Berlin Jewish Museum Presents "Jew By Choice"

The documentary by David Bernet and Robert Ralston "Jew by Choice," which follows the conversion of three Germans to Judaism, will have its première at the Jewish Museum Berlin. The film will be shown on on 27 March 2007, 7 pm, at Old Building, 2nd level, Concert Hall. Admission is free.

Yael, the former judge, and Secharjah, the nurse, turned to Judaism while still in Germany and now want to live as Jews among Jews in Israel. Nico, the 22-year-old student from the Ruhr district, wants to take the steps of conversion - rabbinical court, circumcision, and the ritual immersion - in Israel. Made in 2005, "Jew by Choice" documents the differing, remarkable, and conflictual paths to a new life, name, and identity. We cordially invite you to the film showing followed by a discussion with the directors and protagonists at the Jewish Museum Berlin.

Up to a hundred German Christians or atheists contact Jewish parishes with a view to converting to Judaism each year. "Jew by Choice" takes a closer look at how and why people in Germany put their desire to identify with Judaism into action. The Swiss film team accompanied Nico's conversion to a new faith for six months, including his move to the Promised Land. The young German soon becomes aware that it is a decision of momentous importance: He has to deal with the varying - positive as well as negative - reactions of his environment and find his feet in a completely foreign world. "Jew by Choice" documents the questions and challenges faced by converts in their new home, such as how strict they are about the religious laws in their home or whether they can ever attend a Christian funeral again. Without losing the necessary distance, the film allows intimate insight into the thoughts and worries of the "Jews by Choice" during their difficult and perhaps never quite concluded arrival in Israel.

"Jews by Choice" is a German-Israeli coproduction of the "Gebrüder Beetz Filmproduktion" and "Idan Regev Productions." The film documentary evolved in cooperation with WDR/arte and the Israeli media institutions Channel 2 and Second Authority and will be broadcast on arte on 12 April at 10.20 pm.

Organized by the Jewish Museum Berlin and the "Gebrüder Beetz Filmproduktion" in cooperation with WDR/arte. -- www.juedisches-museum-berlin.de