Published: 3 January 2024
Last updated: 5 March 2024
Spend your new year delighting in a cinematic feast that puts Jewish actors, writers and experiences in the spotlight.
2023 was significant for Jewish representation in cinema – and there are no signs of it slowing down as we begin a new year.
Whether shining on-screen or crafting stories behind the camera, Jewish voices are being broadcast loudly and proudly, traversing all kinds of audiences and genres.
In the first of our three-part series unpacking the best Jewish media to consume this summer, we bring you the top Jewish films currently on offer: from the Manhattan Project to Kindertransport, Leonard Bernstein to Golda Meir, and Amy Schumer to Adam Sandler.
Life played appassionato
Maestro is chronicles the life of famed Jewish conductor and composer Leonard Bernstein, weaving his music with his complicated love life. The use of a prosthetic nose by non-Jewish lead actor Bradley Cooper – who also directed, co-wrote and produced the film – hurled Maestro into the spotlight long before its premiere late in 2023.
But Cooper’s portrayal, including the nose, is warmly endorsed by Bernstein’s children and Steven Spielberg, credited as a producer, told Cooper he did a “mitzvah” in telling Bernstein’s story. The score is gorgeous, of course, and Jewish actor Sarah Silverman delights as Bernstein’s sister Shirley.
