Sunday, May 7, 10:00 AM –
In celebration of Israel’s 75th anniversary, this combined book-and-film series will provide an opportunity to watch short documentary films about prominent Israeli authors, and also to read one of their defining works. Then, via Zoom, engage in insightful discussions with facilitator and educator Rachel Korazim. This amazing opportunity to celebrate Israel through its authors will surely make Israel’s momentous birthday a meaningful one.
Grossman is a graceful look at one of Israel’s most acclaimed authors as he shares his private and intimate insights on camera for the very first time. Born in Jerusalem to a modest family, David Grossman discusses how he discovered a deep connection to the Jewish past through reading Sholem Aleichem. When he became interested in the Holocaust, it felt real to him because of his connection to Aleichem’s characters. He speaks about his consciousness of death at an early age and how it shattered him, but also pushed him to write. The film makes it clear how the tug-of-war between solitary writing and the demands of a family mirrors his struggle to embrace life while remaining aware of the reality of death. The film follows Grossman up close and takes the viewers on a personal journey into the soul and work of one of Israel’s most acclaimed writers working today.
Facilitator: Rachel Korazim is a Jewish education consultant specializing in curriculum development for Israel and Holocaust education. Born in Israel, she served as an IDF officer in the central training base for women and was later a member of the IDF delegation to the country of Niger (West Africa). She is a graduate of Haifa University with a Ph.D. in Jewish education. She is involved with Jewish education worldwide. Since 1990, she has invested time and energy in helping emerging Jewish schools of Hungary.
This program is free and open to the public. Pre-registration is required. To register for this film discussion, click here.
Please consider joining us for our remaining “Celebrating Israel at 75” book-and-film discussions:
May/June: David Grossman (1954 – )
Film: Grossman (2021) will be available to stream from April 17 – May 7, 2023.
The discussion will be on Sunday, May 7, 2023 at 10:00 AM. | Click here to register.
Book: See Under: Love (2002)
The discussion will be on Sunday, June 4, 2023 at 10:00 AM. | Click here to register.
Co-sponsored by Temple Beth El, Sinai Temple, the Harold Grinspoon Foundation, the Jewish Endowment Fund of the Jewish Federation of Western Massachusetts, and the Springfield JCC