Friday, March 25, 2011

Go See a Jewish Movie

Earlier this week, a man came to meet with me to talk about converting to Judaism.  I gave him an overview of the process - a course of study, participating in the life of the community, spiritual reflection, and the traditional rituals of initiation.  I also showed him a "syllabus" I've put together with suggested books and activities for those in the process of conversion.  Looking over the list, he said, "I didn't expect you to assign so many movies."

Why not?  Movies are an important medium of Jewish culture.  How many of us learned most of what we know about shtetls from Fiddler on the Roof?  In a few weeks, Jews across the country will participate in the hallowed Passover tradition of watching The Ten Commandments.  I use Woody Allen and Mel Brooks movies to talk about Jewish humor (and neuroses).  Israel, the Holocaust, the American Jewish experience - movies are shared Jewish experiences and great conversation starters.

You may remember from a previous post that I like pop culture lists.  So here are two very different and highly debatable lists (one and two) of "top" Jewish movies.

If there are movies on those lists you haven't seen, think about renting (Netflix-ing, streaming, etc.) one.  Or better yet, go out and see a new Jewish movie that might be a future classic...

Last night kicked off the 3rd Annual Jewish Film Festival at the JCC of Greater Washington in Rockville.  They're showing a different movie every night this week.

For the D.C. contingent, think about seeing Sippur Gadol (A Matter of Size) this Sunday at the DCJCC downtown.  It's about a group of Israelis who decide to become sumo wrestlers.  It's one of my favorite Israeli movies of recent years, and proceeds from the showing will benefit relief efforts in Japan.

Check out the trailer below.  And if you want to LEAVE A COMMENT, I'll give you a topic:  What's your favorite Jewish movie? (Define "Jewish" however you like.)  Why?

1 comment: