Israelism

I have seen Israelism twice and both times to filled showings to young American Jews who were enthusiastic in their responses as the film resonates with their experiences growing up in the American Jewish community.

I myself have grown up as a baby boomer, and it was a revelation to me as to how the Jewish educational system has changed since I was a youth involved in it. The movie goes on to follow the experiences of young people who for the first time have opened and questioned, the approach that they have been taught and exposed to in their pre-college years And then, finding that the issues were much more complicated, then the organized American Jewish community is willing to reveal.

I personally would urge any curious young person to see it for themselves, and not let the attacks on the film discourage them from seeing it.

If you have an open mind to a broad range of views of the Jewish people (in particular young ones), I would recommend this film. It certainly made me thoughtful about the role propaganda plays in the selling of ANY nationalism (including our own) and how it can serve to hide what needs to be changed and history.

The film was made by young progressive American Jewish filmmakers - who are questioning and exploring the marketing of Israel that they experienced growing up (essentially a "Disneyfied" version).

It is not anti-Israel but rather thoughtful and questioning. How we should all be, even if all the answers are not known. Also, it has quite a broad cast of people interviewed. I am really glad always for young filmmakers and artists who push back and create.

Powerful and Relevant - about the new generation of Jewish young people who have discovered the misinformation they have been brought up to believe as true. It highlights their journey of unlearning and then advocating for those who they thought were their enemy. Challenging the concept of Birthright and enlightening with a new vocabulary from on the other side of the wall; "occupation", "settlement" and "apartheid"... the unmentionables. Thank you to the producers and participants for showing your face and in some cases even giving your name. It takes great courage and commitment to rise up against a powerful machine. I applaud you.

A very important film for particularly Jewish people, by Jewish people, but also for anyone supporting human rights, particularly the liberation of the Palestinian people.

It confronts the indoctrination for the support of Israel and any cost, and right now, the unquestioning support for Israel, is very dangerous for Jewish people.

I've seen this film twice and hope it becomes available globally. I feel it has supported the self-education I've been seeking to understand how and why Israel is bombarding Gaza and the West Bank and committing war crimes with the backing of the U. S. and the U. K.

Kudos to the film makers for their bravery in making this film, too. I wish they could do Q&A after every showing.

This film is SO enlightening. As a Jew who grew up thinking Israel was salvation -- a paradise -- and a safe haven, you realize the adage "too good to be true" is a more of an acute reality of its existence.

Yes, Jews have persecuted for ages, but what right do we have to transfer that trauma to another population? We don't.

What's happening in Gaza is heart wrenching - knowing this film was made beforehand is also interesting.

If you're a Jew, please watch this film. You need to see what it's like "on the other side" of the fence. Especially because there's nothing left of it.

Israel has a dark history that it's trying to cover up and forget and it's giving all Jews a bad name.

If you've seen the documentary Jesus Camp, Israelism is almost its Jewish counterpart. If you are or were among the Hebrew school-going, youth group, Jewish summer camp and Birthright crowd, please, I implore you to watch this with an open mind.

I'm giving it 8 stars instead of 10 because I wish it added in a timeline of the history of what happened so viewers can digest it better. And it never addresses the development and plight of Hamas which I think is a huge miss.

Even still, incredibly important and extremely well done. Thank you for making this.