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"The Longing: The Forgotten Jews of South America" Film
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Description: |
The Longing: The Forgotten Jews of South America (2007)
Thursday, July 8, 7:30 - 9:00 p.m.
Directed by Gabriela Böhm
Not Rated – 87 Minutes, Color, in English & Spanish with English subtitles
A handful of South Americans are eager to affirm their Jewish faith. Their ancestors —Spanish Jews — were forced to convert during the Inquisition. Even after centuries of living in the New World as Catholics and intermarrying, their families still managed to secretly pass down some Jewish traditions from one generation to the next. These practices convince them that they were originally Jews and fuel their desire to convert.
Set in Ecuador, this award winning documentary recounts the true story of scattered ”conversos" attempting to regain their birthright. Using the Internet, they individually located an American rabbi from Kansas City committed to helping "lost Jews" throughout the world reclaim their identities. For two years they studied online, following the rabbi's conversion course. Now they come together for the first time to meet the rabbi in Guayaquil, Ecuador. Upon arriving, he finds the local Jewish community, comprised almost entirely of central European, orthodox emigrants, uncooperative at best. The only congregation in the city is suspicious of the conversos’ claim to Jewish roots, even locking the Temple doors against these outsiders. Ultimately, the rabbi is able to convince several resident Jews to reluctantly participate in a beit din and the conversions take place.
The new converts’ are joyful but face an uncertain future. Once again, they are dispersed and isolated in Catholic towns where they receive little support from established Jewish communities, which question the religious authenticity of the rabbi's conversions.
Peter Wengert will lead the discussion. Suggested Donation is $7 ($5 for TJC members)
"Examines the matter of descendants of South American crypto-Jews and the problems they face in attempting to return to the Jewish faith. Recommended"
--EMRO
Winner, Best Documentary, Long Island Latino Film Festival
Winner, 2009 Telly Award for Religion/Spirituality
Winner, 2009 Best Latino Film at the Santa Fe Film Festival
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Date: |
Thursday, July 8, 2010 |
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Time: |
7:30pm-9:00pm |
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Duration: |
90 minutes |
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Created by: |
Beth Goldman
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Updated: |
Monday, May 10, 2010 12:59pm |
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