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Films to Screen at a Jewish Community Center or Synagogue

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Jews are often referred to as “the People of the Book,” but they have also been deeply involved in movies throughout the years. Jewish individuals have worked in the film industry in many capacities (as actors, directors, writers, producers, designers, etc.) and there are many films that have featured Jewish characters and subjects.

Jewish community centers (JCCs) and many synagogues in the United States and elsewhere will show films throughout the year as part of their programming efforts. Discover titles for your next movie screening and learn how to secure the public performance rights. 

Especially during May, which was designated as Jewish American Heritage Month, film festivals are a popular way to entertain, educate and inspire audiences and congregations.

In addition to May, film festivals and one-off film showings for Jewish audiences are often tied into certain holidays or events.

Jewish-themed films reflect a variety of interests, viewpoints, and personalities. While many have been sympathetic to Jewish people, others are quite demeaning. (“Jud Suss” was a 1940 German film that was deeply antisemitic.) Stereotypes are a big problem, and many of these films have touched upon controversies, either initially or later on, in retrospect.

But they all have their merits, or at least may be interesting from a scholarly perspective. When watched with a critical eye, they can be quite fascinating. In fact, those who screen the films often encourage discussions (directed or freeform) after the shows.

Among the subject areas that are popular with Jewish Community centers and synagogues are:

  • Jewish Life in the United States
  • Jewish Life in Israel
  • Jewish Life Around the World
  • The Holocaust
  • Documentaries (various subjects)
  • Films for Children
  • New/Recent Titles
  • Classics Reexamined
  • Films In Languages Other Than English and Hebrew (Yiddish; Arabic, Ladino)
  • Animated shorts and features

JCCs and congregations sometimes have special themes for film showings so as to tie into events in the Jewish or secular calendar, such as baseball (near the World Series), looking back at the Holocaust (for Holocaust Memorial Day, Yom HaShoah), Music, and certainly Comedy. There is a long-standing Sephardic Jewish film festival in NYC, Yiddish film festivals, and even film festivals focusing on Ethiopian Jewry.

Here is a selection of popular titles, as well as lesser-known films, that are worthy choices for particular categories in film programming. Note that many of these films have crossover appeal for more than one category. While many may be familiar, I will give brief descriptions of a few that are lesser known.

Jewish Life in the United States

Jewish Life In Israel

Jewish Life Around the World

The Holocaust

Films for Children

  • An American Tail
  • The Rabbi’s Cat
  • The Prince of Egypt
  • A Rugrat’s Chanukah
  • A Rugrat’s Passover
  • Full-Court Miracle

Classics Reexamined

Sports

  • Jews and Baseball: An American Love Story
  • The Spy Behind Home Plate
  • The Life and Times of Hank Greenberg
  • One Day in September (1999) is a documentary about the 1972 Olympic games murders of Israeli athletes.
  • Heading Home: The Tale of Team Israel
  • The Survivor (2021) is about a Holocaust survivor and boxer who copes with his life after the Nazi era.
  • School Ties

Music

Comedy

  • The Hebrew Hammer
  • The Mad Adventures of Rabbi Jacob
  • Many others were mentioned previously on this list. You might also focus on Jewish comedians such as the Marx Brothers and Mel Brooks.

There are a variety of Jewish Film Festivals. Many cities and towns throughout the United States, Israel, and elsewhere have staged Jewish film festivals, and in recent years there have been an increasing number of online film festivals or options. Examples of film festivals in specific locations include these:

Miami Jewish Film Festival: 2022 Films

New York Jewish Film Festival 2022 (filmlinc.org)

Jewish Film Festivals in 2022 - Jewish Film Festivals

You can even put together a section of a Jewish film festival for a more niche genre such as silent films, independent films, Oscar-winning films, and so on.

How can I show a movie at my synagogue or Jewish Community Center? 

Read our guide to public performance rights and article about umbrella licenses in order to learn about securing the legal rights for your film screening. All community organizations and venues, including religious institutions, must adhere to these guidelines. 

What do I need in order to screen a film at my synagogue or Jewish Community Center? 

Our article How to Screen Movies in Public will serve as a guide for securing all the items you need to host a public film screening including securing a venue, promoting your event, and what materials you will need.