Hillel film festival
to review Jewish
identity, acculturation
ALBANY–Jewish identity in America is the theme for a University at Albany Hillel film festival Wednesday and Thursday, March 12 and 13, starting at 6:30 p.m. at the Spectrum 8 Theatres, 290 Delaware Ave.
Wednesday’s films “The Tribe,” and “Matzo and Mistletoe,” address assimilation, acculturation and defining Jewish experience in a secular context, according to Aviva Snyder, Hillel executive director. “The Tribe” is a brief cultural history of the Barbie doll and its impact on Jewish culture. “Matzo and Mistletoe” follows filmmaker Kate Feiffer, who grew up celebrating Christmas. She was told at age six by her father that she was Jewish. Feiffer consults a cross-section of Jews from her parents to Mike Wallace of “60 Minutes” in her attempt to understand her identity.
Vanessa Hidary, a Sephardic Jewish poet and actress from Manhattan who is in “The Tribe,” will perform and lead a discussion during Wednesday’s intermission.
“Thursday’s movies illustrate the balance between Jewish traditions and the secular world,” said Snyder. The comedy short “Naturalized” depicts an Americanized Russian immigrant battling his overbearing family over identity issues. “Orthodox Stance,” a documentary, follows Russian Orthodox professional boxing champion Dmitriy Salita as he copes with life as an immigrant in Brooklyn, and his faith and his career.
“Expressions of Jewish identity through arts and culture are windows into the critical issues of the Jewish people,” said Rachel Serkin, student festival coordinator.
The festival is co-sponsored by Arts on the Move, which brings Jewish arts and culture programs to campuses throughout New York.
The festival is free to students, $5 for non-students. For information, call Snyder, 489-8573, ext. 24.
