The Greater Phoenix Jewish Film Festival and Generations After are excited to co-host the Southwest premiere of the new documentary film, “The Return”, at the Cutler-Plotkin Jewish Historical Society on Tuesday, May 19, 2015 at 7:00pm.
“The Return” is the fascinating story of four young Polish women who were raised Catholic, only to discover in their teens they were actually Jewish. Alongside the film’s quartet of dynamic twentysomethings, Zucker invites audiences to explore a tiny but growing sector of young Poles attempting to pioneer an authentic Jewish identity with little knowledge of their long-buried ancestry in a country still regarded as a “Jewish graveyard.”
Before World War II, Poland was the epicenter of European Jewry and home to 3.5 million Jews. In the aftermath of the Holocaust and through the fall of communism in 1989, only an estimated 20,000 Jews remain.
The Return’s award-winning director Adam Zucker will be present at the premiere and conduct a post-film question and answer session with the audience.
More information at www.gpjff.org. Phone orders only: 602-753-9366
Friday, Nov. 13: Service 5:45pm, Shabbat Dinner 6:45pm, Presentation 7:45pm; and Saturday, Nov. 14: Shabbat Service D’var Torah 9:00am, Presentation (in lieu of Torah Study) 3:30pm
Gil Hoffman is the chief political correspondent and analyst for The Jerusalem Post. Well-connected to Israeli and Palestinian leaders, Hoffman has interviewed every major figure across the Israeli political spectrum, has been interviewed by top media on six continents and is a regular analyst on CNN, Al-Jazeera and other news outlets. Called “the most optimistic man in Israel” by Israel Television, Hoffman’s writing and TV appearances provide a behind the scenes look at both the intrigue and humor in the Israeli political arena.
His visit will include a Shabbat dinner and presentation, and delivering the Shabbat morning D’var Torah and an afternoon presentation on Saturday. *RSVP & fee required by Nov. 9 for Shabbat dinner only – CAI members: adults $14, children $8; guests: adults $20, children $12.
Friday, Nov. 13
5:45pm Mincha & Kabbalat Shabbat Service
6:45pm Shabbat Dinner*
7:45pm Gil Hoffman presents, “Behind the Scenes in Israeli Politics and the Battle over the Future of the Jewish-Democratic State”
Saturday, Nov. 14
9:00am Shabbat Service – Gil Hoffman presents D’var Torah, “Peace Politics and Plutonium: An insider’s look at the Mayhem in the Middle East”
3:30pm Gil Hoffman presents, “Red States, Blue States and the Jewish State: The view from Jerusalem on Obama’s relationship with Israel”
4:30pm Mincha, followed at 5:00pm by Seudah Shlesheet (Third Meal), Ma’ariv and Havdallah
The Center for Holocaust Education and Human Dignity of the East Valley Jewish Community Center will host a daylong program commemorating the victims of the Holocaust in observance of Yom Hashoah, Holocaust Remembrance Day.
Registration is required for all programs. To register, click here. All programs are free except for the Open Beit Midrash guided tour, which includes a kosher lunch. To make a payment, click here.
- Self-guided tours (Noon-3 p.m.): “Through the Eyes of Youth: Life and Death in the Bedzin Ghetto” is an exhibit created by the Martin-Springer Institute at Northern Arizona University that tells the story of young people in the Jewish ghetto of Bedzin, Poland, before, during and after the Holocaust. Reservations are required.
- Guided tour and lunch (11 a.m.): Bjorn Krondorfer, director of the Martin-Springer Institute at Northern Arizona University, will lead a tour of the above exhibit as part of Open Beit Midrash. The cost is $14, which includes a kosher lunch following the tour. Reservations are required by April 29.To register, click here. To make a payment, click here.
- Screening of “Shalom Italia” (1 p.m.): This documentary by Tamar Tal Anati tells the story of three Italian Jewish brothers set off on a journey through Tuscany, in search of a cave where they hid as children to escape the Nazis. Their quest, full of humor, food and Tuscan landscapes, straddles the boundary between history and myth, both of which really, truly happened. Reservations are required.
- Teacher’s workshop (4-5:30 p.m.): In this free workshop, Bjorn Krondorfer, director of the Martin-Springer Institute at Northern Arizona University, will lead a tour of the exhibit and discuss how to approach stories from the Holocaust with students. The program is geared toward teachers who teach high school or college students. Reservations are required.
- Yom Hashoah ceremony (6 p.m.): Procession of survivors and their descendants and a candle-lighting ceremony; presentation by Holocaust survivor Marion Weinzweig, author of “Lonely Chameleon”; presentation by Bjorn Krondorfer, who will share his story about finding out as an adult that his father was a German soldier at a slave labor camp in Poland; and reading of names, Mourner’s Kaddish, El Maleh Rachamim led by Rabbi Michael Beyo. Reservations are required.
Partners of this East Valley JCC program include The Martin-Springer Institute of Northern Arizona University, Temple Emanuel of Tempe, Temple Beth Sholom of the East Valley and the Sun Lakes Jewish Congregation.