Now in its 36th season, the OCJFF showcases Jewish-themed feature and documentary films from November through April. Founded by University Synagogue, the festival welcomes people of all faiths and backgrounds.
Hybrid Film Festival Process
- The Film Festival will begin Sunday, November 9, 2025, in person, at University Synagogue, and runs through April 2026.
- This year we will follow a hybrid film festival format, with several films shown at University Synagogue with bagel breakfasts on select Sundays, and other films available online to enjoy from home.
- Registration will be available until two days prior to each film showing.
- Payments are non-refundable.
- For in person films: Please join us at 9am at University Synagogue for a bagel breakfast and film screening.
- For online films: The film link and password will be emailed to all registrants one day prior to the film showing, along with the Zoom link for the discussion.
- Each online film will be available to view for a 48 hour period. Access begins at 12:01 a.m. on Tuesday morning and will continue through Wednesday until 11:59 p.m.
- If you do not receive the film link by 3PM, one day prior to the film, please email marketing@universitysynagogue.org or swmma107@aol.com.
Pricing (per household) $15 per film or $100 for the series (eight films + the Yom HaShoah films).
FIlm Festival Schedule
ONCE UPON MY MOTHER (2025)
November 9, 2025
At University Synagogue with Bagel Breakfast
Join us on November 9th to kick off the OCJFF season, we'll serve a lox and bagel breakfast to be followed by a showing of our first feature film entitled, "Once Upon My Mother". Following the film we look forward to a short Q & A moderated by Dr. Michael Berlin. Dr. Berlin is a writer and director of film.
Based on a true story about a celebrated French attorney who was born with a club foot that prevented him from standing. Against all medical advice his mother promises him he will not only walk again but have an extraordinary life! This film is both sad and funny and always heartwarming and it takes on an interesting twist with Sylvie Vartan, a music icon in France in the 1960’s.
In French with English subtitles
THE RING (2025)
November 18, 2025
To Be Viewed Online
Aron is a man with strong ties to his mother, a holocaust survivor who saved her life and her baby boy with help of a gold ring. When his mother’s health deteriorates, he travels to Budapest to search for the ring. Aron turns to his estranged daughter for help and they embark on the journey together. A heartwarming dramedy of three generations . Adair Miller is Israel’s most famous stand up comedian and wrote the story.
“The relationships in the film carries the film forward.” -The Jerusalem Post
In Hebrew with English subtitles
MAZEL TOV (2025)
November 30, 2025
At University Synagogue with Bagel Breakfast
Dario Roitman lives in the United States and is estranged from his father, his siblings, his ex-wife and his son. who still live in his native Argentina. He decides to attend his sister's wedding and nephew's Bar Mitzvah which he sees as an opportunity to rebuild his family ties. But, his plan changes when he finds out his father has just died. The film beautifully depicts, in comedy and drama, the relationships in a family torn by resentments, unresolved conflicts, guilt and grief. What emerges is the possibility of redemption and reconciliation.
In Spanish with English subtitles
THE LAST SPY (2025)
December 9, 2025
To Be Viewed Online
A riveting biography of a 102 year old CIA spymaster, Peter Sichel. The film reveals the history of the US Foreign Intelligence Service from inside. With wit and humor Sichel unpacks the roots of conflicts plaguing today’s world. From escaping Nazi Germany as a Jewish refugee to becoming the first CIA Station Chief in post war Berlin and a key player in the Cold War.
In English
BLISS (2024)
January 6, 2026
To Be Viewed Online
Famous celebrated actors navigate love, aging and family obligations. Sassi and Effi are a happily married hard working couple when an unexpected visit from their grandson, Omri, sets off a chain of unexpected events. A poignant story with moments of humor touching on aging, love, family and the search for happiness. Their love story is both funny and touching. The characters are relatable and nuanced.
"The acting is wonderful, the script is touching and well translated." -IMDb
In Hebrew, with English Subtitles
NEVER ALONE (2024)
January 18, 2026
At University Synagogue with Bagel Breakfast
In 1942 Helsinki, Finland made an alliance with Nazi Germany. One man alone, Abraham Stiller, a Finnish Jewish business man, trying to stop the Finnish security services, which were operating in secrecy, to turn over Jewish refugees into the hands of the Gestapo.
“A fascinating story.” -Rotten Tomatoes
“A great story.” -IMDb
In Finnish with English Subtitles
THE PIANIST'S CHOICE (2024)
February 3, 2026
To Be Viewed Online
The film centers on the fictional life of a young French pianist, Francois Touraine, who has the impossible choice to play for the Nazis during the war to save Rachel, the Jewish piano teacher whom he loves, or see her die. A choice that marks his post war return to France as a traitor. Can Francois regain confidence in himself and his music?
In French with English subtitles
THE EVERYTHING POT (2024)
February 15, 2026
At University Synagogue with Bagel Breakfast
This movie is funny and sweet, but it makes you think. Rachel is an adorable 50 something who is in a long term marriage. Rachel and Adam, newly empty-nesters, get an invitation to a wedding from a coworker, she eagerly RSVPs with a gift, which brings out a reevaluation of her feelings about her marriage, which Rachel seems to have lost interest in lately. Charlie may still have feelings for Rachel! This movie has a lot to say about long term marriages and how easy it is to get stale and forget what you value with each other.
"It’s a funny and smart film. It’s romantic, sexy and silly" -IMDb
In English
EVA's PROMISE (2022)
April 14, 2026
To Be Viewed Online – Commemorating Yom Ha Shoah
A documentary telling the story of Eva Geiringer Schloss, who became Anne Frank’s stepsister when her mother married Otto Frank. Eva promises to retrieve her bother’s hidden art work. The film explores the parallel lives of Eva and Anne Frank, their hiding, arrest and deportation to Auschwitz.
In English
THE SHIP THAT TURNED BACK (2024)
April 14, 2026
To Be Viewed Online – Commemorating Yom Ha Shoah
This short documentary film that played at the Cannes World Festival, recounts filmmaker Irving Saraf’s boyhood escape from Nazi occupied Poland.The 7 year old Irving journeyed with his family from Warsaw, Austria and Italy, and finally onto a ship bound for Palestine. The film blends memory, art and family vividly to life. The child lives it, the adult remembers it.
In English
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