The Boy | Short Film

Avinoam and Barak, father and son from Kibbutz near Gaza strip, are each facing another round of combat in their own way. While Avinoam insists on continuing his routine and his work in the field, Barak finds it difficult to close his eyes and continue as usual. One night, Barak reaches a boiling point and Avinoam is forced to absorb the flames. Yahav Winner's final film is a poignant meditation on empathy across borders, as told through the eyes of a young man living in a Kibbutz on the Gaza border, whose compassion for his neighbors on the other side of the fence sets him apart from his family and community.

Content Warning: violence

Jerry's Last Mission | Documentary Feature

P-51 fighter pilot Jerry Yellin flew combat missions on Iwo Jima and over Japan, including the last combat mission of World War II. As he confronts his decades-old fear and hatred, Yellin overcomes his PTSD as he was forced to face his enemy once again when his youngest son moved to Japan and married the daughter of a Kamikaze pilot. This documentary tells the story of Jerry’s reconciliation with the enemy and healing from the wounds of war.

Trigger Warning: suicidal references

Content Warning: graphic archival imagery

The Mayerson JCC Jewish & Israeli Film Festival presents a diverse, inspiring lineup of award-winning films and engaging, educational programming that connects to Jewish and Israeli stories. To see the whole 2024 lineup click here.