Congregation Ahavath Achim

3225 SW Barbur Blvd.

Portland, OR 97239

FOR INFORMATION: Call David at 503-892-6634

All films are FREE. Films begin at 7PM, followed by a guest speaker,

FREE refreshments including Moroccan tea, Sephardic pastries & fresh baked beignets.

FILM SERIES SPONSORED BY GENEROUS GRANTS FROM

RUBEN AND ELIZABETH MENASHE, & BARRY AND SUSAN MENASHE,

& CHARLES AND JO LEVY, & RICHARD AND JUDITH MATZA

November 8, 2011, 7:00 PM “SONG OF THE SEPHARDI”

This is the first of three films, which will feature the Pacific Northwest Sephardi communites of Portland and Seattle this season.

A feature-length musical film about the songs and traditions of the Spanish Jews who were expelled from Spain in 1492. It pictorially recounts the amazing story of Spanish Jews from the time of the explusion to modern day communities in Seattle, Istanbul, and Amsterdam. It illustrates the Ladino, which is used in religious services on Shabbat and Passover. The film features the Sephardic families of Seattle and Israeli singing star Rivka Raz, three-time winner of the Harp of David Award. Interestingly, this film features Rabbi Solomon Maimon of Seattle and many others with known relations to Portland Sephardi families.

(75 minutes, 1974, Directed and Produced by David Rapheal of Seattle, English)

Guest Speaker: Mark Abolofia (formerly of Seattle)

December 13, 2011, 7:00 PM DOUBLE FEATURE EVENING

These are the second and third films about the Sephardi communities of the Pacific Northwest.

“SEPHARDIC FAMILIES OF PORTLAND” is a local film that was produced for the 85^th anniversary of Portland’s Sephardic synagogue - Congregation Ahavath Achim. This film features still photos of the Sephardic men, women, and families that composed the early years of Portland’s Sephardic immigration and establishment. The film features Sephardic businesses, armed services members and family units that will be familiar to the audience. The narration is that of Albert J. Menashe, with voice over Sephardic music. At the end of the film is a special tribute to three families who were community leaders.

(45 minutes, 1996, Produced by Cong. Ahavath Achim, Portland, OR, English)

“SEPHARDIC JEWS OF PIKE PLACE MARKET” is a nostalgic tour of the Pike Place Market of Seattle, where many of the early vendors were Sephardi Jews. The fish businesses and the vegetable businesses in the market were dominated by Jews from Turkey & Rhodes. There are scenes of the classic “throwing of Salmon” and beautiful displays of fruits and vegetables. Many local old timers will recognize the names and faces in this film.

(30 Minutes, 2001, in color, Produced in Seattle, Film by Stephen Sadis, English)

Guest Speaker: Albert J. Menashe and Mark Abolofia

January 10, 2012, 7:00 PM “JEWISH SOLDIERS IN BLUE AND GRAY”

This award winning documentary about Jewish soldiers during the Civil War unreels remarkable and little-known history about the contribution of the Jews to both the Union and Confederate armies. Jews were soldiers, officers, generals, politicians and spies during the war. President Lincoln and General Grant were embroiled in the treatment of Jews, including expelling Jews from their homes to involving them in the highest levels of government and the military. The 150^th anniversary of the War Between the States was celebrated in 2011. This missing episode in history will be very revealing and remarkably entrancing.

(86 minutes, 2011, Color, USA, Directed by Jonathan Gruber, English)

Guest Speaker: Open discussion led by Rabbi Arthur Zuckerman

February 7, 2012, 7;00 PM “BRAIDS”

Based on a true story, Braids tells the tale of So’ad, a 14-year-old Jewish girl imprisoned by the Iraqi government in 1947 for her participation in the Zionist movement. This feature film illuminates a complex and sensitive period of Jewish life in Iraq when Jews felt their security threatened as anti-Semitism surfaced with the establishment of the State of Israel. Jailed for 3 years, So’ad joined other prisoners in a campaign of civil disobedience until she was freed and allowed to go to Israel in 1950.

(90 minutes, in color, 1989, Israel, Directed by Yitzhak Halutzi, Hebrew with English subtitles)

Guest Speaker: Rabbi Michael Kaplan, Cong. Ahavath Achim

March 13, 2012, 7:00PM TRIPLE FEATURE: A NIGHT OF MUSIC

“THE MUSIC OF THE JEWS OF MOROCCO, YEMEN, SPAIN”

Three separate explorations of the music of three distinctive Sephardic traditions. Each entertaining film will explore the historical context of the culture and how music played a role in the society and religious life of the populations of Morocco, Yemen and Spain. There is an unusual blend of uniqueness & sense of togetherness, as you compare each culture side by side.

(Each film is 27 minutes, Directed by Asher Tlalim, English, Color)

Guest Speaker: Charles Levy and David Boussi

April 3, 2012, 7:00PM “Sarah’s Key”

One of the darkest moments in French history occurred in 1942 Paris when French officials rounded up over 10,000 Jews and placed them in local camps. Eventually over 8000 were sent off to German concentration camps. As 10-year old Sara and her family are being arrested, she hides her younger brother in a closet. After realizing she will not be allowed to go home, Shara does whatever she can to get back to her brother. In 2009, a journalist named Julia is on assignment to write a story on the deported Jews of 1942. When she move into her father-in-law’s childhood apartment, she realizes it once belonged to the Strazynski family, and their daughter Sarah.

(1 hr. 51 min., Directed by Gilles Paquet-Brenner. Released July 3, 2010, English and French)

Guest Speaker: Representative from the Oregon Holocaust Resource Center