Topic for Shabbat following Kiddish luncheon:

Israel's film industry has grown into a blossoming market. Having made a giant leap from the early days of Sallah Shabati and The Troupe, Israel now produces top-quality cinema that is distributed internationally and is arguably one of the country's most impactful exports. Beyond the universal appeal of many of these films, Israeli cinema is also a reflection of its modern society. Many of the films break from the traditional topics associated with Israel and present a nuanced society.

Isaac Zablocki is the Senior Director of Film Programs at the Marlene Meyerson JCC Manhattan with a rich background in multiple aspects of the film industry. Born in New York, Isaac grew up in Israel and served in the IDF's leading film unit as an educational film producer.  After graduating from Columbia University's film school, he worked at Miramax Films and later produced and directed feature films while also developing educational programs for the Department of Education. He has been instrumental in shaping the film landscape at JCC Manhattan, including the establishment of the Israel Film Center and the annual programming of several film festivals such as the Other Israel Film Festival, which highlights the stories of Arab and underrepresented populations in Israel, and the ReelAbilities Film Festival, the largest festival in the world showcasing films by and about people with disabilities. Isaac has developed the largest online database of Israeli films as well as Israel Film Center Stream, the leading site for streaming Israeli films. He is the leading presenter of Israeli films in the US and lectures internationally on the power of film and writes for a variety of publications.

Please join us for services, lunch and Isaac's talk. All are welcome! If you have any questions, please email Naomi Feinkind at secondpillar@ghcny.org.