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Lights, Camera, Action: Hundreds Attend Israeli Film Festival in IndiaOver 500 members of the local Jewish community, art aficionados and local and international notables recently attended opening night of the Israeli film festival in Mumbai. The event was a celebration of Israeli culture and an opportunity for the community to experience the Israeli art which is not normally prevalent in the region. The festival was run as a joint effort between the Israeli Consulate in India, the EPJCC, and the JDC. Shirin Ezekiel, the 2005-2006 Ralph I. Goldman fellow for the JDC organized the event. Opening night brought in a mix of Mumbai's Jewish, Israeli, diplomatic, and business community members. They screened the film James' Journey to Jerusalem. Salmin Daw, the Israeli actor and director who starred in the movie, was on hand to present it and later participated in a question and answer period, informing the audience about Israeli society, Arab Israeli conflict and Israel's future. In addition to showing six acclaimed Israeli films, including the current hit Bonjour Monsieur Shlomi, the festival also hosted three receptions, catered by a famous local chef, Moshe Shek, who served traditional Israeli dishes such as falafel, hummus and tabbouli. The films, discussions and receptions offered a unique opportunity for Jews and non-Jews living in Mumbai, Israelis, and ex-patriots from the US and Europe to meet and mingle in a warm and open environment. Jim, an Indian Jewish teenager who was one of many passionate and energetic youth volunteers, expressed his enthusiasm for the festival, which was the first of its kind that he had had the opportunity to attend. "[this is] the first time in India I have seen a Jewish movie. The festival was very good an we should have more opportunities like this. And I will be happy to volunteer!" The sixteen year old Mumbai native was present at every single event. Gila Ward, a Jewish Service Corps volunteer in India who attended the event, summed up the common sentiment of the week. "The energy and the excitement, the happiness… tapping into this energy, witnessing it inspire and motivate people to help out and work together is something that drives the continuation of my work here." September 2006 |
