Summer Jewish Film Festival: Less Than Kosher

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.

July 23: “Less Than Kosher,” winner of the Best Film at the Toronto Jewish Film Festival, is probably unlike any Jewish film you’ve seen – except for The Jazz Singer! But this film is decidedly contemporary, described as a “Jewish Electro-Pop Musical.” It’s electric, eclectic, fun and funny, with amazing music and talent. It’s a bit of a crazy, but thoroughly charming story of a young singer – a self-proclaimed “bad Jew – finds herself reluctantly accepting the unlikely position as a Cantor at her family’s synagogue. What happens next – complete with fantasy production numbers – is a rollicking story of recovering her joy in singing.

Future screenings include the documentary “Without Precedent: The Supreme Life of Rosalie Abella” on July 30 and the Israeli musical drama “Victory” on August 6. 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.