Unorthodox

Many modern Orthodox Jewish teens go to Israel following high school graduation for a year of religious studies before starting college, but not filmmaker Anna Wexler, who became an atheist when she was young. Her closest and equally rebellious friends, however, followed the custom and returned completely devoted to orthodoxy (the term “flipped out” is commonly used to refer to this transformation). Wondering how and why such a thing could happen, Wexler followed three contemporary students who went to Israel. Tzipi and Chaim are independent-minded, while Jake is committed to Judaism, but all say they don't want to “flip out.” Wexler documents three phases of the sojourn abroad: ignoring school and experimenting with alcohol, drugs, and sex; becoming weary of the party scene and refocusing on religious studies; and finally making the commitment to faith. While the subjects vary in terms of how they experience these stages—Tzipi and Chaim become devout, while Jake remains firm in his belief—Wexler, who initially wonders if pressure from Israeli rabbis determines the religious evolution of young Jews, concludes that the explanation partially lies in simply having time for reflection before embarking upon adulthood. Along the way, Wexler interweaves her own spiritual journey, including how her relationship with her grandparents changes to the point where she can at least bear to be present for a Shabbos meal. A thoughtful and thought-provoking documentary, this is highly recommended. Aud: C, P. (M. Puffer-Rothenberg)