For more information, visit www.simonfamilyjcc.org/filmfestival
Saturday, January 14 | 7:30pm
On the Map Doors
Open at 6:45pm | Sandler Center for the Performing Arts | 201 Market Street, Virginia Beach
Directed by Dani Menkin | 2016 | Israel | 85 min
Against all odds, an underdog Israeli basketball team, Maccabi Tel Aviv, won the 1977 European Championships capturing the hearts of a nation reeling from the Yom Kippur War, terrorist turmoil and the global Cold War. Moments after this historic win, Israeli- American basketball hero, Tal Brody exclaimed, ”Israel is on the map, not just in sport, but in everything.” Tal Brody will offer a post film discussion after this inspiring film.
Opening Night Film and reception sponsored by Patricia and Avraham Ashkenazi, business casual attire requested
Special thanks to Leslie Siegel for Opening Night reception décor l Reception elegantly catered by Village Caterers
Sunday, January 15 | 2:00pm
Defiant Requiem
TCC Roper Performing Arts Center| 340 Granby Street, Norfolk
Directed by Doug Shultz | 2016 | USA & Czech Republic | 85 min
Nominated for two Emmy Documentary Awards, Defiant Requiem tells the extraordinary, untold story of Rafael Schachter, a brilliant young Czech conductor, who under brutal circumstances sustained the hope and courage of his fellow Jewish prisoners by forming a prisoners’ choir and “singing to the Nazis what they dared not say.”
Post film discussion with Defiant Requiem Foundation President and Founder, Maestro Murry Sidlin, and Virginia Holocaust Museum Director of Collections, Timothy Hensley
Presented in partnership with the Holocaust Commission of the UJFT and the Virginia Holocaust Museum
Monday, January 16 | 7:00pm
Goodbye Columbus
Naro Expanded Cinema | 1507 Colley Avenue, Norfolk
Directed by Larry Peerce | 1969 | USA | 102 min
Based on the novella by Philip Roth, this romantic satire highlights Jewish characters grappling with issues related to ethnic identity and offers a sharp presentation of Jewish life in America during the 50’s. Neil, a library clerk, and Brenda, a wealthy student at Radcliffe, struggle to overcome conflicts with their families, social class, sexuality, materialism and idealism in this coming of age love story.
This is the annual selection of esteemed local critic Mal Vincent, who will lead a discussion before the film.
Wednesday, January 18 | 7:00pm
Crossing the Line 2: The New Face of Anti-Semitism
Simon Family JCC | 5000 Corporate Woods Drive, Virginia Beach
Directed by Shoshana Palatnik | 2015 | USA | 30 min
This short, 30-minute film reveals the rise of anti-Israel activity and anti-Semitic rhetoric on university campuses and demonstrates when reasonable criticism of Israel “crosses the line” into anti-Semitism. Chloé Simone Valdary, a leading voice in the pro-Israel movement, a Tikvah fellow under Pulitzer Prize-winner Bret Stephens at the Wall Street Journal, and one of Algemeiner’s top 100 people positively affecting Jewish life today, will lead a post-film discussion.
Part of the Community Relations Council of the United Jewish Federation of Tidewater, Simon Family JCC, BBYO and OSTY’s series, Cause An Effect, offering resources and tools to respond to anti- Semitism and anti-Israel rhetoric on campus.
Free. Contact Wendy Weissman, assistant CRC director at 965‑6107 or WWeissman@ujft.org for details on the series or to RSVP (required).
Thursday, January 19 | 7:00pm
Is That You?
Beach Movie Bistro | 941 Laskin Road, Virginia Beach
Directed by Dani Menkin | 2014 | Israel | 81 min
Winner of the Israeli Academy Award for Best Independent Film, this romantic road trip explores the path not taken in life and love. Fired from his job, Ronnie, a 60-yearold Israeli film projectionist, decides to travel to the U.S. in search for Rachel, the love of his youth.
To guarantee seating, please arrive by 6:30pm. Dinner and drinks available for purchase
Saturday, January 21 | 7:00pm
In Search of Israeli Cuisine
TCC Roper Performing Arts Center | 340 Granby Street, Norfolk
Directed by Roger Sherman | 2016 | USA | 120 min
Painting a portrait of the diverse cultures that comprise Israel today, this documentary follows award-winning chef, Michael Solomonov as he visits restaurants, home kitchens, wineries and cheese makers. While examining the food cultures of Jewish, Arab, Muslim, Christian and Druze traditions, a rich and human story of people emerges. Not only can a good meal soothe a grumbling stomach, it might change the world.
Sunday, January 22 | 5:30pm
Presenting Princess Shaw
TCC Roper Performing Arts Center | 340 Granby Street, Norfolk
Directed by Ido Haar | 2015 | Israel | 83 min
Winner of the Best Feature Documentary at the Israeli Filmmakers Forum Competition, Princess Shaw is the true story of an aspiring New Orleans singer-songwriter down on her luck, who inspired an internationally famous, Israeli YouTube artist, Kutiman to create an internet collaboration that would bring her music to the world. A real life Cinderella story, where serendipity, creativity and tech culture collide, Princess Shaw is an uplifting portrait of artists coming together to make one another shine.
Be sure to come at 5:30pm to enjoy the reception preceding the film which is elegantly catered by TCC Culinary Arts students.
Special guest speaker and featured star in the film, Princess Shaw, will lead a post-film discussion and performance.
Presented in partnership with the Community Relations Council of UJFT, Simon Family JCC and community partners’ Israel Today series.