Ames Amzalak Rochester Jewish Film Festival
July 26–August 2, 2026
Thank you for a wonderful 26th Festival!
Support the Festival
Thank you to our generous supporters for allowing us to continue bringing quality Jewish films to the Rochester community.
Festival Information
Special Thanks
Special thanks to the RJFF Committee who work tirelessly to produce this event
Allen Buell and the Dryden Theatre and George Eastman Museum staff
The JCC staff
Director Emerita Andrea Miller
All of our dedicated RJFF ushers and volunteers!
FESTIVAL DIRECTOR
Marci Wiseman
FESTIVAL CHAIR
Michal Spivak
FESTIVAL COMMITTEE
Bonnie Abrams
Michal Benita-Weiss
Elliot Fix
Madeleine Fordham
Stuart Hanau
Laura Kaufman
Sue W. Lococo
Deborah Norin-Kuehn
Sid Rosenzweig
Jonathan Sadik
Regina Smolyak
Marcia Stern
JCC ARTS + CULTURE
COMPANY MANAGER
Marc Cataldi
JCC PATRON SERVICES COORDINATOR
Elaina Bachmann
DIRECTOR EMERITA
Andrea Miller
FESTIVAL FOUNDER
Carl Laskyz”l
VISIONARY SUPPORT
The Kessler Family
JCC EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP
Isobel Goldman, President
Jason Vasquez, Chief Executive Officer
Shawn Stanton, Chief Operations Officer
Ralph Meranto, Chief Creative Officer
Derek Wesley, Chief Development Officer
Rachel Kest, Chief Jewish Life and Engagement Officer
Marissa Klegman, Camp Seneca Lake Executive Director
About the Festival
The Louis S. Wolk Jewish Community Center of Greater Rochester established the Ames Amzalak Rochester Jewish Film Festival (RJFF) in 2001 to present the best contemporary Jewish-themed films from around the world to the Rochester community. RJFF exists to promote awareness and pride in the diversity of all people; to strengthen community consciousness of Jewish identity, history and culture; to provide a forum for community gatherings that allows valuable dialogue; and to create an international showcase for filmmakers who are Jewish or whose work explores Jewish themes.
View past festival brochures:
 2025 |  2024 |  2023 |  2022 | |
 2021 |  2019 |  2018 |  2017 | |
 2016 |  2015 |  2014 |  2013 | |
 2012 |  2011 |  2010 |  2009 | |
 2008 |  2007 |  2006 |  2005 |
Marci Wiseman, Festival Director
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Elaina Bachmann, Patron Services Coordinator
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Photos by Luminaria Photography