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Gefen Miller
Reporting From The Crossroads Of Israel And America

This Sukkot, Add ‘Ushpizin’ to Your Holiday Watchlist

Shuli and Michal Bat-Sheva Rand in 'Ushpizin' (2004)

“We see a lemon, they see a miracle” is the English longline for this 2004 Israeli film. Of course, the large number of Jewish – including Orthodox viewers saw an Etrog, not a lemon on the poster and saw themselves on the screen. With Haredim- let alone any Jews so rarely represented in film, ‘Ushpizin’ provides a beautifully crafted window into not just the world of the ultra-Orthodox, but also into the intricate world of Jewish holiday and ritual.

‘Ushpizin’ follows Moshe and Mali Ballinga, an impoverished Haredi couple living in the Breslov community in Jerusalem struggling to prepare for Sukkot, let alone pay the bills. After a day of anguished prayer, the pair receives an unexpected monetary gift on Erev Sukkot by miracle, which Moshe uses to buy a beautiful etrog for 1000 shekels- way over what he can afford. Following a series of coincidences, two escaped convicts become the Ballingas’ unlikely guests- ushpizin in their sukkah, causing tension between Moshe and Mali.

“A rare and warmly intimate look into ultra-Orthodox Jewish culture” writes Rotten Tomatoes, ‘Ushpizin’ is also wholly authentic, written, directed and starring Haredi actor/singer Shuli Rand alongside his wife Michal Bat-Sheva Rand who like their film character counter parts are also both ba’alei teshuva- “returnees of faith”. While the film was not directed at Haredi consumers, as many do not attend movie theaters, Rand and the movie’s distributors decided to promote legal download of the movie through pashkvilen– Haredi community broadsides for those who could not access it otherwise. This level of Haredi inclusion and support can not just be found in the film’s distribution, but also in its production.

On set, Haredi cast members including both the Rands adhered to traditional customs of modesty- never having acted before, Michal Bat-Sheva Rand was especially chosen to star opposite writer-director Shuli Rand for this very reason.  Despite this, her performance was heavily praised by critics and moviegoers alike. Adi Ran, a Haredi Jew and member of the Breslov community himself found his breakthrough through the ‘Ushpizin’ film soundtrack, scoring two original songs Yesh Rak HaKadosh Baruch Hu and Atah Kadosh, the latter of which received nationwide acclaim in Israel.

Nominated for three Ophir Awards and winning Best Actor Award, Shuli Rand thanked God and Rabbi Nachman of Breslov in his reccipiant speech, something  mostly unheard of in Israeli film culture and especially worldwide film culture. And most importantly, the film attracted more religious and Haredi viewers than ever before, who could see themselves accurately portrayed on screen, marking it the most financially successful Israeli film in 2005.

Having oneself seen onscreen is a rare privilege shared by Jews, especially Haredim, who get little to no representation at all- and to have that honor bestowed by fellow Haredim in the writers’ room, in the directors’ chair, and of course in starring roles is no short of greatness. Described by Christian online newspaper Deseret as a “valuable glimpse into the religious practices of ultra-Orthodox Jews”, this serves as the perfect proof to the impactful reach of authentic media, especially of such an underrepresented community. In the entertainment climate of twenty years ago, when minority representation was less commonplace, an authentic, let alone any depiction of Orthodox Jewry is truly a miracle.

About the Author
Gefen Miller is a fifteen year old Israeli-American writer and aspiring journalist from Baltimore, Maryland. Passionate about Jewish-American and Israeli arts and history, with this blog she hopes to reflect the diverse culture in both the communities she calls home.
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