The LAJ film festival recently hosted an awe-inspiring online screening of the one-woman play “Golda’s Balcony,” which was adapted into a captivating film. The screening was accompanied by a thought-provoking and insightful 90-minute interview with Tovah Feldshuh, the talented actress who brings to life the persona of Golda Meir in an incredible way. This film delves deep into the intricate layers of Golda Meir’s persona, exploring her roles as a mother, wife, ardent Zionist, and the formidable Prime Minister of Israel during the tumultuous Yom Kippur War of 1973. At its core, the play scrutinizes the impact of war and the formidable decisions confronting Golda amidst the crisis, making it a powerful and poignant portrayal of leadership challenges.

Leadership Under Fire

Through a riveting portrayal of leadership dilemmas, “Golda’s Balcony” resurrects history with vivid clarity, bringing to life the intense struggles and conflicts that Golda endured as Prime Minister. The play grapples with the profound question: will Golda deploy the secret weapon, and what inner conflicts torment her during these critical junctures? In her interview, Tovah Feldshuh delves into her profound research and active involvement in shaping this artistic endeavour, fine-tuning the play, and breathing life into the character with exceptional finesse.

This film goes far beyond a straightforward history lesson, forging a personal and emotional connection with its audience and capturing the essence of individual experiences amidst turbulent times. It showcases the remarkable spirit of the Israeli people in the face of adversity. It highlights the indomitable nature of the human will to survive in the most challenging circumstances. Although rooted in the past, its relevance resonates powerfully in the present, illuminating the birth of the Israeli state and the enduring struggle for survival that echoes through the ages.

The film has received recent acclaim and awards for its exceptional portrayal of leadership challenges, exploration of sacrifice, and the relentless pursuit of survival that transcends history. Through its profound insights into the human condition, “Golda’s Balcony” serves as a poignant reminder of the challenges faced by leaders and nations alike, resonating with audiences far beyond its historical setting.

Resources for Further Exploration

Tovah Feldshuh’s website offers a treasure trove of resources for those intrigued by this compelling narrative, including a study guide to “Golda’s Balcony” or a DVD titled “The Journey to Golda’s Balcony.” It invites further exploration into the world of “Golda’s Balcony” and its enduring impact, standing as a testament to the enduring legacy of Golda Meir and the indomitable spirit of a nation.

“I commence with the redemption of the human race and find myself entrenched in the munitions business… We aim to thrive. Our neighbours harbour intentions for our demise.”

These words from Golda Meir perfectly encapsulate the spirit of the film and the struggles that Golda faced as a leader of her nation.

The documentary “Bogdan’s Journey” is a compelling story that explores the themes of repentance, compassion, and healing in Kielce, a town in Poland. The film follows the journey of Bogdan Bialek, a non-Jewish leader of Polish origin, who became a key figure in transforming his community. It captures the essence of a town’s quest for forgiveness and healing, drawing parallels between ancient texts and modern-day struggles for reconciliation.

Teshuvah: A Path to Forgiveness

The film takes us on a transformative journey of teshuvah (Hebrew for repentance and redemption) as the community of Kielce undertakes an extraordinary path toward forgiveness and healing. It is a testament to the power of human kindness, empathy, and compassion.

Interpreting Ancient Texts: Midrashic Insights

One of the most compelling stories in ancient texts is Abraham’s negotiation with God to spare the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah from destruction. These cities were considered symbols of evil in the eyes of God. The transgressions committed by Sodom and Gomorrah have long been subjects of exploration in Jewish literature. The film presents a thought-provoking interpretation that is both captivating and insightful.

Jewish literature, particularly the “midrash,” offers interpretations of Sodom and Gomorrah’s transgressions. A performance from Tablet magazine presents the ethical question raised by the biblical account. Unlike other stories where God sees the potential for rescue, these cities symbolize irredeemable corruption.

“In the story of Sodom and Gomorrah — recounted in the Torah in Parshat Vayera, read this Shabbat — the Bible addresses the question of ethics head-on. These towns represent a human society so thoroughly corrupt that it is beyond the possibility of repair. There are other stories in which God finds human behaviour abhorrent, but there is usually some redemption (as in the story of Nineveh in the book of Jonah), or a remnant remains that holds the potential to rebuild (like the living things in Noah’s ark). Only here does an entire place get annihilated with fire and brimstone.”

In Ezekiel’s warning to Judah, he highlights Sodom and Gomorrah’s sin as arrogance and neglect of the poor. Ancient rabbis further elaborated on this charge through midrash, such as Genesis Rabbah.

“Only this was the sin of your sister Sodom: arrogance! She and her daughters had plenty of bread and untroubled tranquility, yet she did not support the poor and the needy.” (Ezekiel 16:49)

One such midrash tells of a young woman punished for showing compassion by giving food to a starving neighbour. This story depicts Sodom’s twisted justice system, where aiding the needy was punishable by death.

One of them said to her friend, “Why is your face so sickly?”
The other said to her, “Our food is all gone, and we are about to die.”
What did the first one do? She filled her pitcher with flour and switched the two, each girl taking what was in the hand of the other.
When [the people of Sodom] became aware of this, they took her and burned her.

The Holy Blessed One said, “Even if I wanted to keep silent, the judgment in the young girl’s case does not permit me to keep silent.”

This midrash’s portrayal of legal punishment for compassion echoes regimes where helping certain groups was a capital offence, akin to aiding Jews during a particular historical period.

Healing and Reconciliation in “Bogdan’s Journey”

The film “Bogdan’s Journey” presents a narrative of healing and reconciliation in the aftermath of the Jews perishing on Polish soil in 1946. Despite widespread denial and resistance in Kielce, Bogdan takes it upon himself to initiate and sustain a campaign urging the townspeople to confront and acknowledge the tragedy. Through Bogdan’s efforts, the film illustrates that a community can undergo repentance, voluntarily address historical atrocities, and evolve into a self-aware, compassionate, and empathetic entity.

For anyone connected to the Shoah or other profound collective traumas, we strongly recommend “Bogdan’s Journey.” The movie screening can be arranged at an institutional or private level by visiting its website.

After a screening, Bogdan and the other guests convened at a Tel Aviv restaurant. I shared this blog with Bogdan, who was deeply moved by it. With his permission, I have included his comments below.

Dear Abigail,

Thank you very much for your beautiful and touching text on your blog. If you agree, I would like to use it on the Jan Karski Society site. The meeting in Sherman Oaks was fascinating. For the first time, I was in a great home and thus an excellent company. I hope that we will have other possibilities to meet each other. Of course, if you will be in Poland, remember about my warmest invitation to Kielce. I will try to buy a book which you recommend.

Best regards,
Bogdan

 

The Holocaust in Hungary stands as a chilling testament to the depths of human cruelty and suffering in our history. Yet within this dark chapter, amidst tales of despair, emerges a profound narrative of tragedy and resilience. Exploring this period reveals the unimaginable horrors endured by countless individuals, such as my late mother, who often spoke of survival as a miraculous feat.

The heroic efforts in “Budapest ’44: Rescue and Resistance, 1944-1945.”

Delving into the intricacies of the Holocaust in Hungary unveils remarkable stories of resistance and altruism amid oppression. “Budapest ’44: Rescue and Resistance, 1944-1945” by Moshe Holczler serves as a beacon of insight, offering firsthand perspectives on the tumultuous events of this era. Through meticulous research, Holczler paints a vivid panorama of the courageous efforts undertaken to rescue and aid those in need during the regime occupation of Budapest in 1944.

The book highlights the extraordinary endeavours of individuals like R’ Shmuel Binyomin (Wolf) Frey, who, compelled by a sense of duty, embarked on a saga of rescue and relief that surpassed imagination. It also sheds light on the lesser-known but equally heroic actions of Wallenberg and various undercover volunteers, both Jewish and non-Jewish, whose bravery saved countless lives.

Extraordinary hospitality: “Deadly Carousel: A Singer’s Story of the Second World War”

Another compelling narrative is found in the memoir Deadly Carousel: A Singer’s Story of the Second World War by Vali Racz, a figure often compared to the Hungarian Marlene Dietrich. Amidst the turmoil of World War II, Racz opened her home in Pest to a diverse group of guests, including a Jewish family, a Hungarian fascist escapee, and Russian military personnel. Through her daughter Monica Porter’s account, readers gain insight into Racz’s remarkable life and Hungary’s tumultuous social and political landscape during this time.

Testimonies of Orthodox Jews: “Hasidic Tales of the Holocaust”

“Hasidic Tales of the Holocaust,” edited by Yaffa Eliach, offers a poignant collection of testimonies that vividly depict the struggles of Orthodox Jews during the Holocaust across Europe. Maurice Lowinger’s memoir, “Miracle in the Ashes,” provides a firsthand account of survival and resilience within the confines of the Budapest ghetto.

A Teen’s Struggle for Freedom: “Surviving Auschwitz: A Teenage Struggle Toward Freedom from Hatred”

Leslie Schwartz’s powerful memoir, “Surviving Auschwitz: A Teenage Struggle Toward Freedom from Hatred,” recounts his harrowing experiences as a young inmate in Auschwitz and Dachau. Schwartz reflects on the unexpected acts of kindness that sustained him and the ongoing fight against hatred and bigotry in the aftermath of the war.

These narratives of survival, resilience, and the human spirit serve as a reminder of the atrocities of the Holocaust and the importance of standing against hatred and bigotry. They inspire us to strive for a more compassionate and just world in honour of those who perished.