For seven years the JCCNS International Jewish Film Festival has been committed to bringing the community together and presenting outstanding films inspired by Jewish history, culture, and values. Unfortunately, due to the rapidly evolving situation in the state of Massachusetts regarding COVID-19, we are sadly unable to gather in person this year as previously planned. However, the festival is still ON and all screenings will be available to you virtually! You will be able to purchase any number of films(s) and watch them (within their assigned viewing time) on a variety of your devices (computer, laptop, iPad, smartphone) or home TV.
May 11-17, 2020
THANK YOU to everyone who participated in and
supported our first ever virtual film festival!
A very special thank you to all of our incredible and generous sponsors!
We hope to continue our film festival at a later date with more films, hopefully in person. Please check back regularly for updates!
Featuring:
How it works
- 3The evening before the screening you will receive the live screening link via e-mail.
- 4The day of the screening: Click the live link; you will be able to watch the film anytime from 8:00 AM (day of) through 7:59 AM the following day.
Film passwords will be included in the same email as the film link. Please refer to the email, then copy and paste the password into the film password form field.
Film Schedule
Monday, May 11 | Tuesday, May 12 | Wednesday, May 13 | Thursday, May 14 |
|---|---|---|---|
The Keeper | Crescendo | Those Who Remained | Mrs. G |
Friday, May 15 | Saturday, May 16 | Sunday, May 17 |
|---|---|---|
Love in Suspenders | My Name is Sara | Golda's Balcony |
*Ticket buyers will receive a Zoom link to the discussion session
Film Descriptions & Trailers
The Keeper (United Kingdom, 2019)
This film generously sponsored by Izzi and Howie Abrams
The Keeper tells the dramatic true story of Bert Trautmann, a German soldier and POW who, during an era of British post-war protest and prejudice, secures the position of goalkeeper for Manchester City Football Club. His signing evokes outrage from thousands of fans, many of them Jewish. But with the help of Bert’s wife Margaret, he gains unexpected support from the influential Rabbi Alexander Altmann, who encourages the city’s sports fans to examine all men without national bias. Margaret’s love carries him through even the most challenging times and he eventually wins over even his harshest critics by helping the City team win the 1956 FA Cup Final, while playing with a broken neck. But personal heartbreak will soon test Bert and Margaret’s love, and Bert wonders if his past is affecting karma and consequence.
(113 minutes, subtitles)
Screening Date: Monday, May 11
Guest speaker on May 12, 2:00 PM: Rabbi Michael Ragozin, Congregation Shirat Hayam
Crescendo (Germany, 2019)
Sponsored in honor of those on the front line caring for the victims of the pandemic
When world-famous conductor accepts the job to direct an Israeli-Palestinian youth orchestra, he quickly faces a seemingly unsurmountable challenge. Having grown up in a state of war and violence, the young musicians from both sides are unable to form a team. Lead by the two best violinists – the strong-willed Palestinian Layla and the handsome Israeli Ron – they form two parties who deeply mistrust each other, on and off-stage. Crescendo is a remarkable theatrical movie and contribution to the world-wide efforts towards understanding, humanity and peace.
(106 minutes, subtitles)
Screening Date: Tuesday, May 12
Guest speaker on May 13, 2:00 PM: Deb Nathan, Founder and Executive Director of Artsbridge, Inc.
Those Who Remained (Hungary, 2019)
This film generously sponsored by Sondra & Herb Kupersmith
Having survived the camps, middle-aged Aldo lives a solitary life as a doctor in Budapest, while teenage Klara lives reluctantly with her great-aunt, holding on to hope that she someday will be reunited with her father and mother. The two meet and soon the joy in both of their lives slowly returns. As the Soviet Empire rises to power in Hungary, their pure and loving father-daughter relationship is misunderstood and frowned upon. A lyrical story of the healing power of love in the midst of conflict, loss and trauma, Those Who Remained reveals the healing process of Holocaust survivors through the eyes of a young girl in post-World War II Hungary.
(83 minutes, subtitles)
Screening Date: Wednesday, May 13
Mrs. G. (Israel, 2019)
This film generously sponsored by Rhonda & John Gilberg
Holocaust survivor, Lea Gottlieb, affectionately known as Mrs. G, is the legendary designer, founder and owner of the Gottex swimwear empire. The documentary film, Mrs. G, follows her dominant personality and climb to the top of the fashion world, all while navigating the complex relationships with her two daughters, who both worked for the family business. Ultimately, her unbridled passion, leads her to pay a heavy personal price.
(55 minutes, subtitles)
Screening Date: Thursday, May 14
Guest speaker on May 15, 2:00 PM: Izzi Abrams, JCCNS President
Love in Suspenders (Israel, 2019)
This film generously sponsored by Bryna Litchman & Arthur J. Epstein
This sentimental romantic comedy explores the relationship between Tami, a 60-year old optimistic widow, who is always smiling and living comfortably in a beautiful retirement home, and Beno, a grouchy widower in his 70s struggling to pay his rent. Tami and Beno are complete opposites - but love has its own rules. From their first unfortunate encounter when Tammy hits Beno with her car, the twosome experience emotional and amusing struggles. Their relationship evolves as they get close, break up, reunite and then fight again. But will their ultimate fate lead the unlikely couple to meet at the altar?
(102 minutes, subtitles)
Screening Date: Friday, May 15
My Name is Sara (USA, 2019)
This film generously sponsored by Linda & John Smidt
This film tells the true life-story of Sara Guralnick, a 13 year-old Polish Jew, whose entire family was killed by Nazis in September of 1942. After a grueling escape to the Ukrainian countryside, Sara steals her Christian best friend's identity and finds refuge in a small village where she is taken in by a farmer and his young wife. She soon discovers the dark secrets of her employers' marriage, compounding the greatest secret she must strive to protect, her true identity.
(111 minutes, subtitles)
Screening Date: Saturday, May 16
Guest speaker on May 17, 2:00 PM: David Himmelstein, screenwriter of My Name is Sara
Golda’s Balcony, The Film (USA, 2019)
Tovah Feldshuh performed Golda’s Balcony on Broadway to over 500 sold-out audiences, making it the longest-running one-woman show in Broadway history. Feldshuh’s marvelous talent is now captured on film as she recreates 100 years of Jewish history playing 45 different characters, including David Ben-Gurion, Moshe Dayan, Holocaust survivors, Henry Kissinger, Israeli soldiers and, of course, Golda Meir.
(86 minutes)
Screening Date: Sunday, May 17
Guest speaker on May 18, 2:00 PM: David Fishelson, Producer of Golda’s Balcony, the Film
Committee Members
Sara Winer, Chair
Ina-Lee Block
Beverly Bookin
Fran Freiman
Paul Gulko
Rosanne Hamblet
Mim Karlyn
Diane Knopf
Eddie Knopf
Helene Levin
Cheryl Lunder
Michelle Myerson
Judy Remis
Howard Rich
Sharon Rich
Shelley Sackett
Phyllis Sagan
Susan Steigman
Marilyn Winick
Barbara Wolf
Izzi Abrams,
JCCNS President
Marty Schneer,
JCCNS Executive Director
Sara Ewing,
JCCNS Adult Program Director
Stephanie Greenfield,
JCCNS Director of Development
