Instructions
Choose one or more films that explore Jewish American culture or history.
Have students watch a film clip or the entire movie.
Students will write a short essay on the themes of the film, such as identity, immigration, and assimilation. Encourage them to consider the portrayal of Jewish American life and its accuracy.
Students will also discuss how the film's portrayal compares to their own understanding of Jewish American history.
Materials
Computer
Screen for the class
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The Diary of Anne Frank (1959)
Based on the famous diary of Anne Frank, this film portrays the story of a Jewish girl and her family hiding from the Nazis in WWII.The Jazz Singer (1927)
Classic musical about a Jewish immigrant’s son, played by Al Jolson, who struggles to choose between following his passion for singing or adhering to his family's religious traditions.A Serious Man (2009)
Directed by the Coen Brothers, this film follows a Jewish man in 1960s Minnesota as he faces a series of personal and professional crises.The Prince of Egypt (1998)
An animated film based on the biblical story of Moses, bringing Jewish history and culture to life through powerful music and stunning animation.Life Is Beautiful (1997)
An Italian film set during the Holocaust, following a Jewish father who uses humor and imagination to protect his son from the horrors of a concentration camp.The Frisco Kid (1979)
A comedic western featuring Gene Wilder as a Polish rabbi traveling through the American Wild West, exploring cultural clashes and the search for community.Yentl (1983)
Directed by and starring Barbra Streisand, this film follows a young Jewish woman in Eastern Europe who disguises herself as a man to study Talmudic law.Fiddler on the Roof (1971)
This musical tells the story of Tevye, a Jewish father in early 20th-century Russia, who struggles to maintain his traditions while his daughters seek to marry for love.Annie Hall (1977)
A romantic comedy by Woody Allen, exploring relationships, identity, and the complexities of love, with themes of Jewish-American culture.The Chosen (1981)
Based on Chaim Potok’s novel, this film explores the friendship between two Jewish boys from different religious backgrounds in 1940s Brooklyn.Schindler’s List (1993)
A historical drama about Oskar Schindler, a German businessman who saved over a thousand Jews during the Holocaust.The Ten Commandments (1956)
An epic film depicting the biblical story of Moses leading the Israelites out of Egypt.Jewish Girls Don’t Cry (2003)
A lighthearted Israeli film following a Jewish teenager in New York City as she navigates personal life and challenges with traditional family values.The Beloved (2011)
Follows a Jewish girl’s experience growing up in 1930s Poland, dealing with her family’s struggles during the interwar period.Crossing Delancey (1988)
A romantic comedy about a Jewish woman in New York City, introduced to a man from her traditional Jewish neighborhood.
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