Film Festival Peter Fishman, President Co-Chairs: Gayle W. Temkin, Chair Mike Fishman Richard Order Mandell JCC Professionals Festival Directors: David Jacobs, Executive Director Jill Ziplow, 2020 Annie Keith, Chief Operating Officer Jennifer Sharp, 2021 Kim Charron, Chief Financial Officer Karen Wyckoff, Chief Program Officer Festival Advisor: Michelle Bonner, Marketing Director Avinoam Patt Steve Evans, Creative Director Harriet Cutler Naomi Scheinerman, Executive Angela Epstein Administrator Carol Fishman Cheryl Couture, Controller Evelyn Fishman Rhonda Heisler Additional Support Sandra Hershson Iddo Patt, Theo Patt and the Sharone Kornman Eventive Team Alys Krichavsky Ruth Lazowski Edna Levy Smarter experiences for independent film Lauri Miller Judie Jacobson, Leslie Iarusso & Benson Monastersky The Jewish Ledger Staff Roberta Monastersky Denise Order Judy Resnick Nikki Shapiro Roth Rachel Rubin Jacob Schreiber Patty Schuster Debbie Shmerling Ronny Siegel Ruthan Wein

Arts and culture programs at the Mandell JCC The Jewish Community Foundation of are funded, in part, by dollars raised through the Greater Hartford supports the JCC with Jewish Federation’s annual campaign. grants and manages our endowed funds.

4 | www.hjff.org 25th Annual Mandell JCC Hartford Jewish Film Festival | 5 STRENGTH AND RESILIENCE

The pandemic brought the 2020 film festival, and much of life as we know it, to a halt. However, the strength and resilience of our community has allowed us to find ways to be together, while maintaining physical distance, sharing what we love. We were determined – much like many of the characters you will see on screen – to carry on. Through the films of the 2021 Hartford Jewish Film Festival, we will explore a range of aspects of Jewish life. We will view strength and resilience through love and laughter; we will admire the strength of those who came before us, honor their work, and be inspired to continue it. The love of a mother and daughter is the focus of Asia and Here We Are depicts the life of a father and autistic son. Two gay men, one a struggling film student and the other a Times travel writer visiting , have much to teach each other about love and life in Sublet. Laugh with Latter Day Jew, as comedian H. Alan Scott converts from Mormonism to . Find out in Golden Voices what happens when you have a niche career and make to . Shiva can be difficult, and in Shiva Baby we find that adding a high school girlfriend and a current sugar daddy adds to that dynamic. Mossad brings slapstick humor to the Israeli national intelligence agency. We will learn from documentaries such as Advocate, which introduces us to Israeli human rights lawyer Lea Tsemel. City of Joel relates tensions between Kyrias Joel and the surrounding upstate New York community. The role of the Catholic Church during the Holocaust is the focus of Holy Silence. Shared Legacies discusses the relationship between the African American and Jewish communities during the Civil Rights era. Focusing on an evangelical community in Kentucky, ‘Til Kingdom Come examines the relationship between evangelicals and Israel. Dramas provide lessons, such as Incitement, a reenactment of the lead-up to the assassination of Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin, depicted through the eyes of his assassin. Our community is firmly committed to Holocaust education and continuing to fight . My Name is Sara is based on the true-life story of Sara Góralnik, a 13 year-old Polish Jew who survived the Holocaust by pretending to be an Orthodox Christian. Those Who Remained takes place in post-war Hungary, as survivors try to heal. Family friendly, though subtitled: In The Crossing, four children travel from Norway to Sweden. When Hitler Stole Pink Rabbit is based on the semi-autobiographical book by Judith Kerr, and relates her family’s journey from 1933 Berlin to Switzerland, France, and eventually England. The behavior of viruses has become familiar to all of us in the past year, and VIRAL: Antisemitism in Four Mutations studies antisemitism through that lens. We another viewpoint through the drama Thou Shalt Not Hate, in which a surgeon, the son of a Holocaust survivor, encounters a neo-Nazi car crash victim. We look forward to discussing these with you during our scheduled programs!

6 | www.hjff.org 25th Annual Mandell JCC Hartford Jewish Film Festival | 7 > How do I watch the movies on my TV? > Where do I buy my tickets? > When can I watch the films? > What if I don’t have a Smart TV? > Who can help me? We are here to help! TICKET ISSUES? Call or email Naomi, 860-231-6315, [email protected]

VIEWING PROBLEMS? Go to our Help and Live Chat Support page on Eventive https://watch.eventive.org/help

6 | www.hjff.org 25th Annual Mandell JCC Hartford Jewish Film Festival | 7 The Reel Talk programs featuring special guest panelists seek to enrich your cinematic experience with background, opinions, and interpretations. These filmmakers, authors, academics, and historians join us for live programs along with Q&A sessions on Zoom.

The Aleph program with Dr. Heschel is $5. All other programs are free. All programs begin at 7:30 PM. TICKETS ARE AVAILABLE HERE Zoom links will be provided in advance.

Tue. March 2 Holy Silence | Reel Talk

Steven Pressman Dr. Suzanne Brown-Fleming Director and Producer Director, International Academic Programs – Mandel Center for Advanced Holocaust Studies – United State Holocaust Memorial Museum MORE INFO

Father Kevin Spicer Moderated by Professor of History Professor Avinoam Patt, Ph. D., at Stonehill College UConn MORE INFO

Thur. March 11 ‘Til Kingdom Come | Reel Talk

Amy Weiss Joel Lohr Moderated by University of President Jeremy Pressman Hartford Hartford Seminary UConn Greenberg Center MORE INFO MORE INFO MORE INFO

8 | www.hjff.org 25th Annual Mandell JCC Hartford Jewish Film Festival | 9 Tue. March 16 (1:00pm) Shared Legacies | Reel Talk Beyond the Amistad: Black History at the Connecticut Historical Society

Natalie Belanger Adult Programs Manager, Connecticut Historical Society

MORE INFO

Thur. March 18 Shared Legacies | ALEPH/Reel Talk Tickets: $5 Blacks, , and Black Jews - Shared Legacies PURCHASE TICKETS

Professor Susannah Heschel Professor of Jewish Studies at Dartmouth College MORE INFO

Wed. March 24 Thou Shalt Not Hate & Viral Reel Talk

Andrew Goldberg Moderated by Director of Viral David Waren MORE INFO President, Jewish Federation of Greater Hartford MORE INFO

8 | www.hjff.org 25th Annual Mandell JCC Hartford Jewish Film Festival | 9 re·sil·ience \ ri-ˈzil-yən(t)s \ The Mandell-Braunstein Family is proud to partner with the JCC in building community. An ability to recover from or adjust easily to misfortune or change

25th Annual Mandell JCC Hartford Jewish Film Festival | 11 FEBRUARY 28-MARCH 3 28-MARCH FEBRUARY

February 28, 7:00pm - March 3, 7:00pm

HOLY SILENCE Documentary | 2020 | USA | 74min | English, Italian Directed by Steven Pressman Decades after the horrors of the Holocaust, a controversial debate continues over the role of the SEE PAGE 8 Vatican during that dark period of modern history. At the center of the debate is the pivotal question of what, if anything, Pope Pius XII might have done to resist the rise of Adolf Hitler and and SPONSORED BY: intervene on behalf of the Jews of Europe. Solinsky Eye Care Holy Silence is a documentary that cuts straight COMMUNITY PARTNER: to the heart of that ongoing debate. In doing so, the film also focuses on a fascinating cast of The historical figures, each of whom played a crucial RONA GOLLOB role in the effort to shape the Vatican’s response Fund to the Holocaust: a humble Jesuit priest from New England, a leading American industrialist dispatched on a mission by President Franklin Roosevelt, and high-ranking officials within the Vatican determined to carry out their own Hartford Seminary objectives.

25th Annual Mandell JCC Hartford Jewish Film Festival | 11 TrinityHealthOfNE.org Dear Cardiovascular Team, Last October, you performed surgery on my dad, Paul. Just days before, he hadn’t been feeling well. You discovered he had an aortic root aneurysm and scheduled surgery right away.

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25th Annual Mandell JCC Hartford Jewish Film Festival | 13 MARCH 2-5 MARCH

March 2, 7:00pm - March 5, 7:00pm

ASIA Drama | 2020 | Israel | 85min | Hebrew, Russian, English Subtitles Directed by Ruthy Pribar

Asia (Alena Yiv) and Vika (Shira Haas) are more like sisters than mother and daughter. Young mom Asia hides nothing The maturity of about her work-hard, play-hard lifestyle, and expects the “the directorial same openness and honesty from teenage Vika. But Vika is voice is evident at an age where privacy and independence are paramount, in its clear- and inevitably begins to rebel against her mom’s parenting style. With two stubborn and opinionated women under eyed, rigorously one roof, Asia finds herself in new territory and stumbles to unsentimental“ achieve a balance between asserting her parental authority assessment and respecting her daughter’s point of view. When health issues lead Vika to be confined to a wheelchair and her of a shattering need for romantic experiences and sexual exploration situation. becomes more urgent, Asia realizes she must get out of - Hollywood Reporter the way so that her daughter can live her life.

In her debut feature film, Israeli filmmaker Ruthy Pribar focuses on a pair of Russian immigrants in Israel, candidly exploring the challenges of motherhood and the desires of the differently-abled. (Source: Miriam Garcia, )

25th Annual Mandell JCC Hartford Jewish Film Festival | 13 CONGRATULATIONSCONGRATULATIONS ON THE ON 25THTHE ANNIVERSARY 25TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE FILM FESTIVAL. WE’REOF THE CELEBRATING FILM FESTIVAL.you WITH YOU! WE’RE CELEBRATING you WITH YOU!

ZACHS

Building Community is a Family Tradition

ZACHS

Building Community is a Family Tradition

25th Annual Mandell JCC Hartford Jewish Film Festival | 15 MARCH 3-6MARCH

March 3, 7:00pm - March 6, 7:00pm

GOLDEN VOICES Comedy | 2019 | Israel | 88 minutes Russian, Hebrew, English subtitles This is an extremely Directed by Evgeny Ruman

“ funny adult romantic

Victor and Raya Frenkel were the golden voices comedy about old of the Soviet film dubbing for decades. All the age, trying to fit“ in western movies that reached Soviet screens were dubbed by them. In 1990, with the and finding your collapse of Soviet Union, the Frenkels decided voice again to make Aliyah– immigrate to Israel, just like - letterboxd.com hundreds of thousands of Soviet Jews.

There’s no need in Israel for Russian speaking dubbing artists, and Victor’s and Raya’s attempts to use their talent will cause bizarre and unexpected events during their first months SPONSORED BY: in Israel, and turn the beginning of the new chapter of their life into an amusing, painful, and Duncaster absurd experience. (Source: UCM Film)

25th Annual Mandell JCC Hartford Jewish Film Festival | 15 We’re all in this together. Liberty Bank proudly supports the events and organizations that make our communities great places to live and work. We are honored to partner with the Mandell JCC Hartford and reinforce everything they do to improve our communities.

liberty-bank.com MEMBER FDIC EQUAL HOUSING LENDER 888-570-0773

25th Annual Mandell JCC Hartford Jewish Film Festival | 17 MARCH 5-8MARCH

March 5, 7:00pm - March 8, 7:00pm

This documentary “portrait of Israeli ADVOCATE human rights lawyer

Documentary | 2019 | Israel, Canada, Switzerland Lea Tsemel gets 110 minutes | Hebrew - Arabic, English subtitles absorbingly up“ Directed by Rachel Leah Jones and Philippe Bellaiche close and personal. Compelling. Lea Tsemel defends Palestinians: from feminists to fundamentalists, from nonviolent - demonstrators to armed militants. As a Jewish- Israeli lawyer who has represented political prisoners for five decades, Tsemel, in her tireless quest for justice, pushes the praxis of a human SPONSORED BY: rights defender to its limits. As far as most are concerned, she defends the indefensible. Liberty Bank Advocate follows Tsemel’s caseload in real time while also revisiting her landmark cases and Updike, Kelly & reflecting on the political significance of her work and the personal price one pays for taking on the Spellacy, P.C. role of “devil’s advocate.”

25th Annual Mandell JCC Hartford Jewish Film Festival | 17 Paving the way for future generations!

Rabbi Philip & Ruth Lazowski

LAZ Parking and the Lazowski family, are proud to be aligned with the Mandell JCC Hartford Jewish Film Festival, a perfect partnership.

Kudos to the Mandell JCC Hartford Jewish Film Festival on 25 years of enlightening our world.

Cynthia Lahm & Barry Lazowski Marcia & Alan Lazowski Dana & David Lazowski Alexandra & Elizabeth Jesse & Jonah Mikayla, Ari & Jenna

25th Annual Mandell JCC Hartford Jewish Film Festival | 19 MARCH 6-9 MARCH

March 6, 7:00pm - March 9, 7:00pm

WHEN HITLER STOLE PINK RABBIT Drama | 2020 | Germany, Switzerland | 119min This stunning film German, English Subtitles from the director of Directed by Caroline Link “the Academy Award–

In this gentle, beautifully rendered historical family winning Nowhere in drama, a German-Jewish girl takes her first steps Africa has the grand into adulthood, as world events intrude on her dramatic sweep “ and happy, carefree existence. Nine-year-old Anna is too ravishing visuals of busy with schoolwork and friends to notice Hitler’s cinematic epics from face glaring from posters plastered all over 1933 Berlin. But when her father suddenly vanishes, and an earlier era. the family is secretly hurried out of Germany, Anna - New York Jewish Film Festival begins to understand life will never be the same. What follows is a courageous adventure full of fear and uncertainty, as Anna and her family navigate unfamiliar lands, and cope with the challenges of SPONSORED BY: being refugees. Oscar-winning filmmaker Caroline LAZ Parking and Link directs this adaptation of Judith Kerr’s the Lazowski Family in semiautobiographical bestselling children’s novel. honor of Phillip (Source: Atlanta Jewish Film Festival) & Ruth Lazowski

25th Annual Mandell JCC Hartford Jewish Film Festival | 19

MARCH 8-11 MARCH

March 8, 7:00pm - March 11, 7:00pm

H E R E W E A R E Drama | 2020 | Israel | 92 minutes | Hebrew Directed by Nir Bergman

Aharon has devoted his life to raising his son Uri. They live together in a gentle routine, away SPONSORED BY: from the real world. But Uri is autistic, and now as a young adult it might be time for him to live in a specialized home. While on their way to the institution, Aharon decides to run away with his son and hits the road, knowing that Uri is not ready for this separation. Or is it, in fact, his father who is not ready? The (Source: Menemsha Films) BETH AND BENJAMIN GOLDBERG Fund

25th Annual Mandell JCC Hartford Jewish Film Festival | 21 The Center for Judaic Studies and Contemporary Jewish Life at the University of Connecticut was established in 1979 with the support of philanthropists Doris and Simon Konover. Under the longtime leadership of Prof. Arnold Dashefsky, the Center became recognized as one of the first academic centers for the scholarly study of , culture, and civilization at an American university, focused on bringing that study to a general audience. In 2019, Prof. Avinoam Patt succeeded Jeffrey Shoulson and Sebastian Wogenstein as Director and Doris and Simon Konover Chair of Judaic Studies; Prof. Stuart Miller serves as Academic Director. Center for Judaic Studies faculty are experts in Classical, Medieval, and Early Modern Judaic Studies, Modern in Europe and America, Contemporary Israel and the , , , responses to the Holocaust in modern Jewish culture, and Jewish humor. Students at UConn may pursue a major and/or minor in Judaic Studies, as well as an MA/PhD in Judaic Studies. The Center for Judaic Studies also offers support to facilitate the publication of the American Jewish Year Book, a reference work published yearly since 1899 that serves as the annual record of the North American Jewish Communities (co-edited by Professor Arnold Dashefsky). The Center is proud to support the innovative new Pandemic Journaling Project created to document the day-to-day lived experience of the COVID-19 Pandemic. Working closely together with the Office of Global Affairs, the Center offers numerous education abroad opportunities, including a number of innovative programs in Israel. With Dodd Human Rights Impact, Global Affairs, and the Neag School of Education, Judaic Studies is working to develop a new post-bac certificate for Connecticut teachers committed to Holocaust and Genocide education. New Center Director Avinoam Patt brings experience in developing a community- facing program that engages broad segments of the community through public lectures, workshops, seminars, and cultural events that cover the Jewish experience from antiquity to the present, including the new ALEPH: The Institute of Jewish Ideas. We are proud of our wonderful partnership with the Mandell JCC of Greater Hartford and delighted to serve as co-sponsors of this year’s Hartford Jewish Film Festival!

860-486-2271 | [email protected] Thomas J. Dodd Research Center | 405 Babbidge Road - U-1205 Room 158 | Storrs, CT 06269 25th Annual Mandell JCC Hartford Jewish Film Festival | 23 MARCH 9-12

March 9, 7:00pm - March 12, 7:00pm

‘TIL KINGDOM SEE PAGE 8 The explosive blend of “ fanaticism, hypocrisy COME “and cynicism exposed Documentary | 2020 | Israel, United Kingdom, Norway here is mind-boggling. 76 minutes | English, Arabic, Hebrew - Jewish Film Review Directed by Maya Zinshtein

Millions of American Evangelicals are praying for the State of Israel. Among them are the Binghams, a dynasty of Kentucky pastors, and their Evangelical SPONSORED BY: congregants in an impoverished coal mining town. They donate sacrificially to Israel’s foremost philanthropic organization, because they fervently believe the Jews are crucial to Jesus’s return. This film traces this unusual relationship, from rural Kentucky to the halls of government in Washington, through the moving of the American Embassy in and to the annexation plan of the West-Bank. With unparalleled access, the film exposes a stunning backstory of the Trump and Netanyahu administrations, where financial, political and messianic motivations intersect with the apocalyptic worldview that is insistently reshaping American foreign policy toward Israel and the Middle-East. 860-486-2271 | [email protected] (Source: International Documentary Association) Thomas J. Dodd Research Center | 405 Babbidge Road - U-1205 Room 158 | Storrs, CT 06269 25th Annual Mandell JCC Hartford Jewish Film Festival | 23 We have been able to face financial adversities and continue moving forward, thanks to the generosity of our donors to the Mandell JCC Crisis Fund that was established for just this purpose.

The Crisis Fund is now the Crisis to Recovery Fund.

We may be moving towards a brighter tomorrow, but we’re not there yet. We still need your help so we can continue building and serving our community.

Together, we can get through this time… and to a healthier, happier place.

Let's Come Together. STRONGER THAN EVER.

DONATE NOW DONATE NOW

25th Annual Mandell JCC Hartford Jewish Film Festival | 25 MARCH 11-14 MARCH

March 11, 7:00pm - March 14, 7:00pm

SUBLET Drama | 2020 | Israel, A visually seductive love

89 minutes | English, Hebrew, English Subtitles letter to Tel Aviv... satisfying,

Directed by Eytan Fox “ accumulating illuminating details in its portrait“ of Michael (John Benjamin Hickey), a New York the mutually beneficial Times travel writer visiting Tel Aviv to research his latest article, get some space from his intersection of two radically relationship, and recharge his batteries amid different lives. the thriving gay scene. Intending to sublet an - The Hollywood Reporter apartment in Israel’s most populous city, he spontaneously agrees to share the modest one-bedroom space when it becomes clear COMMUNITY PARTNER: that handsome tenant Tomer (Niv Nissim) has nowhere else to go. The age gap between the The reserved Michael and the free-spirited Tomer LYNNE GORDON lends the film a subtle humor and charm that Hartford Jewish Film grows as the pair get to know one another. As Festival Fund Michael shares his wisdom and soaks up the youthful energy that surrounds them, his guard begins to drop and he finds the inspiration to embrace his life again. The newest film by Eytan Fox. (Source: Tribeca Film Festival)

25th Annual Mandell JCC Hartford Jewish Film Festival | 25 What MATTERS MOST to YOU? Your answers will vary, and so will your charitable giving.

As your partner in philanthropy, we: •Help you create your new fund •Leave your legacy •Endow your favorite organization

CREATE LASTING IMPACT, NOW.

For information, contact Kathryn Gonnerman: Zachs Campus 333 Bloomfield Avenue, Suite D [email protected] West Hartford, CT 06117 ph 860-523-7460 www.jcfhartford.org

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Celebrating cinema with you at this iconic annual festival

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26 | www.hjff.org 25th Annual Mandell JCC Hartford Jewish Film Festival | 27 MARCH 13-16 MARCH

March 13, 7:00pm - March 16, 7:00pm

MY NAME IS SARA Drama | 2019 | , USA | 111 min English, Polish, English subtitles Directed by Steven Oritt

This powerful saga of courage and compassion is based on the astonishing true-life story of Sara SPONSORED BY: Góralnik, a 13-year-old Polish Jew who lost her entire family in the Holocaust, yet struggled to Survival & Spirit outlast the Nazis and fought to keep alive her LESSONS FROM Jewish faith. After a grueling escape, Sara steals THE HOLOCAUST her Christian best friend’s identity and finds refuge in a small Ukrainian village, where she is taken Kirstein Family in by a farmer and his young wife and hidden in Fund for Holocaust plain sight, masquerading as a Christian. But Sara Education soon discovers the dark secret of her employer’s marriage, which compromises the greatest secret she must protect at all costs, her true identity.

This English-language drama offers a fascinating insight into Ukrainian identity and society, and pays testament to the bravery of a single woman.

25th Annual Mandell JCC Hartford Jewish Film Festival | 27 Unexpectedly Loyal. Friendly. Flexible. Passionate. Human.

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25th Annual Mandell JCC Hartford Jewish Film Festival | 29 MARCH 15-18 MARCH

March 15, 7:00pm - March 18, 7:00pm

City of Joel is a very

“fascinating and even-

CITY OF JOEL handed approach Documentary | 2018 | USA | 84 minutes to the workings“ English | Directed by Jesse Sweet of the Kiryas Joel Small-town politics and ancient tradition collide community. deep in the Hudson Valley, in City of Joel, an absorbing account of a high-profile turf war - solzy at the movies between an ultra-Orthodox community and its neighbors. Located in rural upstate New York, Kiryas Joel is a modern in the town of Monroe, home to over 20,000 -speaking Satmar sect members, one of the country’s fastest growing Hasidic enclaves. When a plan is created to double the size of the village to keep up with its growth, their secular neighbors fight back, believing that the expansion SPONSORED BY: will disrupt their lives, harm the environment, Solinsky Eyecare and tilt the balance of local political power. With unprecedented access, the documentary presents people on all sides of a conflict as they struggle to find their place in the City of Joel.

25th Annual Mandell JCC Hartford Jewish Film Festival | 29 MARCH 16-19

(Left) Dr. Martin Luther King, (Right) Rabbi Joshua Heschel

March 16, 7:00pm - March 19, 7:00pm

SHARED LEGACIES Documentary | 2020 | USA | 97 minutes | English Directed by Dr. Shari Rogers

The crucial historical lessons of Black-Jewish cooperation are revisited and revived in this utterly fascinating, urgent call to action. The modern alliance between African Americans and Jewish Americans dates to the NAACP founding in 1909. Since then, both groups have endured segregation and racism, from the codified bigotry of southern Jim Crow laws to blatant bias in real estate, employment, higher education and politics. Common cause was found in the turbulent ‘60s Civil Rights era, as Jewish leaders backed Dr. King’s efforts at racial equality and harmony. Yet, the relationship has frayed in recent years, as a once mighty bond of support and respect has seemingly faded, been forgotten, or been ignored. Pivotal events come alive through a treasure trove of archival materials narrated by eyewitnesses, activists, , and leaders of the movement. With divisive seeds of hate taking root again in the American landscape, a new generation also affirms their pledge to actively promote the values of social justice. (Source: JxJ DC)

30 | www.hjff.org From the beginning, the film makes clear that while some

“ scars might be fresher than 16-19 MARCH

others, the effects of both slavery and the Holocaust“ are still very prominent today— the scars for both communities immeasurably deep. - Forward.com

SPONSORED BY:

SEE PAGE 9

COMMUNITY PARTNERS:

Thur. March 18 Shared Legacies ALEPH/Reel Talk ELLEN JEANNE GOLDFARB Tickets: $5 Memorial Fund Blacks, Jews, and Black Jews - Shared Legacies Professor Susannah Heschel Professor of Jewish Studies at Dartmouth College

30 | www.hjff.org 25th Annual Mandell JCC Hartford Jewish Film Festival | 31 ZOOM Webinar Author Talks + Q & As

WWW.MANDELLJCC.ORG/BOOKFESTIVAL

Thank You Mandell JCC Partner

Thur. March 4 | 8:00 pm Sunday, March 7 | 4:00pm Walter Isaacson Mark Gerson The Code Breaker: Jennifer Doudna, Gene The Telling Editing, and the Future of the Human Race In Conversation with: Rabbi Brian Glusman, MJCCA MORE INFO MORE INFO

Thursday, March 11 | 8:00pm Wed. March 24 | 8:00pm Annabelle Gurwitch Lisa Scottoline You’re Leaving When? Eternal: A Novel In Conversation with Dave Barry, NYT Bestselling Author MORE INFO

MORE INFO 25th Annual Mandell JCC Hartford Jewish Film Festival | 33 MARCH 18-21 MARCH

March 18, 7:00pm - March 21, 7:00pm

Sunday, March 7 | 4:00pm Mark Gerson An assassin’s actions

The Telling “can never be thoroughly In Conversation with: INCITEMENT explained, but this rag-

Rabbi Brian Glusman, MJCCA Docudrama | 2019 | Israel | 123 minutes ged, powerful film co- Hebrew with English subtitles gently indicts the dark,“ Directed by Yaron Zilberman repressive voices in any

For the first time on screen and based on true society who can set the

events, acclaimed writer-director Yaron stage for violence. Zilberman chronicles the disturbing descent - The Hollywood“ Reporter of a promising law student to a delusional ultranationalist obsessed with murdering his Impeccably written country’s leader, Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak and acted. Rabin. Israel’s official Academy Award entry for “ Best International Feature Film and winner of the - Hannah Brown, Jerusalem Post Israeli for Best Film, this gripping psychological drama depicts the lead-up to the assassination through the worldview of his assassin, Yigal Amir. The assassination is held to SPONSORED BY: be a definitive — and infamous — moment in the Pullman & Comley struggling peace process with the Palestinians and in Israel’s charged history.

25th Annual Mandell JCC Hartford Jewish Film Festival | 33 Voices of Hope Proudly Presents THOU SHALT NOT HATE MARCH 21-24 “Posing profound questions about redemption and the paradoxes of the human soul in the face of hate.”

SPONSORED BY THE FAMILIES OF PETER FISHMAN & ALAN LAZOWSKI

Promoting a culture of courage to stand up against hatred through Holocaust and genocide education and remembrance.

Robert B. The Fishman Ellen Jeanne Rona Gollob Memorial Fund Kirstein Family Goldfarb Fund Holocaust Memorial Fund Education Fund

The Beth and Rosalie H. and Benjamin Jay D. Smith The Lynne Gordon Goldberg Fund Jewish Heritage Hartford Jewish Fund Film Festival Fund

We are grateful to these funds of the Jewish Community Foundation for promoting Jewish values, community and culture through the magic of film. www.jcfhartford.org Thank You!

34 | www.hjff.org 25th Annual Mandell JCC Hartford Jewish Film Festival | 35 MARCH 20-23 MARCH

March 20, 7:00pm - March 23, 7:00pm

Powerful and deeply

challenging, Thou THOU SHALT “ “ Shalt Not Hate feels NOT HATE like a spiritual parable for our modern era. Drama | 2020 | Italy | 96 minutes Italian, English Subtitles - intheseats.ca Directed by Mauro Mancini

Simone Segre is a successful surgeon who leads a carefree existence, marred only by a difficult relationship with his recently deceased father, a Holocaust survivor. One day he finds himself assisting a victim of a hit SPONSORED BY: and run accident. When Simone discovers a Nazi tattoo on the older man’s chest, he cannot set VOICES OF HOPE aside his own prejudice, and he leaves the injured Second & Third man to suffer his fate. Generations of Tormented by guilt, Simone begins snooping Holocaust Survivors around the victim’s family and employs the man’s Lisa & Peter Fishman oldest daughter as his housekeeper. He feels and Marcia & Alan Lazowski sorry for her and reasons that she could use the money, but he also seeks to act on his remorse and perhaps find a measure of peace with his ethical dilemma. (Source JXJ - DCJCC) 25th Annual Mandell JCC Hartford Jewish Film Festival | 35 Thank You!

Jill Ziplow

For 15 years of celebrating the cultural arts at the Mandell JCC. Director of the Chase Family Gallery and the Jewish Book Festival… and Director of the Hartford Jewish film Festival 2018-2020.

ALEPH 2021: On Jews, Judaism, and the Pursuit of Social Justice

Thurs. March 4, 2021 Performing Judaism Via Zoom @ 7:30pm and Social Justice Hosted and moderated by AVINOAM PATT with Kendell Pinkney, Avi Amon, and Rebecca S’manga Frank (this will be A Zoom-theatrical performance)

$5 | Registrants will receive zoom link the day of WWW.MANDELLJCC.ORG/ALEPH

36 | www.hjff.org 25th Annual Mandell JCC Hartford Jewish Film Festival | 37 MARCH 21-24 MARCH

March 21, 7:00pm - March 24, 7:00pm

VIRAL: SEE PAGE 9 ANTISEMITISM IN In healthy societies with problems, people

FOUR MUTATIONS “ ask, ‘What did we do to

Documentary | 2020 | USA | 83 minutes cause this?’ In unhealthy Directed by Andrew Goldberg societies with problems,“ they say, ‘Who did this The film looks at the rise of antisemitism today, to us?’ And the Jews are through the eyes of some of those most affected always a candidate. by it in the US, France, the UK and Hungary. Examining the far-Right in the US and how they - George Will in “VIRAL” have incited such acts as the mass shooting at the in Pittsburgh, PA. In England, we find how the far Left often conflates Israel and Jews which devolves into antisemitism. Further East, Hungary’s Prime Minister Viktor Orban has launched a massive antisemitic media SPONSORED BY: campaign based around George Soros, and in France, the film illuminates the seemingly endless wave of violence against Jews. The increasing violence within each of these four countries when reviewed holistically paints a terrifying portrait of how this kind of global hatred begins and how easily it disseminates.

36 | www.hjff.org 25th Annual Mandell JCC Hartford Jewish Film Festival | 37 FOOD & FILM: GOOD PARTNERS!

2471 Albany Avenue West Hartford, CT 860.236.1965 thecrownmarket.com

SESSION 2 WINTER 2021 CLASSES & PROGRAMS

• SWIM CLASSES Photo Credit - Le Petit Studio • DANCE • MARTIAL ARTS • BASKETBALL & SPORTS CLASSES • WOODWORKING • ACTING WORKSHOP • MIDDLE SCHOOL SPORTS & FITNESS CONDITIONING Specializing in corporate and • CLAY EXPLORATION non-profit fundraising events • CLAY CREATIONS • CLEVER KIDS YOGA Raise money through in-person, • PARENT CHILD YOGA hybrid & virtual events during the pandemic and beyond!

Liz Reynolds, Founder www.lreventsmanagement.com [email protected] ph: 202-288-3883

Proud Member of the Mandell JCC

38 | www.hjff.org 25th Annual Mandell JCC Hartford Jewish Film Festival | 39 MARCH 23-26 MARCH

March 23, 7:00pm - March 26, 7:00pm

A revelation!…

THOSE WHO “This exquisite, poignantly performed“ tale taps into a deep REMAINED well of honestly Drama | 2019 | Hungary | 83 minutes earned emotion. Hungarian (with English subtitles) - Alissa Simon, Variety Directed by Barnabás Tóth

Hungary’s official entry for the Academy Award for Best International Film is an achingly tender COMMUNITY PARTNERS: tale set in Budapest after the end of World War II. Having survived the camps, 42-year-old Aldo lives Congregation a solitary life as a doctor in Budapest. 16-year-old Kol Haverim Klara lives reluctantly with her great-aunt, holding on to hope that her father and mother will return. ROSALIE H. and JAY D. SMITH Jewish Heritage Fund As they grow closer and closer, the joy in both of their lives slowly returns. Those Who Remained is a lyrical story of the healing power of love in the ROBERT B. FISHMAN midst of conflict, loss and trauma. Memorial Fund

25th Annual Mandell JCC Hartford Jewish Film Festival | 39 The Mandell JCC Hartford Jewish Film Festival has entertained and inspired us for over 25 years We Are Honored To Be Supporters Ron Fishman and David Wetsman

SPONSOR: LATTER DAY JEW

10 Talcott Notch Rd, Suite 200, Farmington, CT 06032 860.284.6880 | www.pasiusa.com

25th Annual Mandell JCC Hartford Jewish Film Festival | 41 MARCH 25-28 MARCH

March 25, 7:00pm - March 28, 7:00pm

LATTER A spiritual and cultural

journey chronicled “ “ DAY JEW with depth, insight, Documentary | 2019 | Israel – United States and large doses of 85 minutes | English humor. Directed by Aliza Rosen - New Jersey Jewish News How does a gay, former-Mormon, cancer- survivor who converted to Judaism at the age of 34 prepare for his bar ? Determined to be “the best Jew he can be” before becoming a man in the eyes of Jewish law, comedian H. Alan Scott ‘s adventure takes him to Israel during SPONSORED BY: Tel Aviv Pride week, where he shops for his first PASI, LLC, tallit, prays at the Kotel, and takes a lesson in shofar-blowing. A coming-of-age story about Ron Fishman and a person who literally finds his tribe, Latter Day David Wetsman Jew is a tender tale of self-discovery layered with comedy, pathos, and unadulterated joy!

25th Annual Mandell JCC Hartford Jewish Film Festival | 41 The Medspa is Proud to Sponsor the 25th Annual Hartford Jewish Film Festival

Look Red Carpet Ready with a Special Film Festival Discount.

Mention this ad and receive 15% off any service or 25% off any product.

860-206-8191 | www.themedspamd.com

25th Annual Mandell JCC Hartford Jewish Film Festival | 43 MARCH 25-26 & 28-30 25-26 MARCH

March 25-26, 7:00pm & March 28-30, 7:00pm

MOSSAD Comedy | 2019 | Israel | 95 minutes The most “ English and Hebrew with English subtitles Directed by Alon Gur Arye “popular Israeli

A box office smash in its native Israel Mossad film of all time. follows the tradition of The Naked Gun series - with a riotous laugh-a-minute sendup of the Mossad, Israel’s revered national intelligence agency. Tsahi Halevi (Fauda, Bethlehem) stars as operative Guy Moran, a secret agent who can’t do anything right. When an American billionaire is kidnapped in Israel, Moran teams up with the CIA’s best agent to try to save the day... with SPONSORED BY: side-splitting and wildly entertaining results. The Medspa West Hartford

25th Annual Mandell JCC Hartford Jewish Film Festival | 43 25th Annual Mandell JCC Hartford Jewish Film Festival | 45 MARCH 29-APRIL 1 29-APRIL MARCH

March 29, 7:00pm - April 1, 7:00pm

A Fast, Tightly

Choreographed SHIVA BABY “ “ with Comedy | 2020 | USA | 77 minutes | English Directed by Emma Seligman Confidently Sharp Jewish Humor When Danielle joins her family at a shiva, the - Variety.com last person she expects to run into is Max, the ‘sugar daddy’ she said goodbye to just a few hours earlier. With this unexpected clash of her worlds, Danielle is forced into juggling COMMUNITY PARTNER: multiple roles: the good Jewish daughter, The Sisterhood, entertaining small talk with estranged Brotherhood and relatives, playing it cool with her ex-girlfriend LifeLong Learning Maya, and keeping her relationship with Max a secret. A provocative and comedic Committee of examination of relationships in the ‘hook-up’ Congregation culture of the digital age. Kol Haverim (Source: Boston Jewish Film)

25th Annual Mandell JCC Hartford Jewish Film Festival | 45 Thank You!

The generous members of the Mandell JCC’s Pillars Society and our Pacesetters are the heart of our annual philanthropy program.

These valued members of our Community Donor Circle provide crucial operating support that makes it possible for the JCC to continue to provide our programs, services and activities to our member and our community.

They have always been there for the JCC– but their investment during the year of COVID has been paramount. We are beyond grateful.

Hundreds of people contributed to the Started in 1999, the JCC’s Annual JCC’s Crisis Fund that we established Scholarship Golf Tournament has to help address our financial challenges raised over $5 million. This year’s during the pandemic. And hundreds of tournament was held in September members and ECC families stayed with and we thank all of our sponsors us when our building was closed. We and donors. welcome them to our Community Donor Circle and express our heartfelt thanks for their generosity.

Please consider making a donation. www.mandelljcc.org/support

25th Annual Mandell JCC Hartford Jewish Film Festival | 47 MARCH 30-APRIL 2 30-APRIL MARCH

March 31, 7:00pm - April 3, 7:00pm

[The Crossing] THE CROSSING “speaks to the value of each child. And, Drama | 2020 | Norway | 90 minutes

Norwegian, English Subtitles by extension, it Directed by Johanne Helgeland shows that each“

The Crossing tells the story of the adventurous life is a gift to be 10-year-old Gerda and her brother Otto, whose treasured. parents are in the Norwegian resistance movement - intheseats.ca during the Second World War. One day, just before Christmas in 1942, Gerda and Otto’s parents are arrested, leaving the siblings on their own. Following SPONSORED BY: the arrest, they discover two Jewish children, Sarah and , hidden in a secret cupboard in their Survival & Spirit basement at home. It is now up to Gerda and Otto LESSONS FROM to finish what their parents started: To help Sarah THE HOLOCAUST and Daniel flee from the Nazis cross the border Kirstein Family to neutral Sweden and reunite them with their parents. The Crossing is a film about the confidence, Fund for Holocaust uncompromising loyalty and great courage you can Education find in even the youngest of children. (Source: Menemsha Films)

25th Annual Mandell JCC Hartford Jewish Film Festival | 47

Delamatinee

Delamar is a proud sponsor of the Mandell JCC Film Festival. With distinctive charm and unparalleled service, Delamar is the perfect place to enjoy life and celebrate cinematic pleasures.

© Delamar 2021 WEST HARTFORD Duncaster is where we celebrate a spirit of unity.

As one of the seven dimensions of overall wellness, spirituality touches us all. It’s a sense of connection to something bigger than ourselves and a universal human Dimensions of experience. However you find comfort on WELLNESS your spiritual journey, be it in a church, synagogue, mosque, temple, or other avenue, at Duncaster you are free to practice your beliefs in a spirit of oneness, friendship and community. Celebrating spirituality—a crucial part of whole- person wellness—is just one way Duncaster helps you lead a life full of purpose and meaning. To schedule a free consultation, call (860) 380-5006 or visit Duncaster.org today.

40 Loeffler Road, Bloomfield, CT 06002 • (860) 726-2000 • Duncaster.org MANDELL JCC SUMMER 2021 CAMPS & PROGRAMS

FLEXIBLE HOURS | PAYMENT PLANS | BEFORE AND AFTER CARE INFORMATION: Member Services Center 860-236-4571 REGISTER: www.mandelljcc.org/camps