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Streaming January 10-23, 2025 Digital Screening Room

Poland | 70 minutes | 2024

Jews By Choice

East Coast Premiere

After Germany occupied the village of Krnov in 1938, the once-thriving Jewish community was decimated, though the synagogue miraculously remained intact until a devastating flood in 1997. While the government considered demolishing the structure, a determined group of non-Jewish citizens volunteered to restore it, aiming to transform the synagogue into a vibrant Jewish cultural center. Leading the effort is Aharon, who feels a deep pull toward conversion, and Bronislov, a newly single father whose marriage falls apart as he pursues the same path. Their journey, which includes navigating the arduous restoration and seeking approval from strict Jewish authorities, faces years of setbacks until they meet Rabbi Tanya, who brings new hope—and new challenges.

Director's Bio

Directed by Justyna Gawełko & Tomer Slutzky

Director Photo
Justyna Gawelko is a director and creative producer, holding degrees in Cultural Studies and scriptwriting from the Wajda Film School. With experience in the documentary field through CoPro Market (Israel) and CEDOC Market (Poland), she directed the short documentary Yehudis (2018) and is making her feature debut with Jews by Choice. Tomer Slutzky is a documentary director and cinematographer whose debut film Bronca received an honorable mention at the Haifa Film Festival 2022, premiered at the Warsaw Film Festival, and won a script award at the Trieste Latin American Film Festival.

Cast and Credits

Director

Justyna Gawełko & Tomer Slutzky

Screenwriter

Justyna Gawelko

Cinematographer

Tomer Slutzky

Editor

Noam Amit, Marcin Sucharski, Noa Weinstein

Cast

Petr Aharon Tesař, Kamila Milka Tesařová, Bronislav Chaim Buček

Film Info

Year

2024

Country

Poland

Run-time

70 minutes

Language

Czech, English, Hebrew with English subtitles
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