Detroit Jewish Film Festival to Celebrate Jewish Culture

News Summary

The Detroit Jewish Film Festival will run from April 28 to May 11, offering a diverse range of films celebrating Jewish culture. Highlights include the biopic ‘Midas Man’ and events featuring cultural discussions and family programs. The festival emphasizes community engagement, with unique activities such as a tequila tasting and the Lag B’Omer celebration, making it a must-attend event for both film enthusiasts and families alike.

Detroit is set to host the much-anticipated Jewish Film Festival, showcasing a diverse lineup of films and events that celebrate Jewish culture and themes. The festival will run from April 28 to May 11, with a total of ten feature films scheduled to be screened at the Berman Center for the Performing Arts, located at 6600 W Maple Rd, West Bloomfield, MI.

The highlight of this year’s festival includes the biopic film “Midas Man,” which will be screened on May 11 from 4-6 p.m. The film, set in the UK and presented in English, explores the life of Brian Epstein, who was instrumental in managing The Beatles and guiding them to international fame. The film stars notable actors including Jacob Fortune-Lloyd, Emily Watson, Jay Leno, and Eddie Izzard. Tickets for this screening are priced at $12 and can be purchased online.

In addition to film screenings, the festival will offer various events aimed at enriching the cultural experience of attendees. Among the events is “An Evening with Yinam Cohen,” the Consul General of Israel to the Midwest, scheduled for May 12 from 7-8:30 p.m. This discussion will commemorate Israel’s 77th Anniversary and is set to take place at a location to be provided upon RSVP. Following the talk, an informal dessert reception will allow attendees to engage with Cohen, who has extensive experience in the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Registration for this event is required.

The festival also caters to families with the JBaby Prenatal Program, a comprehensive class designed for expecting first-time parents. Covering critical topics such as labor and delivery, newborn care, and breastfeeding basics, these classes will take place on May 13, 20, and 27 at various locations: The J Detroit, Congregation Shaarey Zedek, and Aish Detroit. Scholarship opportunities are available to ensure cost is not a barrier for participation. Interested individuals can register online.

Moreover, a unique networking event titled “Top-Shelf Networking and a Taste of Tekiah Tequila” will be hosted by NEXTWork and NEXTGen Detroit on May 14 from 6-8 p.m. at Mex Bloomfield. For a fee of $18, attendees will enjoy kosher-style appetizers and a tequila tasting led by Greg Sobol, the founder of Tekiah Tequila. Reservations for this event must be submitted by May 12.

On May 15, attendees can participate in the Lag B’Omer Celebration at Eden Gardens, which will feature gardening activities, a bonfire, pizza, drinks, and music. This community event will run from 6-9 p.m. at Eden Gardens, located at 12273 Glenfield Ave, Detroit.

The festival is not only a celebration of Jewish culture through film but also includes screenings of poignant films featuring important stories, including “For the Living,” which focuses on Holocaust survivors and their experiences. This film will be screened on May 5, with filmmakers Tim Roper and Lisa Effress present for a discussion afterward. In addition, “Colleyville,” which recounts a hostage situation at a Texas synagogue, will be screened on May 1, allowing attendees to engage in post-film discussions with Rabbi Charlie Cytron-Walker. Other films like “Shari & Lamb Chop” and “Torn” are also part of the festival lineup.

The Lenore Marwil Detroit Jewish Film Festival promises a rich array of events and films that cater to diverse audiences, emphasizing the community’s commitment to celebrating cultural heritage. For those interested in details about the festival or seeking full event schedules, more information is available on the official website or through their contact number.

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Additional Resources

• The Jewish News: Events This Month
• The Jewish News: Jewish Film Festival
• Detroit Free Press: Hamilton Producer Memoir
• Hour Detroit: Things to Do This Weekend
• Wikipedia: Jewish Cinema
• Encyclopedia Britannica: Judaism