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Jewish film fest to offer sneak preview

A sneak preview of the 17th Jewish Film Festival will be offered as a course by Lehrhaus Judaica at 10 a.m. Sunday, June 22 at the Albert L. Schultz Jewish Community Center, 655 Arastradero Road, Palo Alto.

The class will repeat at 11 a.m. Sunday, June 29 at 2736 Bancroft Way, Berkeley.

This year's festival films include: "A Life Apart," about Chassidism in America; "Blacks and Jews" by Deborah Kaufman; "Chant of Sand and Stars" a view of world Jewish music; "Mendel," a bittersweet comedy from Norway; and "Under Western Eyes," an artful Israeli road movie.

The festival runs July 17 to 24 in San Francisco, July 26 to 31 in Berkeley and Palo Alto, and Aug. 1 to 3 in Marin County.

The class will feature film clips and insights by Sam Ball, festival assistant director.

Tuition is $25 for ages 65+ and $35 for others. To register, call Lehrhaus at (510) 845-6420.