soviet JEWRY

915.694

ASYA  (Children of Jerusalem Series)  (1992)

Chi

Asya’s family arrived in Jerusalem from Russia ten months prior to the making of this film and were receiving government assistance as part of a relocation program for Jewish immigrants. She loves Israel, has adapted well, and talks to other children about immigration on a radio program. Asya and her family visit cousins who arrived two weeks earlier from Russia and discuss the situation in Russia. Study guide available.

30 min.  AGE: 8 to 14

JHVC

F

Commissar  (1967)

Com

Following the 1917 Russian Revolution, a bitter Civil War was fought between the Red Army Bolsheviks and the White Army. Many of the battles raged in areas of Jewish settlement, resulting in great devastation and, often, in widespread massacres by reactionary elements. Commissar, set against these events, was banned by the Soviet government for 21 years and was only given new life with the coming of Glasnost. A tough Red Army commander's military career is disrupted by an unwanted pregnancy. Forced to stay with a poor Jewish family until her child is born, she comes face-to-face with a different culture and finds herself transported by the warmth and compassion of her hosts. Ultimately, she is forced to make a most difficult decision—to rejoin her troops or stay with her child. Note: Suitable for adults only due to the subject matter and a violent scene involving children.

In Russian with subtitles. B&W. 1 hr. 45 min.  AGE: Adult

325.5

FACES OF THE FUTURE  (1992)

Fac

Features three children who represent the variety of youth aliyah, living in a youth aliyah village in Israel—Merav, a Sabra from a troubled family; Bayu from Ethiopia; and Ilana of the former Soviet Union. Study guide available.

21 min.  AGE: 10 to 14

Drama based on Bernard Malamud’s Pulitzer Prize winning novel of a young Jewish handyman in turn of the century Czarist Russia who was falsely accused in the ritual murder of a Christian boy. The novel was loosely based on a true story, the Mendel Beilis case of 1911. Alan Bates stars as Yakov Bok, a poor but educated Jew who moves to Kiev looking for a job after his wife abandons him. Yakov poses as a gentile (as this is the time of pogroms) and works for a drunken, anti-Semitic merchant – eventually rising to the position of factory overseer/accountant. Yakov’s identity as a Jew is revealed after a village boy is brutally murdered. Yakov is innocent but he is thrown in jail and tortured to try to force a confession. A lawyer believes in his innocence and urges him to hold out as he looks for evidence. If Yakov confesses, all the Jews in the area could suffer consequences. Rated PG. Note: Includes torture scenes.

2 hrs. 12 min.  AGE:  13 to Adult

909.04

INTO THE FUTURE (1945-Present)  (Heritage: Civilization and the Jews, Chapter IX)

Her

(1984)

Part of the “Heritage” series which chronicles over 3,000 years of Jewish history, thought, and culture. This chapter looks at the birth of the State of Israel; the plight of Soviet Jewry; relations between the Jews of Israel and those in other parts of the world; the meaning of Jewish identity today. Topics covered include “Israel,” “Oppressed Jewry” and “In the Western World.” Study guide available.

1 hr.  AGE: 12 to Adult

296.442

THE JOURNEY  (1989)

Wur

A 13-year-old Russian boy and an American Jewish engineer meet in Leningrad during World War II and form a relationship that changes both their lives. The engineer, Jewishly ignorant, accepts the task of teaching the boy the meaning of Bar Mitzvah and Judaism. Contrasts Soviet and American Jewry, as well as explores the relationship between Jewish education and identity. Study guide available.

34 min.  AGE: 12 to Adult

296

LIGHTS OF FREEDOM  (Alef...Bet...Blast-Off!  Episode 3)  (1995)

Ale

Part of a children’s video series in which puppets and real people illustrate how traditional Jewish values apply to modern life. In this episode David and Rachel learn the meaning of freedom from their new friend, Talli, a Jewish Russian immigrant, who tells them how her family could not openly be Jewish in Russia. Then Mitzvah Mouse takes the kids back in time to ancient Egypt, where they become personal slaves to Pharaoh (played by Dom DeLuise) and really experience how important freedom is. The Hebrew letter a (Shin) is introduced, and the song is Oseh Shalom.

Approx. 30 min.  AGE: 4 to 8

F

MAKE A WISH, MOLLY  (1995)

Mak

Molly, a 10-year-old Russian Jewish girl, moves with her parents from New Jersey to California, where she is teased for her ethnic mannerisms. Molly is invited to her new friend’s birthday party—Molly’s first in America. However, the party falls during Passover, and Molly is faced with a dilemma. Her friend is having a very special cake, but Molly’s mother tells her she can’t eat it as foods with leavening are forbidden during Passover. Molly must decide whether it is more important to eat the cake and “fit in,” or to uphold tradition by abstaining from eating the cake and risk “standing out from the crowd.” An anti-Semitic episode adds to Molly’s problems, and Molly’s parents and teachers come up with a surprise solution which enlightens the whole class about ethnic diversity. Based on the book of the same title by Molly Cone and a sequel to the film Molly’s Pilgrim. Study guide available. Note: Not as well written or acted as the film Molly’s Pilgrim (and a little too “pat”), but still engaging for young people. A perfect springboard for discussions about ethnic diversity, accepting others, friendship, personal integrity vs. “fitting in,” Passover and the importance of keeping traditions, Soviet Jewry, and anti-Semitism.

30 min.  AGE: 5 to 14

917.3

MOLLY'S PILGRIM  (1985)

Mol

Winner of the 1986 Academy Award for Best Live Action Short Subject, this is the story of Molly, a 9-year old Russian-Jewish girl who is the object of her classmates taunts. When the children each make dolls for a class display of the first Thanksgiving, Molly brings in a very different looking doll—a Russian-Jewish figure that leads the children to understand Molly and her family's search for religious freedom. Study guide available.

24 min.  AGE: 5 to 14

947

PEOPLE’S GALA CONCERT  (1991)

Peo

Russian documentary dealing with anti-Semitism during Stalin’s final years. Through documentary footage and numerous interviews, filmmaker Semyon Aranovich shows the persecution and suffering Jews experienced under Stalin. Russian Jews describe the climate of terror and paranoia under which they lived, never knowing who Stalin and his government would strike next. Includes the murder of Jewish actor Solomon Mikhoels, as well as the case of the jailing of Russia’s leading physicians. Note: Some knowledge of Russian history under Stalin is crucial. The film may be difficult to follow for those unfamiliar with Russian leaders and events. (The Russian names themselves may prove difficult for English speakers to follow.)

In Russian with subtitles. 2 hrs. 23 min.  AGE: Adult

914.7

A REFUSENIK DIARY  (1988)

Ref

Refuseniks Vladmir and Mosha Slepak arrive at their new home in Israel, reunite with their sons and meet their grandchildren. Study guide available.

1 hr.  AGE: 12 to Adult

781.7

TOWARD JERUSALEM: MUSIC OF SEVEN COMMUNITIES  (Jewish Music Heritage Library,

Jew

Vol. 7)  (1995)

Part of a series produced in Israel which attempts to develop a comprehensive documentary on Jewish music. Each volume introduces historical background and presents and discusses songs, lyrics and melodies of one particular group of Jews. Music of seven ethnic groups of instrumentalists and singers in Israel are highlighted, including ensembles from India, Persia, Iraq, Ethiopia, Kurdistan, Georgia and Tajikistan. The musicians were gathered from throughout Israel to perform in Jerusalem with Israeli rock star Ehud Banai. The video shows each of the groups in their own surroundings, with samplings of their music and a look at their unique musical instruments.

28 min.  AGE: 12 to Adult

F

YANA’S FRIENDS (1999)

Israeli romantic comedy about new Russian immigrants starting out in Israel against the background of Saddam Hussein’s scud missiles. Yana is a young, beautiful, pregnant woman whose husband deserts her not long after they arrive in Israel. Upon arrival, he takes a loan and then heads back to Russia, leaving her to fend for herself in the apartment they shared with Eli, a young filmmaker. Eli has a habit of using his camera to film people’s private lives. He becomes intrigued with Yana and films her. The story involves an unusual assortment of characters, most of them Russian immigrants. An enjoyable and often comic film, whose richness lies in the authentic feeling the characters give as believable and real human beings. Note: Two brief scenes including nudity.

Primarily in Hebrew (and Russian) with subtitles.  90 min.  AGE:  17 to Adult