Santa Barbara Jewish Film Festival aims to shed light on antisemitism

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. -

The Santa Barbara Jewish Film Festival returns Wednesday to the New Vic Theatre in downtown Santa Barbara.

Last year the Anti-Defamation League recorded the highest number of anti-semitic attacks in the United States since it began tracking the issue in 1979.

“It has been challenging times in the last few years for Jewish communities across the country,” said Santa Barbara Jewish Film Festival Chair Ron Zonen.

Cyndi Silverman worked for the Anti Defamation League for 12 years and says she is still concerned about the rise of antisemitism.

“We used to see kids throwing pennies on the ground and telling the Jewish kids to pick it up,” said Silverman, who is now the Executive Director of the Jewish Federation of Greater Santa Barbara.

Silverman hopes that this year’s Santa Barbara Jewish Film Festival helps shed light on the problem.

She encourages everyone to watch Thursday night’s documentary “Repairing the World: Stories from the Tree of Life,” which highlights the tragic 2018 synagogue shooting in Pittsburgh and the community’s response to hate.

“The film itself is more about resilience and and how we overcome and how we come back,” said Silverman.

Following this documentary there will be a panel with anti-semitism experts, filmmakers, and the brother-in-law of one Tree of Life victim.

Silverman is glad this 5 day festival featuring 13 films from around the world is back after a two-year hiatus.

“Being able to bring to our community all these fabulous films so that people can have a deeper understanding of all the different aspects of Judaism,” said Silverman.

For a full listing and schedule of films visit sbjewishfilmfestival.org.