Embrace your Jewish roots at film fest

The Joanne Forman Film Festival presents three Sundays of films with moderated  discussions and refreshments at Temple Beth-El in Providence.  This year’s theme is “Journeys: Sustaining, Discovering and Embracing Jewish Roots.”

March 20, the first film, “Jubanos: The Jews of Cuba,” kicks off the festival. This film highlights the heroic efforts of the remaining 1,500 Jews in Cuba to sustain and revive Jewish life under the Communist regime. There will be a discussion with Rabbi Sarah Mack and participants in the recent temple-sponsored trip to Cuba. They’ll show slides from the trip.

April 3, “The Return” focuses on four young Polish women who discover their Jewish roots and embark upon a quest to understand their identities in the context of Poland’s past, present and future. A discussion with filmmaker Adam Zucker follows.

April 10, features “Next Year Jerusalem” about a transformational trip to Israel taken by eight residents and staff of an American senior living community, who have overcome obstacles to make the trip. There is a discussion following with Mike Fink, professor at the Rhode Island School of Design.

Sponsored by the Sisterhood of Temple Beth-El, the film festival has taken place for 15 years and was originally co-chaired by Joanne Forman. Several years ago, it was named in her memory, according to current chair Ellen Silverman.

“Joanne was a generous, giving volunteer,” Silverman said. “Everyone loved her.” And, Silverman said, she cared deeply about the temple.

All films screen at 2 p.m. in the Meeting Hall of the temple, 70 Orchard Ave. Admission is free and refreshments are included.

FRAN OSTENDORF is editor of The Jewish Voice.