By Monica Friess

The JCC’s 20th Annual Jewish & Israeli Film Festival opens in March and it promises to keep you entertained and informed. It will have you laughing, it may make you cry, you will be enlightened, you will ponder some deep issues and you will want to see each one.

Once again, the festival will partner with various groups in the community to present a diverse mix of films. 

The opening event will be co-sponsored by Adults at the J and PrimeTime at the J. “Cupcakes,” which will be shown on March 29 at 7 p.m. at the JCC, is a feel-good Israeli musical comedy about the right to be yourself. It won the Audience Award for Best Comedy at the Los Angeles Jewish Film Festival last year and is a festival favorite around the country. The presentation will include wine, popcorn and - of course - cupcakes. Tickets: $12 general community/$8 JCC members.

On April 12 at 7:30 p.m. in Moyer Hall at Muhlenberg College, the IJCU will co-present “Under the Same Sun,” a film which takes place in the near future and explores what could happen when two businessmen – one Palestinian and one Israeli – launch a Facebook campaign, set up a solar energy company and set the peace process in motion. The Rev. Dr. Peter Pettit will introduce the film and moderate a panel discussion following the film. Tickets: $8 general community/$5 JCC or IJCU members.

Congregation Keneseth Israel will partner to present “The Green Prince” on April 26 at 7 p.m. at the JCC. This is an amazing work based on the book “Son of Hamas” about the relationship and friendship between a Palestinian informant and his Mossad handler. This film exposes a complex world of terror, betrayal and impossible choices. Rabbi Seth Phillips will introduce the film and lead a post-presentation discussion. Tickets: $9 general community/$6 JCC members.

Linda and Jim Wimmer are co-sponsoring the presentation of “Ida” on May 6 at 7 p.m. at the JCC. A 2015 Oscar nominee for Best Foreign Film and Achievement in Cinematography, this movie tells the story of a woman who learns she is Jewish as she prepares to take her vows as a nun. Tickets: $9 general community/$6 JCC members.

“Beneath the Helmet” is co-sponsored by the Jewish Federation of the Lehigh Valley’s Community Relations Council and will be presented at the JCC on June 3 at 7 p.m. It is a moving documentary which follows five young Israeli high school graduates as they begin their service in the army. Tickets: $9 general community/$6 JCC members. 

See you at the movies!