Summer Jewish Film Festival – Without Precedent: The Supreme Life of Rosalie Abella

Falmouth Jewish Congregation’s 2024 Summer Jewish Film Festival returns and opens on Tuesday, July 9 at 7:30pm. The festival is open to everyone and brings to Cape Cod the best of Jewish films from the festival circuit, culling award-winners in both drama and documentary categories for a varied selection of entertaining and thought-provoking films.

The 2024 season will offer a single screening of each film at 7:30pm on five Tuesday evenings, from July 9 to August 6. Doors open at 7:00pm. Tickets ($13 for FJC members / $16 for general admission) and a discounted season pass ($60 FJC members / $75 general admission) are exclusively available in advance online and screenings include free popcorn and refreshments.

Following each film, Pamela Rothstein, festival director and Falmouth Jewish Congregation’s Director of Lifelong Learning, leads a discussion for those wishing to stay and exchange impressions. Films have a unique ability to open windows onto the world, providing entry into stories and perspectives that can change our own outlook in just a brief time. Join us for viewing and conversation.

Tuesday, July 30:
The documentary Without Precedent: The Supreme Life of Rosalie Abella, is the winning, upbeat and inspiring profile of Canadian Supreme Court Justice Rosalie Abella, an exceptional woman who spent her entire life reminding us that we must never forget how the world looks to those who are vulnerable. Born to Holocaust survivors, Abella studied law. At 29 years old, was appointed a judge, becoming both the youngest and the first pregnant judge in Canadian history. In 2004 she was appointed a Supreme Court Justice becoming the first Jewish woman and the first refugee to sit on the bench — and she’s probably the first Canadian justice who became a human rights phenomenon. Abella was at the forefront of major decisions on employment equity, gay marriage, constitutional law, and many more landmark cases. Meet a fireball of a person who is curious, accessible and still ambitious at the age of 75 as she begins the next act of her life. Comparisons with RBG are sure to come to mind, but Avrich’s winning documentary will help you to distinguish between these two extraordinary justices, similar in their enormous judicial significance but different in their distinct personalities.

The festival closes on August 6 with the Israeli musical drama “Victory.” All screenings are open to the public and take place in the congregation’s Blanche & Joel D. Seifer Community Center at 7 Hatchville Road, East Falmouth. Everyone is welcome and facilities and parking are accessible to all.

For further information about the film festival or this welcoming, Reform Jewish congregation, please visit www.falmouthjewish.org, like us on Facebook or call 508-540-0602.