Jewish Film Festival – The Catskills and Hope Without Boundaries

Tampa Jewish Community Centers & Jewish Federation of Florida’s Gulf Coast present this year’s Tampa Bay Jewish Film Festival. On Friday February 23, two films will be presented, The Catskills and Hope Without Boundaries at the Straz Center in the Jaeb Theatre.

The Catskills begins at 12:00 PM and is offered as an a la carte film or paired with a boxed lunch. The Catskills journeys into the storied mountain getaway north of New York City that served as a refuge for Jewish immigrants fleeing poverty as well as a lavish playground for affluent Jewish families. As bungalow colony proprietors, guests, waiters, comedians, hoteliers, and beauticians share colorful tales of Catskill farms, boarding houses, and luxury resorts, they paint a picture of vibrant American Jewish life and culture in the 20th century. It was the cradle for comedy – and a place to dine like royalty. With a trove of lost-and-found archival footage and a cast of characters endowed with the gift of gab. Tickets are $8 for the movie or $18 for the movie and a box lunch.

Hope Without Boundaries will begin at 3:00 PM and will include a presentation and talk back with medical professionals and representatives from the Sheba Medical Center following the film. In the midst of a war in Ukraine, an Israeli field hospital is established to provide medical care to those affected by the conflict. The film follows the challenges faced by the medical teams, many of whom are descendants of Holocaust survivors, as they treat Ukrainian patients who have lost everything. Amidst the chaos and destruction, the film highlights the humanity and compassion of those providing care, showcasing the power of small acts of kindness to bring people together. The film also explores the intersection of history and culture, as the Israeli teams offer help and hope to those in need, while navigating their own emotional struggles. A touching portrayal of humanity and the impact that small acts of kindness can have in the face of adversity. Tickets are $8

These films are part of the weekend-long festival, packed with films, special engagement programs, director and talent talks, culinary delights, and champagne toasts that all truly merit celebration! The films will delight moviegoers with topics varying from stories of strength, power, perseverance and might! Complex and discreet family situations, love stories, satirical comedy, heroic Holocaust survival, Jewish values and traditions and, of course, a walk-down memory lane through Jewish geography. Tickets can be purchased at www.tbjff.org.