PJFM Fall-Winter '23-'24 Brochure (Digital)

FILM! MEDIA!

FALL & WINTER 2023/24 SCHEDULE

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Who We Are. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 3 PJFM43 Sponsors . . . . . . . . . . . . Pages 4-5 Fall/Winter Calendar . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 6 Fall/Winter Program. . . . . . . . . . Pages 7-14 Tickets & Passes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 15 Venues . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 15 Philadelphia Jewish Film and Media (PJFM) creates connection and community through Jewish cinema and digital storytelling. PJFM welcomes everyone to engage with Jewish culture and values through its educational and entertaining yearround programs.

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WHO WE ARE BOARD OF DIRECTORS Debbie Fleischman VICE PRESIDENT Larry Rappoport CO-CHAIR Phyllis Fischer CHAIR EMERITA Judy Golden CHAIR EMERITA Ruth Perlmutter CHAIR EMERITA Jacob Cohen TREASURER Cathy Kaufman SECRETARY Barbara Black Elaine Culbertson Betsy Filton Seth Goldstein Libby S. Harwitz Edward Hoffman Julie Jaffe Nadine Liez-Weiner Elaine Lindy Nathan Relles Jordan Rosenberg Francyn Sacks Francine Tabas

SCREENING COMMITTEE Sidney Amster Adrienne Berger Randi Boyette Elaine Culbertson Iris Drechsler

Bob Epstein Tammy Forstater Elaine Gelb Abby Gilbert Marc Goldberg Darcy Grabenstein Beverly Haas Libby S. Harwitz Edward Hoffman Caren Hosansky Mary Kahn Cathy Kaufman Kate Kelsen Eva Kernis Florence Golum Klein Ronald H. Levine Joseph W. Moser Nathan Relles Michael Riccardi Jill Rosen Patricia Saddier-Dana Robert Schloss Tali Segal Kara Wexler

STAFF Kristen Arter EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Matthew Bussy PROGRAM DIRECTOR Yae Straxkson DEVELOPMENT & DIGITAL MARKETING MANAGER Nikai Morales DIGITAL MEDIA MARKETER Elizabeth Russell ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT

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PJFM43 SPONSORS PRESENTING SPONSORS Elaine Lindy Weitzman National Museum of American Jewish History

CHAI SOCIETY SPONSORS The Horace W. Goldsmith Foundation The Lindy Family

PLATINUM SPONSORS Phyllis and Howard Fischer

DIAMOND SPONSORS

Jack and Cindy Bienenfeld, The Henry and Helen Bienenfeld Foundation Mickey and Barbara Black Jacob Cohen and Sarah Waxman Steve and Betsy Filton Edward and Susan Hoffman Lisa Kabnick and John McFadden Amy and Richard Oller Seed the Dream Foundation Harriet and Larry Weiss

GOLD SPONSORS

Susanna Lachs Adler and Dean Adler David and Nancy Colman Debbie and Bob Fleischman Judith and Joel Golden Libby S. Harwitz and Burton Blender Cathy and Dan Kaufman Ellyn and Seth Lehr Larry and Cindy Rappoport Pam and Tony Schneider

SILVER SPONSORS

David and Hallee Adelman Mr. and Ms. Glenn Blumenfeld Michael Coleman and Ellen Singer Coleman Elaine and Jim Culbertson Sam and Gail Goldstein Mary and Stuart Kahn Rena Kopelman Carole Landis Foundation Susan and Jim Meyer Richard and Beth Probinsky Mary and Nathan Relles Patricia Saddier-Dana Ellen Schwartz and Jeremy Siegel Marty Tuzman and Eileen R. Heisman Tuzman

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BRONZE SPONSORS

Anonymous Brinker, Simpson and Company c/o Cathy Seiler, CPA Deutsch Family Foundation Art and Lynn Ellis Arlene Fickler Margie Honickman Susan and Leonard Klehr Robin Rifkin and Michael Silverman Lynn and Bruce Robins Francyn Sacks Francine Tabas Joseph Zuritsky

RUBY SPONSORS

Rosa Esquenazi Bonnie Freundlich & Yuri Sergeyev Terri N. Gelberg Ruthie Levikoff Sheldon Liss Debra Malinics Stephen C. Richman, Markowitz & Richman Jordan Rosenberg Rebecca and Ed Schulman Frann Shore Rita Siegle Jerry Silverman Adam Stout Joan Tishgart

HOSPITALITY SPONSORS Cooper Spirits Storybook Trips by Kevin

FUNDING PROVIDED BY: Pennsylvania Council on the Arts Philadelphia Cultural Fund

Sponsors as of 9/28/2023.

For updated list, visit PhillyJFM.org.

Brochure designed by Cherry Monroe

SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR PRESENTING SPONSORS

ELAINE LINDY AND

WEITZMAN NATIONAL MUSEUM OF AMERICAN JEWISH HISTORY

FOR THEIR GENEROSITY IN SUPPORTING THE FUTURE OF JEWISH STORYTELLING AT PJFM.

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EVENT CALENDAR

NOVEMBER

DECEMBER

7 PM at The Weitzman

12/6 EIGHT CRAZY NIGHTS: Latkes & Vodkas Movie Night

11/8 CINEMA SABAYA 11/11 REMEMBERING GENE WILDER 7 PM at The Weitzman

11/12 THE RUGRATS MOVIE: 25th Anniversary Screening 11 AM at Kaiserman JCC

11/12 ALLIANCE

4 PM at The Weitzman

11/12 JEWISH SHORTS 7:30 PM at The Weitzman

11/13 REMEMBERING MARRAKECH 2 PM at The Weitzman

11/13 DELEGATION

7 PM at The Weitzman

11/14 DELEGATION

2 PM at The Weitzman

11/14 REMEMBERING GENE WILDER 7 PM at Bryn Mawr Film Institute

11/15 ALLIANCE

2 PM at Gratz College

11/15 RABBI ON THE BLOCK 7 PM at The Weitzman

11/16 REMEMBERING MARRAKECH 2 PM at The Weitzman

11/16 RABBI ON THE BLOCK

8 PM at Khyber Pass Pub

12/16 SCHINDLER’S LIST: 30th Anniversary Screening 6:30 PM at The Weitzman

JANUARY

1/6 – 1/8 FALL FEST 2023 (Select Films) Streaming On Demand

MARCH

3/7 ROSE

7 PM at The Weitzman

GENERAL TICKETING

For ticket prices, see page 15.

Check our website and app for our most up-to-date schedule.

PhillyJFM.org

7 PM at Ambler Theater

11/17 SOLOMON & GAENOR 2 PM at The Weitzman

11/18 THE OTHER WIDOW 7 PM at The Weitzman

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APPLE APP

GOOGLE PLAY STORE APP

FREE SNEAK PREVIEW CINEMA SABAYA

Wednesday, November 8, 7 PM Weitzman National Museum of American Jewish History

Directed by Orit Fouks Rotem Narrative Feature Israel | 2021 | 91 min Hebrew and Arabic with English subtitles

At a video workshop, a group of Israeli and Palestinian women discover unexpected similarities amongst one another as they document their personal lives for a project.

Barriers are broken as the project unites the students with their own relatable truths to share. Winner of five Ophir Awards (including Best Picture), Orit Fouks Rotem’s feature debut is a stunning depiction of the power of art and conversation to unite people.

Fantastically acted and sharply written with a steady fusion of drama and humor, CINEMA SABAYA is a film that opens bridges to connection and hope amidst a dissonant world.

Official Selection: AFI Fest | Jerusalem Film Festival | Miami Jewish Film Festival | New York Jewish Film Festival | San Francisco Jewish Film Festival | Toronto Jewish Film Festival UK Jewish Film Festival

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FALL FEST 2023 – OPENING NIGHT REMEMBERING GENE WILDER

Saturday, November 11, 7 PM Weitzman National Museum of American Jewish History Tuesday, November 14, 7 PM Bryn Mawr Film Institute

Directed by Ron Frank Documentary Feature USA | 2023 | 92 min English Official Selection: San Francisco Jewish Film Festival

PHILADELPHIA PREMIERE

This Fall Fest 2023, have a seat and take an uproarious, emotional trip down memory lane with the legend himself, Mr. Gene Wilder! The comedy actor we all know and love receives the onscreen tribute he deserves in REMEMBERING GENE WILDER, a heartfelt documentary that spans the life and career of one of Hollywood’s funniest mensches. Director Ron Frank’s film, featuring intimate interviews with Mel Brooks, Carol Kane, and other friends and family of the late Wilder, reveals hilarious and moving anecdotes from the comedian’s personal and professional life.

Co-Presented by

“GETTIN’ WILDER” AFTER PARTY FEATURING KOSHA DILLZ

Kosha Dillz is back and ready to rap! Proceeding the film, join PJFM and the rapper himself for an epic evening of music, schmoozing, and fun at the Weitzman National Museum of American Jewish History.

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Co-Presented by

THE RUGRATS MOVIE: 25TH ANNIVERSARY SCREENING Sunday, November 12 Doors Open: 10 AM Film: 11 AM Kaiserman JCC

Directed by Igor Kovalyov and Norton Virgien Animation Feature USA/UK | 1998 | 79 min English Tommy Pickles. Chuckie. Phil. Lil. Angelica. Reptar. The babies from one of the most iconic Nickelodeon shows of all time crushed the box office in 1998 with their feature film, THE RUGRATS MOVIE, which grossed close to $150 million at the worldwide box office and was followed by two sequels. Rugrats has been revered as being one of the first – if only – animated kids series to represent Jewish characters, featuring episodes dedicated to the history of Passover and Hanukkah. In honor of its 25th anniversary, PJFM is bringing this classic back to the big screen! All families are welcome to this delightful event.

ALLIANCE

Sunday, November 12, 4 PM Weitzman National Museum of American Jewish History

Wednesday, November 15, 2 PM Gratz College (Mandell Education Campus) 7605 Old York Rd Directed by Susan Donnelly Documentary Feature USA | 2023 | 96 min English

PHILADELPHIA PREMIERE

Desperate to escape religious persecution in 1882 Imperial Russia, 43 Jewish families fled the region to a desolate plot of land across the ocean in Salem County, NJ, 40 miles outside Philadelphia. This group of people, a community with little to no agricultural skills, went on to create the Alliance Colony, considered to be the first successful Jewish farming community in the United States. ALLIANCE, a meticulously crafted film about the littleknown history of the colony, is a fascinating look at Jewish resilience and success, a tribute to the legacy of these immigrants who arrived with nothing and created a safe haven of their own that spanned decades.

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JEWISH SHORTS

Sunday, November 12, 7:30 PM Weitzman National Museum of American Jewish History ALL PHILADELPHIA PREMIERES

MY KIPPAH

Directed by Ilan Rosenfeld Narrative Short | Spain | 2020 17 min | Spanish with English subtitles When a sly thief immerses himself with members of a Spanish synagogue in the hope of stealing its Sefer Torah, the potency of the Torah’s teachings strikes him on an emotional level.

LETTER TO A PIG

Directed by Tal Kantor Animation Short | Israel/France | 2022 17 min | Hebrew with English subtitles A Holocaust survivor recounts his story of survival at school, prompting a schoolgirl to fall into a wild, visually dazzling dream where collective trauma and vengeance come to light.

KISS MY ASS

Directed by Arielle Goldman Narrative Short | USA | 2023 | 16 min English and Yiddish with English subtitles Molly Bernard (Younger) plays a woman on the way to get her first abortion alongside the ghost of her Yiddish-speaking great-grandmother.

QUEER AND FRUM

Directed by Miki Katoni Documentary Short | USA | 2022 32 min | English This pressing documentary tells the true stories of Chaim Levin and Lieb Swartz-Brownstein, two former Orthodox Jews, whose journeys from battling their intersecting identities as gay and Orthodox to becoming openly queer spark a larger conversation about the current matter of queerness in the Orthodox Jewish community.

THE ANNE FRANK GIFT SHOP Directed by Mickey Rapkin Narrative Short | USA | 2023 15 min | English

Employees of a design firm discuss the best ethical ways to attract younger people to the gift shop of the Anne Frank House in this hilarious dark comedy.

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REMEMBERING MARRAKECH Monday, November 13, 2 PM Weitzman National Museum of American Jewish History

Thursday, November 16, 2 PM Weitzman National Museum of American Jewish History Directed by Kinar Dar, Amit Erell, Moshe Michael, Zakaria Habbad, Shani Beradt, Shani Cohen, and Rotem Elkayam Documentary Feature Official Selection: San Francisco Israel/Morocco | 2023 | 89 min Arabic, French, and Hebrew with English subtitles Jewish Film Festival

PHILADELPHIA PREMIERE

In the Jewish quarter of the Mellah, located in Marrakech, the Jewish sites once populated by thousands of Jews now sit quiet and desolate, visited by non-Jews and a now heavily reduced portion of the city’s remaining Jewish neighbors. REMEMBERING MARRAKECH, a collection of five short documentaries by students of Sapir College in Israel and Mohammed VI Polytechnic University in Morocco, follows a variety of Marrakech locals, Jewish and Muslim, looking to restore and better educate themselves on the history of the city’s once thriving Jewish scene.

DELEGATION

Monday, November 13, 7 PM Weitzman National Museum of American Jewish History Tuesday, November 14, 2 PM Weitzman National Museum of American Jewish History Directed by Asaf Saban Narrative Feature Israel/Poland/Germany | 2023 | 101 min Hebrew, Polish, and English with English subtitles

Official Selection: San Francisco Jewish Film Festival | Toronto Jewish Film Festival

PHILADELPHIA PREMIERE

The school year is almost over for Frisch, Nitzan, and Ido, three Israeli teenagers about to enroll in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). During a field trip to the concentration camps in Poland, private insecurities and emotional pains are soon unveiled as the trio is forced to confront their history and responsibilities as Jews. Amidst the tragic past that is literally presented in front of them, these teens come to question their own decisions, unsure of themselves as their next chapter in life – protecting their State – soon approaches.

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RABBI ON THE BLOCK Wednesday, November 15, 7 PM Weitzman National Museum of American Jewish History Thursday, November 16, 7 PM Ambler Theater Directed by Brad Rothschild Documentary Feature USA | 2023 | 88 min English

Official Selection: San Francisco Jewish Film Festival

PHILADELPHIA PREMIERE

For Tamar Manasseh, a Black Jew and founder of Mothers/Men Against Senseless Killings (MASK), Judaism is not about gender or the color of your skin. Her experiences with racism and misogyny have compelled her desire to bridge the gap between Black Jews and Ashkenazi Jews. In her journey to becoming an ordained rabbi, this outspoken leader enables the Jewish practice of tikkun olam (“repairing the world”) in an effort to open dialogues into what it is like to be a Jew in 21st century America and lessen the marginalization of Black Jews in modern society.

Co-Presented by

SOLOMON & GAENOR

Friday, November 17, 2 PM Weitzman National Museum of American Jewish History Directed by Paul Morrison Narrative Feature UK | 1999 | 105 min English, Welsh, and Yiddish with English subtitles

An Orthodox Jew falls for a local girl in 1911 Wales in SOLOMON & GAENOR, Paul Morrison’s Jewish take on Romeo and Juliet. Nominated for Best International Feature Film at the 72nd Academy Awards, this epic romance has resurged years later with its love story and rare depiction of Welsh Jews. With breathtaking shots that look like they’re right out of a painting, you won’t soon forget (and cry over) this forgotten revival of Jewish romantic cinema.

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FALL FEST 2023 – CLOSING NIGHT

THE OTHER WIDOW

Saturday, November 18, 7 PM Weitzman National Museum of American Jewish History

Directed by Maayan Rypp Narrative Feature France/Israel | 2023 | 83 min Hebrew with English subtitles

PHILADELPHIA PREMIERE

Ella (Dana Ivgy), a 34-year-old theater costume designer, has been secretly having an affair with Assaf, the married playwright of the show. After his unexpected passing, she begins attending his family’s Shiva. The closer she becomes with his family, including his now widowed wife, Assaf’s “other woman” embarks on a sorrowful journey in which she learns to mourn in her own unique, independent way. With an excellent premise and hauntingly surreal imagery that mirrors Ella’s personal conflicts, Maayan Rypp’s film – nominated for nine Ophir Awards (Israeli Oscars) – is an honest look at everyday people, the mistakes they make, and the often peculiar ways of coping with loss.

Official Selection: AFI Fest | Jerusalem Film Festival | Miami Jewish Film Festival | New York Jewish Film Festival | San Francisco Jewish Film Festival | Toronto Jewish Film Festival UK Jewish Film Festival

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LATKES & VODKAS MOVIE NIGHT EIGHT CRAZY NIGHTS

Directed by Seth Kearsley Animation Feature USA/Canada | 2002 | 76 min | English

DOORS OPEN: 7 PM FILM: 8 PM Khyber Pass Pub

It’s time to “latke and vodka” with Adam Sandler’s Hanukkah musical extravaganza!

This holiday – or in this case, Chrismukkah – season, join PJFM for drinks, latkes, and laughter galore with this animated classic.

Sandler’s animated adult comedy follows Davey Stone, a 33-year-old alcoholic. After getting arrested, he is ordered community service as the assistant referee for the town’s youth basketball league where he is forced to work alongside elderly, little Whitey Duvall, the head referee. Hilarity ensues, plus plenty of spontaneous, outrageous musical numbers.

Wednesday, December 6

21 & Over Event. Pre-registration recommended.

30TH ANNIVERSARY SCREENING SCHINDLER’S LIST

Saturday, December 16, 6:30 PM Weitzman National Museum of American Jewish History

Directed by Steven Spielberg Narrative Feature USA | 1993 | 195 min | English

The incredible, almost impossible realism it pulls off in every frame. The haunting score.

The unforgettable performances. The visually striking cinematography, from its opening shot of a Shabbat candle to a little girl in red walking through a massacre. Together, we never forget SCHINDLER’S LIST, a film whose imagery continues to stay ingrained into our souls. In commemoration of its 30th anniversary, PJFM invites everyone to see this unforgettable tribute on the big screen.

INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY SCREENING ROSE

Thursday, March 7, 7 PM Weitzman National Museum of American Jewish History

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Directed by Aurélie Saada Narrative Feature France | 2021 | 102 min French with English subtitles

PHILADELPHIA PREMIERE

Rose (Françoise Fabian), a 78-year-old woman, has just lost her beloved husband of 50 years.

Amidst her children’s worrying, family dinners, and endlessly lonely nights in her apartment watching TV, Rose discovers that it’s never too late to stop living. Her choices are her own, and no one can stop that.

Official Selection: Boston Jewish Film Festival | Locarno Film Festival | Miami Jewish Film Festival New York Jewish Film Festival | San Francisco Jewish Film Festival | Toronto Jewish Film Festival UK Jewish Film Festival

TICKETS & PASSES GENERAL TICKETING

$15 General Admission $13 Senior $10 Student (I.D. required at check-in)

SPECIAL PRICES

$25 | THE RUGRATS MOVIE: 25th Anniversary Screening 11/12, 11 AM Kaiserman JCC For families up to six people.

$20 | REMEMBERING GENE WILDER 11/11, 7 PM The Weitzman Includes admission to post-film after party with Kosha Dillz. $15 | EIGHT CRAZY NIGHTS: Latkes & Vodkas Movie Night 12/6, 8 PM Khyber Pass Pub $10 | SOLOMON & GAENOR 11/17, 2 PM The Weitzman

$10 | SCHINDLER’S LIST: 30th Anniversary Screening 12/16, 6:30 PM The Weitzman

FREE ADMISSION | CINEMA SABAYA 11/8, 7 PM The Weitzman

VENUES AMBLER THEATER

108 E Butler Ave Ambler, PA 19002 (215) 345-7855 https://amblertheater.org/

BRYN MAWR FILM INSTITUTE

824 Lancaster Ave Bryn Mawr, PA 19010 (610) 527-9898 https://brynmawrfilm.org/

GRATZ COLLEGE

Mandell Education Campus 7605 Old York Rd Melrose Park, PA 19026 (215) 635-7300 https://www.gratz.edu/

KAISERMAN JCC

45 Haverford Rd Wynnewood, PA 19096 (610) 896-7770 https://www.phillyjcc.com/

KHYBER PASS PUB

56 S 2nd St Philadelphia, PA 19106 (215) 238-5888 https://www.khyberpasspub.com/

WEITZMAN NATIONAL MUSEUM OF AMERICAN JEWISH HISTORY 101 S Independence Mall E Philadelphia, PA 19106 (215) 923-3811 https://www.theweitzman.org/

TICKETING POLICY

All tickets, badges, and sponsor allaccess pass sales are final. Attendees must be in their seats 15 minutes before showtime. To see PJFM’s full ticketing policy, visit PhillyJFM.org.

$180 | FALL FEST BADGE

Fall Fest Badges come with early access to all in-person film screenings during Fall Fest 2023, November 11-18, and virtual encore screenings of select Fall Fest movies from January 6-8, 2024. Badge and Sponsor All-Access Pass Holders must be seated no later than 15 minutes before showtime for guaranteed seating.

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