Gesa Power House Theatre’s Director of Film Programming Warren Etheredge curates a collection of the best short films from the 2023 Seattle Jewish Film Festival for this program on March 29 at 7 p.m.

One of two in-person encore screenings (the other is set for March 30 at Hillel at University of Washington), Walla Walla’s showing of the Seattle Jewish Film Festival 2023 lineup is an exploration of the many ways grief is observed, celebrated, and/or sanctified.

In the words of Curator Warren Etheredge:

“Spiritually and culturally, we have many ways to mourn and bless the dead. Some follow prescribed customs, others form new traditions with the passing of loved ones. The Mourner’s Kaddish, the Jewish prayer recited in honor of the deceased never mentions death or dying, but instead proclaims the greatness of G-d. It encourages reciters to not wallow in grief or ignore the impact of loss altogether. In fact, the word kaddish actually means sanctification in Aramaic, similar to the Hebrew word kadosh, or holy. This program of short films examines the metaphorical progression and three stages of Jewish mourning rituals—from Aninut to Shiva to Sheloshim—noting the passing of parents, grandparents, neighbors, strangers, and even a beached whale. Curated together, these beautiful lamentations also attest to how international artists sanctify a period of global grief with cinematic blessings.”

To virtually catch the Seattle Jewish Film Festival in full, visit the festival’s main website here.

Reserved seating tickets ($15 adults, $10 students) are available online or by calling the box office at 509-529-6500. This event will have a total runtime of about 90 minutes.

If you want to purchase four or more titles in the Power House Movie series, save 10% by calling the box office at 509-529-6500. (This offer is not available online.)

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