WHY WE SHOULD ALL WATCH "THE ROAD TO RECOVERY" July 20th Congregation B’nai Shalom at 6:30 PM one of two WORLD PREMIERES – both in the Bay Area Most of the post-October 7 documentaries fall into two categories: They show us graphic images of the atrocities and interviews with survivors who describe the violence they experienced that day in vivid detail. Or they detail the rise of antisemitism and hate crimes targeting Jews in the United States. Enter Udi Ben Seadia, a 70-year-old writer, playwright, theater director and self-proclaimed Israeli lefty, who has written and directed a different kind of documentary . Fresh, honest and filled with contradictions, the film focuses on Ben Seadia’s pain and inner dilemma, his doubts and his trepidations after October 7, as he decides after a six week pause (during which he is devastated and mourns along with all of Israel) to volunteer once again to drive Palestinians from the West Bank to life-saving programs at a hospital in Israel. (Road to Recovery , founded in 2010 by Yuval Roth, has Israeli volunteers like Ben Seadia ferrying 1,500 Palestinians patients a year to Israeli hospitals.) In his film, Ben Seadia literally takes us along on his journey – driving and conversing with a Palestinian father, whose toddler is being treated for cancer; talking with friends who berate him for spending time saving Palestinians instead of caring for Israelis, his “own people”; discussing his volunteering with his wife, who is skeptical and dismissive; and analyzing his actions with a psychologist, a historian, a doctor and the founder of Road to Recovery. He shares his feelings along the way, as he grapples with his decision, often mirroring Tevye of the Fiddler on the Roof --“on the one hand” and then later “on the other hand.” Here is a Q and A with Udi Ben Seadia: Q: Tell me a little bit about the film. How did you conceive of it? A: I volunteered bringing Palestinians from the border checkpoint to Israeli hospitals through Road to Recovery. I started three years ago and then the October 7 tragedy happened. I was shocked. This tragedy caused me to ask the question: is bringing Palestinians patients into Israel a good thing? In the film, I’m looking for answers and I’m not sure there’s a clear cut answer. I meet different people with different perspectives in the film – the people I meet reflect my inner dilemma. I ask myself: is this doing any good? Is it meaningful? Can it change a painful situation? Is Israel a safe place to stay or would I better off on an island in Greece? And I visit a friend on that island. In the film, I encounter and listen to many antagonists, including my wife, who used to take patients from Gaza to Israeli hospitals. But after the tragedy, she stopped. Q: This film is not part of any genre that is now typically post-October 7th. How is it different? A: It’s my story. You have to stick to your authentic experience. You speak your truth. I’ve been a lefty for so many years and things are not better and I’m getting older. I asked myself, “Where do we go from here? Is there any hope for reconciliation with the Palestinian people.” Since the organization (Road to Recovery) exists, the situation didn’t become better, it only got worse. I do positive things with the idea that these people need to go to the hospital and someone should take them. You hope it can create bridges. For me, it’s now Machmoud and Tahani, not something abstract. I feel a lot of sympathy and we share the same sense of humor. Q: Your film is so personal. What changes in YOU does it reveal? A: It’s good for me to articulate the questions. Out of agony and pain, you create a story. Part of me asks if one day, I’ll be able to have coffee with them (Machmoud and Tahani) and one day, I’ll not worry about sirens and alarms. The problems we face are complicated but I support a dialogue with Palestinians. They suffer as well. They have a natural desire for a normal life. Q: How would you describe the film’s process or its effect on you? Cathartic? Emotional? Probing? A: I’m not sure. It feels like I’m alive – a good way to cope with what has happened. I’m hoping that people who watch the movie are with me emotionally and not just intellectually. My last stop (in the film) is at a friend living on Aegina, a Greek island, where I ask myself, maybe I can stop worrying about all these unresolved issues. Maybe I should go to a peaceful Greek island. But I speak Hebrew. I create in Hebrew. The only place I can live a meaningful life is in Israel. Nadine Joseph is president of the board of the East Bay International Jewish Film Festival

The COVID-19 pandemic has forced many non-profit organizations to rethink how they can continue to support their community during these extraordinary times, while at the same time remaining true to their mission. If you have not already sent in a contribution, please consider doing so. Become a Donor and Build Community...One Amazing Film at a Time. We’re here for the community—building connections, providing entertainment In-Theatre as well as virtually, deepening our audience’s understanding of the history and societal context of our films, and presenting Holocaust education to local middle and high school students. Through the power of cinema and through our #StandUp film, we connect our local Jewish community with diverse religious and ethnic groups, encourage inclusion, and educate about the ramifications of prejudice, antisemitism, racism and homophobia. To do this, we need your support—as festival-goers and attendees at our Year-Round programs and as donors to our non-profit, the Independent Jewish World Cinema. As with most film festivals, tickets only account for 30 to 35 percent of our needed revenue and our student-attended screenings are either free or have greatly underwritten tickets. Your donations provide the vital resources that support our mission of building a vibrant cultural community, using films that celebrate the Jewish experience and expand the general community’s understanding of Israel, Jewish history and Jewish society. Thanking you in advance. 2025-2026 Independent Jewish World Cinema Nadine Joseph President Riva Gambert Director, EBIJFF and IJWC Your Help is Needed DONATE NOW Make your contribution now through this website by clicking the "Donate Now" button above, or by check mailed to: IJWC (Independent Jewish World Cinema) P.O. Box 4869, Walnut Creek, CA 94596. For questions, please call 925.240.3053 and leave a message. The IJWC is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Your donation is tax deductible to the extent allowed by law. Please check with your tax adviser regarding tax deductions of charitable contributions.

FESTIVAL FAQS Whether you plan to attend our In-theater or Virtual Festival in 2026, or perhaps both, you may have questions that need a fast response. Please use the guide below, which will help you to purchase your pass or tickets, reserve your seats or virtual films, stream your content at home, and more. PAS SES IN-THEATRE FESTIVAL VIRTUAL FESTIVAL RESERVING YOUR SEATS STREAMING HELP

Feedback and evaluations from past festival-goers. Matchmaking Feedback / Evaluations We value your feedback. We want to hear it. Your feedback is just one of the ways that make our Film Festival better each year. It may be an upcoming movie suggestion from you or a request to re-screen an old favorite. It may be friendly advice to fix an issue. We take your criticism (or praise) to heart and strive to do our best. Please email us , and let us know what you think. Thank you! Below are some kudos, and feedback from our festival-goers: “This is not about the films…but reserved seats, without having to wait in line for 45 min was WONDERFUL…SO EASY! Please continue doing this… ” ~ Deb K. “So glad you're back. Enjoyed all 5 movies we saw.” ~ Laurel R. “ I just enjoy all you offer. Fun to see Israeli made films, also upbeat movies. ” ~ Janice F. “The streaming format made it very easy for us to see the films at our leisure.” ~ Myrna D. “Thank you for all your offerings during the pandemic. ” ~ Anonymous “ The year-round programming has been outstanding, and the first virtual festival (this past spring) was great. ” ~ Anonymous “Keep doing what you are doing.” ~ Cheryl F. “Show Bag of Marbles and films like this to high-schools to combat anti-Semitism!” ~ Lee R. “More movies like Captain America and comedies…” ~ Andrei S. “Please reshow Australian film Bride Flights!” ~ Michael M. “So glad that the Festival is growing and part of our Contra Costa community!” ~ Jake M. “Delighted that I can enjoy international films right here in my neighborhood. The quality of your film selection is outstanding!” ~ Steven G. “Thank you for such interesting, important and even funny films. My friends and I are grateful for how smoothly everything went. Hats off to your committee.” ~ Fran T. “Wonderful always to see great performances on screen . ” ~ Robin B. “Excellent and informative documentaries.” ~ Eveline C. “Today’s films were outstanding. They tugged at my heart.” ~ Stephanie G. “Yours is the most organized Festival that I have attended. Keep up the good work.” ~ Marianne K.

EBIJFF Speaker Presentations During our Festival in 2024, we will present the films listed below with speakers who will enhance your cinematic experience by sharing their knowledge and expertise with you in pre-recorded videos. For in-theatre screenings, you will receive an email within a day of the film's showtime to watch its related presentation. For virtual screenings, the programs will begin immediately after the feature film ends. You will not need to purchase a second ticket or attend a Livestream. Holy Wine In-theatre: Saturday , February 24 Online: March 9-13 Snow R. Shai Director Snow R. Shai and producer Dana Alexander are currently running the independent movie production house Snowdrum Audio Visual they founded in 2004. Snow has been working in the media industry for over 25 years. He bring s his cinematic style and a unique tempo to this documentary. Watch now The Shadow of the Day In-theatre: Saturday , February 24 & Sunday, March 17 Online: March 9-13 Fred Rosenbaum Fred Rosenbaum, EBIJFF scholar-in-residence, is an award-winning Jewish historian and educator. In 1974, he founded Lehrhaus Judaica, Northern California's premiere school for adult Jewish studies, and led it for 43 years, while also teaching at several Bay Area universities. He has written four books on local Jewish history, including Cosmopolitans (UC Press, 2009) and has co-authored four memoirs of Holocaust survivors including the best-selling Out on a Ledge with Eva Libitzky. As a traveling scholar, he has led 25 study tours throughout the world. Watch now Shoshana In-theatre: Tues day, February 27 Online: March 12-16 Eran Kaplan Eran Kaplan is the Rhoda and Richard Goldman Chair in Israel Studies at SF State. He received his B.A. (magna cum laude) from Tel Aviv University and his Ph.D. in Modern Jewish History from Brandeis University. Before coming to San Francisco, he taught at Princeton, Cincinnati, and Toronto.In addition to his scholarly publications, he contributed articles to Haaretz and Tikkun. At SF State, Professor Kaplan teaches courses on Modern Israel, the Arab-Israeli Conflict, Israeli Cinema, Modern Hebrew Culture and the History of Jerusalem. Watch now Seven Blessings In-theatre: Thursday, February 29 Eran Kaplan Eran Kaplan is the Rhoda and Richard Goldman Chair in Israel Studies at SF State. He received his B.A. (magna cum laude) from Tel Aviv University and his Ph.D. in Modern Jewish History from Brandeis University. Before coming to San Francisco, he taught at Princeton, Cincinnati, and Toronto.In addition to his scholarly publications, he contributed articles to Haaretz and Tikkun. At SF State, Professor Kaplan teaches courses on Modern Israel, the Arab-Israeli Conflict, Israeli Cinema, Modern Hebrew Culture and the History of Jerusalem. Watch now

Lectures, Courses & Their Recordings 2024 Below are the lectures, talks, and courses we presented in 2024, with links to their recordings on YouTube. Enjoy ! Jews and Baseball Recorded December 2024 Fred Rosenbaum The riveting film Jews and Baseball is narrated by Oscar-winner Dustin Hoffman. It is a decade-spanning documentary that highlights the contributions of American Jews to the most American sport of them all: baseball. Highlights include a rate interview with legendary pitcher Sandy Koufax. Watch now Vishniac Recorded November 2024 Fred Rosenbaum Vishniac is a thrilling documentary that captures Europe from the streets of pre-war Berlin to the streets of Poland and Lithuania. This film also brings to focus Albert Einstein while he was at Princeton University. Watch now Facing the Glass Booth Recorded Septembr 2024 Fred Rosenbaum Fred Rosenbaum, an award-winning historian, painted a picture of Israel in the early 1960s, when Adolf Eichmann was captured and put on trial for genocide. Watch now Seven Blessings Recorded February 2024 Eran Kaplan The dramedy Seven Blessings, which swept the board at Israel’s Ophir Awards, revolves around an eventful Jewish Moroccan family wedding and the following seven nights, with loved ones hosting special dinners in the couple’s honor. Behind the facade of joie de vivre and togetherness, there are secrets, lies, and a painful old wound from the past that threatens to burst the bubble of their lives. Added to the mix is a comedy of errors and misinterpretation from numerous members of the family speaking multiple languages. Watch now Shoshana Recorded February 2024 Eran Kaplan 1939. This tense, historical thriller set in British Mandatory Palestine pairs a British police officer, Thomas, with Shoshana, the daughter of a leader in the Zionist Labor movement. At the same time, Likud head, Avraham Stern, leads a violent campaign to evict British authorities while the British adopt a stern policy towards the resistance. Ultimately, Shoshana will be forced to choose between the two. Watch now Holy Wine Recorded February 2024 Snow R. Shai Love wine? Even if you don't, this lovely documentary will take you back centuries and show you the history of the ancient wine presses and the beauty of the vineyard-studded landscapes that populate Israel as a serious wine region. The second half of the movie delves into the serious dilemmas that the modern country faces, including whether kosher wine production hurts Israel’s standing in the important non-Kosher markets. Watch now Fred Rosenbaum on "The Shadow of the Day" Recorded February 2024 Fred Rosenbaum The Shadow of the Day is, according to many on the Festival Committee, one of the best films to be shown this year. Taking place in Italy in 1939, it explores one man's coming to realize the impact of Nazism. Award-winning author and historian Fred Rosenbaum delves into the history of Fascism in Italy before and during WWII, as in the drama "The Shadow of the Day." Watch now Around the World with Fred on "Noodle" Recorded January 2024 Fred Rosenbaum At thirty-seven, Miri is a twice-widowed, El Al flight attendant. Her well-regulated existence is suddenly turned upside down by an abandoned Chinese boy whose migrant-worker mother has been summarily deported from Israel. The film is a touching comic-drama in which two human beings accompany each other on a remarkable journey, one that takes them both back to a meaningful life. Watch now

List of corporate and organizational sponsors as well as individuals who support all the programs East Bay International Jewish Film Festival will offer in 2026. We wish to thank our individual, corporate, and organizational underwriters and community partners for their generosity. UNDERWRITERS COMMUNITY PARTNERS EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS Anonymous The Goodman Family Supporting Foundation Howard Geifman Karen & Jim Holtz PRODUCERS Anonymous David Jadeson Nadine Joseph & Neil Goteiner Susan & Moses Libitzky Bette & Stewart Schuster DIRECTORS & SCREENWRITERS Anonymous Sandy & Dave Anderson Martin Aufhauser Lynn & Rabbi Haim Beliak Olga & Stephen Clark Joyce Ellenberg Eskaton Support Center Laura Fenster Selma & Paul Forkash Deana & Harvey Freedman Pearl Furman Andrea & Dan Green Cherie & Marc Hallert Phyllis Hallert Margalit A. Ir & Sidney B. Landman Jo-Ann & Arnold Jacobson, M.D. Earl W. Koteen Ellen Lehman Susana & Steven Maron Lili & David Naveh, Ph.D. Susan R. Nurock Carol & Ken Ogren Anne & Nathan Petrowsky Betsy Fels Pottruck Claire & Paul Rosenzweig Beryl & Ivor Silver Danielle Ullendorff & Mark Cohen Martha Ann & Sanford Wishnev STA RS Joe Abrams Sharon Abrams Sandra Belden Susan Blachman & Joel A. Biatch Robert Block Yardena Brooks Celia & Leland Douglas Patrick Feigelson Noelle Flores-Jay Noreen Gallagher Ruth & Larry Goldenberg Gayle & Stephen Goldman Vera Hartford Philip Hood Susan Jaffe Treva Kahl Scott Kambic Julia Babka Kurzrock Debra Levin Beverly Licht & Lori Lowery Margaret Marx Barbara Oseroff Timothy Plattner Marion Robboy Peter Shapiro Rochelle D. Sklansky Karla & Neil Smith Frank Trafton Sydne Weiner Jerry Weintraub Mary Anne & Hugh R. Winig Marcy & Sanford Zimmerman BETH CHAIM CONGREGATION CONGREGATION BETH EMEK CONGREGATION B’NAI TIKVAH CONTRA COSTA JEWISH DAY SCHOOL CONTRA COSTA MIDRASHA DIABLO VALLEY HADASSAH NATIONAL COUNCIL JEWISH WOMEN TEMPLE ISAIAH

A Virtual Film Festival for the East Bay bringing films from all over the world. A Festival that values diversity, encourages inclusion, and educates about ramifications of prejudice and stereotyping. Virtual Festival Begins on March 9 on Eventive We are delighted to return to brick-and-mortar theaters for six days of Festival enjoyment. However, you can still watch the films from the comfort of your home or catch up on ones you missed in-theatre. Our 2024 Virtual Festival will allow you to stream most of the movies we showed at the Century 16. We will also stream two new titles plus six shorts. All our films will have a five-day streaming window. You can start watching a film anytime during its availability. You can stop your movie and finish later, as you have 72 hours to complete watching your films. Each film’s availability window is listed in our brochure and below. Virtual Festival passes cost $1 80 and go on sale February 5. Individual virtual tickets cost $13.50 and go on sale February 10. Scroll below to see the m ovies we will present during our 2024 Virtual Festival. Once individual tickets are available for purchasing, you can either click the More Info & Tickets button for that film or directly visit EBIJFF29 Film Guide on Eventive . We are dedicated to making online film viewing as user-friendly as possible. We are here to help you navigate our Virtual Festival. Eventive's Live Chat Support is open from 6 AM through Midnight PST. Wishnev Consulting (The Computer Relationship Therapist) will also provide Virtual festival-goers with a complimentary 15-minute phone consult. For all your questions about the Virtual Festival and for Wishnev Consulting's contact information, please visit our Frequently Asked Questions . Thank you! Buy Passes Schedule Virtual Festival Catalog Festival FAQs No events at the moment

List of all events sponsored by East Bay International Jewish Film Festival that can be found in calendar format. August 2026 Today Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 26 27 28 29 30 31 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 7:00 PM Tatami 28 29 30 31 1 2 3 4 5

A list of lectures from 2022 with attached links to YouTube videos. Lectures, Courses & Their Recordings 2022 Below are the lectures, talks, and courses we presented in 2022, with links to their recordings on YouTube. Enjoy! "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. 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 Around the World with Fred: Ukraine 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. Recordings on New Lehrhaus YouTube 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. Underwritten by the Goodman Family Supporting Foundation of the Jewish Community Federation and Endowment Fund. Aristides De Sousa Mendes 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: The Early Days through the mid-1970s with historian Fred Rosenbaum on Sunday, October 23, 7:00 PM PDT 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. 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. The Early Days His Life as Prime Minister 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. 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. Eran Kaplan's Lecture 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. 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. Major underwriting provided by the Goodman Family Supporting Foundation of the Jewish Community Federation and Endowment Fund. Riva Gambert's Lecture 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. 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. 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. Shanghai & The Jews 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. Major underwriting provided by the Goodman Family Supporting Foundation of the Jewish Community Federation and Endowment Fund. Riva Gambert's Lecture 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. Lynne Thorner's Lecture 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. Erik Preminger's Talk 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. Lynne Thorner's Lecture 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 Watch the Webinar 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. Gentleman's Agreement Prof. Eran Kaplan on the Documentary "Angelica" SFSU Professor Eran Kaplan talks on the history of the Bezalel Academy of Art and Design and the art culture in pre-state Israel. The Art Culture in Pre-state Israel Prof. Eran Kaplan on the Film "Neighbours" SFSU Professor Eran Kaplan discusses the history and contemporary life of the Kurds. The Kurdish History Fred Rosenbaum on the Docudrama "Berenshtein" Based on a True Story Award-winning author and historian Fred Rosenbaum examines the role of the partisans during World War II. Underwritten by Elaine Gerstler & Booker Holton; Eve Gordon. The Role of Partisans in WWII 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. The Danish Response in WWII Yonatan Eyov on the Documentary "With No Land" Yonatan Eyov, an Israeli emissary (shaliach) serving at Stanford University, shares his own story of immigrating to Israel at the age of six from Ethiopia and the present situation facing the Beta Yisrael community. Co-sponsor: Tri-Valley Cultural Jews With No Land 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. Co-sponsor: JEICOR The Levys of Monticello 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. 1948 Battle of Nitzanim 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. The Pianist from Ramallah underwritten by Jo Alice Canterbury. Why the Wall was Erected 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 On "Dead Sea Guardians" 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 Director Yair Qedar 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. Outing Lucy 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. Saving the Planet 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. Sponsors: EBIJFF and CCJCC in partnership with Cong. B'nai Shalom and Cong. Beth Emek. The Jews of Berlin

Lectures, Courses & Their Recordings 2025 Below are the lectures, talks, and courses we presented in 2025, with links to their recordings on YouTube. Enjoy ! Q&A with the director of The Road to Recovery Recorded July 2025 Udi Ben Seadia Udi Ben Seadia accompanied his film, The Road to Recovery for an insightful Q&A session. He is a writer and theater director who has been volunteering to drive Palestinian patients from border checkpoints to hospitals in Israel. Now, he is turning his experience into a documentary, exploring not just the journey he has facilitated, but the questions that they raise. Rather than finding answers, he encounters only complexities--questions of whether reconciliation between Israelis and Palestinians is even possible in the wake of the events of October 7, 2023. Watch now Love Gets a Room Recorded May 2025 Fred Rosenbaum A group of actors perform in the heart of the Warsaw Ghetto, in a life or death context on a run-down stage! Inspired by true events during the 1942 Nazi occupation of Poland, Love Gets a Room is the story of a Jewish stage actress who must make the gut-wrenching decision to follow her heart or to escape the Warsaw ghetto. Told in real time, the film is a romantic tale of love and survival in the face of harrowing circumstances. Watch now Soda Recorded February 2025 Fred Rosenbaum 1956 Israel. A beautiful seamstress moves to a neighborhood of Holocaust survivors. Rumors about her having been a “kapo” in a concentration camp shake up the neighborhood. But Shalom, a former resistance fighter, is torn between his passion for her and his commitment to his wife and to his community. Soda won 10 Ophir awards, including Best Picture, in 2023. Watch now The Stronghold Recorded February 2025 Fred Rosenbaum Michael Aloni stars as Dr. Nahum Werbin in this tense film based on a true story. He is a reserve officer fresh out of medical school, arriving at an isolated outpost in Sinai on the eve of Yom Kippur, 1973. Soon, the war breaks out, with many of his soldiers getting killed or wounded. With medical supplies running low, and the outpost now under Egyptian siege, Werbin tries to convince the soldiers to surrender — the dishonorable but only way to save their lives. Watch now Kissufim Recorded February 2025 Eran Kaplan Kissufim, although a new film, brings us back several decades...4 years after the Yom Kippur War. It is 1977 when Israelis were optimistic for peace and a group of young women and men in the military are completing their final stage of service on Kibbutz Kissufim near Gaza. As Egyptian leader Anwar Sadat flies to Jerusalem, they navigate love, violence and morality. An outstanding film that resonates with what's happening today in Israel. Watch now His Own Way: The Cinema of Avi Nesher Recorded February 2025 Eran Kaplan For the past five decades, Avi Nesher has been Israel’s most prominent director, with many of his films having remained cult favorites. Now, Nesher is in front of the camera. His Own Way examines the DNA of Nesher's cinematic creations, which include musicals, dramas, and comedies, chronicling the homeland in which he started his career. Watch now

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