Circumcise Me

(Israel, 2006, Color, English, 43 mins.)

Is it hot in here, or am I the only one dressed for Poland in the 17th century?

Yisrael Campbell looks more like a rabbi than a comedian, but don’t be fooled by the big black hat, frock coat and Hasidic side-curls. Born Chris Campbell, the son of an ex-nun and a Catholic schoolteacher, he converted to Judaism not once, but three times – Reform, Conservative and Orhodox. His spiritual journey began as a drug-drenched teenager in Philadelphia and ended in Jerusalem among the suicide bombs of the Palestinian intifada. So what’s to laugh about? it’s the way he tells it. Circumcise Me is a hilarious, seraching and moving sotry of one man’s quest for spiritual enlightenment against the bewildering backdrop of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. (Directed by David Blumenfeld & Mathew Kalman)

Advice and Dissent

(USA, 2002, Color, English, 21 mins.)

Goldman, a frustrated businessman, tries to end his marriage by asking his Rabbi to place a curse on his wife. The Rabbi refuses, but gives Goldman peculiar advice on how to do away with her, setting into motion a series of unexpected events. A romantic comedy starring Eli Wallach, Rebecca Pidgeon and John Pankow. (Directed by Leib Cohen)

The Orthodox Way

(Israel, 2003, Color, Hebrew w/English subtitles, 25 mins.)

Eli, a single religious guy, is forced to go out on a blind date. He picks up the wrong girl, and the two of them spend a bizarre evening driving around the streets of Jerusalem. A romantic comedy about dating the orthodox way. (Directed by Ilan Eshkoli)

First Prize for Short Film, Israel Film Festival in New York and Los Angeles 2004
Jury Citation, Girona Film Festival, Jewish Competition, Spain 2004