Jewish films are screening for free in Santa Cruz County. The Santa Cruz Jewish Film Festival is already underway and runs through May 25.
On Feb. 9, the festival will present “Kidnapped,” in collaboration with the Dante Alleghieri Society, at Cabrillo College. The “based on a true story” film tells about a Jewish boy living with his family in Bologna, Italy, who was secretly baptized by his nanny as an infant and later taken from his family to be raised Christian.
On Feb. 16, “The Killing Roads” will be shown at Temple Beth El in Aptos. This film, from director Igal Hecht, documents the horrific acts perpetrated on Oct. 7, 2023, on two Israeli highways where Hamas terrorists killed 250 people.
On March 8, again at Beth El, a slate of short films will be shown, including “If Only,” by Santa Cruz resident Sherry Halperin, about a Muslim woman and Jewish woman who discover what they have in common.
More movies follow through May 25, including several listed as “wish list” films if enough money is raised.