Welcome to the 2025 Boston Israeli Film Festival!

Join Boston Jewish Film for the very best in Israeli cinema!

Enjoy contemporary films on art, life, and history, along with moving discussions with filmmakers and special guests.

Schedule

March 30, 2025

Running on Sand

3:00 PM

JCC Greater Boston - 333 Nahanton Street, Newton, MA 02459

Aumari, a young Eritrean refugee living in Israel, is about to be deported back to his home country. After a spontaneous escape attempt at the airport, he is mistaken for a Nigerian striker, who is supposed to arrive at the same time. Aumari seizes the opportunity and benefits of his identity change as the new key acquisition for the ‘Maccabi Netanya’ team. Despite the absence of any soccer talent, Aumari is able to cover up and heal the divisions of his struggling team, while a tender romantic bond with the charmingly unconventional daughter of the team owner is growing.

Followed by a conversation with Director Adar Shafran, moderated by Skyler Inman.

Nominated for four awards, including Best Picture, 2023 Ophir Awards

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March 31, 2025

The Return from the Other Planet

7:00 PM

West Newton Cinema - 1296 Washington Street, West Newton, MA 02465

In 1945, following his liberation from Auschwitz, Yechiel De-Nur embarked on a literary journey, releasing his works under the pen name "Ka-Tzetnik 135633," meaning "the man from the camps." His books garnered immense international popularity, selling millions of copies and translated into 32 languages, and today he is considered “Israel’s Elie Wiesel." However, it wasn't until the 1961 trial of Adolf Eichmann that his concealed identity came to light when he provided his testimony as a witness, mirroring the themes present in his books and vividly portraying Auschwitz as "another planet," a place outside of human judgment. As a means of coping with his traumas, he turned to LSD therapy, leading to the creation of a transformative story titled "I Am an SS Man," an account of his harrowing Holocaust experiences that ultimately reshaped everything.

Followed by a conversation moderated by Romy Neumark with Lori Lefkovitz, Professor of Jewish Studies at Northeastern University. 

Winner, Best Documentary Award, 2023 Jerusalem Film Festival 

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April 1, 2025

The Milky Way

7:00 PM

West Newton Cinema - 1296 Washington Street, West Newton, MA 02465

Tala, 33, an Israeli offbeat musician, just had her first baby. Desperate to make a living and support her child with no father in the picture, she takes up a job at the “Milky Way.” In this dairy for breast milk, you can get the best new mothers can offer: vegan, high-rate of protein, with top-quality essential nutrients milk. In this dystopian dark comedy, Tala embarks on a journey navigating the complexities of motherhood while taking a glimpse into the wealthy lives she is supplying.

Recorded introduction by Writer/Director Maya Kenig.

Nominated for 10 awards, including Best Picture, 2024 Ophir Awards

Winner, Best Screenplay, 2024 Ophir Awards

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April 2, 2025

Bliss

7:00 PM

West Newton Cinema - 1296 Washington Street, West Newton, MA 02465

Sassi (Sasson Gabay) and Effi (Asi Levi) spend their days frantically running from job to job in a seemingly futile attempt to pay back the enormous gambling debt left behind by Sassi’s son. They somehow overcome all the daily obstacles in their lives – the grueling work schedule, their obvious age gap, and Sassi’s impotence (a result of prostate surgery) – with love and humor. But when two young men burst back into their home and work space, breaking their fragile, carefully crafted schedule, the limits of their love and humor will be tested like never before.

Nominated for 3 awards, including Best Actor and Best Actress, 2024 Ophirs 

Official Selection, 2024 Toronto International Film Festival

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April 3, 2025

Movie Music Magic!

7:30 PM

Congregation Kehillath Israel - 384 Harvard Street, Brookline, MA 02446

Join us for a celebration of music and film featuring Israeli musicians in partnership with Congregation Kehillath Israel and the Ronen Foundation of America.

Food and drink is included with purchase of ticket. 

Reception begins at 7:00PM. Performances begins at 7:30PM. 

Featuring performances by: Itay Dayan, Tomer Rozen, Noa Blumer, Ravani Loushy Kay, Nahar Eliaz, Noah Silverman and Gilad Paz

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April 5, 2025

Silver's Uprising

8:00 PM

JCC Greater Boston - 333 Nahanton Street, Newton, MA 02459

Silver’s Uprising is a rousing documentary that examines the rise and fall of the “Green Messiah” through intimate interviews, archival footage, and beautiful hand-painted animation. The film asks: Is Silver an arrogant guru or a brilliant activist? Is Telegrass a public good or a dangerous criminal syndicate?

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Date: March 30 - April 5, 2025

Location: 

JCC Greater Boston - 333 Nahanton Street, Newton, MA 02459

West Newton Cinema - 1296 Washington Street, West Newton, MA 02465

Congregation Kehillath Israel - 384 Harvard Street, Brookline, MA 02446

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