Emanuel synagogue to host Fill the Void film screening and discussion

Emanuel Synagogue and Plus61J announce a film screening of acclaimed Israeli drama, Fill the Void, on Thursday 9 May at 7pm in Woollahra. This will be followed by a discussion of the themes of the film.

This multi award-winning 2012 film tells the story of how devout 18-year-old Israeli girl Shira Mendelman (Hadas Yaron, ‘Libby’ from Netflix hit, Shtisel) is pressured to marry the husband of her late sister. 

The film’s drama lies in the conflict stemming from how Shira declaring her independence is not an option in Tel Aviv's Hasidic community, since religious law, tradition and the rabbi’s word are absolute.

Reviewed on Rotten Tomatoes, the film was described as "...graceful, complex, and beautifully layered… a sympathetic portrait of an insulated culture by exploring universal themes."

SBS described it as “a delicate romance and a complex coming-of-age tale.”

Fill The Void won 7 Israeli Academy Awards, including Best Film, Best Director, Best Actress, and Best Screenplay, and Yaron was named Best Actress at the Venice Film Festival.

Following the screening, there will be a conversation with Rabbanit Judith Levitan to discuss the issues raised by the film. 

Rabbanit Levitan is a lawyer with over 15 years’ experience in the field of social justice, currently at Legal Aid NSW where she uses Human Centred Design to innovate and improve legal services for disadvantaged people. 

She has studied in a range of institutions for women’s higher learning including Midreshet HaRova and Nishmat. 

Most recently, she received smicha from Yeshivat Maharat in New York; one of the first Orthodox women in Australia to do so.

Where: Emanuel Synagogue, 7 Ocean Street, Woollahra 2025
When: Thursday 6 May 2021
Times: 7pm – 9.30pm 
Cost: Emanuel Synagogue members $10; non-members $15

Bookings: tinyurl.com/fillvoid

For more information call Marina Capponi on 0431 425 832 or email marina@emanuel.org.au.

ENDS

About Emanuel Synagogue:

The largest in Australia, Emanuel Synagogue is regarded as one of Australia’s most inclusive and dynamic congregations. It is known for its commitment to social justice works (especially concerning refugees and the homeless), other matters of human rights as well as as animal rights, and environmental action. The synagogue regularly hosts cultural events including the Sydney Sacred Music Festival, Shir Madness Music Festival, Sydney Art Quartet and Australian Chamber Orchestra. See: https://emanuel.org.au