Tuesday, Dec. 10, 3:15 pm
USA, 2001. Yale Strom, director.
Eng., Yiddish & Russian w/ Eng. subtitles 93 min.

Providing another angle on themes explored in his preview documentary The Last Klezmer (5th PBJFF, 1995), Yale Strom looks at past, present and future of Russia’s "Jewish Autonomous Region." Established in 1928, this remote Siberian patch, was designated as a haven for Jews—but was it really a gift or a dumping ground for an unwanted minority? By the time Strom arrives in 2000, Yiddish is almost extinct, interfaith marriages are widespread but there are some pockets of interest in preserving Jewish traditions. A vivid portrait of the circumstances surrounding this unique chapter in Soviet and world history.