Screening movies: The fourth annual Santa Barbara Jewish Film Festival will be held May 29-June 1, 2008 at the Plaza De Oro Theatres on Hitchcock Way off upper State Street. The SBJFF provides a wonderful showcase for Jewish culture and a platform for discussion of current issues. All ages and segments of the community benefit as they come together to share, learn, and enjoy exciting features, documentaries and shorts. There are some 3,000 admissions to the four-day event. Click on “General Information”.   

Building bridges: Totally secular, SBJFF festival provides a way for all Jews to connect with their heritage while building understanding among those who know little of Jewish life in America, Israel and other countries. Moreover, the festival enhances Santa Barbara’s cultural life by offering movie buffs high-caliber films, most of them foreign, that would otherwise never be shown here. Click on “About Us” and “Films.”

Buying passes: All-Festival Passes are available for purchase now. They include a full dinner at the Fess Parker Hotel with klezmer music, seven films, a full breakfast, speakers and panels. At only $90 until March 31st and $100 after that, they’re a great deal and always sell out. Every pass holder is guaranteed a seat until 15 minutes before show time; after that single tickets will be admitted. Single tickets can only be purchased at the Plaza De Oro box office.  Click on “Passes and tickets.”

Donating to the cause: The SBJFF is a project of the Jewish Film Foundation, a California Nonprofit Public Benefit Charity, which promotes Jewish culture through film. Your tax-deductible donation to the Jewish Film Foundation enables us to upgrade the SBJFF each year. Please donate to this worthwhile community event. Click on “Donate.”

Annoucing Our First Confirmed Film . . .

A Touch Away

Handsome Russian immigrant Zorik Mints, his parents and sister move next door to beautiful Roha’le Berman and her family. The Mintses are secular while the Bermans are Haredi or strictly Orthodox. On top of that, Roha’le is about to enter into an arranged marriage. Sparks fly as Zorik and Roha’le fall in love, challenging their own and their families’ deeply rooted cultural assumptions and personal beliefs.