Bal Ej: The Hidden Jews of Ethiopia
Dir. Irene Orleansky
2016
Israel, Ethiopia
Join us on Saturday, April 6, at 6:00 PM for an evening of film and pizza! We will be screening Bal Ej: The Hidden Jews of Ethiopia.
Following this screening we will have a Q&A with the filmmaker in Israel via Skype.
Bal Ej: The Hidden Jews of Ethiopia
Trailer
About the film:
Following a hundred year old account of the prominent Jewish Polish scholar Jacque Faitlovich, the film-maker travels to discover and explore a sect of secret Jews in Ethiopia. Named Bal Ej, craftsmen, for their artisan skills, they have been persecuted by their Orthodox Christian neighbors who slandered them as evil-eyed and hyena-people and have been deprived of the basic rights such as ownership of land, the reason for adopting crafts such as pottery, weaving and iron smithery. Fearing persecutions, they appear Christians outwardly, and practice Judaism in strict secrecy. The synagogues are hidden deep in the mountains and had never before been visited by strangers. Some of their ancient traditions trace back to biblical times and have been completely forgotten by the rest of the world.The film “Bal Ej: the Hidden Jews of Ethiopia” lifts the curtains of hundreds of years and reveals the history, customs and culture of this remarkable community to the world.
About the film director:
Born in Ukraine in a family of holocaust survivors from Poland and grown up in Russia, Irene Orleansky is an Israeli musician, producer, ethnographer and film maker. Irene dedicated the last few years to exploring culture, music and traditions of remote Jewish communities in Asia and Africa.
“Senbet Leyunat” – a song from the soundtrack of the film “Bal Ej: the hidden Jews of Ethiopia”
Amharic, Hebrew, English, with subtitles in English
There will also be entertainment for the children.
Suggested donation:
Adults – $10
Children under 12 – $5