Lectures, Courses & Their Recordings
Below are the upcoming lectures, talks, and courses. Also available are the recordings of the ones presented so far in 2023, including the speaker events from 2022 EBIJFF. Speakers of EBIJFF 2023 are accessible through this link here. For the past programs of the last two years, please visit our Lectures & Recordings from 2020-2021 page. Enjoy!
Upcoming Lectures, Courses & Panels
No upcoming lectures scheduled at the moment. Please check back later!
Recordings of Past Online Lectures, Courses & Panels
"Noodle" and Around the World with Fred
On Thursday, January 11, one of our most popular speakers, author and historian Fred Rosenbaum, discussed Noodle, the social issues raised in the film, and their present-day significance for Israel.
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This program was sponsored by the EBIJFF in partnership with the CCJCC, and Diablo Valley Hadassah.
"Gloomy Sunday" and Around the World with Fred: Hungarian Jews
Our guest speaker, Fred Rosenbaum, talked on the history of Hungarian Jews on Thursday, November 2. The 1999 drama Gloomy Sunday was available for streaming October 30 through November 5. Both the film and Fred's talk were part of the IJWC year-round programming 2023-24.
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The program was sponsored by the EBIJFF in partnership with the CCJCC, Congregation B'nai Shalom, and Diablo Valley Hadassah.
Around the World with Fred: Black-Jewish Relations in America's South
Most likely you remember the 1989 classic Driving Miss Daisy starring Morgan Freeman, Jessica Tandy and Dan Aykroyd. The film takes place in 1950s Atlanta. On Thursday, September 7, award-winning historian Fred Rosenbaum explored Black-Jewish relations in America's South. This talk was part of the IJWC year-round programming 2022-2023.
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This program was sponsored by the Independent Jewish World Cinema. Co-sponsor: CCJCC, Congregation B'nai Shalom and Diablo Valley Hadassah.
Oppenheimer: Beyond the Movie
Christopher Nolan’s film “Oppenheimer” opened in theaters. It tells part of J. Robert Oppenheimer’s story and his role in making the atomic bomb. However, there is much more to learn. Tom Ramos, from Lawrence Livermore National Lab, spoke about Oppenheimer’s work before and after the bomb, as well as telling us about the many Jewish scientists who participated. Those Jewish scientists, many of them fleeing the Nazis (and later, Stalin), worked with Oppenheimer, and also with the beginnings of the “Rad Lab” & Livermore Lab. Tom is a physicist whose work at LLNL spans 40 years, including the team that developed the X-Ray laser and is the author of “From Berkeley to Berlin: How the Rad Lab Helped Avert Nuclear War.”
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This program was sponsored by Congregation Beth Emek. Co-sponsors: Independent Jewish World Cinema and the EBIJFF and the CCJCC.
"Speer Goes to Hollywood" and Riva Gambert's Lecture
On Thursday, June 8, EBIJFF Director Riva Gambert explored how The Third Reich fought Hollywood even before WWII broke out and used cinema in its war against the Jewish people. Speer Goes to Hollywood was available for streaming June 6 through June 10. Both the film and the talk were part of the IJWC year-round programming 2022-23.
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This program was sponsored by the Independent Jewish World Cinema. Co-sponsor: CCJCC, Congregation B'nai Shalom and Diablo Valley Hadassah.
"The Dove Flyer" and Joseph Samuels' Talk
On Thursday, May 18, Joseph Samuels, who was born in the Jewish Quarter of the old city of Baghdad, shared a very personal presentation via Zoom. 2014 drama The Dove Flyer was available for streaming May 16 through May 20. Both the film and the talk were part of the IJWC year-round programming 2022-23.
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This program was sponsored by the Independent Jewish World Cinema in partnership with JIMENA (Jews Indigenous to the Middle East and North Africa). Co-sponsored by CCJCC, Congregation B'nai Shalom and Diablo Valley Hadassah.
"Betrayed" and Fred Rosenbaum's Talk on the Jews of Norway
On Thursday, April 20, award-winning author and historian Fred Rosenbaum returned with another in the series, Around the World with Fred. Rosenbaum explored the history of the Jews of Norway and the impact of WWII on the community. The 2021 drama Betrayed was available for streaming April 16 through April 20. Both the film and Fred's talk were part of the IJWC year-round programming 2022-23.
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This program was sponsored by the Independent Jewish World Cinema. Co-sponsors were: CCJCC, Cong. B'nai Shalom, Cong. B'nai Tikvah, and Diablo Valley Hadassah.
A Conversation with Greg Laemmle
On February 8, meet Greg Laemmle who will talk about the EBIJFF's Opening Day film, Only in Theaters. Greg is the President of Laemmle Theaters, a family-owned and operated company which has been exhibiting movies in Los Angeles since 1938. He is a descendant of Carl Laemmle, the founder of Universal Studios. Greg will also do the Q&A for the documentary when it opens in our area on February 25, at the Century 16 in Pleasant Hill. This program is part of the IJWC Year-round programming.
This conversation is sponsored by the EBIJFF in partnership with the CCJCC and Cong. B'nai Shalom.
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Underwritten by the Goodman Family Supporting Foundation of the Jewish Community Federation and Endowment Fund.
On the Wings of Eagles
This was a 3-part program on the Ethiopian Jewish Community. The film Exodus 91, along with the companion short documentary Tzvika streamed for five days beginning January 12, 2023. At the end of the film Tzvika, we shared a pre-recorded interview with Ethiopian Israeli dancer Tzivka Iskias on his life and career since the documentary was made. This interview is now available for viewing here.
The streaming of the films and the speakers are sponsored by the EBIJFF in partnership with the CCJCC and Cong. B'nai Shalom.
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Underwritten by the Goodman Family Supporting Foundation of the Jewish Community Federation and Endowment Fund.
"Anton" & Around the World with Fred: Ukraine
On Sunday, December 11, award-winning author and historian Fred Rosenbaum dug deep into the century-old tensions between Ukraine, Russia and the region’s Jewish population in preparation for the streaming of the powerful drama Anton. The 2019 drama Anton
was available for streaming December 12 through December 16. Both the film and Fred's talk were part of the IJWC year-round programming 2022-23.
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The program was sponsored by the EBIJFF in partnership with the CCJCC, Cong. B'nai Shalom, Cong. B'nai Tikvah, and Diablo Valley Hadassah.
Underwritten by the Goodman Family Supporting Foundation of the Jewish Community Federation and Endowment Fund.
The Joint Distribution Committee is often called "The Global Jewish 9-1-1." It is the global Jewish humanitarian organization whose mission includes rescuing Jews in danger and providing aid to vulnerable Jews. It operates in 70 countries, including Ukraine. Here is what they are doing in Ukraine: JDC’s Ukraine Response | JDC If you would like to make a donation, go to: Donate to JDC | Ukraine Emergency
Time to Cancel "Cancel Culture"?
This is a three program series with online lectures on three Wednesdays, 11/30, 12/7, 12/14 at 7 PM PST, and an online film. The second program, "The Arts," includes Stephen Fry’s Wagner & Me documentary film with a discussion moderated by EBIJFF Director Riva Gambert.
The program is sponsored by New Lehrhaus in partnership with the EBIJFF and the CCJCC.
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Disobedience: The Sousa Mendes Story
EBIJFF streamed the powerful drama Disobedience from November 3 through November 7. The former director of the JCRC of the East Bay, Robert Jacobvitz, and Sheila Abranches, a descendant of Portuguese Consul General Aristides de Sousa Mendes explored the life of the late diplomat and his courageous efforts during WWII in to save Jewish lives. This presentation took place on Sunday, November 6. Both the film and the talk were part of the IJWC year-round programming 2022-23. The article by Robert Jacobvitz mentioned during the presentation is available here. As for books on the life of Consul Aristides de Souza Mendes, A Good Man in Evil Times is one you can find online. Although he was not mentioned by name, De Sousa Mendes is believed to have helped the creators of Curious George to safety during World War II. That story is told in this children's book, The Journey That Saved Curious George: The True Wartime Escape of Margret and H.A. Rey.
The streaming of the film and the speakers are sponsored by the EBIJFF in partnership with the CCJCC, Cong. B'nai Shalom, Cong. B'nai Tikvah, and Diablo Valley Hadassah.
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Underwritten by the Goodman Family Supporting Foundation of the Jewish Community Federation and Endowment Fund.
Upheaval
The documentary Upheaval on the Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin was available for streaming October 20-24. Begin’s career spanned several decades, we invited two speakers to cover the central events of his life:
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The Early Days through the mid-1970s with historian Fred Rosenbaum on Sunday, October 23, 7:00 PM PDT
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His Life as Prime Minister with journalist Avi Shilon, author of a biography on Begin, on Thursday, October 27, 7:30 PM PDT
Both the film and lectures were part of IJWC year-round programming.
The lectures and the streaming of the film Upheaval were
sponsored by the EBIJFF in partnership with the CCJCC and Congregation B'nai Shalom.
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Underwritten by the Goodman Family Supporting Foundation of the Jewish Community Federation and Endowment Fund, Sandy & Dave Anderson, Marty Aufhauser, Beth Hoenninger, Jo-Ann & Arnold Jacobson, Susan & Moses Libitzky, Carol & Ken Ogren, Mary Anne & Hugh Winig, and Martha Ann & Sanford Wishnev.
50 Years After Munich
Commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Munich Olympics during which Israeli athletes were murdered, SFSU Professor Eran Kaplan gave a lecture on Thursday, September 8. This lecture was accompanied by the documentary After Munich which will be available for streaming on Vimeo, September 7 through 11. Both the film and lecture are part of IJWC year-round programming.
The lecture and the streaming of the film After Munich are sponsored by the EBIJFF in partnership with the CCJCC and Congregation B'nai Shalom.
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Underwritten by the Goodman Family Supporting Foundation of the Jewish Community Federation and Endowment Fund, Sandy & Dave Anderson, Marty Aufhauser, Beth Hoenninger, Jo-Ann & Arnold Jacobson, Susan & Moses Libitzky, Carol & Ken Ogren, Mary Anne & Hugh Winig, and Martha Ann & Sanford Wishnev.
Will the Real Ari Ben Canaan Please Stand up?
On Thursday, August 18, 3 PM PDT, EBIJFF Director Riva Gambert shared the true story of "Ari" (not his real name) and the ship Exodus's mixed crew of Palestinian Jews and American former soldiers who hoped to sail a battered, vastly overcrowded ship from a French port to post-WWII Palestine despite Great Britain's decision to hunt it down. This was part of IJWC year-round programming.
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The bibliography for "Will the Real Ari Ben Canaan Please Stand Up" includes several excellent books (names in blue font in the document) on the voyage/history of the ship Exodus 1947 as well as other books on Aliyah Bet in general and on the pre-WWII, WWII and post-WWII foreign policies that impacted Jewish immigration from Europe to British-mandated Palestine. Many of these books discuss US immigration policies prior to WWII, the 1938 Evian Conference and the history of the British mandate for Palestine. For more information on this subject, please contact: rivagambert@gmail.com.
The lecture and the streaming of the film Exodus 1947 are sponsored by the EBIJFF in partnership with the CCJCC and Congregation B'nai Shalom.
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Major underwriting provided by the Goodman Family Supporting Foundation of the Jewish Community Federation and Endowment Fund.
Around the World with Fred: Shangai & The Jews
On Sunday, July 17, noted historian and author Fred Rosenbaum examined how the then international city of Shanghai opened its doors to thousands of European Jews seeking refuge from the winds of war and persecution. This is a powerful story of resilience at a time when most countries around the world were closing their doors to Jews. Rosenbaum explored what happened to these refugees after WWII ended.This lecture was part of IJWC Year-round programming.
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Before or after the lecture, we invited you to watch the 1999 documentary The Port of Last Resort, which details the lives of the nearly 20,000 European Jews who found refuge in Shanghai from 1938 to 1941. It features rare and remarkable film footage of this "lost world." It is free for Amazon Prime members. If you don't have Prime membership, you may rent it for $1.99. For the link to the film, please click here. You can also rent the film on Vimeo for $3.99 through this link here.
This program was sponsored by the EBIJFF in partnership with the CCJCC and Congregation B'nai Shalom.
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Underwritten by the Goodman Family Supporting Foundation of the Jewish Community Federation and Endowment Fund, Sandy & Dave Anderson, Marty Aufhauser, Beth Hoenninger, Jo-Ann & Arnold Jacobson, Susan & Moses Libitzky, Carol & Ken Ogren, Mary Ann & Hugh Winig, and Martha Ann & Sanford Wishnev.
Cinema at War (Part I)
On July 14, in Part I of Cinema at War, EBIJFF Director Riva Gambert revealed the different attitudes expressed in1930s Hollywood as Hitler's threat loomed over Europe and antisemitism rose in the U.S. On one hand, Hollywood's Hays Office "Censorship Czar," Joseph Ignacious Breen, red-lined scripts that tried to portray the Nazis in a realistic light. On the other hand, many of the studio heads financially supported a Southern California committee that sent undercover agents to spy on pro-Nazis organizations that sided with The Third Reich. We will also took a look at the 1941 Senate hearings, which alleged that the mostly Jewish moguls were using their films to push America into war out of a selfish desire to help relatives in Europe. This lecture was part of IJWC Year-round programming.
Sponsored by the EBIJFF in partnership with the CCJCC and Congregation B'nai Shalom.
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Major underwriting provided by the Goodman Family Supporting Foundation of the Jewish Community Federation and Endowment Fund.
Deconstructing "Sunset Boulevard"
Film "enthusiast" and historian LynneThorner joined us online for an in-depth "deconstruction" of Billy Wilder's 1950 masterpiece Sunset Boulevard. Thorner teaches two film classes in the East Bay and loves showing other film enthusiasts the ins and outs of how a film was made and what makes it "work. This was an IJWC Year-round program.
This program was part of From Europe with Film series sponsored by the EBIJFF in partnership with the CCJCC and Lafayette Library and Learning Center Foundation.
Erik Preminger on "Preminger"
On Sunday, June 12, Erik Preminger, Otto Preminger's son, gave an insider's view of the famous director's life. He also touched on some of his movies, one of which was the Hitchcock-like thriller, Bunny Lake is Missing. This was an IJWC Year-round program.
This program was part of From Europe with Film series sponsored by the EBIJFF in partnership with the CCJCC and Lafayette Library and Learning Center Foundation.
Deconstructing "Casablanca"
Film "enthusiast" and historian Lynne Thorner joined us online for an in-depth "deconstruction" of Michael Curtiz's 1942 masterpiece Casablanca. Thorner teaches two film classes in the East Bay and loves sharing the ins and outs of how a film was made and what makes it "work" with other film enthusiasts. This was an IJWC Year-round program.
This program was part of From Europe with Film series sponsored by the EBIJFF in partnership with the CCJCC and Lafayette Library and Learning Center Foundation.
Transkids Panel Discussion
This panel conversation is on the personal and social effects of youth gender reassignment in present-day Israel, and on how families learn to accept and navigate this complex and delicate process of gender transitioning. Panel includes Hilla Medalia, the director of the film Transkids, Noam Kaniel and Ofri Shemesh, two of the teenagers featured in the film, and Tracy Fiske, a member of the Alliance of Lionesses, a community of families for transgender and gender non confirming children. The conversation moderator will be Nate Loony, the Director of Community Safety and Belonging at The Jewish Federations of North America). May 17, 2022 is International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, and Transphobia.
Sponsors: A Wider Bridge, The Consulate General of Israel to the Pacific Northwest, and The East Bay International Jewish Film Festival
Around the World with Fred on "Gentleman's Agreement"
On Sunday, May 15, author/historian Fred Rosenbaum put the film Gentleman's Agreement, which won the Best Picture Oscar in 1947, into its historic and societal context. Gentleman's Agreement had beaten out the similarly-themed movie Crossfire. Both films deal with antisemitism in America--the first to do so--with Crossfire released just a few months before Gentleman's Agreement. The film, stars Gregory Peck, Dorothy McGuire, and John Garfield. In it, Peck plays a non-Jewish journalist, David Green, who tells people that he is Jewish to investigate antisemitism in the U.S. Elia Kazan (On the Waterfront) directed this popular film from a screenplay by Jewish writer Moss Hart.
Underwritten by Sandy & Dave Anderson, Marty Aufhauser, Beth Hoenninger, Jo-Ann & Arnold Jacobson, Susan & Moses Libitzky, Carol & Ken Ogren, Mary Anne & Hugh Winig, and Martha Ann & Sanford Wishnev.
Sponsored by EBIJFF.
Fred Rosenbaum on the Danish Film "Into the Darkness"
Award-winning author and historian Fred Rosenbaum delves into the complex response of Danish citizens under Nazi occupation.
Underwritten by Sandy & Dave Anderson; Marty Aufhauser; Beth Harris Hoenninger; Karen & Jim Holtz; Jo-Ann & Arnold Jacobson, M.D.; Libitzky Family Foundation Fund; Carol & Ken Ogren; Mary Anne & Hugh Winig; Martha Ann & Sanford Wishnev.
Steven Pressman on "The Levys of Monticello"
Director Steven Pressman talks about the film and how he came to make the documentary The Levys of Monticello about the Jewish family who not only owned but saved from ruin Thomas Jefferson's beloved house "Monticello" in Charlottesville, Virginia.
Underwritten by Cherie & Marc Hallert and Phyllis Hallert in memory of Steven Hallert, Z”L.
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Co-sponsor: JEICOR
Matan Zamir on the Film "Image of Victory"
Deputy Consul General Matan Zamir of the Consulate General of Israel to the Pacific Northwest discusses the 1948 Battle of Nitzanim, during which Egyptian forces overwhelmed the Israeli seaside kibbutz, the 1947-1949 War of Independence, and the young fighters and their place in Israel's history.
Underwritten by the Consulate General of Israel; Fran Greenberg & Don Chaiken.
Akiva Naiman on the Film "200 Meters" and the Documentary "The Pianist from Ramallah"
West Coast NCSY Director and Director of CCJCC's Project Impact Rabbi Akiva Naiman provides the historic background for why the wall separating parts of Israel from the West Bank was erected.
200 Meters underwritten by Marty Aufhauser in memory of Judy Aufhauser, Z"L.
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The Pianist from Ramallah underwritten by Jo Alice Canterbury.
Doug Seserman and Noam Weisbrod on "Dead Sea Guardians"
Doug Seserman, CEO, Americans for Ben-Gurion University and Professor Noam Weisbrod, Director, Jacob Blaustein Institutes for Desert Research examine the environmental changes that have occurred in the Dead Sea region.
Co-sponsor: Americans for Ben-Gurion University
Yair Qedar on the Documentary "The Fourth Window"
Director Yair Qedar talks about his documentary The Fourth Window, a biographic look on the life and works of the award-winning Israeli author Amos Oz. The panel is presented and underwritten by the Sacramento Jewish Film Festival.
Co-sponsor: New Lehrhaus
Outing Lucy: When HUAC Cancelled Culture
The phenomenon of “cancel culture” existed long before the 21st century when HUAC, a Congressional committee, searched for members of and potential sympathizers with the Communist Party. One of the focuses of Aaron Sorkin’s Being the Ricardos (starring Nicole Kidman and Javier Bardem) is on Lucille Ball’s being labeled a “Red” (and not for her hair color) by journalist Walter Winchell. On February 17, EBIJFF Director Riva Gambert explored how HUAC got started and the repercussions the film and TV industries experienced due to this earlier cancel culture onslaught.
Sponsors: IJWC (Parent organization of EBIJFF) in partnership with CCJCC and Cong. B'nai Shalom.
Saving the Planet: A Conversation with Dr. Tareq Abu Hamed & Filmmaker Eliezer Yaari
Dr. Tareq Abu Hamed, the Executive Director of the world famous Arava Institute for Environmental Studies in the Negev, joined the filmmaker of the powerfully moving documentary The Optimists in a heartfelt conversation about his belief that there is an alternative path to peace.
Sponsors: EBIJFF in partnership with CCJCC, Cong. Beth Emek, Cong. B'nai Shalom and Cong. B'nai Tikvah.
Around the World with Fred: The Jews of Berlin
On Thursday, January 13, 2022 noted author/historian Fred Rosenbaum placed the German docudrama The Invisibles into its historic and cultural context, as he explored the Jews of Berlin and their plight to survive during WWII.
This program was underwritten by Sandy and Dave Anderson, Marty Aufhauser, Jo-Ann and Arnold Jacobson, Carol and Ken Ogren, Mary Anne and Hugh Winig, Martha Ann and Sanford Wishnev.
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Sponsors: EBIJFF and CCJCC in partnership with Cong. B'nai Shalom and Cong. Beth Emek.
