Beyond the Old City, Mea Shearim is one of the oldest Jewish neighbourhoods in Jerusalem and is inhabited almost exclusively by Charedim (ultra-Orthodox Jews). For the first time in 40 years, Tuvia Tenenbom visits the ultra-Orthodox community in which he grew up. With a sense of joy he rediscovers the busy streets, the food, the collective dances and the music. He asks different people about what it means to be Jewish, their beliefs and their way of life. Everyone answers differently, at times giving opposing views: A local resident converted to Judaism as he wanted to participate in the life of the community. A political scientist sees the Charedim as a threat to Israel. A man the director meets by chance on a train ride has turned away from his faith because he was sexually abused by a rabbi as a child. Thanks to his honest curiosity, Tuvia Tenenbom manages to approach these people as equals. He juxtaposes the different perspectives while searching for his own truth.
Text: Dominique Ott-Despoix
English: Peter Rickerby
Followed by a reading
Following both film screenings the attending director and author Tuvia Tenenbom will read from his book “God Speaks Yiddish” (2023).
The reading will be held in English.
