David and Bonnie Brand, Katharyn and Gordon Robertson, and Joyce Strelitz and Irv Hodes.
It was a day of endless pouring rain, flooded streets, powerful winds, and stormy skies. The perfect conditions for a night at the movies with the Community Relations Council of the United Jewish Federation of Tidewater and The Christian Broadcasting Network as they offered a screening of CBN’s newest full length documentary, The Hope: The Rebirth of Israel.
The film’s title rang true that Wednesday night as the Tidewater community remained strong and hopeful that the event would go on as planned. Hurricane Joaquin’s eminent approach to the coastline was no match for the resiliency of the patrons that were offered shelter from the storm and a fun night out. People of all faiths, ages, and backgrounds converged to view the Reba and Sam Sandler Family campus to participate in an educationally enriching extravaganza celebrating the fascinating history behind the founding of the State of Israel.
The film is divided into eight parts covering a range of events and historical figures involved in the founding of Israel: Theodor Herzl, buying the holy land, Chaim Weizmann, David Ben-Gurion, Golda Meir, Independence Day, Eliezer ben Yehuda, and Winston Churchill. A segment towards the end of the film was the highlight for some viewers depicting the bond between President Truman and Chaim Weizmann. “It seemed that President Truman and Chaim Weizmann had a good friendship…. I thought it was very funny that the President still called him ‘Cham,’” Danit Drory said holding back her laughter commenting on the former president’s funny mispronunciation of Chaim.
The screening included an exciting Q & A segment led by Danny Rubin, with the writer/ director Erin Zimmerman and executive producer Gordon Robertson.
A reception followed and DVDs were gifted by CBN to attendees.
Rachel Gross, excited to receive her DVD, said, “The Hope will become the new ‘Netflix and chill,’” for her and her fellow millennial friends back in Israel.
by Gabriella Grune