The Scjff Is In Progress With Films Scheduled Through May 14!

All Are Welcome And No Admission Fee Is Charged. Voluntary Donations Are Gratefully Accepted At The Door.

Schedule Of Events:

April 16, 2025

2:00 pm - a unique program of comic shorts

Fiddler on the Moon is a half-hour documentary that answers the question that has plagued scientists, theologians, and comedians for millennia: Will Judaism survive in space?

This light-hearted examination of Jewish space history stars Neil deGrasse Tyson, astronauts Jeffrey Hoffman and Jessica Meir, and a quorum of rabbis and researchers.

You may never look up at the stars the same way again!

Omi is a comic short film about Matt, an impulsive millennial mensch (good guy) who gets possessed by the spirit of his dead Yiddish grandma, Omi, after asking his non-Jewish girlfriend to marry him.

Don’t miss this short precursor to OMI, the feature film, to be released later this year. You’ll howl along with Matt!

Written and starring Adam Lebowitz-Lockard

Catalogue of Noses is a short musical comedy that uses ‘Fiddler on the Roof’ parody songs to illustrate the sacrifices Jewish women make to assimilate. Inspired by Writer/Producer/Actor Lauren Schaffel's own life story of growing up as a child actor in Hollywood and getting a nose job at age sixteen.

The film takes aim at the stereotypical portrayal of Jews in media and pokes fun at the superficial ideals of Western beauty standards.

Writer/Producer/Actor Lauren Schaffel will be on hand, in person, to introduce the film and answer questions after the screening! Lauren starred in many prime time comedies like Will and Grace, Still Standing, and several Peanuts films and series (as the voice of Lucy).

Admission is free, donations gratefully accepted.

Lemonade and cookies will be served.

Location: Aegis Living Aptos

April 26, 2025

7:00 Pm - Torn

Torn Examines The Controversy Surrounding The "Kidnapped" Hostage Poster Campaign In New York City. The Grassroots Campaign Sought To Raise Awareness Of The 240 Hostages Taken By Hamas On October 7, But It Quickly Became A Polarizing Symbol That Sparked Clashes Between Pro-Israel And Pro-Palestine Activists And Turned New York City Streets Into Battlegrounds Of Ideology And Emotion. The Film Explores The Motivations Behind Activists Putting Up And Tearing Down The Posters, Revealing The Ironies And Complexities Of This Intense 'Paper Army' Proxy War, Fought Thousands Of Miles From The Actual Conflict.

Location: Temple Beth El

May 3, 2025

2:00 Pm - Joyful Sephardic Music!

Come Down To The Capitola Library For An Afternoon Of Sephardic Music With Our Own Dror Sinai And Zirzuvi.  

Zirzuví's Music Bridges Traditions And Creates New Relationships To Music And Culture In An Atmosphere Of Fun. Zirzuví In Ladino Means "An Indescribable Color" -- All Colors And No Color All At Once. Zirzuví Music Strives For This Mystical Pathway To Collective Moments Of Joy And Unity.

This Event Is Promoted By The Scjff On Behalf Of The Santa Cruz Pubic Libraries In Recognition Of Their Support During Jewish American Heritage Month.

Location: Capitola Public Library

May 6, 2025

6:30 Pm - Disturbing The Peace

Disturbing The Peace Follows Former Enemy Combatants-- Israeli Soldiers From Elite Units And Palestinian Fighters, Many Of Whom Served Years In Prison-- Who Have Joined Together To Challenge The Status Quo And Say "Enough." The Film Examines Their Transformational Journey From Committed Soldiers To Nonviolent Peace Activists, Leading To The Creation Of The Organization Combatants For Peace.

Released Eight Years Ago, The Film Offers A Glimmer Of Hope For A Better Future Of Peaceful Coexistence.

Documentary, Israel 2016. Running Time 1 Hour 27 Minutes

Location: The Capitola Public Library

May 13, 2025

4:00 Pm - Fiddler On The Moon: Jews In Space And Jews Of The Wild West

Fiddler On The Moon Is A Half-Hour Documentary That Answers The Question That Has Plagued Scientists, Theologians, And Comedians For Millennia: Will Judaism Survive In Space? Starring Neil Degrasse Tyson, Astronauts Jeffrey Hoffman And Jessica Meir, And A Quorum Of Rabbis And Researchers.

Jews Of The Wild West Highlights The Contributions Jewish Americans Made In Shaping The Western United States. Through On-Camera Interviews, Archival Footage, And Historical Photographs, The Film Tells The True Stories Of Jewish Americans Who Ventured West For New Lives.

Location: Capitola Public Library

May 14, 2025

6:30 Pm - Sabbath Queen

Join The Scjff And Santa Cruz Pride In A 50th Anniversary Celebration With Finger Food By Veg On The Edge! There Will Be Time For Shmoozing And A Brief Talk By Rabbi Eli Cohen Before The Screening Of Sabbath Queen, A Feature Documentary Filmed Over 21 Years That Follows Rabbi Amichai Lau-Lavie's Epic Journey Of Self Discovery. A Gay Man And The Latest In A Line Of 38 Generations Of Orthodox Rabbis, Including Chief Rabbis Of Israel, He Is Torn Between Rejecting And Embracing His Destiny. He Chooses To Embrace Both Life And His True Self And Becomes A Drag-Queen Rebel, A Queer Bio-Dad, And The Founder Of Lab/Shul—An Everybody-Friendly, God-Optional, Artist-Driven, Pop-Up Experimental Congregation.

Sabbath Queen Is Directed And Produced By Sandi Dubowski, The Filmmaker Of The Breakthrough Orthodox Movie Addressing Homosexuality, Trembling Before God.

Documentary, Usa. Running Time 1 Hour 45 Minutes.

Location: Temple Beth El

Date: April 16 - May 14, 2025

Location:
Temple Beth El, 3055 Porter Gulch Road, Aptos, CA 95001
Aegis Living Aptos, 125 Heather Terrace, Aptos, CA 95003
Capitola Branch Library, 2005 Wharf Road, Capitola, CA 95010

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