Faces of Israel released to the public in March 2009 and has been met with record success! Here is some of the feedback we have received:

“You are outstanding!  Your program was not only interesting but interactive and so many who attended stopped me on their way out of the JCC to say that it was a wonderful evening! When you speak at other JCC’s they will equally be delighted with the presentation.”

-Debbie Rosen, Director of Adult Services at the Friedberg JCC in Oceanside, NY

“Amy Oppenheimer led a thoughtful and provocative conversation on issues of personal status in Israel. Using her film “Faces of Israel ” and her skillful lecture/discussion style of engagement, an informed and passionate student audience left with a better and more nuanced understanding of religious tensions within the Israeli Jewish community, especially around issues of marriage.”

-Rabbi Ira Schiffer, Associate Chaplain/Rabbi at Middlebury College

“Amy Oppenheimer’s Faces of Israel presentation and discussion was excellent.  It was one of the best, most interactive programs I have experienced that deals with the internal political, cultural and religious issues inside Israel.  The film itself was informative, balanced and REAL . Amy was an excellent presenter, knowing exactly when to listen and when to ask the right questions that would spark deeper conversation.  Everyone in the room was engaged and many told me afterward that they could have kept talking longer because they found it so interesting.  I highly recommend this program!”

-Nellie Goodman, Director of Jewish Student Leadership at University of Vermont Hillel

“Faces of Israel is a riveting 75 minutes, and it is powerful precisely because it does not offer a solution, rather calling on Jews of every stream and denomination to consider important questions about religion and state in Israel today. Amy Oppenheimer has created a vital educational tool for teens, for adults, for all of us .”

- Rabbi Moshe Edelman, Director of Leadership Development for United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism

“What a turnout! All segments of the Riverdale Jewish community, all ages, all excited to see this new film and discuss with a distinguished panel afterwards in the Riverdald Y’s café. Faces of Israel was a catalyst for Riverdale’s diverse community to explore issues of both religious and political importance . Bravo to Amy Oppenheimer and the rest of the film’s crew!”

- Marti Michael , Executive Director of the Riverdale YM-YWHA

“Ms. Oppenheimer has managed to capture on film the complexities and nuances of one of the most divisive issues in Israeli society. For those interested in Jewish in Israel, Faces of Israel adds texture and depth .”

-Rabbi Seth Farber, Founder of ITIM and expert on religion and state in Israel

“Faces of Israel is an honestly directed film, full of candid and eye-opening interviews . This film is excellent!”

-Rabbi Steven Golden, Judaic Director at the Kaplen JCC on the Palisades

“Our Faces of Israe l screening was an exciting and educational program that ignited the progressive and Zionist passions of a diverse group of people: Gay and straight, 40-year old and 70-year old.  Amy is a talented discussion leader who engaged a large group from the first moment she spoke .”

-Rabbi Jill Maderer, Associate Rabbi at Congregation Rodeph Shalom

“These issues are more relevant than ever, and Faces of Israel is a world-class production that is taking the Jewish world by storm . I could not more strongly recommend a film.”

-Ari Hoffnung, President of the Riverdale Jewish Community Council

“The screening was a great success! Members of the Goucher community came out to watch the documentary and then we all engaged in an interesting discussion about the role of the Rabbinate in Israel.  Everyone learned a lot, even our Dean of Students emailed me after the event to let me know how much she enjoyed learning about an aspect of Israeli culture which she previously did not know about. It was great having Amy there, she really enabled a lively discussion.”

-Shira Zemel , Goucher Hillel Co-President

“Faces of Israel is a thoughtful and fair look at an issue that cuts to the core of Israel’s existence. It covers issues that we as a Jewish people need to focus on with all our creative energy. Luckily, Amy Beth Oppeneheimer does an outstanding job in framing the issue in a constructive way so we can all move forward together.”

-Rabbi Shmuel Herzfeld, Rabbi of Ohev Shalom -The National Synagogue

“Faces of Israel gives wonderful insight into the diversity of the Jewish responses to the role of the Israeli Rabbinate regarding marriage. This film exposed students on Goucher’s campus, both Jewish and non-Jewish, to the complexity and richness of Israeli society as it struggles with the Jewish identity of the state.”

-Rabbi Josh Snyder, Director of Goucher College Hillel

“Faces of Israel thoughtfully presents people from across the religious spectrum speaking to the camera about issues central to Jewish identity. The unfortunate reality of Israel is that people with such divergent views do not often have the chance to speak directly with one another. One of the successes of the screening of Faces of Israel in our community was that it brought together Jews of different backgrounds . While they could not speak to the Israelis in the film, they did speak with each other. That is a good start!”

-Rabbi Barry Dov Katz, Rabbi of Conservative Synagogue Adath Israel of Riverdale

“Faces of Israel is a must-see documentary that honestly and with refreshing candor explores the crucial and as yet unresolved issues surrounding religion and state in Israel, particularly focusing on the right of Jews to marry. As a participant in the film’s debut and in the cross-denominational panel discussion that followed, I would particularly urge those concerned with bringing the greater Jewish community together to use Faces of Israel as a tool to both increase awareness and galvanize support for a just resolution to a problem that has become increasingly important in recent years.”

-Rabbi Steven Burton, Rabbi of Congregation Shaarei Shalom

“Kol HaKavod for devoting your talent and time towards this critical issue in Israeli society!”

-Anat Hoffman, Executive Director of the Israel Religious Action Center

“Faces of Israel was very informative about the role of religion in Israel. In addition, it allowed us to see the multiple perspectives within Israel about relationship between religion and state. We had a very lively discussion during which the students compared the situation in Israel to that in the United States.”

-Brandon Hammer, Israel Coordinator, Columbia University Hillel

“I left class early to attend the screening and I just wanted to tell you how impressed I was. The film was so informative, and really did cover almost all perspectives. It was done with grace, humor, and sensitivity , and the panel discussion that followed was amazing as well. It’s incredible that you put this all together - Congratulations on the tremendous success and very packed house!”

-Shira Berkovits, Synagogue Professional