As we approach the end of another remarkable year, we want to take a moment to reflect on the incredible journey we’ve shared at Boston Jewish Film. This year has been filled with inspiring films, thought-provoking discussions, and a vibrant community celebrating Jewish culture and storytelling.
Throughout the year, we have showcased diverse films highlighting the richness of Jewish experiences, bringing together filmmakers, audiences, and community members. Each film, from powerful documentaries to heartwarming narratives, has contributed to our mission of fostering understanding and appreciation of Jewish culture.
2024 Program Highlights in order of occurrence Include:
January – Partnering with The Vilna Shul to screen the Academy Award-winning film
Zone of Interest.
March – Screening the film
One Life, starring Anthony Hopkins, with Kindertransport survivor Eva Paddock as our guest, also partnering with The Vilna Shul to present
999 – The Forgotten Women of the Holocaust. In place of the Boston Israeli Film Festival, we presented a virtual Musical Roadtrip program, including four Israeli films.
April – presenting the BJF Massachusetts Premiere of
Between the Stone and the Flower, a fascinating documentary about one woman’s search for her Sephardic Jewish ancestry and for Jews in the South American Diaspora.
We presented the School Initiative to Combat Antisemitism (SITCA) for the third consecutive year at Natick High School. With the rise in antisemitism here at home, the need for open classroom discussion and learning about antisemitism is even more pressing. Our SITCA program uses the power of film to enable students to ask all manner of questions.
July-August – We partnered with the Vilna Shul and presented Summer Screenings of four films through the summer.
November – The 36th Annual Boston Jewish Film Festival was a welcome antidote to a very long election season and the unsettling events in Israel. This Festival included multiple US films, live performances, pop-up events, and after-parties. We created experiences to elevate your connection to our films and allow you to be in the community with other BJF friends at Lehrhaus, Cambridge Culinary Institute, and Congregation Kehillath Israel. We saw record numbers of people attend the Festival, resulting in five sold-out screenings of
The Performance,
Avenue of the Giants,
Ain’t No Back to a Merry-Go-Round,
Sabbath Queen, and
Bad Shabbos.
We continue to host our BJF Film Club monthly in person or via Zoom. Film Club has created a growing and ever more enthusiastic following. People who love film also love this monthly opportunity to talk about cinema and meet new friends who share the same passion.
We are immensely grateful for your support, which has made our programming possible. Your contributions have helped us bring exceptional films to our audience and allowed us to engage with local schools, community organizations, and cultural institutions.
We invite you to continue this journey with us as we look ahead to the upcoming year. Your generosity is vital in helping us expand our reach, enhance our programming, and ensure that the voices of Jewish filmmakers are heard.
Please consider donating to support Boston Jewish Film. Regardless of size, every contribution makes a difference and helps us continue our mission.
Thank you for being a part of our community and for your ongoing support. We look forward to sharing more unforgettable moments with you in the coming year.
Warm regards,