Cinema: October 2026 Curation
This month, we talked to Nitai Schendar, our Cinema Programmer, about his thoughts behind curating October's selection of films in our cinema:
"We’ve marked Rosh Hashanah and the start of a new Jewish year, and are about to celebrate Simchat Torah, but October also brings a more difficult moment of reflection: the third anniversary of 7 October. At the JW3 cinema, we have curated a programme to help you connect with the meaning of the month, while also offering a chance to unwind and step away from the world for some cinematic magic.
The Shoshani Riddle, screening exclusively in our cinema, is a charming and intriguing documentary about an enigmatic Jewish teacher who taught in Israel, South America, and post-World War II Europe. He deeply influenced his students, including Emmanuel Levinas and Elie Wiesel. French-Jewish filmmaker Michael Grynszpan attempts to trace the elusive footsteps of Mr. Shoshani, mapping out global Jewish wisdom along the way in a film that unfolds part detective story, part midrash.
The Bridge is an American documentary following Israeli October 7th survivors participating in a US music camp. The film opens with authentic footage from the October 7th attacks (Content Advisory: viewer discretion is strongly advised) before bringing the survivors to an unexpected setting—a Rock 'n' Roll
fantasy camp in Los Angeles. This gathering of traumatized youth alongside individuals far removed from such tragedy offers solace to the participants, and hopefully to viewers as well.
Screenings of The Bridge will be preceded by Yellow Ribbons, a short film by community member Michal McEwen. The documentary follows Devorah and Jack Miller, two British Jews who began tying yellow ribbons around trees, bridges, and public spaces across London. What started as a modest personal act quickly grew into a grassroots movement, bringing together hundreds of volunteers dedicated to keeping the hostages in the public consciousness.
Chazak, chazak, v'nitchazek - wishing you strength and inspiration as we complete one cycle and begin anew."