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Israel Film Center Festival
Join us for the 11th annual Israel Film Center Festival, with in-person screenings June 1-8, 2023. Virtual films screening June 1-12, 2023.
FILM LINEUP
Silent
Dir. Shemi Zarhin Narrative | Hebrew | Israel | 2022 | 130 min
North American Premiere: Avihu, a controversial TV host, is back from suspension at the height of a prime minister election campaign. The leading candidate won’t speak to the media or give interviews, but has agreed—on his terms—to give Avihu an exclusive interview. He isn’t the only one who is silent; Avihu’s mother has mysteriously stopped talking. Caught in the whirlwind of their silence, Avihu is on a path to his own reckoning.
Trailer: https://youtu.be/IV6DHw-_FV4
Ticketing:
Streaming: June 1–12, $18
https://watch.eventive.org/ifcf2023/play/64511d8615191b0047dfa649
In person: Thu, Jun 1, 7 pm, $25 | Followed by Reception https://ifcf2023.eventive.org/schedule/644990728961e50049447868
Elik and Jimmy – השמן
Dir. Gudis Schneider
Narrative | Hebrew | Israel | 2022 | 93 min
North American Premiere: A witty and charming romantic comedy. Jimmy and Elik meet in the army, days before they’re discharged. A decade later, their paths cross again and they become friends. At least, until love gets in the mix.
Trailer: https://youtu.be/BU_70hqdjGU
Ticketing:
Streaming: June 1–12, $18 https://watch.eventive.org/ifcf2023/play/645037f2a253010055ee023e
In person: Fri, Jun 2, 5:30 pm, $18 | 20s + 30s Shabbat Dinner at 7:30 pm, $36 (dinner + movie) https://ifcf2023.eventive.org/schedule/643d75f74b02c3007b56941f
America
Dir. Ofir Raul Graizer
Narrative | Hebrew | Israel | 2022 | 127 min
Having lived in Chicago for a decade, Israeli swimming coach Eli (Michael Moshonov) goes back to Tel Aviv after the sudden death of his estranged father. While there, he visits his childhood friend’s flower shop. However, the reunion triggers a series of life-altering events. After the success of The Cakemaker, writer/director Ofir Raul Graizer returns with an affectionate tribute to ‘60s and ‘70s cinema in a film full of emotion, color, and fragrance that pays homage to values such as friendship, love, and moral responsibility.
Trailer: https://youtu.be/DLdN5qWVJvI
Ticketing:
Streaming: June 1–12, $18 https://watch.eventive.org/ifcf2023/play/6452ab66480f370026f94810
In person: Sun, Jun 4, 2 pm, $18 https://ifcf2023.eventive.org/schedule/6448206ee4eb07006c7bfbd0
June Zero*
Dir. Jake Paltrow
Narrative | Hebrew | USA/Israel | 2023 | 105 min
Israel, 1962. After an emotional public trial, Adolf Eichmann has been tried and sentenced to death for crimes against humanity and the Jewish people. June Zero follows three characters involved in this nation-defining event: David, a 13-year-old Libyan immigrant, who works in the factory where Eichmann’s corpse was incinerated; Hayim, a Moroccan guard assigned to Eichmann’s jail cell; and Micha, a Polish survivor of Auschwitz and chief interrogator at the trial. These three seemingly disparate characters are inexorably connected in this seminal moment of Jewish history.
Trailer: https://youtu.be/FQMDlpaXMYE
Ticketing:
In person Only: Sun, Jun 4, 4:30 pm, $18 https://ifcf2023.eventive.org/schedule/64482413c4e57b0053e93592
Concerned Citizen – אזרח מודאג
Dir. Idan Haguel
Narrative | Hebrew | Israel | 2022 | 82 min
Architect Ben thinks of himself as a socially progressive, enlightened gay man. But a neighborly conflict over a newly planted tree in his up-and-coming south Tel Aviv neighborhood challenges his view of himself in this satirical drama on gentrification, xenophobia, and identity.
Trailer: https://youtu.be/yIR8uKPk-Ac
Ticketing:
Streaming: June 1–12, $18 https://watch.eventive.org/ifcf2023/play/64511d2a977ffb00888f438b
In person: Mon, Jun 5, 7 pm, $18 https://ifcf2023.eventive.org/schedule/64498f7bb7e6830099df2397
Karaoke – קריוקי
Dir. Moshe Rosenthal
Narrative | Hebrew | Israel | 2022 | 100 min
A comedy about a married middle-class suburban couple who are drawn to their new neighbor, a charismatic bachelor who hosts karaoke evenings at his apartment. Tova and Meir fall hard for Itzik’s energetic lifestyle. They enter into a competition amongst their other neighbors and soon between themselves, trying to win Itzik’s attention.
Trailer: https://youtu.be/IwwFvXOKZOg
Ticketing:
Streaming: June 1–12, $18 https://watch.eventive.org/ifcf2023/play/64511d8615191b0047dfa649
In person: Tue, Jun 6, 5:30 pm, $18 https://ifcf2023.eventive.org/schedule/644990042079e500b062a590
My Neighbor Adolf*
Dir. Leon Prudovsky
Narrative | English/German/Spanish | Israel/Poland | 2023 | 96 min
New York City Premiere: South America, 1960, just after Israel’s abduction of Adolf Eichmann. Polsky, a lonely and grumpy Holocaust survivor, lives in the Colombian countryside. When a mysterious old German man moves in next door, Polsky suspects that his new neighbor is… Adolf Hitler. But when no one believes him, Polsky is forced to engage in a relationship with the enemy in order to obtain irrefutable proof.
Trailer: https://youtu.be/uhiO0CZHgf4
Ticketing:
In person Only: Tue, Jun 6, 7:30 pm, $18 https://ifcf2023.eventive.org/schedule/64498fbc2d3c3000261a98ee
The Other Widow – הפילגש
Dir. Ma’ayan Rypp
Narrative | Hebrew | Israel | 2022 | 83 min
New York Premiere: Ella (Dana Ivgy, Cinema Sabaya) is a costume designer involved in a long-term relationship with Assaf, a respected but married playwright. When Assaf dies unexpectedly, she attends every day of his shiva while keeping her identity under wraps. Diving into a world once forbidden to her, Ella grows closer and closer to Assaf’s brother, parents, and especially his wife (Ania Bukstein, A Quiet Heart).
Trailer: https://youtu.be/mm3df__M6As
Ticketing:
Streaming: June 1–12, $18 https://watch.eventive.org/ifcf2023/play/64511e0db69be50058e7d7df
In person: Wed, Jun 7, 7 pm, $18 https://ifcf2023.eventive.org/schedule/644990a7b7e6830099df246e
The Good Person – הנפש הטובה
Dir. Eitan Anner
Narrative | Hebrew | Israel | 2022 | 86 min
North American Premiere: Sharon—an ambitious, workaholic, arthouse film producer based in Tel Aviv—finds herself on the brink of bankruptcy. She seizes an opportunity to collaborate with Uzi Silver, a once-revered film director, who has since become an Ultra-Orthodox rabbi. As they begin to make his comeback film—an adaptation of the epic biblical story of King Saul—artistic differences escalate into hostility.
Trailer: https://youtu.be/aQ4oJQP6VnQ
Ticketing:
Streaming: June 1–12, $18 https://watch.eventive.org/ifcf2023/play/64511bd2b69be50058e7d6a1
In person: Thu, Jun 8, 7 pm, $21 | 6 pm Closing Night Reception https://ifcf2023.eventive.org/schedule/64498efe57df2f0042589eb3
Justin Callis (he/him), our Cantorial Intern, is a fourth-year student at Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion in the Debbie Friedman School of Sacred Music. He is the recipient of the Reuben Peretz Abelson Prize for dedication to Yiddish Song, the Temple Israel of Boston Cantorial Prize, and the Lee Gura Memorial Prize for Aptitude in Synagogue Choral Music.
Sarah Adams, viola, performs locally with the New York Chamber Ensemble, the Claring Chamber Players, the Sherman Chamber Ensemble, the Friends of Mozart, and the Saratoga Chamber Players.
Violinist Michael Roth is a native of Scarsdale, NY and received his early musical training with Frances Magnes at the Hoff-Barthelson Music School. He attended Oberlin College and Conservatory, continuing his studies with Marilyn McDonald. At Oberlin, he won the Kaufman Prize for violin and First Prize in the Ohio String Teacher’s Association Competition. He completed his Master of Music degree at the University of Massachusetts where he worked with the distinguished American violinist and pedagogue Charles Treger and was a recipient of the Julian Olevsky Award. Mr. Roth is currently associate concertmaster of the New York City Ballet Orchestra and has appeared in chamber music and as a soloist with the company, most recently in the debut of “Slice Too Sharp”, a ballet of Biber and Vivaldi violin concerti, and “After the Rain”, violin music of Arvo Part. In addition he is a member of the Mostly Mozart Festival Orchestra, Principal 2nd violin of the Westchester Philharmonic, the American Composers Orchestra and the New York Pops. He was concertmaster of the Vermont Mozart Festival Orchestra for many years and often appeared as soloist there, as well as at the Caramoor and Bard Music Festivals. He has played and toured internationally with the Orpheus Chamber Orchestra and the New York Chamber Soloists.
Known for his sweet and “sumptuous” (New York Times) tone, American-born Doori Na took up violin at the age of four and began his studies with Li Lin at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music. He quickly made his first performance with orchestra at age seven with the Peninsula Youth Symphony as the first prize winner of the concerto competition. Thereafter Mr. Na went on to win top prizes in The Sound of Music Festival, The Korea Times Youth Music Competition, the Chinese Music Teacher’s Association, The Menuhin Dowling Young Artist Competition, The Junior Bach Festival, VOCE of the Music Teacher’s Association of California, and The Pacific Musical Society. Receiving full scholarships to private high school Crossroads School of Arts and Sciences in Santa Monica, he moved to Los Angeles to study with renown violin teacher, Robert Lipsett, at The Colburn Music School. There he appeared as soloist with the Palisades Symphony, Brentwood Symphony, and Torrance Symphony. During that time, the summer of 2004 was Mr. Na’s first time at the Perlman Music Program where his expression and musical identity were greatly influenced. He has been a part of the program ever since and participated in many of their special residencies in Florida, Vermont, New York, and Israel.
Alan Goodis is a touring Jewish musician playing over 150 events a year. Born and raised in Toronto, Alan is a proud product of URJ Goldman Union Camp Institute. Noted for his dedication to building relationships and community through music, Alan tours throughout the US to serve as an Artist-In-Residence and performer at Temples, Youth Conventions and Jewish summer camps.
Julie Silver is one of the most celebrated and beloved performers in the world of contemporary Jewish music today. She tours throughout the world, and has been engaging audiences with her gorgeous compositions and liturgical settings, her lyrical guitar playing, her dynamic stage presence, and her megawatt smile for over 25 years.
Dan is a product of the URJ Jewish camping movement. He has toured Jewish summer camps across North America for the last 15 years. A classically trained singer, Dan received his Bachelor of Music degree in vocal performance at the University of North Carolina. In 1995, realizing the potential of music to make powerful connections with Jewish youth, Dan established the Jewish rock band Eighteen. Since that time, Dan and Eighteen have released 13 albums. Songs like, L’takein, B’tzelem Elo-him, Kehillah Kedoshah, Chazak, Sweet As Honey, and Asher Yatzar have become Jewish communal anthems throughout North America.
Naomi Less is an internationally celebrated singer/songwriter, ritualist and educator. Beloved for her warm smile and inviting presence, communities celebrate her imagination and innovation, tenderness and pizzazz! Her original music is sung in worship communities worldwide. Naomi serves as Co-Founder, Ritual Leader and Associate Director of Lab/Shul and is a leader in amplifying women’s voices through her work at Songleader Boot Camp and her Jewish Women Rock show on Jewish Rock Radio. Naomiadvocates for people struggling with fertility journeys as a performance artist and speaker for Uprooted: A Jewish Response to Fertility Challenges. Fun fact: Naomi and her husband wrote the song shine/Yivarech’cha, a Friday night blessing, specifically composed for URJ Crane Lake Camp, sung every Friday night in the dining hall.
Her destiny became obvious to Joanie Leeds’ parents when, at the tender age of 2, Joanie grabbed the performer’s mic at a party and belted out the entire song“Tomorrow” from Annie. Jaws dropped! No one could remember ever hearing a big voice like that coming from one so tiny and certainly no one would have thought she would one day earn a GRAMMY® Award for her original music.
A composer, multi-instrumentalist, and prayer leader, Elana Arian is one of the leading voices in contemporary Jewish music. Elana’s music is part of Jewish life across the globe, and her compositions are sung in spiritual communities, summer camps, and synagogues from Louisville to London, from Chicago to the CzechRepublic, and everywhere in between. Elana just released her fourth album of original music, The Other Side of Fear, and her compositions have been published in countless Transcontinental Music collections. Elana serves proudly on the faculty of Hava Nashira (Oconomowoc, WI), the Wexner Heritage Foundation (Aspen, CO), Shirei Chagiga (London, England), and as an instructor at the Hebrew Union College in New York, where she teaches in the Debbie Friedman School of Sacred Music. Elana has performed at Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, Tanglewood, and perhaps most memorably, five separate appearances at the (Obama) White House. She lives in New York with her wife, Julia, and their two daughters, Maya and Acadia.
Known for his unique, engaging, and deeply soulful approach, Noah Aronson is considered one of the most sought after Jewish musicians in North America, making over 65 community appearances each year.
There is a reason why Time Magazine has listed Michelle in their Top Ten list of Jewish rock stars.
Kol B’Seder has been composing and performing contemporary Jewish music since the early1970s. Rabbi Dan Freelander and Cantor Jeff Klepper met as college students; over the past 50years they have released numerous CDs and songbooks. With Debbie Friedman (z”l) and others, they forged a new musical sound for American Jewish camps, schools and synagogues. Their songs, such as “Shalom Rav,” “Modeh Ani,” and “Lo Alecha,” have become traditionalJewish melodies around the world. They are delighted to be inaugurating their fiftieth anniversary celebration by appearing in support of URJ camps, where they first composed and incubated many of their early songs.
Rabbi Mira Weller (she/her) received her ordination at Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion in Los Angeles in May 2022. She studied Culture and Politics at Georgetown University’s School of Foreign Service and received her Master’s in Jewish Education at the Rhea Hirsch School of Education at HUC-JIR. She is the proud recipient of awards for her studies in rabbinic literature, her work in Jewish education, and she was granted the Myrtle Lorch Pfaelzer-Monroe Pfaelzer Award for an Outstanding Female Rabbinical School Student (2022). Rabbi Mira speaks Hebrew and Spanish (so please practice with her!). She has a passion for uncovering new possibilities in the great wealth of our tradition and for making music inspired by Judaism’s many cultures. Her guilty pleasures include cupcakes, classical music, and philosophy.
New York bassist Roger Wagner enjoys a long and diverse career. As soloist, chamber musician, and orchestral bassist, Mr. Wagner has appeared on many of the world’s great concert stages.
Sarah Adams 
Leonard Bernstein described 
Praised by the New York Times as “irresistible in both music and performance.” flutist, 
Margaret Kampmeier, 
Michael Roth
Our initiative for young children and their grown-ups provides a slate of offerings including Shabbat and holiday celebrations, music, classroom readiness programs, and new parent experiences. During the pandemic, we have leaned on $1m of seed funding for Sholom Sprouts established through this campaign as we offer age-appropriate virtual programs for our families with young children, who are the future of our community. We look forward to welcoming our littlest members and their grown-ups back to our new fifth floor, as well as hiring a Program Assistant to increase the capacity of Sholom Sprouts to grow. This program provides a crucial entry-point to the congregation and membership for young families.
