JxJ 2025 Film and Music Festival Brochure

MAY 8 – 18

TICKETS AND PASSES TICKETS

FILM SCREENINGS

$16*

CONCERTS

$19 – $25*

* Discounts are available for students and impacted federal workers. Learn more on our website: JxJDC.org * All tickets are inclusive of a $1 ticketing fee

PASSES FLEX PACKAGE

$36

3 FILM TICKETS

ALL ACCESS PASS

$225 ALL JXJ EVENTS INCLUDING ALL FILMS AND CONCERTS

UNDER 30 PASS

$50 ALL JXJ EVENTS INCLUDING ALL FILMS AND CONCERTS

Purchase Tickets

Terms and Details

Advance Sales: Visit JxJDC.org or call 202.777.3210 (phone representative available Monday-Friday from 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM).

All sales are final. No refunds or exchanges, except in the event of a cancellation. If an event sells out, tickets will be released through a rush line on a first-come first-serve basis, as tickets become available. Seating is only guaranteed for ticket and passholders until 15 minutes prior to the scheduled start of an event.

Same-Day Sales: The box office will open for same-day sales (when inventory remains) one hour prior to the first screening of the day at each venue.

Concessions

Concessions will be available for Edlavitch DCJCC (EDCJCC) events.

Concessions will be available at other JxJ venues at their discretion.

Questions? Email boxoffice@jxjdc.org or call 202.777.3210.

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EDLAVITCH DCJCC — GOLDMAN THEATER ­— CAFRITZ HALL 1529 16th Street NW Washinton, DC

A NOTE FROM ARTISTIC DIRECTOR YAEL LUTTWAK Thank you for coming to the 2025 JxJ DC Jewish Film and Music Festival!

In Jewish tradition, the Hebrew word for joy, sameach, holds deep meaning. We are not commanded to be “happy,” but we are called to embrace joy, even in the face of hardship. As Rabbi Jonathan Sacks once said, “Happiness is something you can feel alone, but joy, in the Hebrew Bible, is something you share with others.”

BETHESDA ROW CINEMA 7235 Woodmont Avenue Bethesda, MD CINEMA ARTS THEATRE 9650 Main Street Fairfax, VA

Check out our Facebook and Instagram for exclusive updates, behind-the scenes content, festival information, ticket giveaways, and more! /JxJFest JxJFest

The EDCJCC embraces inclusion in all its programs and activities.

This year’s Festival lineup centers on the universal themes of love and joy; the forces that bind us as humans and transcend all boundaries. We invite you to experience stories that speak to the heart through the powerful mediums of film and music.

We are thrilled to be launching the Matthew Harris Ornstein JxJ Short Film Fund - the only fund of its kind in North America - producing two short films a year that highlight Jewish culture. The premiere of the first two short films will be on Opening Night, May 8 at the EDCJCC. Throughout the year we have showcased films to bear witness to the October 7 tragedy and the Holocaust. This year, we have consciously dedicated the Festival to celebrating joy, Jewish culture, and community.

Joy increases when we can share it with others. Even in this moment, we are meant to share our joy.

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FESTIVAL SCHEDULE

Thursday, May 8 7:30 PM 7:30 PM

OPENING NIGHT: Bad Shabbos + Matthew Ornstein JxJ Short Film Fund Premiere

Beth El Night at JxJ : Bad Shabbos

Saturday, May 10

KEY

7:30 PM

The Zweiflers Part 1

7:30 PM

Sapir

7:30 PM

The Zweiflers Part 1

Sunday, May 11 12:00 PM

Real Estate

12:00 PM

Pink Lady

2:00 PM

Pink Lady

2:00 PM

Unspoken

4:00 PM

Unspoken

4:00 PM

31 Candles

4:00 PM

Sapir

7:30 PM

The True Story of Tamara de Lempicka & the Art of Survival

7:30 PM 7:30 PM

EDCJCC Bethesda Row Cinema

Mazel Tov

21% Screening: Eid

Monday, May 12

Cinema Arts Theatre

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7:30 PM

The Zweiflers Part 2

7:30 PM

This Is My Mother

7:30 PM

The Zweiflers Part 2

Tuesday, May 13 7:30 PM

21% Screening: Eid

7:30 PM 7:30 PM

6:00 PM

Seth Kibel

Auction

7:30 PM

Gili Yalo

Washington Hebrew Congregation Night at JxJ: Matchmaking 2

7:30 PM

Come Closer

7:30 PM

Matchmaking 2

Wednesday, May 14 7:30 PM

Blind At Heart

7:30 PM

Nor By Day Nor By Night

7:30 PM

Saturday, May 17

Charles Grodin: Rebel With A Cause

Thursday, May 15

12:00 PM

Unspoken

12:00 PM

Charles Grodin: Rebel With A Cause

1:30 PM 2:00 PM 2:00 PM

The Maccabeats

Charles Grodin: Rebel With a Cause Shorts Program

4:00 PM

Anat Cohen

4:00 PM

7:30 PM

Come Closer

4:00 PM

Richard Solloway JxJ Teen Film Contest

7:30 PM

Bad Shabbos

7:30 PM

The Property

JxJDC.org.

Sunday, May 18

Elie Weisel: Soul On Fire

7:30 PM

Purchase your tickets or passes today at

7:30 PM 7:30 PM 9:00 PM

Come Closer

CLOSING NIGHT: Matchmaking 2 31 Candles Mazel Tov

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Prefer to purchase ticket in person or over the phone?

The Box Office can be reached at 202.777.3210.

Box Office Hours are from 1:00 PM-5:00 PM, Monday-Friday, and will open for same-day sales (if inventory remains) one hour prior to the first event of the day at each venue.

BAD SHABBOS

Dir. Daniel Robbins | 84 min Narrative | United States | 2024 | English

“A strong ensemble cast nails the tasty dialogue and increasingly frantic action without falling into shtick.” —VARIETY David and his fiancée Meg expect a quiet Shabbat dinner with his family on New York’s Upper West Side—but when an accidental death (or murder?) derails the evening, chaos ensues. With Meg’s Catholic parents about to meet David’s Jewish family, the night quickly spirals into a comedy of biblical proportions.

This program is proudly sponsored by the Jacob and Charlotte Lehrman Foundation.

OPENING NIGHT Thursday, May 8, 7:30 PM – Goldman Theater, EDCJCC

Reception following the screening – 9:00 PM in the 16th Street Lobby, EDCJCC Additional Screenings: Thursday, May 8, 7:30 PM – Bethesda Row Cinema (Beth El Night at JxJ) Thursday, May 15, 7:30 PM – Cinema Arts Theatre 5

MATCHMAKING 2 Dir. Erez Tadmor | 100 min Narrative | Israel | 2024 Hebrew w/ English subtitles

“Endlessly witty, visually rapturous, and sweetly romantic.”

—Miami Jewish Film Festival Baruch, a Yeshiva man past his prime for marriage, is tasked with picking up Shira from the airport. When a flight delay traps them in the airport over Shabbat, Baruch falls for her despite knowing he has no chance. An emotional rollercoaster forces him to confront his past and open his heart to the love he never expected.

This program is proudly sponsored by Daniel Hirsch and Brenda Gruss.

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CLOSING NIGHT Sunday, May 18, 7:30 PM – Goldman Theater, EDCJCC

Reception prior to the screening – 6:30 PM in the 16th Street Lobby, EDCJCC Additional Screenings: Tuesday, May 13, 7:30 PM – Bethesda Row Cinema (Washington Hebrew Congregation Night at JxJ) Saturday, May 17, 7:30 PM – Cinema Arts Theatre

Elijah

HOW YOU MAKE A TORAH

When a homeless man crashes a Passover seder, the tension between dark comedy and serious social issues erupts. Elijah explores the unexpected clash of humor and discomfort as the guests wrestle with their own assumptions and the complexities of charity, belonging, and identity.

From scraping the flesh off deer-hide in the backyard to stocking up on medical-grade scalpel blades, the first generation of women Torah scribes are preparing for the ultimate quest — to sit alone in a room for hours on end and write a Torah.

Dir. Sam Roebling | 14 min Narrative Short | United States | 2024 | English

Dir. Lauren Greenhall | 10 min Documentary Short | United States | 2024 | English

Special appearance by director Sam Roebling.

Special appearance by director Lauren Greenhall.

These films were made possible by the Matthew Harris Ornstein JxJ Short Film Fund.

Learn more on page 27.

OPENING NIGHT Thursday, May 8, 7:30 PM – Goldman Theater, EDCJCC

Reception following the screening – 9:00 PM in the 16th Street Lobby, EDCJCC

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OPENING NIGHT Thursday, May 8, 7:30 PM – Goldman Theater, EDCJCC

Reception following the screening – 9:00 PM in the 16th Street Lobby, EDCJCC

THE 21o/o : THE LIVES OF ARAB CITIZENS OF ISRAEL Our annual program exploring the daily lives and challenges of Arab citizens of Israel.

This program is proudly sponsored by the Greater Washington Forum on Israeli Arab Issues and the Edlavitch DCJCC. Lead support provided by The Naomi and Nehemiah Cohen Foundation.

EID

Dir. Yousef Abo Madegem| 90 min Narrative | Israel | 2024 Hebrew w/ English subtitles “A moving, entertaining drama that will keep you engrossed from start to finish, even if you’ve never thought much about Bedouin culture before.”

—Hannah Brown, The Jerusalem Post Eid, a young man from Rahat with dreams of becoming a playwright, secretly writes a play based on the sexual assault he experienced as a child. He finds solace in a long-distance relationship with a married actress in Paris, but when his family arranges a marriage, he finds himself suddenly trapped between tradition and his own desires.

Sunday, May 11, 7:30 PM – Bethesda Row Cinema

Tuesday, May 13, 7:30 PM – Goldman Theater, EDCJCC 8

31 CANDLES

AUCTION

Leo Kadner, a 30-year-old New Yorker, has a Bar Mitzvah after reconnecting with his childhood crush Eva Shapiro.

To complete his Mitzvah project, Leo must deal with situationships, exes, and family while on a deadline.

Confident modern art appraiser André Masson is as cool and collected in his work as he is with his ex-partner Bettina (Léa Drucker, Last Summer). When he uncovers a long-lost Egon Schiele masterpiece, his carefully controlled world is suddenly disrupted.

Dir. Jonah Feingold | 90 min Narrative | United States | 2025 English

Dir. Pascal Bonitzer | 91 min Narrative | France | 2024 French w/ English Subtitles

This program is proudly sponsored by Rhoda and Daniel Glickman.

Sunday, May 11, 4:00 PM – Goldman Theater, EDCJCC Sunday, May 18, 7:30 PM – Cinema Arts Theatre

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Tuesday, May 13, 7:30 PM – Cafritz Hall, EDCJCC

WOMEN IN FILM

BAD SHABBOS

BLIND AT HEART

David and his fiancée Meg expect a quiet Shabbat dinner with his family on New York’s Upper West Side — but when an accidental death (or murder?) derails the evening, chaos ensues. With Meg’s Catholic parents about to meet David’s Jewish family, the night quickly spirals into a comedy of biblical proportions.

“A handsome, richly textured work… Mala Emde is so magnetic in the central role.” —Screen Daily

Dir. Daniel Robbins | 84 min Narrative | United States | 2024 English

Dir. Barbara Albert | 136 min Narrative | Germany, Switzerland | 2024 German w/ English Subtitles

Barbara Albert adapts Julia Franck’s German Book Prizewinning Novel Die Mittagsfrau (The Blindness of the Heart) into a moral tale about Hélène, a young Jewish woman in 1920s Berlin who hides her identity to pursue a medical career. As Nazism rises, her ambitions and relationships shift, forcing her to make drastic decisions that challenge her sense of self and independence.

This program is proudly sponsored by the Jacob and Charlotte Lehrman Foundation.

Thursday, May 8, 7:30 PM – Goldman Theater, EDCJCC (Opening Night)

This program is proudly sponsored by the Nussdorf Family Foundation.

Thursday, May 8, 7:30 PM – Bethesda Row Cinema (Beth El Night at JxJ) Thursday, May 15, 7:30 PM – Cinema Arts Theatre

Wednesday, May 14, 7:30 PM – Goldman Theater, EDCJCC 10

WOMEN IN FILM

CHARLES GRODIN: REBEL WITH A CAUSE

COME CLOSER

Dir. Tom Nesher | 107 min Narrative | Israel | 2024 | Hebrew w/ English Subtitles

Dir. James L. Freedman | 93 min Documentary | United States | 2025 | English

Tribeca Film Festival 2024 Viewpoint Award

In this emotional drama, Eden’s world is turned upside down after the tragic death of her beloved younger brother.

Devastated by grief, she spirals into increasingly desperate actions to cope with her loss.

Raised in a Jewish household in Pittsburgh, Charles Grodin’s life embodied the concept of tikkun olam.

Charles Grodin: Rebel with a Cause not only celebrates his hilarious acting career, but also his remarkable, decadeslong, successful fight to get wrongly convicted people — most of whom were mothers of color with young children — out of prison.

Conversation with director Tom Nesher following all screenings.

This program is proudly sponsored by Ginny & Irwin Edlavitch.

This program is also proudly supported by the Israeli Engagement Fund: A JCC Association of North American Program Accelerator and Ministry of Diaspora Affairs.

Conversation with director James L. Freedman following all screenings.

Wednesday, May 14, 7:30 PM – Bethesda Row Cinema

Thursday, May 15, 7:30 PM – Bethesda Row Theater

Sunday, May 18, 2:00 PM – Cinema Arts Theatre

Sunday, May 18, 4:00 PM – Cinema Arts Theatre

Sunday, May 18, 12:00 PM – Cafritz Hall, EDCJCC

Saturday, May 17, 7:30 PM – Cafritz Hall, EDCJCC 11

EID

ELIE WIESEL: SOUL ON FIRE

Dir. Yousef Abo Madegem| 90 min Narrative | Israel | 2024 | Hebrew w/ English subtitles

Dir. Oren Rudavsky | 87 min Documentary | United States | 2024 | English

Eid, a young man from Rahat with dreams of becoming a playwright, secretly writes a play based on the sexual assault he experienced as a child. He finds solace in a long-distance relationship with a married actress in Paris, but when his family arranges a marriage, he finds himself suddenly trapped between tradition and his own desires.

“A crucial testament to an extraordinary man who helped shape our collective memory of the darkest chapter of the 20th century.” —New York Jewish Film Festival

Conversation with director Yousef Abo Madegem and activist Amal Al Sana following the screenings.

This program is proudly sponsored by the Greater Washington Forum on Israeli Arab Issues and the Edlavitch DCJCC. Lead support provided by The Naomi and Nehemiah Cohen Foundation.

Told largely through his own words and eloquent voice, Elie Wiesel: Soul on Fire seeks to penetrate to the heart of the known and unknown Elie Wiesel (1928-2016) - his passions, his conflicts, and his legacy as one of the most public survivors of the trauma of the Holocaust.

Conversation with director Oren Rudavsky and co-producer Dr. Annette Insdorf following the screening.

This program is proudly sponsored by Dan Mendelson and Jennifer Loew Mendelson.

Sunday, May 11, 7:30 PM – Bethesda Row Cinema

Tuesday, May 13, 7:30 PM – Goldman Theater, EDCJCC

Thursday, May 15, 7:30 PM – Goldman Theater, EDCJCC 12

MATCHMAKING 2

MAZEL TOV

Baruch, a Yeshiva man past his prime for marriage, is tasked with picking up Shira from the airport. When a flight delay traps them in the airport over Shabbat, Baruch falls for her despite knowing he has no chance.

From acclaimed Argentinean actor and director Adrián Suar comes a heartfelt, humorously touching tale of family, forgiveness, and the ties that bring us back home.

Dir. Erez Tadmor | 100 min Narrative | Israel | 2024 Hebrew w/ English Subtitles

Dir. Adrián Suar | 97 min Narrative | Argentina | 2025 Spanish w/ English subtitles

When Dario Roitman returns to Argentina for a family wedding and Bat Mitzvah, he expects the usual family drama.

His plans are upended when he learns, just hours before his flight, that his father has passed away. As the Roitman family gathers for the funeral, old wounds and tensions resurface.

This program is proudly sponsored by Daniel Hirsch and Brenda Gruss.

Tuesday, May 13, 7:30 PM – Bethesda Row Cinema (Washington Hebrew Congregation Night at JxJ)

This program is proudly sponsored by the Embassy of Argentina.

Saturday, May 17, 7:30 PM – Cinema Arts Theatre

Sunday, May 18, 7:30 PM – Goldman Theater, EDCJCC (Closing Night)

Sunday, May 11, 7:30 PM – Cafritz Hall, EDCJCC

Reception prior to screening – 6:30 PM in 16th Street Lobby, EDCJCC.

Sunday, May 18, 9:00 PM – Cinema Arts Theatre 13

NOR BY DAY NOR BY NIGHT

PINK LADY

Set in Bnei Brak, this powerful drama by Phinehas Veuillet follows Shmuel, the patriarch of a Sephardic family whose son Rafael is denied acceptance into a prestigious Ashkenazi Yeshiva, despite being a top student. The family believes this rejection stems from their Sephardic background. Determined to fight the injustice, Shmuel’s actions lead to tragic consequences.

In an ultra-Orthodox Jewish community in Jerusalem, Bati, a young wife and mother of three, has a seemingly perfect life with her husband Lazer. However, their world begins to crumble when Lazer is blackmailed over a secret affair with his male study partner. Desperate to protect her family and the man she loves, Bati supports Lazer as he undergoes conversion therapy to “cure” his homosexuality. As she grapples with her own emotions, Bati uncovers her own hidden desires.

Dir. Phinehas Veuillet | 90 min Narrative | Israel | 2024 Hebrew w/ English Subtitles

Dir. Nir Bergman | 106 min Narrative | Israel | 2025 Hebrew w/ English subtitles

Conversation with Afraim Katzir, Executive Director of SHIN DC, following the screening.

This program is proudly sponsored by Shin DC.

Sunday, May 11, 12:00 PM – Bethesda Row Cinema

Wednesday, May 14, 7:30 PM – Cafritz Hall, EDCJCC

Sunday, May 11, 2:00 PM – Cafritz Hall, EDCJCC 14

WOMEN IN FILM

LGBTQ+

REAL ESTATE

SAPIR

Tamara and Adam, a chaotic and unpredictable couple, are on the brink of parenthood, but their lives are in turmoil. Just before being forced out of their Tel Aviv apartment, Tamara decides to look for a new home in Adam’s hometown of Haifa. What begins as a search for a place to live quickly becomes a deep dive into the heart of their intense, yet complicated relationship during one unforgettable day of apartment hunting.

Sapir Berman is a trailblazer in the global movement for LGBTQ+ inclusion in professional sports. Born near Haifa, she quickly rose from soccer player to Premier League referee at 26, all while keeping her true identity a secret. When she came out as a transgender woman, she faced the challenge of continuing her career during her transition.

Dir. Anat Malz | 99 min Narrative | France, Israel | 2024 Hebrew w/ English Subtitles

Dir. Liran Atzmor | 68 min Documentary | Israel | 2024 Hebrew w/ English Subtitles

Conversation with director Liran Atzmor following all screenings.

Sunday, May 11, 12:00 PM – Cafritz Hall, EDCJCC

Saturday, May 10, 7:30 PM – Cafritz Hall, EDCJCC

Sunday, May 11, 4:00 PM – Bethesda Row Cinema 15

WOMEN IN FILM

WOMEN IN FILM

THE PROPERTY

THE TRUE STORY OF TAMARA DE LEMPICKA & THE ART OF SURVIVAL

Dir. Dana Modan | 108 min Narrative | Poland, Israel | 2025 Hebrew Polish and English w/ English Subtitles

Dir. Julie Rubio | 96 min Documentary | United States | 2024 | English

Dana Modan’s adaptation of Rutu Modan’s award-winning graphic novel was nominated for four Israeli Academy Awards, including Best Screenplay.

The True Story of Tamara De Lempicka & the Art of Survival is a visually stunning and sweeping feature documentary that traces the life and survival of the renowned painter through her powerful body of work – from her rise to international stardom in 1920s Paris to her move to the United States fleeing fascism in 1940 to her revival in the current art market.

Regina and her granddaughter Mika travel to Poland to reclaim family property lost during World War II. However, their journey takes an unexpected turn when Regina abandons the mission, leaving Mika to navigate the challenges alone.

Conversation with director Julie Rubio and co-producer Blake Wallen following the screening.

This program is proudly sponsored by the Embassy of Poland.

Sunday, May 11, 7:30 PM – Goldman Theater, EDCJCC

Thursday, May 15, 7:30 PM – Cafritz Hall, EDCJCC 16

Reception following the screening – 6:30 PM in Kay Community Hall, EDCJCC

THE ZWEIFLERS

THIS IS MY MOTHER

The six-part series was edited into two parts for the 2025 JxJ Festival.

Pierre, a successful 33-year-old florist, is thrown off balance when his mother Judith reappears after two years. Mercurial and extravagant, Judith struggles with bipolar disorder and has just escaped from a clinic.

Dirs. David Hadda, Sarah Hadda & Juri Sternburg | 305 min TV Narrative | Germany | 2024 German, English, Hebrew, and Russian w/ English Subtitles

Dir. Julien Carpentier | 105 min Narrative | France | 2024 French w/ English Subtitles

Symcha Zweifler (Mike Burstyn), the patriarch of a delicatessen empire, plans to sell his business but is unexpectedly confronted by his past in Frankfurt’s red-light district.

This program is proudly sponsored by the Embassy of Germany.

Part 1 Saturday, May 10, 7:30 PM – Goldman Theater, EDCJCC

Reception prior to the screening – 6:30 PM in Kay Community Hall, EDCJCC

Saturday, May 10, 7:30 PM – Bethesda Row Cinema

Part 2

This program is proudly sponsored by Deborah and Michael Salzberg.

Monday, May 12, 7:30 PM – Cafritz Hall, EDCJCC

Monday, May 12, 7:30 PM – Goldman Theater, EDCJCC Monday, May 12, 7:30 PM – Bethesda Row Cinema

Pierre’s only goal is to send her back quickly and restore his routine. But things don’t go as planned. Their unpredictable reunion, both humorous and emotional, will change Pierre and Judith in ways they never imagined.

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LGBTQ+

LGBTQ+

UNSPOKEN

EXES

“Jeremy Borison’s ‘Unspoken’ is a triumph for a debut film director. I was blown away by this brilliantly understated and deceptively simple film.” —Simi Horwitz, The Forward

For some time, Roy has been planning what he would say to his ex when he ran into him. He never imagined that it would happen in his onenight stand’s apartment.

Dir. Jeremy Borison | 91 min Narrative | United States | 2024 | English

Dir. Itay Segal | 2023 | Israel | 20 min Hebrew w/ English Subtitles

When a closeted, religious teenager discovers a love letter from before the Holocaust, written to his grandfather by another man, he realizes he may not be as alone as he thought. With the help of his high school crush, he embarks on a journey to uncover the mysterious letter’s author, his grandfather’s hidden past, and ultimately his own identity.

This program is proudly sponsored by by Sid and Linda Moskowitz.

Sunday, May 11, 2:00 PM – Bethesda Row Cinema Sunday, May 11, 4:00 PM – Cafritz Hall, EDCJCC

Sunday, May 18, 12:00 PM – Cinema Arts Theatre

Sunday, May 18, 2:00 PM – Cafritz Hall, EDCJCC 18

WOMEN IN FILM

THE HOLINESS

KOSHER TEST

Vered and Avihai, a religious Jewish couple, secretly embrace a secular life behind closed doors. Their carefully hidden double life unravels when their teenage daughter catches them watching TV on Shabbat—the holiest night in Judaism—forcing them to confront the cracks in their carefully constructed facade.

Tamar, an ultra-Orthodox girl from an extremist community, is taken to the hospital by her beloved father, who thinks she has had sex. Her relationship with her father and her virginity is put to the test.

Dir. Riki Rotter | 2024 | Israel | 16 min Hebrew w/ English Subtitles

Dir. Daniel Moreshet | 2025 | Israel | 17 min Hebrew w/ English Subtitles

Conversation with director Daniel Moreshet following the screening.

This program is proudly supported by the Israeli Engagement Fund: A JCC Association of North American Program Accelerator and Ministry of Diaspora Affairs.

Sunday, May 18, 2:00 PM – Cafritz Hall, EDCJCC

Sunday, May 18, 2:00 PM – Cafritz Hall, EDCJCC 19

LGBTQ+

WOMENIN FILM

MORE THAN FRIENDS

PUFFS

A quirky lesbian mom discovers a love letter written by her 11-year-old son to another boy. Concerned about her son’s social status, she crashes a birthday party to keep a close eye on him.

Ella and Edik, brothers in a traditional Mizrahi family, arrive early on holiday to their childhood home. There they find their homophobic father - dead and dressed in women’s clothes.

Dir. Chaya Moshayev | 2024 | Israel | 14 min Russian and Hebrew w/ English Subtitles

Dir. Omri Laron | 2023 | Israel | 19 min Hebrew w/ English Subtitles

Sunday, May 18, 2:00 PM – Cafritz Hall, EDCJCC

Sunday, May 18, 2:00 PM – Cafritz Hall, EDCJCC 20

LGBTQ+

SEE YOU ‘ROUND THE BLOCK Dir. Daniel Gat | 2023 | Israel | 15 min Hebrew w/ English Subtitles

As the morning rises over Tel Aviv, Dror encounters his ex-boyfriend Eitan. Both are on their way back home from a long night out. When it turns out that Eitan has moved right across the street from Dror’s apartment, they realize that they have no choice but to take their “walk of shame” together.

Sunday, May 18, 2:00 PM – Cafritz Hall, EDCJCC 21

THE MACCABEATS

Often traveling with little more than shirts on their backs and the ties around their necks, the Maccabeats have wowed audiences across the globe from Alabama to New Zealand and everywhere in between.

Blending sharp harmonies, a polished style, and a dose of Jewish humor, this dynamic a cappella group creates an unforgettable experience that resonates with fans of all ages and backgrounds.

The Howard and Geraldine Polinger Family Foundation is the lead sponsor of the Washington Jewish Music Festival.

Sunday, May 18, 1:30 PM – Goldman Theater, EDCJCC

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ANAT COHEN

Charismatic, prolific, and endlessly inspired, Grammy Award-nominated clarinetist and saxophonist Anat Cohen has captured the hearts of audiences worldwide with her expressive virtuosity and captivating stage presence.

The New York Times raves, “Ms. Cohen on the clarinet was a revelation. In her upper register, she evoked pure joy; in the lower, a soulful melancholy. On fast-paced tunes, her improvisations weren’t just bebop quick—they were marked by rare clarity and intelligence. She made the most challenging reed instrument seem effortless... and she left me breathless.”

The Howard and Geraldine Polinger Family Foundation is the lead sponsor of the Washington Jewish Music Festival.

Sunday, May 18, 4:00 PM. – Goldman Theater, EDCJCC

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SETH KIBEL

Join Seth and the band for a captivating journey through the music of legendary Jewish songwriters whose works became cornerstones of the Great American Songbook. From the Gershwin brothers to Jerome Kern, Irving Berlin to Harold Arlen, and beyond, they’ll breathe new life into these timeless classics. With insightful commentary from Seth, you’ll discover the deep Jewish influence on these iconic artists and how their music bridged the gap between the Old World and the New. Seth began his professional klezmer career in 1993 with Cayuga Klezmer Revival, upstate New York’s premier klezmer R&B band. Their CD, Klezmology, is still sold nationally. Seth is currently the leader, clarinetist, and composer for The Alexandria Kleztet, an “alternative” klezmer R&B Band he founded in the Baltimore/Washington area.

The Howard and Geraldine Polinger Family Foundation is the lead sponsor of the Washington Jewish Music Festival.

Saturday, May 17, 6:00 PM – Goldman Theater, EDCJCC 24

GILI YALO

Gili Yalo is one of the most captivating and innovative artists in the Israeli music scene. With a unique blend of Ethiopian roots, soul, funk, psychedelic, and jazz, he creates a sound that is both deeply soulful and refreshingly modern. Gili seamlessly weaves the rich textures of traditional Ethiopian music into contemporary production, crafting vibrant, mesmerizing melodies that pull you in from the first note.

The Howard and Geraldine Polinger Family Foundation is the lead sponsor of the Washington Jewish Music Festival.

Saturday, May 17, 7:30 PM – Goldman Theater, EDCJCC 25

The Richard Solloway JxJ Teen Film Contest supports JxJ’s mission to lift up young filmmakers by inviting

students ages 13-18 to explore the theme of identity.

knowledge by creating short scenes or photos to present to their peers.

The contest challenges participants to create a

Through these efforts, JxJ creates a platform for

does identity mean to you?”

their unique stories, empowering the next generation

1–3-minute short film answering the question, “What

In addition to the contest, JxJ offers workshops

throughout Virginia, DC, and Maryland to provide students with valuable hands-on experience in

young filmmakers to develop their skills and share to express their perspectives through film.

This program is made possible thanks to the generous support of Richard Solloway.

film making. These sessions, held at schools like

DC International School, Bethesda Chevy Chase

High School, and Jackson-Reed High School, teach

Sunday, May 18, 4:00 PM – Cafritz Hall, EDCJCC

angles, and composition. Students then apply this

Reception following the presentation of selected Teen Film Contest winners.

the basics of cinematography such as lighting,

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The Matthew Harris Ornstein JxJ Short Film Fund supports emerging American filmmakers exploring Jewish life, history, and culture. The fund awards $16,000 to two filmmakers for 10-minute short films and connects them with JxJ artistic leaders and mentor Natalie Difford, an award-winning producer and creative coach. The winners receive invaluable guidance throughout their journey to push their craft and help them realize their creative visions.

Inaugural winners Lauren Greenhall and Sam Roebling created exciting films — premiering at this year’s Festival — with support from this fund. Lauren’s documentary How You Make

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A Torah explores women pioneering the tradition of writing the Torah. Sam’s narrative film Elijah blends dark comedy with serious social issues through the story of a homeless man crashing a Passover seder.

Matthew Ornstein was a beloved and talented young man, successfully pursuing a screenwriting career in Los Angeles before his death at age 34. He would be delighted with the opportunities provided by this program for filmmakers to create and show short Jewish films that would otherwise not exist.

Opening Night: Thursday, May 8, 7:30 PM – Goldman Theater, EDCJCC

Thank you to our generous JxJ donors.

EXECUTIVE PRODUCER ($25,000+) DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities National Endowment for the Arts The Harris Ornstein Family Howard and Geraldine Polinger Family Foundation PRODUCER ($10,000 – $24,999) Anonymous Michele and Allan Berman The Morris and Gwendolyn Cafritz Foundation Naomi and Nehemiah Cohen Foundation Sonnie Dockser The Dweck Family Ginny and Irwin Edlavitch Embassy of Israel Rhoda and Daniel Glickman Daniel Hirsch and Brenda Gruss JCC Association Jacob and Charlotte Lehrman Foundation Dan Mendelson and Jennifer Loew Mendelson Sid and Linda Moskowitz Nussdorf Family Foundation Deborah and Michael Salzberg Richard Solloway DIRECTOR ($5,000 – $9,999) Janet Beth Abrams Monica and Gavin Abrams Deborah and Charles Both Cyna and Paul Cohen Rena Gordon Sara C. Cohen and Norm J. Rich Ilene and Steven Rosenthal Rae Grad and Manuel Schiffres Heidi Wachs SCREENWRITER ($3,600 – $4,999) Dina Gold Sandra Hoexter Kimberly and Bruce Levin David Selden and Julie Wallick Tina and Albert Small, Jr.

COMPOSER ($1,800 – $3,599) Alison Baraf and Aryeh Portnoy Cheryl and Herbert Baraf Debbie and Paul Berger Paul Blank Seth R. Eaton and Karen Bonnie Eaton Debra Vodenos and Samuel Boxerman Anita Wolke and Ken Brooks Johanna Chanin and Randall Levitt Dave Connick Jessica Dodson and Jeremy Levine Scott Eric Dreyer and Ellen Clare Gillespie Dreyer Ilana Drimmer Bunny Dwin Tova Geller Morgan and Josh Genderson Audrey Goldstein and Doug Sanderson Robert and Jill Granader Family Foundation Maya Hyman Stacey Kluck Mariana Levinas Huberman Margery London Carol Mates and Mark Kahan Joan Nathan Diane and Arnold Polinger Joel and Nancy Poznansky Joan and Barry Rosenthal Rhea Schwartz Dolores Seigel Myrna Sislen Mimi Tygier and Robert Rubin EDITOR ($1,000 – $1,799) Jacqueline and Edward Cohen Michael Edberg Leesa Fields and Jonathan Band Debra Goldberg and Seth Waxman Ronit Greenstein Martha Winter Gross and Robert Tracy Aviva Kempner Joy Lerner and Stephen Kelin Saul and Nancy Pilchen Mindy Strelitz and Andrew Cornblatt

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Susan Rubin Suleiman Diane Abelman Wattenberg ANIMATOR ($500 – $999) Charlotte and Michael Baer Sanders H. Berk, MD and Sally Berk Lynn Goldin and Henry Birnkrant Lynn and Wolf Blitzer Ito Briones and Warren Coats Mark Cohen Nadine Cohodas Meg and Samuel Flax Lorraine Gallard and Richard H. Levy Elysa Graber-Lipperman Mira and Henry Kahn and Family Rob Kallman Iris Lipkowitz Dalya and Edward Luttwak Beth Mantz Steindecker Miriam Morsel Nathan and Harvey Nathan Jeffrey Colman Lawrence Schleifer Deborah Tannen and Michael Macovski Jeffery Yablon EDLAVITCH DCJCC FUND SUPPORT Milton and Helen Covensky Fund The Samuel and Marlene Halperin Fund Chaim Kempner Fund Howard and Geraldine Polinger Family Foundation Endowment Max and Esther Ticktin Fund The Arthur Tracy “The Street Singer” Fund Marjorie Watson Serendipity Fund

Listing as of March 19, 2025

Thank you to our generous EDCJCC donors.

The Edlavitch DCJCC wishes to thank the following donors who enable us to serve the community. $500,000+ Jewish Federation of Greater Washington Samuel G. Rose 250,000 - $499,999 Diane and Norman Bernstein Foundation Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE) $100-000 - $249,999 The Aviv Foundation, Inc. The Morris and Gwendolyn Cafritz Foundation DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities Daniel Hirsch and Brenda Gruss Arlene and Robert Kogod, The Robert and Arlene Kogod Family Foundation $50,000 - $99,999 Covenant Foundation Susie and Michael Gelman, The Morningstar Foundation Sari R. Hornstein Nussdorf Family Foundation Revada Foundation of the Logan Family Share Fund $25,000 - $49,999 Michele and Allan Berman CANVAS Johanna Chanin and Randall Levitt Naomi and Nehemiah Cohen Foundation The Dweck Family Ginny and Irwin Edlavitch Lois and Richard England Family Foundation Robert M. Fisher Memorial Foundation Rhoda and Daniel Glickman Rena Gordon The Harris Ornstein Family The Kay Family Foundation The Marinus and Minna B. Koster Foundation Dianne and Herbert Lerner Sid and Linda Moskowitz Alfred Munzer and Joel Wind Howard and Geraldine Polinger Family Foundation Kay Richman and Daniel Kaplan

Ilene and Steven Rosenthal Deborah and Michael Salzberg Rhea Schwartz Shapiro Family Foundation Richard Solloway George Vradenburg Helaine Zinaman and Roselyn Abitbol* $10,000 - $24,999 Janet Beth Abrams Anonymous The Theodore H. Barth Foundation Inc. Suevia and Rudolph B. Behrend Fund James Beller and Christopher Wolf Cathy S. Bernard Lisa and Josh Bernstein Bookey Family Foundation Andrea Boyarsky-Maisel Abby and Andrew Cherner Clark-Winchcole Foundation Cozen O’Connor Sonnie Dockser Embassy of Israel Myrna Fawcett Jim Feldman and Natalie Wexler Debra Goldberg and Seth Waxman Cheryl Gorelick Robert and Jill Granader Family Foundation Martha Winter Gross and Robert Tracy Patti and Mitchell Herman Norbert Hornstein and Amy Weinberg Jacob and Charlotte Lehrman Foundation The Leshowitz Family Foundation, ATTN: Terry Singer Zev Lewis Marshfield Associates Dan Mendelson and Jennifer Loew Mendelson The Morgan Fund at the Seattle Foundation M. Craig Pascal Saul and Nancy Pilchen Diane and Arnold Polinger Norman Pozez and Melinda Bieber Bella Rosenberg April Rubin and Bruce A. Ray Evelyn Sandground and Bill Perkins Janis and Philip Schiff Helene and Robert Schlossberg $5,000 - $9,999 Monica and Gavin Abrams

Joan and Alan Berman Stuart and Martha Bindeman Charitable Trust Deborah and Charles Both Mara Bralove and Ari Fisher Susan and Dixon Butler Susie and Kenton Campbell CIBC Private Wealth Management Cyna and Paul Cohen Sara C. Cohen and Norm J. Rich Eva Davis and Justin Kramer Bunny Dwin Jonathan Edelman David and Patricia Fisher Meg and Samuel Flax Mindy Gasthalter Ann Gilbert GMP LLP Dina Gold Michelle and Jonathan Grossman Meg and John Hauge Anna Jenefsky Joy Lerner and Stephen Kelin Arlene and Martin Klepper Sandra and Stephen Lachter Marion Ein Lewin Ellen and Gary Malasky Meredith Margolis and Gary Goodweather Philip Margolius Paul and Zena Mason Carol Mates and Mark Kahan Sherry Nevins Joan and Barry Rosenthal Trina and Lee G. Rubenstein Anna Salzberg and Joshua Hoffman Rae Grad and Manuel Schiffres Barney Shapiro and Susan Walker Les Silverman Tina and Albert Small, Jr. Charles E. Smith Family Foundation Stuart Sotsky Manny Strauss and Betsy Karmin Mindy Strelitz and Andrew Cornblatt Summit Print & Design, Inc. Mimi Tygier and Robert Rubin Heidi Wachs The George Wasserman Family Foundation Diane Abelman Wattenberg Jessika and David Wellisch Ellen and Bernard Young Judy and Leo Zickler

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Eric and Kathryn Zimmerman $2,500 - $4,999 Jesse Abraham Stephen and Amy Altman The Family of H. Max & Josephine F. Ammerman and Andrew R. Ammerman Anonymous Gifts Alison Baraf and Aryeh Portnoy Joy and Leonard Baxt Joan Bialek and Louis Levitt Nancy Taylor Bubes and Alan Bubes Rose and Robert Cohen Susan Cohn Dave Connick Cornerstone Research, Inc. Scott Eric Dreyer and Ellen Clare Gillespie Dreyer Lois and Michael Fingerhut Jay Freedman Tova Geller Morgan and Josh Genderson Bonnie and Alan Hammerschlag Sandra Hoexter Leslie and Samuel Kaplan Stacey Kluck William Kreisberg The Kresge Foundation Barry Kropf Kenneth and Amy Eisen Krupsky Gary Laden, Esq. Kimberly and Bruce Levin Louis Levitt, MD and Joan Bialek Saskia and Benjamin D. Loewy Johannah and Jeremiah Lowin Howard Menaker and Patrick Gossett Rona and Allan Mendelsohn Carl and Undine Nash Patricia Payne Amie Perl and Evan Goldman Lynn and John Sachs Mita M. Schaffer Ann Schwartz David Selden and Julie Wallick Dolores Seigel Michael Singer and James Smith Myrna Sislen Francine Zorn Trachtenberg and Stephen Joel Trachtenberg United Way of the National Capital Area Wealthspire Advisors

Joan S. Wessel Janice White Carolyn and William Wolfe Anita Wolke and Ken Brooks $1,000 - $2,499 Alliance for Jewish Theatre Clement and Sandra Alpert Designated Endowment Fund Anonymous Rabbi Melanie Aron David and Deborah Astrove Cheryl and Herbert Baraf Debbie and Paul Berger Sherry and David Berz Paul Blank Justin Bohn Susan and Steven Bralove Marian and James Brodsky Carol and Robert Burman Jacqueline and Edward Cohen Janet and Michael Cornfeld Joel Croft Charles and Rochelle Curtis Toby Dershowitz Jessica Dodson and Jeremy Levine Kathy and Jody Dreyfuss Ilana Drimmer Nancy and Marc Duber Seth R. Eaton and Karen Bonnie Eaton Michael Edberg Enrique and Suzanne Fefer Leesa Fields and Jonathan Band Daniel Freeman and Rebecca Zylberman Ellen Gertsen Audrey Goldstein and Doug Sanderson Dr. Jesse Goodman Elysa Graber-Lipperman Lois and Hadar Granader Ronit Greenstein Jerry Grossman Garry and Beth Grossman Susan and Allen Hanenbaum Maya Hyman Aimee Imundo and Neil Gurvitch This list includes all fiscal year 2025 gifts to date (July 1, 2024 – March 3, 2025) from donors who made commitments or donations of $1,000 or more.

JCC Association of North America Irene and Lou Katz Richard Kaufmann Aviva Kempner The Matthew Korn & Cynthia Miller Family Foundation Karen E. Lehmann Edward Lenkin and Roselin Atzwanger Mariana Levinas Huberman Iris Lipkowitz Margery London Hal and Melanie Marcus Kenneth & Ellen Marks Mary Lynne Martin Alan McAdams and Ellen Dykes Cathy and Scot McCulloch Jean and Richard Meyer Nell Minow and David Apatoff Gary Mintz Jason Najjoum Joan Nathan Joel and Nancy Poznansky David Lee Preston and Ronda Goldfein Nancy and Samuel Raskin Renay and Bill Regardie Bruce Rosenblum Linda Rosenzweig and Sandy Bieber Iris and Gene Rotberg Steve and Ann Roth Becky Schneider, Michael Stecher and Family David Schnitzer and Claire Bergeron Pat and Bob Shapiro Patti and Jerry Sowalsky Susan Rubin Suleiman Ann Swerdel Tides Center Ziva and Aaron Tomares Allison and Daniel Turner Lise Van Susteren and Jonathan Kempner Dr. Kathryn Veal Debra Vodenos and Samuel Boxerman Bunny Weinstein Jeff Weiss Judith Wind Sylvia & Peter Winik Janet and Robert Wittes Jennifer Zwilling Rosenwasser and Jon Rosenwasser

JxJ Leadership

EDCJCC Leadership

Yael Luttwak, Artistic Director Elijah Jones, Operations Manager Yaa Amoakohene, Production Coordinator Jill Gershenson, Arts Marketing Manager Nino Porter, Ticket Office Manager

Johanna Chanin, President Eva Davis, Vice President Meredith Margolis, Vice President

Janis Schiff, Vice President Jonathan Grossman, Treasurer Amie Perl, Assistant Treasurer Benjamin Loewy, Secretary

Directors Janet B. Abrams

Olufunmike Adeyemi* Andrew Altman Joan Berman Michele G. Berman Jordan Lloyd Bookey Jennifer Bradley Jaclyn Lerner Cohen Sara Cohen Eva Davis Jonathan Edelman Myrna Fawcett Meg Flax Brian Gelfand Daniel Glickman Dina Gold Debra Goldberg David Goldblatt Rena Gordon Lori Kaplan Brad Lackey

Joshua Maxey Alyssa Moskovitz Sid Moskowitz Alfred Munzer Alyson Myers Melanie Franco Nussdorf Amie Perl Arnold Polinger Shannon Powers Norm Rich Ilene Rosenthal Michael Salzberg Max Sandler Rhea Schwartz Michael Singer Tina Small Mimi Tygier Diane Abelman Wattenberg Jessika Wellisch Eric Zelenko Jennifer Zwilling, CEO, ex-officio

Founding Director

Vice President Emeritus

Directors Emeriti

Honorary Director

JxJ Staff

JxJ Council

Mimi Tiger, Chair Sara Cohen, Vice-Chair Janet Abrams Alison Baraf Debbie Berger Fox Charles Both Jessica Dodson Ilana Drimmer Bunny Dwin Tava Geller Morgan Genderson Dan Glickman Audrey Goldstein Mariana Huberman Maya Hyman Aviva Kempner, Advisor Bruce Levin Margery London Jennifer Loew Mendelson Joan Nathan Dolores Siegel Manny Schiffres Richard Solloway Susan Rubin Suleiman Heidi L. Wachs Julie Wallick

Ginny Edlavitch

Northern Virginia Film Committee Felice Berkowitz Nada Chandler Barbara Finkel James Finkel Josh Greene Dan Rubens Janine Rubens

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Officers

Sigi Saadia Ingrid Shoenberg Deborah Yaffe Karen Scheer

Stephen Altman Rose H. Cohen Jill Granader Martha Winter Gross Daniel O. Hirsch Stephen Kelin William Kreisberg Saul Pilchen John R. Risher, Jr.* Deborah Ratner Salzberg Lynn Skolnick Sachs Mindy Strelitz Francine Zorn Trachtenberg Robert Tracy Ellen G. Witman

Lee G. Rubenstein

Barbara Abramowitz

Executive Staff

Jennifer Zwilling, Chief Executive Officer Charlie Winters, Chief Finance and Administration Officer Jesse Bordwin, Chief Experience Officer Emily Jillson, Senior Director of Advancement

Join us Year-Round The show goes on even after the Festival ends! JxJ presents programs year-round, including weekly screenings and monthly concerts that take place at our state-of-the-art concert and cinema venue in the Edlavitch DCJCC on 16th and Q Streets.

Visit JxJDC.ORG after the Festival and sign up for our email newsletter to stay updated on upcoming shows.