Abstract:

"It is the first film that accurately tells the story of the effect of Eastern religion on Jewish life and presents it in a way that is emblematic of the cross cultural issues that are before us as separate communities." - Janis Plotkin Director, San Francisco Jewish Festival "A sensitive and gentle exploration of the little known, but growing trend among Jews and Buddhists in the West to discern common threads… A most intriguing concept, very well-presented here … this is recommended for larger collections. Video Librarian This documentary examines the dramatic surge of interest among American Jews in the spiritual teachings of Buddhism. Jews, who make of 2% of the population, account for some 30% of non-Asian American Buddhists. Many of them are among the leading expositors and scholars of Buddhism in America. In practice, traditional Jewish ritual and liturgy are being modified in synagogues and among individuals seeking to incorporate the teachings of Buddhism into their spiritual lives. The striking resonance between Buddhism and Judaism has been remarked upon by writers and scholars, and has generated many notable books and articles. Jews and Buddhism is the first film to interrogate in depth the reasons for this phenomenon, explore it in the context of 20th century Jewish-American life, and consider its impact on contemporary Jewish thought and practice. This award-winning documentary includes rare footage of the Dalai Lama, spiritual leader of Tibet, as well as David Ben Gurion, Allen Ginsberg, Sylvia Boorstein, and many others. San Francisco Jewish Film Festival, 1999, Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, Outstanding Documentary, 1999, Jewish film festivals: San Francisco, Los Angeles, Miami, San Diego, 1999-2000, Denver International Film Festival, 1999