The Return of Sarah's Daughters

Meet Rus, Myriam, and Eta, three well-educated, contemporary, thoughtful women who grew up in half-heartedly Jewish households, then in their twenties joined or tried to join Hasidic Orthodox communities. Yes, we are talking kosher "double" kitchens, head coverings (usually wigs) and dresses, ritual cleansings, arranged marriages, strictly observed sabbaths, and staying at home--unless the husband wants to spend his time studying the Torah instead of earning money. Because Myriam is a lesbian, it's impossible for her to actually join the Orthodox community as she desires, but she's found a place in the Reconstructionist Movement, a sect that blends the ritual of Orthodoxy and the leniency of progressive ideas. The filmmaker herself is struggling with the beauty, connectedness, and spirituality of Orthodoxy vs. its, uh, quaint notions of gender, sexuality, and daily life; her commentary provides the framework for the issues raised. A well-done, unique documentary which raises provocative questions about women's options without judgment or contrivance. This Gold Apple winner from the National Educational Media Network is recommended for larger collections. Aud: C, P. (K. Glaser)