Trembling Before G-d (2001) 6.9
A cinematic portrait of various gay Orthodox Jews who struggle to reconcile their faith and their sexual orientation. Director:Sandi Simcha Dubowski |
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Trembling Before G-d (2001) 6.9
A cinematic portrait of various gay Orthodox Jews who struggle to reconcile their faith and their sexual orientation. Director:Sandi Simcha Dubowski |
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| Watch Trailer 0Share... |
| Credited cast: | |||
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Shlomo Ashkinazy | ... |
Himself - Psychotherapist
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Steve Greenberg | ... |
Himself
(as Rabbi Steve Greenberg)
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Nathan Lopes Cardozo | ... |
Himself
(as Rabbi Dr. Nathan Lopes Cardozo)
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Naomi Mark | ... |
Herself - Psychotherapist
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Shlomo Riskin | ... |
Himself
(as Rabbi Shlomo Riskin)
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Yaakov Meir Weil | ... |
Himself - Psychiatrist
(as Dr. Yaakov Meir Weil)
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Built around intimately-told personal stories of Hasidic and Orthodox Jews who are gay or lesbian, the film portrays a group of people who face a profound dilemma - how to reconcile their passionate love of Judaism and the Divine with the drastic Biblical prohibitions that forbids homosexuality. Written by up and out
It isn't an unfamiliar mantra, but that doesn't mean it loses its power.
Look, glbt people of faith have been told for a long time that they should either "straighten up" (pun intended) or leave their faith traditions. I've experienced that myself by identifying jointly as lesbian and Christian. But is it really the place of any community of humans to dictate the status of my relationship to G-d? Well, I suppose that in the Jewish tradition it is even more complex, where faith, culture, ethnic identity, and family are more tightly intertwined than anything. And it pained me... the thought that anyone would be forced out of their faith community or even their sense of relationship to G-d by human reaction to sexual orientation.
I have great respect for the history and theology that underlies orthodox Jewish observance. But I want there to be a space for all people who share that bond with G-d and who want to observe, just as I want that for myself in Christianity. Is that REALLY too much to ask? And is the consequence worth it? That is the question of Trembling Before G-d... a wonderful film.