Torah Tropical

  • Colombia
  • Documentary
  • 2024
  • 100 min.
  • Director(s): Jimmy Ferguson, Ezra Axelrod, Gloria Nancy Monsalve
  • Producer(s): David Restrepo, Ezra Axelrod, Heidi Paster

Synopsis

This insightful documentary follows an Orthodox Jewish family’s difficult quest to leave Colombia, a country where Jews are rare, and immigrate to Israel to make aliyah. Menajem, a baker, and his wife Isska converted to Judaism as adults and raised their young daughters, Ruth and Jaia, within Beit David, a tight-knit community of Orthodox Jewish converts based in the El Guabal neighborhood of Cali. As they dream of fleeing local gang violence and homicides, they also prepare for a new set of challenges as their journey to Israel draws nearer. The family plans to hide their religious identity to enter the country as tourists, but their endeavor culminates in a shocking result.

 

Featuring stunning visuals of a mikvah ceremony and unexpected moments of humor, this documentary takes viewers inside one family’s harrowing life path. Powerful voiceover narration includes intimate recordings of Isska’s personal prayers. Ultimately, this immigration story is about personal growth and spiritual resilience.

(Credit Thaïs Miller, San Francisco Jewish Film Festival)

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Credits

Director(s)

Jimmy Ferguson, Ezra Axelrod, Gloria Nancy Monsalve

Producer(s)

David Restrepo, Ezra Axelrod, Heidi Paster

Executive Producer(s)

Heidi Paster, David Restrepo

Script

Ezra Axelrod, Gloria Nancy Monsalve, Jimmy Ferguson

Cinematography

Jimmy Ferguson

Editor

Etienne Boussac

Original Music

Ezra Axelrod

Cast

Isska Dvash, Menajem Aguirre, Ruth Simjha Aguirre, Jaia Aguirre

Original Language

Spanish

Subtitles

English, Spanish

Sound Design

Juan Felipe Rayo

Festival Highlights

Festival Internacional de Cine de Cali 2, Colombia, Official Selection, 2024

San Francisco Jewish Film Festival, USA, Official Selection, 2024