The first woman rabbi in the world, Regina Jonas, comes to light, courtesy of Rachel Weisz – who plays her – and her father George Weisz, who was the executive producer for this poetic and beautiful documentary.
UK Jewish Film and JW3 have now made it easier to get your cinema fix from home, with Film Night In: Every fortnight we'll offer a brilliant new Jewish title from somewhere in the world along with an introduction from one of the film's stars.
The daughter of an Orthodox Jewish peddler, Jonas was ordained in Berlin in 1935. During the Nazi era and the war, her sermons and her unparalleled devotion brought encouragement to the persecuted German Jews. Regina Jonas was murdered in Auschwitz in 1944.The only surviving photo of Jonas serves as a leitmotif for the film, showing a determined young woman gazing at the camera with self-confidence. An inspiring and unique film.
What this director has built in picture and sound is a raw, deliberately primitive newsreel that’s powerfully immersive... make no mistake - Regina is the real deal
Awards■
Critics Choice - New York Jewish Film Festival 2013
Lia Award (Jewish Experience Award) – Jerusalem Film Festival 2013
Hungarian Film Critics Award 2013
Grand Prix Winner – Szolnok International Film Festival of Cultural Arts, History and Sciences 2013
Jury Prize - Moscow Jewish Film Festival 2015