In addition to being fun to watch as entertainment, Israeli films can be powerful lenses through which to examine Israeli society. Whether you are looking to teach about Israel or learn more about it yourself, this guide will enable you to delve deeply into the important themes underlying Israeli society at your synagogue, community center, class, film group, Israel club or just with a group of friends. In addition to providing the relevant cinematographic and historical background crucial for a full appreciation of these movies, this guide enables active, critical thinking through thought-provoking activities and questions for discussion.

Click here to purchase: Israel at the Movies – Guide to 8 Israeli Films

The Syrian Bride

The Syrian Bride tells the story of Mona, a Druze woman, and Tallel, a television comedian from Damascus Syria.  Though they are engaged to wed,  they have never met because they come from enemy states. Mona is in a bind because she knows if they wed she moves to Syria, she will never be able to see her family again, because they live in Israel.  The films grants us a rare opportunity to reflect on issues such as the Israel-Arab conflict and tradition versus modernity from a woman’s perspective.

Download a showbill for The Syrian Bride with film synopsis, background information, trivia questions and more.

Aviva’s Summer (The Summer of Aviya)

Aviya’s Summer is an autobiographical film about Israeli actress Gila Almagor.  Set in the newly-founded, post-Holocaust State of Israel, the film recounts the story of 10 year-oldAviya and her tortured mother, Henya, played by Almagor. Once  a beautiful freedom fighter, Henya suffers from psychological damage of surviving the Holocaust and losing her husband in the war.  Aviya’s Summer is a portrayal of the challenges of Holocaust survivors and their families in the new State of Israel, as well as an intimate look into the lives of two generations of women trying to make it work as best as they can.

Download a showbill for Aviya’s Summer incuding background info. trivia questions and food for thought.

Remember: films should not be shown in public unless you have attained screening rights!