The Oyneg Shabes, led by Emanuel Ringelblum, was a group of Jews determined to tell their own story. The archive they secretly created, despite great danger, became the most important cache of in-the-moment, eyewitness accounts from the Holocaust. The 30,000 pages of writing, photographs, posters, and more was hidden by the Oyneg Shabes before the liquidation of the ghetto and remained hidden for decades before being uncovered.

Saul and Ruby are Holocaust survivors in their 90s. The horrors of their childhoods shaped their lives, but they refuse to be defined by them. Retired after long careers, they decide to embark on a new chapter – as a traveling band. 

See the conversation with Saul Dreier, Ruby Sosnowicz, Chana Rose Sosnowicz, and director Tod Lending at BJFF2020. Click HERE to watch.

Yiscah Smith was living in Israel as an ultra-Orthodox father of six before moving to the US and coming out as gay. Only decades later, deep into adulthood, did she have gender-confirmation surgery and return to Israel and her work as a spiritual mentor and religious teacher. 

For two seasons, we have watched Akiva Shtisel struggle to reconcile his artistic ambition with his traditional community. Season 3 lands today and the Shtisel family’s story continues.

When Boston-resident Lilka Elbaum’s family was forced to leave Poland in 1968, they had to leave everything behind. When she re-discovers the painting that hung on the wall of her Lodz living room, she finds a connection to generations of Jewish families. 

Screening now at the Coolidge Corner Theatre Virtual Screening Room. Use the discount code: BJFLODZ21 to get $3 off.

View the Coolidge Corner Theatre conversation with the director and subjects, moderated by Boston Jewish Film Artistic Director, Ariana Cohen-Halberstam. Click HERE to watch.

For another story about connecting through art, watch the conversation with Director Kamal Hackhar musicians Amit Hai Cohen and Neta Elkayim, about reconnecting to their Moroccan roots through music. Click HERE to watch.

Amherst Cinema is screening a special re-release of Boston Jewish Film Festival Founder Michal Goldman’s 1987 film documenting the klezmer music revival, tracing the efforts of two founding groups, Kapelye, and Boston's Klezmer Conservatory Band, to recover the lost history of klezmer music. 

ReelAbilities Film Festival is dedicated to promoting awareness and appreciation of the lives, stories, and artistic expression of people with different disabilities from a variety of communities. For more info, visit: www.reelabilities.org/boston/

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