In gematria, or Jewish numerology, the Hebrew word for life, chai, is represented by the number 18 and considered a sign of good fortune. So it only stands to reason that double-chai is represented by the number 36.
That means that the 36th annual William and Irene Weinberg Family Baltimore Jewish Film Festival is doubly blessed, with an array of screen offerings designed for the Jewish palate and sensibility. This year’s film festival will be held from May 7-29 at the Gordon Center for Performing Arts, at 3506 Gwynnbrook Avenue in Owings Mills.
The festival kicks off on Tuesday, May 7, at 7 p.m. with the 2023 German film “Martha Liebermann: A Stolen Life.”
Set in 1943 Berlin, the title character is an upper-class Jewish widow facing the heartbreaking decision of either leaving her homeland at the age of 85 or risking deportation to a concentration camp. Based on a true story, the 89-minute biographical drama is directed by German filmmaker Stefan Buhling and stars veteran German actress Thelka Carola Wied.
Dr. Anne Rothfeld, an historian and archivist for the federal government whose expertise includes Holocaust art theft, looted art and cultural property restitution, will speak following the film’s presentation.
To celebrate Yom Ha’atzma’ut (Israel Independence Day), the film “Seven Blessings” will be shown on Tuesday, May 14, at 7 p.m. (A pre-film reception at 5:30 in the Gordon’s lobby will feature the music of the Northern Virginia ensemble Trio Sefardi, as well as Moroccan-Israeli inspired refreshments.)
A 2023 comedy-drama in Arabic, Hebrew and French with English subtitles, “Seven Blessings” is the winner of 10 Ophir Awards, Israel’s equivalent to the Oscars.
The film’s protagonist Marie (played by Reymonde Amsallem, who co-wrote the script with co-star Eleanor Sela) is traveling to Israel from France to marry her soulmate, but must endure her dysfunctional family’s week of festive meals in her honor. Directed by Ayelet Menahemi, “Seven Blessings” was Israel’s submission for the 2024 “Best International Feature Film” category of the 96th Academy Awards.
Following the screening will be a discussion with “Seven Blessings” co-producer Ronen Ben Tal, via Zoom.
The 2024 Hungarian film “All About the Levkovitches” will be presented on Tuesday, May 21, at 7 p.m. The bittersweet “dramedy” is about a kindhearted but stubborn boxing coach who loses his beloved wife and must sit shiva with his estranged son, who moved to Israel and became Orthodox.
Starring Zoltan Bezeredi and directed by Adam Breier, the 2024 film was well-received at festivals in New York and Palm Beach.
Prior to the presentation, the Columbia Jewish Congregation Klezmer Band will perform in the Gordon’s lobby.
The 2024 festival’s final offering, “Children of Nobody,” will be presented on Tuesday, May 28 at 7 p.m. The 2022 film is set in the heart of Tel Aviv’s historic Neve Tzedek neighborhood, where Jackie (Roy Assaf) runs a shelter for at-risk youth. He discovers the house is owned by the Tel Aviv municipality and has been bought by a developer planning to build luxury apartments there. Jackie launches a desperate campaign to save the house.
Directed by acclaimed Israeli director Erez Tadmor, “Children of Nobody” – which is based on a true story — received “Best Film” honors at India’s Kolkata International Film Festival.
Speaking after the film presentation will be Pamela Weissman, a local licensed social worker who has personal experiences as a foster parent in Israel.
For information about the film festival, visit gordoncenter.com/program/baltimore-jewish-film-festival/.
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