Trembling Before G-d (2001)

A cinematic portrait of various gay Orthodox Jews who struggle to reconcile their faith and their sexual orientation.

Director:

Sandi Simcha Dubowski

Stars:

Shlomo Ashkinazy, Steve Greenberg, Nathan Lopes Cardozo

8 wins & 3 nominations.

Cast

Credited cast:
Shlomo Ashkinazy	...	Himself - Psychotherapist
Steve Greenberg	...	Himself (as Rabbi Steve Greenberg)
Nathan Lopes Cardozo	...	Himself (as Rabbi Dr. Nathan Lopes Cardozo)
Naomi Mark	...	Herself - Psychotherapist
Shlomo Riskin	...	Himself (as Rabbi Shlomo Riskin)
Yaakov Meir Weil	...	Himself - Psychiatrist (as Dr. Yaakov Meir Weil)

Storyline

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.

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Plot Keywords:

gay | jew | faith | orthodox jew | lesbian | 

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Taglines:

The hidden lives of gay and lesbian Orthodox and Hasidic Jews.

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Genres:

Documentary

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Certificate:

Not Rated

Details

Official Sites:

Simcha Leib Productions

Country:

Israel France USA

Language:

English Yiddish Hebrew

Release Date:

6 December 2001 (Israel)

Also Known As:

Drzac przed Bogiem

Filming Locations:

USA

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$21,410, 28 October 2001, Limited Release

Gross USA:

$619,612, 24 March 2002

Company Credits

Production Co:

Cinephil, Keshet Broadcasting, Pretty Pictures

Technical Specs

Sound Mix:

Dolby SR

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.66 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The spelling of the last word in this movie's title comes from the Jewish tradition of treating any written representation of the name of God with respect, and not writing it on any document that might be treated carelessly or accidentally or deliberately defaced, destroyed, or erased (a longstanding Rabbinical interpretation of Deuteronomy 12:3). Since this movie, like most, had posters, sales materials, contractual paperwork, DVD covers, and other ephemera with its title on them go out into public hands, the filmmakers used the G-d spelling out of respect and recognition that there was no way to know how the documents on which the name would be treated outside of their presences.

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Quotes

Rabbie Meir Fund: ...so the Jew who is gay by choice... work like mad to overcome it... a Jew who is, as we might say, wall-to-wall gay... I will hold his hand, figuratively... and do the best I can to give him strength to serve G-d.

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Connections

Featured in SexTV: Trembling Before G-d/Midori (2002)

User Reviews

Children of a lesser G-d

This is a very disturbing documentary. One can only congratulate director Sandi Dubowski for the courage in dealing with the subject matter. Of course, the study here was done among Orthodox Jews who are at the margin of their religion. This film is universal because it could apply to conservative beliefs as well.

How can the people in charge of a congregation reject anyone because they are different from what ancient texts tell? Aren't these gay men and women the product of legal marriages from religion abiding parents? These children didn't ask to be born gay, but the fact remains they are that way and no one, being the rabbis in charge, or the parents can reverse the fact. Love, nurturing, acceptance are lacking from all those in high places.

After viewing the film, I felt great sadness for the people that have to lead a life away from family and community for just being gay. Shame on the parents and the leaders for banning their children into oblivion. I salute their stand for being themselves.