Doing Jewish: A Story from Ghana

Filmmaker Gabrielle Zilkha decided to broaden her horizons by volunteering to work at a women's center in Ghana, where Christians and Muslims successfully interact. But when the Rosh Hashanah came along, she realized that she was feeling alone with her own faith—at least until she discovered a small group of people performing traditional Jewish New Year rituals a mere few hours away in Sefwi Wiawso. Paying a visit, Zilkha met with the community, visited their makeshift synagogue, and befriended their leader, Alex Armah. Armah introduced her to various elders who explained that the Sefwi Jews were descendants of one of the lost tribes of Israel. He also described the challenges of trying to grow his community without any support or acknowledgment from Jews outside Ghana, leading Zilkha to embark on a quest across North America to find out what Jews in far-flung places have to do to be accepted into global Judaism. The answers carry consequences that result in cultural and leadership struggles for the Sefwis. Thematically serious yet also lighthearted as it follows the free-spirited Zilkha's odyssey, Doing Jewish is a thoughtful and entertaining film. Recommended. Aud: C, P. (T. Keogh)