Two young American Jews - Simone Zimmerman and Eitan - are raised to defend the state of Israel at all costs. Eitan joins the Israeli military. Simone supports Israel on ‘the other battlefield:’ America’s college campuses. When they witness Israel's mistreatment of the Palestinian people with their own eyes, they are horrified and heartbroken. They join the movement of young American Jews battling the old guard over Israel’s centrality in American Judaism, and demanding freedom for the Palestinian people. Their stories reveal a generational divide in the American Jewish community as more young Jews question the narratives they grew up with.

ISRAELISM uniquely explores how Jewish attitudes towards Israel are changing dramatically, with massive consequences for the region and for Judaism itself.

Directed by two first-time Jewish filmmakers who share a similar story to the film’s protagonists, ISRAELISM is produced by Peabody-winner & 6-time Emmy-nominee Daniel J. Chalfen (Loudmouth, Boycott) along with activist and filmmaker Nadia Saah (Mo, Omar, 5 Broken Cameras), executive produced by two-time Emmy-winner Brian A. Kates (Marvelous Ms. Maisel, Succession, The Plot Against America) and edited by Emmy-winner Tony Hale (The Story of Plastic).

Filmmakers in attendance for post-screening Q&A. Other guests TBD

Erin Axelman (Co-Director and Produder) is a queer Jewish filmmaker based out of Somerville, MA. They are the co-founder of Tikkun Olam Productions, the production company behind ISRAELISM. ISRAELISM is their directorial debut.

Presented in partnership with Independent Jewish Voices Vancouver and the SFU Centre for Comparative Muslim Studies.

Tuesday, January 30
Doors 9:00 pm | Movie 9:30 pm *Start time subject to change. Please arrive on time.

ISRAELISM (Eric Axelman, Sam Eilertsen, 2023 / 84 mins / 18A) When two young American Jews raised to unconditionally love Israel witness the brutal way Israel treats Palestinians, their lives take sharp left turns. They join a movement of young American Jews battling the old guard to redefine Judaism’s relationship with Israel, revealing a deepening generational divide over modern Jewish identity.