Evoking the golden era of the Borscht Belt, this affectionate and nostalgic homage vibrantly showcases the humor, heritage, and spirit of the Jewish-American saga at the iconic Catskills summer resorts. Over the 20th century, the mountains north of New York City became lively havens for Jewish families, both working-class and affluent, famed for lavish buffets and nightclubs that fostered rising comic and musical talent. Entertaining anecdotes from performers, waiters, and resort guests, plus a wealth of archival material, evoke the vintage spirit of these iconic retreats, symbols of Yiddishkeit heritage and refuges from antisemitism. This delightful time capsule highlights the Catskills as a cultural touchstone and a crucible of the Jewish-American saga. GET TICKETS  

This provocative, richly staged period drama set in 19th-century Italy, and based on true events, recounts the abduction and forced Christian conversion of a Jewish boy by Papal decree, igniting global outrage. In 1858 Bologna, young Edgardo is taken from his family and sent to Rome to become Catholic. Despite his parents' desperate pleas and public furor, Pope Pius IX stands firm. The struggle to reclaim their son echoes Italy's burgeoning nationalism and challenges the Vatican's power. Directed by the legendary Marco Bellocchio, this epic artfully contrasts clashes of faith with a nation teetering on revolution. GET TICKETS  

In this bittersweet dramedy that swept the Israeli Academy Awards with 10 wins, including Best Film, a boisterous Moroccan-Jewish clan reunites for a cross-cultural wedding that surfaces festering secrets. In early '90s Jerusalem, a diverse family celebrates a Moroccan-Jewish bride and French-Ashkenazi groom's union, infusing the occasion with joy, laughter, and a vibrant mix of languages. Yet, as the Seven Blessings ritual unfolds — a week of festive meals honoring the newlyweds — the facade cracks, exposing deep-seated wounds rooted in ancient traditions. With a top Israeli cast and inspired by the filmmaker's multiethnic background, this authentic, enveloping tale delves into a complex web of relationships, culture, and forgiveness amid clashing interpretations of shared memories. GET TICKETS  

Unveiling the man behind the lens, this exquisite photobiography honors a renowned Russian-American polymath, immortalized by haunting photos of 20th-century Eastern European Jewry. From vibrant Berlin streets to simple shtetl life, Roman Vishniac's (Philipp Mogilnitskiy) pre-war black-and-white images capture the 1930s with grainy realism, a poignant pictorial record of soon-to-be-obliterated Jewish communities. Also a scientist, teacher, and art aficionado, he significantly advanced biology and microscopic photography. Mirroring his enigmatic persona, daughter Mara (Lily Vaknin), the custodian of his work, candidly relates their fraught yet devoted history. Iconic photos and cinematic reenactments emphasize the profound significance of historical memory and Vishniac's contributions as a preserver of the past. GET TICKETS  

Set in the 1980s, this epic tale revolves around Amitay (Adir Miller), a struggling writer living near a monkey park from which the movie gets its name. Envious of his more celebrated colleagues and yearning for Tamar (Shani Cohen), his childhood love now widowed, Amitay conceives a plan to revive his literary reputation. To orchestrate this comeback, he must find a young and ambitious researcher, or at least someone capable of pretending to be one. Enter Margo (Suzanna Papian), a failed actress residing at her sister's home, who eagerly seizes this mysterious job opportunity. So begins the unlikely meeting of a desperate author and an eccentric young woman, a fateful encounter destined to change both of their lives. GET TICKETS  

Hailing from a Jewish Bronx family, Shari Lewis rose from playful beginnings in the '50s with her engaging children's variety shows, leading to the debut of iconic Lamb Chop on Captain Kangaroo. Over the course of her extraordinary career, she amassed an impressive collection of accolades, including 13 Emmys and a Peabody, and authored 60+ children's books, becoming an adored star, recognized for her sundry talents as a ventriloquist, singer, dancer, and even a magician. In a male-dominated industry, Lewis, a spunky perfectionist, transformed children's television with an innovative, empowering style, and through Lamb Chop, voiced new notions for the women of her time. Despite setbacks, including the cancellation of her NBC shows and health challenges, Lewis demonstrated resilience and enduring relevance. GET TICKETS