Ames Amzalak Rochester Jewish Film Festival
RJFF's 25th Anniversary is Here!
July 13–20, 2025
Welcome to the 25th annual Ames Amzalak JCC Rochester Jewish Film Festival underwritten by the William and Sheila Konar Foundation and Rubens Family Foundation!
We are honored to have reached the Silver Anniversary of the Silver Screen in our community. Our festival has bloomed into a cornerstone of the Jewish and arts communities in the Greater Rochester Area. Additionally, RJFF is one of our community’s most accessible Jewish events – for the price of admission, anyone can discover the richness of Jewish life and culture, and issues within and beyond the Jewish community.
Since its beginning, RJFF has become known as a content-packed week with a truly international offering of films – this year is no different. We are presenting 25 feature-length films and three short films from 13 countries, making the 2025 festival our most international festival in nearly a decade. Additionally, we are fortunate and grateful that our community’s generosity continues to grow. This surge in support will allow us to make this year truly special. Be on the lookout for numerous giveaway promotions, three post-film discussions with filmmakers, and other special events to honor our milestone year.
The planning process for the Festival is a year-round effort. The staff and our volunteer committee are dedicated to researching and learning about the latest in Jewish film. Simply put, without the hours that these wonderful people put into the festival each week, RJFF would not happen. As this is my first year directing the festival, I would also like to give a special thank you to our Director Emerita, Andrea Miller, whose patience, guidance, and knowledge were a source of great help to me.
Thank you for your support over these 25 years — for believing in us, for leaving work early to catch a 6pm film, for staying up later than usual on a weekday to attend a 9pm film, for your feedback, your spirit and your enthusiasm. We look forward to sharing another fantastic week of Jewish film with you, for another 25 years – at least!
Sincerely,
Michal Benita-Weiss, RJFF Chair
Jake Rosenbaum, RJFF Director
Click on a film image below to see details and purchase tickets online!
Sunday, July 13
Elie Wiesel: Soul on Fire
Sunday, July 13, 12:30pm
Dryden Theatre
Soda
Sunday, July 13, 2:30pm
Dryden Theatre
Midas Man
Sunday, July 13, 7pm
Dryden Theatre
OPENING NIGHT BEATLES PARTY!
Monday, July 14
The Glory of Life
Monday, July 14, 11am
JCC Hart Theater
The Soul of a Nation
Monday, July 14, 1:15pm
JCC Hart Theater
UnBroken
Monday, July 14, 6pm
Dryden Theatre
Mazel Tov
Monday, July 14, 8:30pm
Dryden Theatre
Tuesday, July 15
Telling Nonie
Tuesday, July 15, 11am
JCC Hart Theater
The Vanishing Soldier
Tuesday, July 15, 1:15pm
JCC Hart Theater
Matchmaking 2
Tuesday, July 15, 6pm
Dryden Theatre
The Ring
Tuesday, July 15, 8:15pm
Dryden Theatre
FAMILY MOVIE: Paddington in Peru
Picnic at 5:30pm; JCC Backyard
Film at 6:30pm; JCC Hart Theater
FREE, advance registration required
Wednesday, July 16
Pink Lady
Wednesday, July 16, 11am
JCC Hart Theater
Torah Tropical
Wednesday, July 16, 1:15pm
JCC Hart Theater
Iron Ladies
Wednesday, July 16, 6pm
Dryden Theatre
The Stronghold
Wednesday, July 16, 7:45pm
Dryden Theatre
Thursday, July 17
Centered: Joe Lieberman
Thursday, July 17, 11am
JCC Hart Theater
Never Alone
Thursday, July 17, 1pm
JCC Hart Theater
Janis Ian: Breaking Silence
Thursday, July 17, 5:45pm
Dryden Theatre
Bad Shabbos
Thursday, July 17, 8:15pm
Dryden Theatre
Friday, July 18
Welcome to Yiddishland
Friday, July 18, 11am
JCC Hart Theater
Saturday, July 19
This Is My Mother
Saturday, July 19, 7:30pm
Dryden Theatre
Sunday, July 20
Bliss
Sunday, July 20, 11am
Dryden Theatre
Ain’t No Back to a Merry-Go-Round
Sunday, July 20, 1:45pm
Dryden Theatre
The Blond Boy from the Casbah
Sunday, July 20, 6:45pm
Dryden Theatre
CLOSING NIGHT PARTY!
Support the Festival
Thank you to our generous supporters for allowing us to continue bringing quality Jewish films to the Rochester community.
Festival Information
Tickets Available Now!
Online (Scroll up to your desired film and click the image)
Charge by Phone: 585.461.2000 x235
Evening Films – JCC Member: $12, Non-Member: $14
Matinee Films – JCC Member: $10 , Non-Member: $12
Opening + Closing Night (Party Included) – JCC Member: $14, Non-Member: $16
All Festival Passes – JCC Member: $170 , Non-Member: $210
Note: Venue box office opens hour prior to each screening.
All Festival Pass
Valid for all RJFF films July 13–20. Each All Festival Pass entitles you to one ticket for each film. Tickets must be reserved for each film to guarantee seating.
Parking
Please allow ample time for parking. Parking is available in the main parking lots of both venues. For the Dryden Theatre, spaces along East Avenue, University Avenue, and side streets are available.
Reserved Seating
All seating is reserved at both the JCC Hart Theater and Dryden Theatre.
Select your seats when you reserve tickets online, and your seats will be guaranteed!
Accessibility
Festival venues are handicapped accessible. Hearing Assistance is available
at each venue’s box office. Films in English do not have subtitles.
Refunds
Refunds are only available for canceled or rescheduled programs. Due to circumstances beyond our control, films may be canceled or rescheduled without prior notice.
Questions?
E-mail arts@jccrochester.org or call 585.461.2000 x235.
Donor Opportunities
Ticket sales alone do not support the Festival.
Please consider becoming a JCC Ames Amzalak Rochester Jewish Film Festival Supporter.
Contact Jake Rosenbaum at jrosenbaum@jccrochester.org or 585.461.2000 x1012.
As is now standard, the JCC and RJFF place the highest priority on ensuring a safe environment for this year’s festival. We are working closely with local security professionals to guide our protocols. There will be increased security throughout the festival and respective law enforcement agencies have been notified. RJFF reserves the right to deny access. Large bags and backpacks are discouraged. Your cooperation is greatly appreciated. Follow us on social media for any updates.
Max of Eastman Place is the festival’s official event caterer. Catered
events will be under the kosher supervision of Temple Beth El.
Fox’s at the JCC – Enjoy snacks and meals before and after the weekday matinee films at Fox’s Deli located in the JCC lobby.
Fox’s is not under kosher supervision. Pre-order forms will be
available during the festival!
Outdoor pavilion at the Dryden Theatre – Please note that Open Face, the café located at the George Eastman Museum, operates with limited hours.
RJFF is pleased to announce that a tent will be available next to the entrance of the museum for festival patrons who bring their own food. Tent is open until 8:30pm each evening.
Please note that outside food and drink – aside from water – is absolutely prohibited inside the George Eastman Museum and The Dryden Theatre.
Giveaways – Be on the lookout for free kosher treats following select screenings at both the JCC and the Dryden!
FESTIVAL DIRECTOR
Jake Rosenbaum
FESTIVAL CHAIR
Michal Benita-Weiss
FESTIVAL COMMITTEE
Bonnie Abrams
Andy Cohen
Elliot Fix
Madeleine Fordham
Stuart Hanau
Lester Katzel
Laura Kaufman
Sue Lococo
Deborah Norin-Kuehn
Sid Rosenzweig
Jonathan Sadik
Michal Spivak
Regina Smolyak
Marcia Stern
DIRECTOR EMERITA
Andrea Miller
FESTIVAL FOUNDER
Carl Laskyz”l
VISIONARY SUPPORT
The Kessler Family
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:
 2024 |  2023 |  2022 | ||
 2021 |  2019 |  2018 |  2017 | |
 2016 |  2015 |  2014 |  2013 | |
 2012 |  2011 |  2010 |  2009 | |
 2008 |  2007 |  2006 |  2005 |
Jake Rosenbaum, Festival Director
585.461.2000 x1012
Elaina Bachmann, Patron Services Coordinator
585.461.2000 x235
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
Marni Port, Freyda Schneider, and the JCC staff
Director Emerita Andrea Miller
Lori Harter, Ruth Cowing, past festival chairs and committee members,
Bill Donahue, and all those who have guided and supported the festival over the years
All of our dedicated RJFF ushers and volunteers!
Photos by Luminaria Photography