Beth Israel sets film series

By Jewish Review

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Congregation Beth Israel will present a four-week film series entitled “The Jewish Experience as seen in 20th Century American Movies.”

Scheduled for Sunday afternoons in January and February, each session will feature the work of key Jewish performers, writers and directors, and will be followed by a discussion led by Lloyd Cohn, owner of Watch This! DVD.

The series begins Jan. 13 with the original 1927 “The Jazz Singer,” starring Al Jolson, in a new restoration.  Subsequent sessions will be held on Jan. 27, featuring “To Be or Not To Be,” Ernst Lubitsch’s 1942 comedy-drama set during the Nazi occupation of Poland; “Exodus” (1960) on Feb. 3; and finishing Feb. 10 with Woody Allen’s 1989 “Crimes and Misdemeanors.” 

“We will watch each film and discuss the films and their creators, and the context in which they were made,” said Cohn, who taught film history to high school students at Congregations Beth Israel and Metropolitan Learning Center. “These films provide the opportunity to see the way we portrayed ourselves in the last century.”  

Each session will be 3:30-6:30 p.m. in Pollin Chapel of Schnitzer Family Center (1972 NW Flanders St.). The community is welcome to attend. Participants may sign up for the entire four-part series ($36 per person) or pick and choose individual sessions ($12 each). Call the temple office to register: 503-222-1069.