American Jewry

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AMERICA, I LOVE YOU - 30 Minutes
A lively, often humorous cross-section of American Jews as they see themselves in a series of informal “Man/Woman-in-the-street” interviews. The two Israelis who made the film for Israeli TV pose questions about Jewish identity and assimilation, insecurity, vis-ˆ-vis non Jews, and attitudes toward Israel versus the United States. The effect is both entertaining and thought provoking.

CALL IT SLEEP - 30 Minutes
Based on the novel of the same name by Henry Roth, the film dramatizes the story of a Russian-Jewish child who arrives in New York City at the turn of the century. Because of his “bleak pride and violent temper,” the child's father is unable to hold a job or adapt to his new environment. Portrays the disillusionment of many such Eastern European Jewish immigrants who came hopefully to “The Golden Land,” only to find it confusing and difficult to adjust to. Script by Shimon Wincelberg.

BALLAD OF ISAAC AND JACOB - 30 Minutes
The history of the labor movement in America is traced by means of a dramatic format involving an immigrant sweatshop laborer, his son and his grandson, a mathematician who designs computers for automation.

THE GIFT - 30 Minutes
The generosity and the philanthropic activities of Judah Touro, the first Jew to settle in New Orleans, are now legendary. This film dramatizes how Touro’ freeing Tom, a slave, leads him to a deepened understanding of the gift of freedom. Received the Brotherhood Award of the National Conference of Christians and Jews.

LAWYER FROM BOSTON - 30 Minutes
A tribute to the memory of Louis D. Brandeis, Supreme Court Justice and great Zionist leader. This script portrays how he came to discover his Jewish heritage.

LIBERTY IN A FEATHERBED: THE STORY OF THOMAS KENNEDY - 30 Minutes
Dramatizes the struggle in the legislation of Maryland to remove civil and political inequalities in that state.

MR. FLANAGAN, THE CHAPLAIN AND MR. LINCOLN - 30 Minutes
Dramatizes a Civil War incident which led to the repeal of discriminatory legislation limiting chaplaincy appointments in the armed services to “ordained ministers of the Christian faith.” The ultimate result was the commissioning of the first Jewish chaplain in the Union Army.

THE RED BOX - 30 Minutes
A dramatization of an episode in the life of Gershom Seixas, a rabbi who lived during the American Revolution and fought for freedom through his religious beliefs.

RENDEZVOUS WITH FREEDOM - 37 Minutes
A sweeping chronicle of American Jewish history from 1654 through more than 300 years, narrated by Zero Mostel, George Segal, Sam Jaffe, and Marian Seldes.

THE PUGNACIOUS SAILING MASTER - 30 Minutes
The story of Uriah P. Levy, who eventually disposed of corporal punishment in the United States Navy. It depicts the anti-semitism shown to him by crew members and how he refused to conceal his Jewish origin or be meek in the face of their tauntings. Levy later became a commodore in the United States Navy.

THE SEARCH - 30 Minutes
The story of Lillian Wald and the inner drive and human compassion which led her to establish the world’ first visiting nurse service. This service also led to the establishment of the Henry Street Settlement, an important social force in New York.

THE TRAPDOOR - 30 Minutes
How Jewish settlers in Newport, Rhode Island, came to understand the American principle of religious freedom. Expecting bigotry and intolerance, one of the group builds a secret tunnel and trapdoor into the new synagogue, in order to escape from an eventual pogrom. But he soon discovers that it is not necessary.

WHERE WE CAME FROM - 60 Minutes
A conversation documentary featuring prominent Americans who reminisce about their European Jewish heritage and its influence on their lives and work. Universal in context, the film illuminates the connections between immigrant traditions and contemporary American values. Persons interviewed are Dr. Chaim Potok, scholar and author; Dr. Roman Vishniac, photographer and microbiologist; Leo Rosten, educator and author; Morris B. Abram, attorney and former President of Brandeis University, and Bel Kaufman, author, teacher, and granddaughter of Sholom Aleichem.