DIRECTED BY JANUSZ MAJEWSKIPoland, 2019, 123 minutes

LANGUAGEGerman, Polish with English subtitles

GENRE Thriller

Black Mercedes Monday–Wednesday, March 1–March 3Things are seldom what they seem in this harrowing film noir set in 1942 Warsaw against the backdrop of WWII. A woman is murdered, but who, exactly, is the victim? Is the investigator to be trusted? The husband? The lover? Sponsored by June and Leonard Goldberg

One of the many reasons to be relieved, upbeat, and positive that we have finally turned the calendar from 2020 to 2021 is the Houston Jewish Film Festival! While some restrictions will prevent us from having a typical, in-person festival, we are excited to announce that we will continue the 17-year honored tradition of connecting community through film with a virtual festival. Join us from the comfort of your own home and at our drive-in experience as we laugh together at hilarious comedies, cry together at heartfelt dramas and so much more.–Jody Sweed, Houston Jewish Film Festival Chair

DIRECTED BY EMMA SELIGMAN USA, 2020, 77 minutes

LANGUAGEEnglish

GENRE Comedy

Shiva Baby Saturday, March 6 | 8:00 PMPresented with Congregation Beth Yeshurun 4525 Beechnut St. This is not your traditional shiva. This is a laugh-out-loud dark comedy and single-location anxiety roller coaster that explores a young Jewish woman’s coming of age in the most awkward and surprisingly powerful ways possible. Sponsored by Alamo Title-Bellaire Supported by The Medallion Assisted Living Residence & Seven Acres Senior Services

DIRECTED BY STEVEN PRESSMANUSA, 2020, 72 minutes

LANGUAGE English

GENREDocumentary

Holy SilenceTuesday–Thursday, March 2–March 4Q&A with Director Steven PressmanThursday, March 4 | 12:00 PM

What was the role of Pope Pius XII during the Nazi era? What will be the history’s judgment? “Neutrality helps the oppressor, never the victim. Silence encourages the tormentor, never the tormented.” -Elie Weisel

Saul and Ruby’s Holocaust Survivor Band Thursday–Saturday, March 4–March 6

A celebration of life and music! This uplifting and timely documentary showcases mankind’s ability to find purpose and joy in life even after experiencing the horrors of antisemitism and bigotry, all while facing the struggles of growing old.

DIRECTED BY CAROLINE LINKGermany/Switzerland, 2019, 119 minutes

LANGUAGE German with English subtitles

GENRE Drama

When Hitler Stole Pink RabbitWednesday–Friday, March 3–March 5 Presented with Holocaust Museum Houston

In 1933, nine-year-old Anna must flee Berlin with her family to join her father, a well-known Jewish journalist escaping the Nazis, in Zurich. She has to leave everything behind, including her beloved pink rabbit, and face a new life full of challenges and hardships abroad.

DIRECTED BY TALYA LAVIEIsrael, 2020, 90 minutes

LANGUAGEHebrew with English subtitles

GENRE Comedy

HoneymoodSunday–Tuesday, February 28–March 2Join us live Sunday, February 28 at 7:00 PM for Opening Night Festivities

Screening includes Q&A with Director Talya Lavie

Instead of spending their wedding night in a luxurious hotel suite, these two newlyweds are journeying across Jerusalem to return an inappropriate gift from the groom’s ex. Hilariously written and directed by filmmaker Talya Lavie who also made Zero Motivation. The J is pleased to announce that opening night is sponsored by the newly established Margolis Family Endowment. We want to thank and recognize Judy and Rodney Margolis, Rosalyn and Barry Margolis, and Judy and Ken Margolis for their support and generosity.

OPENING NIGHT

DRIVE-IN SCREENING

AsiaTuesday–Thursday, March 9–March 11Israel’s entry into the 2021 Oscars, Asia stars Shira Haas (Unorthodox) as a sullen, ill teenager whose mother, largely absent, is having an affair with a married doctor. Their relationship appears that of sisters rather than parent and child, each disappearing into her own world until each finally takes tentative steps toward mutual understanding.

DIRECTED BY RUTHY PRIBAR Israel, 2020, 85 minutes

LANGUAGEHebrew with English subtitles

GENRE Drama

CLOSING NIGHT

DIRECTED BY TOD LENDING USA, 2020, 80 minutes

LANGUAGE English

GENREDocumentary

Menachem Begin:Peace and War Sunday–Tuesday, March 7–March 9

A man of contradictions, a warrior and a peacemaker, a member of the Haganah, and signer of a peace treaty with Anwar Sadat, Menachem Begin had supporters and detractors. His complicated legacy is explored through archival footage and contemporary interviews with key figures from his past.

DIRECTED BY LEVI ZINI Israel, 2020, 87 minutes

LANGUAGEHebrew with English subtitles

GENRE Documentary

Sky RaidersSunday–Tuesday, March 7–March 9

Suitable for the entire family, Sky Raiders is a heartwarming and engrossing film about the adventures of two young teens who follow their dreams of restoring an old airplane to its former glory and flying in an air show. It’s the perfect antidote to 2020.

DIRECTED BY LIOR CHEFETZ Israel, 2019, 103 minutes

LANGUAGEHebrew with English subtitles

GENRE Family

Live Performance and Q&A underwritten by the Doreen Joffe and Sharon Kagan Founders Fund

Non-Profit Org.U.S. Postage

PAIDPermit No. 6217Houston, Texas

For details and to purchase tickets and passes, visit erjcchouston.org/filmfest or contact Judy Weil at 713.595.8173.

EVELYN RUBENSTEIN JCC OF HOUSTON5601 S. Braeswood | Houston, TX 77096erjcchouston.org

J @Home PlatformJ @Home is your personal portal to all of your virtual programs at the J. Purchase a ticket, log into your portal and your content will all be in one place with no Zoom links required! Films will all be available for a 48-hour window, and several include a Q&A with the filmmaker.

erjcchouston.org/virtual

FUNDERS & SUPPORTERS

CrescendoMay 2021 | DATES TBA

When a world-famous conductor tries to create an Israeli-Palestinian orchestra, it takes all his skill and resources to overcome the discord and get them to play in harmony, rising to a tense and emotional finale. A remarkable theatrical movie and contribution to the world-wide efforts towards understanding, humanity and peace.

Evelyn Rubenstein JCC

Patrons of the Arts

The Maurice Amado Foundation

LILLIAN KAISER LEWIS

FOUNDATION

The End of LoveTuesday–Thursday, February 16–February 18

Perhaps the timeliest of our films! Separated by visa renewal issues, a young couple struggles to stay romantically connected over Skype.She’s in Paris, he’s in Tel Aviv. A uniquely funny and emotional exploration of the importance of communication.

DIRECTED BY KEREN BEN RAFAEL France/Israel, 2019, 90 minutes

LANGUAGE French and Hebrew with English subtitles GENREDrama

DIRECTED BY DROR ZAHAVIGermany, 2020, 106 minutes

LANGUAGE English, German with English subtitles

GENREDrama

FILM + CONVERSATIONMy Name is SaraSunday–Tuesday, April 4–April 6

Twelve-year-old Sara escapes from her Polish village on the eve of the Nazi takeover. Posing as a Christian, she finds refuge on a farm working for room and board. Almost exposed several times, the tension is palpable as Sara manages to survive by wit and instinct.

Hollywood’s II.World WarMonday–Wednesday, April 26–April 28

Courage and a desire to document the truth led four famous Hollywood directors to risk it all and return to their home countries during World War II. Each produced unique and, until now, long-forgotten documentaries for the US Army.

There are No Lions in Tel AvivWednesday–Friday, April 14–April 16

Celebrate Yom Ha’Atzmaut with There are No Lions in Tel Aviv. The story of the chief Rabbi of Copenhagen’s Jewish community, who would come to be known as Rabbi Doolittle. In 1935, Max Shorenstein left his honorable position as chief Rabbi of Copenhagen, to fulfill a longtime dream: to build a zoo in Tel Aviv and teach the local children about the love of animals.

HOUSTON JEWISH F ILM FEST IVAL : THE SEQUEL

David Mikics Stanley Kubrick: American Filmmaker Thursday, April 29 | 7:00 PMDrawing on interviews and new archival material, David Mikics for the first time explores the personal side of Stanley Kubrick’s films in this engrossing biography of one of the most influential filmmakers in cinematic history.

DIRECTED BY STEVEN ORITTUSA, 2019, 111 minutes

LANGUAGE English GENREDrama

DIRECTED BY DUKI DRORIsrael, 2019, 63 minutes

LANGUAGE Hebrew with English subtitles GENREDocumentary

DIRECTED BY JASCHA HANNOVERGermany, 2019, 90 minutes

LANGUAGE English, German with English subtitles GENREDocumentary

SNEAK PREVIEW NIGHT

erjcchouston.org

HoustonJewish

Film Festival

FEBRUARY 28-MARCH 11, 2021Celebrating 17 Years of the Best Jewish and Israeli Films

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Asia

My Name is SaraWhen Hitler Stole Pink RabbitBlack MercedesHoneymood

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