Latin American JEWRY

982

ARGENTINA’S JEWS: DAYS OF AWE  (1980)

Arg

Traces the Jewish presence in Argentina, starting with immigration from Eastern Europe towards the end of the 19th century. Until the beginning of World War I, immigration to Argentina outnumbered immigration to Palestine 3:1. The film takes viewers to Moiseville, the first Jewish agricultural community in Argentina, and to Buenos Aires, where most Argentinean Jews now live. The film also addresses current Argentinean concerns of anti-Semitism, assimilation, loss of Jewish identity and Jews moving to Israel.

55 min.  AGE: 12 to Adult

F

AUTUMN SUN  (1996)

Aut

Delightful romantic drama from Argentina about Clara, a single Jewish woman in her 50’s who advertises for a Jewish companion when she learns that her brother in America (who thinks she is engaged) is coming for a visit. The suitor who answers her ad calls himself Saul—and she soon discovers that he is not Jewish and his real name is Raul. When Clara can find no one else suitable as a faux fiancé, she decides to tutor Raul in Jewish expression and custom, hoping they will be able to convince her brother that he is Jewish. What Clara hasn’t counted on, however, is that real romance may be entering her life.

In Spanish with subtitles. 1 hr. 48 min.  AGE: 14 to Adult

972.91

HAVANA NAGILA: THE JEWS IN CUBA  (1995)

Hav

Well-made documentary which traces the history of the Jews in Cuba, focusing in the second half on post-Revolution Cuba (after 1959). Includes numerous interviews with Jews in Cuba today who describe growing up in Cuba, what their lives are like now, and why they stayed—for 95% of the Cuban Jewish community fled after the Revolution. The remaining Cuban Jews express their love for the country which they feel has welcomed them and never shown signs of anti-Semitism. Cuban and Jewish music add a lively background to the film which includes photographs and film clips of Cuban Jewry in the past and present.

57 min.  AGE: 12 to Adult

972

A KISS TO THIS LAND (Un Beso a Esta Tierra)  (1995)

Kis

Fascinating documentary about Jewish immigration to Mexico in the 1920’s and 1930’s, including numerous oral histories and historical film footage. Jewish immigrants came to Mexico from Syria, Turkey, Poland and the Ukraine. Some came to escape persecution, while others simply sought opportunity and a better life. Those interviewed describe the many frustrations and obstacles they met while adapting to Mexican life. They also tell of the contributions they made to Mexico and how they came to love this country as their own.

In Spanish with subtitles. 1 hr. 33 min.  AGE: 14 to Adult

940.53

SOSUA  (1981)

Sos

Story of how Sosua, a Caribbean island ruled by the Dominican Republic, became a refuge for Jews fleeing from the Nazis. At the Evian Conference in 1938, thirty-two nations met to discuss finding homes for European Jews, and only the Dominican Republic, ruled by dictator Rafael Trujillo (who had his own motives) offered sanctuary. The film tells the story of the group of Jewish refugees who found a safe haven in Sosua in 1940, and includes interviews with members of the current Jewish community there.

30 min.  AGE: 12 to Adult

918

A VIEW OF JEWISH LIFE IN LATIN AMERICA  (1991)

Vie

A colorful, fast-paced presentation of the aspects and impact of Jewish life in Argentina and Brazil. Includes scenes of Jewish synagogues, schools and buildings, as well as brief interviews with rabbis and Jewish communal leaders. Produced by Brazilian Airlines to promote Jewish tourism. Note: Because there is semi-nudity in a very brief “samba scene” approximately 22 minutes into the film, previewing may be necessary.

26 min.  AGE: 12 to Adult

946.9

WITHOUT THE PAST: PORTUGAL  (1997)

Wit

Traces the history of Portuguese Jewry from its beginning until today. The film is primarily narrated by Isaac Bitton, a Portuguese Jew whose ancestors were expelled from Portugal in the 1490’s and returned after the Great Earthquake of 1755. A bulk of the film deals with the restoration of the Jewish cemetery in Faro, in the Southern Agar province of Portugal. At the end of the film, the story is told of Dr. Aristedes de Sousa Mendes—the Portuguese Consul in Bordeaux, France—who issued 30,000 visas to Jews fleeing the Nazis during the Holocaust. Note: Teachers or individuals looking for a history of the Jews in Portugal should use the section found in the first 10 minutes of the film. Those wishing to use the information about the Righteous Gentile, Dr. Aristedes de Sousa Mendes, should skip to about 18 minutes into the film. The film is somewhat difficult to understand at times due to the narrator’s heavy accent.

24 min.  AGE: 13 to Adult

982

THE YIDISHE GAUCHOS  (1982)

Yid

Fascinating, well-made documentary about Jews who fled Eastern Europe and settled in the Pampas of Argentina at the end of the 19th century. Their neighbors were Indians and the gauchos—wandering cowboys descended from Spanish settlers. When German Jewish philanthropist Baron de Hirsh heard of the plight of these Jews, he decided to fund them. He created the Jewish Colonization Organization which from 1891–1932 provided a homestead, livestock and land to these refugees who became farmers and ranchers on the plains of Argentina. Today there are only a few “Yidishe Gauchos” remaining, as their descendants have moved to larger cities or to Israel. The program alternates between interviews and film footage which flesh out a picture of the lives of these settlers and their families.

In English and Spanish with subtitles. 28 min.  AGE: 12 to Adult