Glitz! Glamor! and... Gefilte Fish? The Roller-Coaster History of Jews and Hollywood

This course explores the remarkable journey of Jewish innovators, moguls, and storytellers who helped shape Hollywood from its earliest days to the present. We’ll trace the outsized impact of Jewish culture on American film, spotlighting legendary figures, unsung heroes, and the evolution of Jewish representation on screen. Each session will mix lively history, film clips, and discussion - expect a blend of Hollywood glitz, filmmaking grit, and a critical look at the stories we tell about ourselves.

Arnon Z. Shorr is an award-winning screenwriter, filmmaker and author, known for crafting character-driven adventures that explore the extraordinary. He gained widespread attention with José and the Pirate Captain Toledano, a swashbuckling graphic novel about Jewish pirates in the 16th-century Caribbean, which expanded on his award-winning short film. Shorr’s creative work frequently delves into Jewish identity, blending action-packed narratives with deep reflections on heritage. His talents have earned him a 2024 Fellowship with the JWI Screenwriters Lab and a 2024-25 Fellowship with the PJ Library Sephardic Stories Initiative. He is currently in the inaugural class of the MFA in Creative Writing at the Jewish Theological Seminary of America.

Class Dates: Thursdays, March 5, 12, 19, and 26
Class Time: 7:00 - 8:00 p.m.

Standard Registration: $80
Supporter Registration: $120
Reduced Registration: $40

The Center for Adult Jewish Learning at Temple Israel of Boston follows a "Pay What You Can" model for registration, with three pricing levels available. We also offer scholarships. 

Register to join us online. Contact cajl@tisrael.org with questions.