Hineini

Sandi Dubowski’s documentary, Trembling Before G-d, taught us how an effective film can educate individuals and transform a community around a particular issue. This year, Hineini is poised to repeat that and advance the conversation that Sandi began five years ago. The film focuses on the story of Shulamit Izen, a courageous teen-age student who established a Gay-Straight Alliance at the New Jewish High School (now Gann Academy). In doing so, she transformed herself, her family and everyone involved. 

Similar to issues highlighted elsewhere in Slingshot ’06, Jews are struggling to create more welcoming spaces for gay Jews in Jewish life. While the film focuses on one school in particular, it also highlights Keshet, the organization that supported Shulamit in her journey. Keshet, based in Boston, assembled a curriculum and discussion guide to accompany the film and provides it to Jewish day schools, Hebrew schools and youth groups interested in using the educational package as a catalyst for discussion and training. 

To learn how to bring Hineini to your school or to learn about other workshops and resources that Keshet provides, visit www.boston-keshet.org.