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DocEdge International Film Festival June 6 – 5 July 2020

The Documentary New Zealand Trust presents…

THE DOCUMENTARY EDGE INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL 2020 (DOC EDGE)

Doc Edge Festival will open on 12 June, becoming Australasia’s first major film festival to take on the challenge of Covid-19 by going fully digital. Last month Variety and The Hollywood Reporter covered Doc Edge’s plans, catching the attention of international filmmakers, including winners from Cannes and Sundance.

In a full line-up of over 70 films, a record number of filmmakers will present their world premiere screenings at this year’s Doc Edge. The full programme will be released on Thursday 14 May.

Over the past 15 years, the Doc Edge Festival has brought the world’s best documentaries and filmmakers to our shores. While 2020 will look different, the quality of award-winning films will continue to set the bar high.

In a year when everything is out of kilter and Covid-19 is dominating news cycles, these films focus on ongoing challenges: crusading journalists, unscrupulous spin doctors and corrupt politicians, the struggles of refugees, meatless diets, new religions – and how to swim with a polar bear and survive.

Doc Edge is proud to announce the first selection of films.

A Sundance favourite, Influence (ZA/CA), is a timely examination of the career of Tim Bell, one of the most powerful and notorious names in global public relations. From award-winning South African directors and journalists Diana Neille and Richard Poplak, this compelling film is steeped in the world of politics and weaponised communication, investigating the rise and scandalous fall of British multinational Bell Pottinger.

Dive into the suspenseful journey of renowned underwater wildlife photographer Amos Nachoum in Picture of His Life (US/IL). Nachoum has shot close-ups of great white sharks, leopard seals, orcas, anacondas and crocodiles, but one animal has forever escaped him: the polar bear hunting underwater. Last time he took up this challenge it nearly cost him his life. Award-winning filmmakers Yonatan Nir & Dani Menki continue their success of capturing the unique and touching relationships formed between humans and nature.

For more than 40 years, journalist Robert Fisk reported on some of the most violent and divisive conflicts in the world. Director Yung Chang captures Fisk in relentless action—feet on the ground, notebook in hand, as he travels into landscapes devastated by war, ferreting out the facts and firing reports back home to reach an audience of millions. This is Not a Movie (CA/DE) follows Fisk in his dogged quest of the truth in a world where fake news is a sad reality. His motto: Report what you see with your own eyes. Only then will you get close to the truth.

Kiwi filmmaker Sally Williams celebrates the stellar 67-year long career of the remarkable New Yorker cartoonist James Stevenson in the biopic, Stevenson: Lost and Found (US/NZ). Williams creates an unexpectedly moving portrait that unearths the life, struggles and humour of an artist and his truly dazzling volume of work.

Upon receiving a mysterious invitation, award-winning director Yoav Shamir sets off on a thought-provoking and humorous quest into the world’s biggest UFO religion. The Prophet and the Space Aliens (ZA/IL/AT) follows leader Rael who founded the religion after an alleged encounter with extra-terrestrials, during which he was appointed the “last prophet”. Through his ambitious attempts to find loyal followers, this gripping modern-day tale sheds light on some of the many themes and questions of religion and faith.

With unprecedented access to World Economic Forum founder Klaus Schwab, Marcus Vetter becomes the first filmmaker to look behind the scenes of the controversial summit. The Forum (DE/CH) follows Schwab on his mission to improve the world through dialogue with some of the biggest names in politics and business. This absorbing documentary questions if the Forum can really contribute to solving global issues, or if it is just another part of the problem.

By partnering with New Zealand company Shift72, Doc Edge will realise its vision of offering all of New Zealand the chance to experience a documentary film festival, even it is in the comfort of their own home.

New Zealand’s largest Oscar-qualifying festival, Doc Edge will run nationwide for the first time. Directors Alex Lee and Dan Shanan said, “Reaching out in times of isolation enables us to express humanity at its best. We’re passionate about bringing important stories to everyone.”

For more information and to keep up to speed with the 2020 season as more events and films are added, visit: www.docedge.nz, or follow Doc Edge on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Doc Edge is grateful to their partners who are helping make the online festival possible: RNZ, Rei Foundation, the New Zealand Film Commission, NZ On Air, Department of Post, MiNDFOOD, Shift72, Eventfinda, the University of Auckland, Auckland and Wellington Councils, and many more.

Limmud NZ and Oz: June 6-14

This year Limmud NZ is combining with Limmud Oz to provide a fascinating programme of Jewish learning online. Click here to see the programme. Click here for early bird registrations: $36 pp. ABOUT LIMMUD
From when we founded it in 2008, the national Jewish community embraced the annual Jewish Learning Conference, run by the Zionist Federation of New Zealand. When we started the JLC, we discovered that the community was hungry for more Jewish learning. And each year, we have strived to reach more people and make the conference even bigger and better. In 2010, we joined the international Limmud Federation. For the past 30 years, Limmud has brought Jewish education to communities around the world. Limmud brings together Jews of all strands, stripes and flavours, in an atmosphere of shared passion for and dedication to learning. We’re very proud to be part of the global Limmud community. We’ve got an exciting line-up this year, with presenters from near and far, presenting on a diverse range of scintillating topics.

Nations Bless Israel: 9:45pm, 14 May 2020

NATIONS BLESS ISRAEL 

CELEBRATING ISRAEL’S RESTORATION

I will bless those who bless you, and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you (Genesis 12:1-3)

You are invited to join with us and Nations Bless Israel Melbourne to celebrate the restoration of the State of Israel.

THURSDAY 9:45PM (NZST) ON MAY 14TH 2020

This Thursday evening we are invited to join the Aussies in celebrating Israel’s 72nd birthday.           It will be a special event featuring a range of distinguished speakers from various walks of life in Israel and elsewhere. It starts 9.45pm NZ Time, but can be viewed later on Facebook.

This event is a fundraiser for the Rambam hospital and is in honour of the late Peter Kentley. Peter was a Messianic Jew who lived in Melbourne and led the planning for the Australian San Remo commemorations before he became too unwell. He loved Israel dearly and I have happy memories of our times together over there. Sadly he went to be with the Lord earlier this year following a brain tumour diagnosis.

The Guest Speakers include:

  • Yuvat Rotem – Director General of Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs (and former Israeli Ambassador to Australia and NZ pre 2010) He now runs the foreign ministry and played a key role in brokering the resumption of our diplomatic relations and the return of Ambassador Gerberg.
  • Mark Sofer – Australia’s current Israeli Ambassaor; who was born in London.
  • Andrew Tucker – distinguished lawyer and Israel legal advocate (ex C4Israel in the Hague)
  • Zac Waller – Ha Yovel the organisation that encourages gentiles to help harvest crops in Israel fulfilling biblical prophecy.
  • Rabbi Tuly Weisz – an American rabbi who made Aliyah a few years ago seeking to build knowledge and bridges between those who love Israel and Israel itself via his Israel365 website.

This is a free virtual event hosted on Zoom in tribute to the late Peter Kentley who, in partnership with Rabbi Riesenberg, established the inaugural Melbourne Nations Bless Israel last year.

The event may also be viewed on Facebook  HERE

CHRISTCHURCH: Who lives behind the Gaza blockade? Feb 25, 5.30p

A kite with an incendiary device is readied for its launch

Folks

The NZ Institute of International Affairs (NZIIA) has invited us to their event:

Title:  Who lives behind the Gaza blockade, and what can Aotearoa NZ (and we) do?

Speaker:  Marilyn Garson

Date:  Tuesday, Feb 25

Time:  5.30p-6.30p

Venue:  South Arts Lecture Theatre A6, University of Canterbury Campus

 

Abstract: Marilyn Garson worked for 18 years with excluded communities affected by war.  She has established locally owned social enterprises with Cambodians with disabilities, Afghan women and others.

In 2011, she was invited to move to the Gaza Strip. As the economic director of a large NGO programme, she led an ambitious Gazan team.  In 2013, she became a consultant to the office of UNRWA’s then-Gaza director.  They set about launching the GGateway enterprise to create technology-related jobs behind the Gaza blockade. Marilyn volunteered to stay in Gaza as part of the UN emergency response team that prepared to shelter 35,000 displaced Gazans – but 293,000 people needed shelter through 50 days of bombardment.

Marilyn recently published Still Lives – a memoir of Gaza, chronicling four years of work (2011 – 2015), and the lives being lived behind the Gaza blockade.

As a Jew, Marilyn has skin on both sides of the Israel-Palestine conflict. She discusses the conflict, and NZ’s aid policy, in the unifying language of law and human rights.

She asks, who really lives behind the Gaza blockade, and what can we do about it?

Shalom

NZ Friends of Israel Assoc Inc

Box 37 363
Halswell
Christchurch
New Zealand 8245

+64 (27) 433 9745
contact@nzfoi.org
www.nzfoi.org

 

 

Shavuot (Feast of Weeks)

Shavuot is a moed (appointed time) mandated as a commandment of God.  It is also called the Feast of Weeks or Pentecost.

Shavuot has a double significance. It marks the all-important wheat harvest in the Land of Israel (Exodus 34:22); and it commemorates the anniversary of the day God gave the Torah to the entire nation of Israel assembled at Mount Sinai, although the association between the giving of the Torah (Matan Torah) and Shavuot is not explicit in the Biblical text.

The holiday is one of the Shalosh Regalim, the three Biblical pilgrimage festivals. It marks the conclusion of the Counting of the Omer, and its date is directly linked to that of Passover. The Torah mandates the seven-week Counting of the Omer, beginning on the second day of Passover, to be immediately followed by Shavuot. This counting of days and weeks is understood to express anticipation and desire for the giving of the Torah. On Passover, the people of Israel were freed from their enslavement to Pharaoh; on Shavuot they were given the Torah and became a nation committed to serving God.[2] The word Shavuot means weeks, and the festival of Shavuot marks the completion of the seven-week counting period between Passover and Shavuot. The yahrzeit of King David is traditionally observed on Shavuot. Hasidic Jews also observe the yahrzeit of the Baal Shem Tov.[3]

Shavuot is one of the less familiar Jewish holidays to secular Jews in the Jewish diaspora, while those in Israel as well as the Orthodox community are more aware of it.[4][5] According to Jewish law, Shavuot is celebrated in Israel for one day and in the Diaspora (outside of Israel) for two days. Reform Judaism celebrates only one day, even in the Diaspora.[6]

Read more

Shavuot (Feast of Weeks)

Shavuot is a moed (appointed time) mandated as a commandment of God.  It is also called the Feast of Weeks or Pentecost.

Shavuot has a double significance. It marks the all-important wheat harvest in the Land of Israel (Exodus 34:22); and it commemorates the anniversary of the day God gave the Torah to the entire nation of Israel assembled at Mount Sinai, although the association between the giving of the Torah (Matan Torah) and Shavuot is not explicit in the Biblical text.

The holiday is one of the Shalosh Regalim, the three Biblical pilgrimage festivals. It marks the conclusion of the Counting of the Omer, and its date is directly linked to that of Passover. The Torah mandates the seven-week Counting of the Omer, beginning on the second day of Passover, to be immediately followed by Shavuot. This counting of days and weeks is understood to express anticipation and desire for the giving of the Torah. On Passover, the people of Israel were freed from their enslavement to Pharaoh; on Shavuot they were given the Torah and became a nation committed to serving God.[2] The word Shavuot means weeks, and the festival of Shavuot marks the completion of the seven-week counting period between Passover and Shavuot. The yahrzeit of King David is traditionally observed on Shavuot. Hasidic Jews also observe the yahrzeit of the Baal Shem Tov.[3]

Shavuot is one of the less familiar Jewish holidays to secular Jews in the Jewish diaspora, while those in Israel as well as the Orthodox community are more aware of it.[4][5] According to Jewish law, Shavuot is celebrated in Israel for one day and in the Diaspora (outside of Israel) for two days. Reform Judaism celebrates only one day, even in the Diaspora.[6]

Read more

Recent developments and their impact on Israel and Diaspora Jews

DEVELOPMENTS AFFECTING ISRAEL AND THE JEWISH DIASPORA

The pace of developments affecting Israel and Jews in the Diaspora has accelerated in recent months:

  • Resurgent Anti-Semitism resulting in attacks over the Hanukkah season
  • Trump’s peace plan
  • Qassem Suleimani’s assassination
  • The effect of Corbyn-esque Anti-Semitism in the UK general election
  • Anti-Semitic attacks in New York during Hanukkah season.

Join us for a briefing and discussion where we consider the following questions (among others):

  • Has Corbyn-esque anti-semitism infected the NZ Labour party and the American Democratic party?
  • Are the attacks in New York evidence that anti-Semitism is gaining momentum in the African-American community?
  • How might Israel’s security be affected following the assassination of Iranian General, Qassem Suleimani?
  • What is the Trump peace plan and its likely consequences?

Facilitated by Michael Thomas, Kate Macpherson, Rebecca Marchand and Tony Kan.

Date and time:  Sunday, February 23, 2pm.

Venue:  Hao Room, Halswell Centre, 341 Halswell Rd.

Admission:  Please bring a plate of finger food (no seafood or pork-based products please). 

AUCKLAND: Pre-Chanukah Celebration: Dec 17, 3pm

Christchurch: November 24: My impressions of Israel

CHRISTCHURCH:

MY IMPRESSIONS OF ISRAEL

SUNDAY, 2 PM, 24 NOVEMBER

ABOUT THE SPEAKER: Lael Schwartfeger owns a Christchurch based handyman business. He is married to Janine and together they have three adult children. They attend Rutland St Church. His interests include hunting wild food, mountain biking on long remote tracks, sea fishing and anything adventurous.

Where: Woolston Community Library Hall, 689 Ferry Rd, Christchurch.

When: 2.00pm, Sunday November 24.

Admission: A plate of finger food. Please avoid pork and seafood products.

 

AUCKLAND: Public Discussion: David Cumin v John Minto: Thu Oct 3

David Cumin

A while ago via the medium of letters to The Press editor, Mr John Minto challenged me to a public debate on issues around Israel.

Given that Mr Minto has got media attention for his views, seems to be influencing some of our MPs, and is interim chair of a revamped anti-Israel group; and not wanting to be seen to be shying away from discussion, I accepted. It is important that his radical ideas are challenged.

We have now agreed that the venue will be in Auckland and the moderator will be Ward Kamo (who was also the Maori TV host when I went on with Roger Fowler). And it will be on the evening Oct 3rd.

Rather than agree to debate, and thus give some credence, to any moot that may demonise Israel, the topic is “Different Perspectives on Israel”.

It will be at the University of Auckland, Business School, 12 Grafton Road, Room 260-051 on Thursday, 3rd October at 7pm

I’d appreciate your support on the night if you can make it and any suggestions are welcomed.

–David Cumin

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