Teaching Judaism through film
BY YEHUDA PERL ON
In the past, great Jewish Rabbis told parables and gave metaphors in order to infuse the sweetness of Torah into the heart of the people. Today, that work is made easier through film and the work of the ‘Torah Hachaim’ School for Jewish Film. “One can give a lot of very good lectures about Shalom Bayit [peace in the home between man and wife], but one touching video can have immeasurable impact.”
The ‘Torat Hachaim’ School for Jewish Film was originally created by Rav Shmuel Tal, the head of the ‘Torat Hachaim’ Yeshiva in Yad Binyamin. This year marks the tenth year that the school has helped Jews learn about filmmaking from a Jewish perspective and with a Jewish vision. Many of the graduates work and earn their living using the skills they learned at the school.
“The lecturers are primarily Baalei Teshuvah who worked many years in the film industry and amassed vast knowledge and experience,” explains Sagav Cohen, the head administrator of the school, in an interview with Hakol Hayehudi. The students, who come from many parts of the National-Religious and Haredi communities, learn various skills such as photo/video taking, video editing, directing, screenwriting, production, sound editing, and more.
Film that observes Halacha and has Jewish content
In addition to professionalism and quality, which are obligatory for any school in the industry, the ‘Torah Hachaim’ school focuses on what makes it unique. “We don’t sacrifice high-level professionalism, including requiring students to perform exercises and create a final project,” says Cohen. “What makes us unique though, is our emphasis on following the Halacha and that this is the only Torah-based film school in the world. After many years of teaching we’ve made it clear that following the Halacha does not harm the quality of the films at all.”
Cohen described the Torah atmosphere during the school-year, including separate classes for men and women, and lecturers who are religious themselves. “The lessons are filled with guidance on how to have ideas inspired and influenced by authentic Jewish values. The school’s Auditing Committee does not approve the production of films which go against the values of the Torah. Likewise, during the creation of the films there are clear guidelines on the laws of modesty as they relate to the filming and directing of the production.”
“A film is like a small world and a producer essentially creates this world,” explains Cohen. “Every artist puts a part of himself into his work. If the producer is greedy or lustful, that come out in his films. On the other hand if the producer is a G-d fearing Jew, the film ends up with a positive Jewish message that will be well received by all. Today we lack filmmakers who have a fear of Heaven.”
“Anyone has been gifted with the ability to work in film has an obligation to follow through with it. Film is one of the greatest tools that G-d has brought into the world and using it properly is part of serving Him. Today we can transmit Judaism to many people through film, even those who have trouble focusing during a lecture or learning from a book.”
Cohen concludes, “There is great awareness, thank G-d, within the community about the importance of bringing Jews closer to Judaism. Anyone who sees a future for him or her self in film is welcome to join us.”
The ‘Torah Hachaim’ School for Film can be reached at 08-915-6001 from within Israel.
From Hakol Hayehudi, here.