JUDAISM (Intermarriage & Interdating)

JUDAISM (INTERMARRIAGE & INTERDATING)

917.3	AMERICAN LIVES JEWISH STORIES (2000)
Ame	Three-part documentary that uses personal stories to explore what it means to be Jewish in America. The video is structured so that individual teachers can use any portion separately or view the three as a whole. *Note:* The individual segments are ideal for classroom use in exploring themes of Jewish identity – the middle segment is a good choice for discussions about interdating. A study guide is available.
	46 min. AGE: 12 to Adult
	KEHILA: A COMMUNITY IN THE WOODS
	The first segment focuses on Jewish identity and the summer camp experience. The setting is Camp Interlaken in Eagle River, Wisconsin. Jewish life at camp is profiled with numerous interviews with counselors, CITs (counselors-in-training), campers and the camp director. Scenes highlight teen campers celebrating Shabbat, singing Jewish songs and discussing values and the part Judaism plays in their lives. Campers and counselors also contrast their home Jewish experience with their Judaism at camp. *Note:* Milwaukee viewers may recognize familiar faces.
	16 min. (with intro to film)
	FAYE RUTH FISHER “I KNOW THIS PULL”
	The second segment follows the personal story of a 23-year-old Jewish woman in Boston who feels torn between her Judaism and her love for a Catholic man. Faye Ruth has been dating John since their senior year in high school and never expected the relationship to become serious. Faye Ruth is also extremely close to her family. Her parents feel strongly about her marrying a Jew and her sister is engaged to a Jew. Faye Ruth’s parents and roommate express varying viewpoints on the situation. Viewers see Faye Ruth in a number of environments: her job (for a social action group), at shul, and with a Jewish group she’s involved with. The conclusion of this segment is open ended, with the viewer not knowing what Faye Ruth’s ultimate choice will be. *Note:* Her boyfriend is not part of this film, outside of a few photographs. The focus is on Faye Ruth’s dilemma and how she and those closest to her feel about it.
	15 min.
	RACHEL CAME HOME
	The final segment focuses on Rachel, a Jewish woman in Baltimore, and her journey back into her Jewish faith. As a young person, Rachel was turned off by Judaism and dated non-Jews. Ultimately, she married a Jewish man, had children and she and her husband both started to re-explore their Judaism through shared Judaic classes. Slowly, they began to practice Jewish customs again. The video illustrates how Rachel and her family build a sukkah and celebrate Shabbat together. Both she and her husband describe the place Judaism holds in their lives.
	15 min.
F	CROSSFIRE (1988)
Cro	Set in 1947-1948 Palestine, this drama is based on the true story of the romance between a beautiful young Israeli woman and the Arab man she falls in love with. Miriam works in her mother’s restaurant in Tel Aviv and meets George, a debonair Arab from Jaffa at a security check point. George learns where she works and pursues her – and their mutual attraction and compatibility lead them into a romantic relationship. Unfortunately for the two of them, Miriam’s brother is active in the Haganah and George’s friends want to rid Palestine of Jews. When the UN declares Israel a state, tensions and gunfire erupt, and the pair separate. Eventually, they decide to flee the country together but the Haganah and Lechi movements have been watching them (fearing Miriam is a traitor) and tragedy strikes.
	In Hebrew with subtitles. 1 hr. 30 min. AGE: 13 to Adult
JHVC
F	DIRTY DANCING (1987)
Dir	Since the early part of the century, New York’s Catskill Mountains have been home to summer resorts catering to a Jewish clientele. Dirty Dancing takes place at a fictional resort where conflicts in class and privilege are played out through the romantic relationship between a naïve Jewish girl and a streetwise gentile dance instructor. Dirty Dancing stars Jennifer Grey as “Baby,” an idealistic seventeen-year-old vacationing with her family in the Catskills in the summer of 1963. Late one evening, she walks in on a private dance party and becomes spellbound by the resort’s instructor, Johnny (Patrick Swayze). Resenting her at first for her affluence, Johnny slowly learns to appreciate her values, and she, in turn, learns about life and love. Rated PG-13.
	1 hr. 45 min. AGE: 13 to Adult
F	EVERY TIME WE SAY GOODBYE (1986)
Eve	Love story between an American pilot, the son of a minister, and a beautiful Sephardic Jewish girl in 1942 Jerusalem. A young Tom Hanks stars as David Bradford, a U.S. officer with the Royal Air Force who is injured during fighting in World War II. He is sent to an army hospital in Jerusalem where he befriends Sarah – a friend of his squadron leader’s fiancé. The two become great friends and eventually fall in love amid the protests of Sarah’s religious family. Rated PG-13.
	1 hr. 37 min. AGE: 13 to Adult
JHVC
296.444	Intermarriage: When Love Meets Tradition (1987)
Int	Produced in association with the Reform movement, this film explores the realities of a growing phenomenon in American Jewish life: Between 40 and 50 percent of Jews today marry non-Jews. The five couples in the film are participants in a program designed to provide a Jewish orientation for interfaith couples not closely affiliated with the Jewish community. Their real-life stories and struggles are profound. The couples are shown during group sessions as well as at home with their families; several parents also speak out. Among the issues they grapple with are raising children, celebrating holidays and family milestones, and finding community. Viewers will see intermarriage close-up in this focused look at a major dilemma facing the American Jewish community, with far-reaching implications for the future.
	33 min. AGE: 12 to Adult

940.53	JEW-BOY LEVI (VIEHJUD LEVI) (1999)
Jew	German drama about Benjamin Levi, a German Jewish cattle dealer in 1935 whose world falls apart when the Nazis gain power in Germany. Levi trades cattle to small villages in the Black Forest area and is generally a well-liked and affable man. He is the only Jew in his village and is a gentle man who sings Yiddish songs to his rabbit. Levi loves Lisbeth, a farmer’s daughter (who also has a non-Jewish suitor). When a Nazi engineer arrives in the village to repair a tunnel, he begins to spout anti-Semitism. Viewers watch as the villagers slowly turn against their old friend, Levi, escalating into cruelty and violence. Contains violence. *Note:* This film is most effective for its non-compromising depiction of how fast an ordinary community of people can turn on their friends and neighbors once the seeds of hatred have been sown.
	In German with subtitles. 1 hr. 30 min. AGE: 14 to Adult
F	LIBERTY HEIGHTS (1999)
Lib	Barry Levinson’s semi-autobiographical drama focusing on a Jewish middle class family in 1954 Baltimore – his fourth Baltimore film (joins Diner, Tin Men and Avalon). The film focuses on the two sons in the family as they explore the world around them. Academy Award winner Adrian Brody plays Van, the oldest of the boys, and a college student. Van attends a gentile party with his friends and falls for an attractive and aristocratic blonde. The younger brother, Ben, befriends a beautiful and intelligent African-American girl who enters his school during the time of early desegregation. Neither family approves of this alliance – especially hers (her father is a doctor). The film has many humorous moments (although viewers will either find it humorous or distasteful to see a Jewish boy who wants to be Hitler for Halloween). Many issues are tackled, including racism, anti-Semitism, Jewish identity and the mixing of people from different cultures and classes. *Note:* Some viewers may feel that the portrayals of the older Jews in the film are somewhat stereotyped. The father and his buddies run a burlesque show, which is a cover for a numbers racket. The mother continually warns her kids to be careful of “the other kind.” Levinson actually attempted to break Jewish stereotypes with this film. He portrays middle class Jews who are similar to the Jews he grew up with, and who are just beginning to explore beyond the Jewish world. Rated R.
	2 hrs. 8 min. AGE: 17 to Adult
296.436	A PURIM MESSAGE (1987)
Pur	A modern view of the Purim story, dealing with the problems of intermarriage and assimilation. The framework of this video involves three college students in Israel working on a video project about Jewish holidays. When one of the students receives news that her sister is serious about a non-Jewish man, it sets off a whole series of discussions and role playing—including a closer look at Queen Esther’s marriage to King Ahasuerus. Produced by the World Zionist Organization. *Note:* Should be previewed by schools for suitability.
	25 min. AGE: 12 to Adult

296.444	RACHEL (1974)
Rac	A trigger film designed to introduce the subject of intermarriage. A middle-aged Jewish man appears to be mourning his daughter's death—but the viewer discovers that she is intermarrying, and it is the hour of her church wedding. Study guide available. *Note:* A good tool for discussion, but know your audience—it may be offensive to some people.
	3 min. AGE: 12 to Adult
F	SOLOMON & GAENOR (2000)
Sol	Drama set in 1911 Wales about the romance between Solomon, a young Jewish door-to-door linen salesman and Gaenor, the daughter of a church-going mining family in the town where he does business. Solomon is attracted to Gaenor and courts her concealing from her his Judaism and his family. The lovers meet secretly at first, and Gaenor can’t understand why Solomon does not marry her. After some anti-Semitic eruptions, Solomon’s family’s business is destroyed and they leave the area. The film has a tragic ending and is reminiscent of a modern Romeo and Juliet tale. Includes beautiful cinematography, fine acting and an interesting view of Jewish life in Wales. *Note:* Includes some nudity and violence.
	In English, Welsh and Yiddish. AGE: 17 to Adult

JHVC
F	THE WAY WE WERE (1973)
Way	Katie Morosky and Hubbell Gardner couldn’t be more different. She’s a political activist, a working-class Jew who attends college while holding several jobs; he’s a wealthy gentile, born to privilege, who wins several varsity letters for college sports. A pair of near-opposites, they powerfully attract each other when they meet again eight years after graduation. Katie and Hubbell marry, but theirs is no easy relationship. The differences that drew them together also strain their marriage, overriding their affection. Katie cannot stop trying to perfect the world and Hubbell cannot bear her attempts to fix everything around her, including him. Set against the background of World War II and the McCarthy era, The Way We Were is an unforgettable portrait of a deep love that can’t last. Rated PG.
	1 hr. 58 min. AGE: 12 to Adult
296.444	WHAT PAUL TOLD SALLY (1980)
Wha	In this trigger film, Paul is faced with the dilemma of whether or not to take Sally, a non-Jewish girl, to a Jewish Community Center dance. His friend and his coach advise against it. Some important differences between Jewish and Christian religious traditions are explained. Some of the dialogue is contrived and the acting amateurish. Produced by UAHC and the United Synagogue Commission on Jewish Education. *Note:* This film exposes major concerns about interdating and intermarriage. Since the film is open-ended—not providing a solution to the problem—this material should be shown by a knowledgeable discussion leader.
	12 min. AGE: 12 to Adult

Additional films which deal with Intermarrige or Interdating:

	ANNIE HALL
	ASSISTANT, THE
	AUTUMN SUN
	CRIMES AND MISDEMEANORS
	CROSSING DELANCEY
	ENEMIES: A LOVE STORY
	FUNNY GIRL
	GENTLEMAN’S AGREEMENT
	JAZZ SINGER, THE (1927, 1980)
	LEON THE PIG FARMER
	MAJORITY OF ONE, A
	MISS ROSE WHITE
	SOFIE
	TEVYE

Judaism Categories:

Identity	Intermarriage & Interdating	Jewish-Black Relations
Jewish-Christian Relations	Life Cycle	Religion

ANNIE HALL

TEVYE