Synopsis
An idealistic New York City rabbi brings his Hasidic brand of Judaism all the way to Big Sky country, where he encounters a mixed reception from locals. In 2007, Rabbi Chaim Bruk, his wife and their five children left the bustle of Brooklyn for a new home in Bozeman, Montana. Founding the state’s first Chabad center, he sets out to affix a mezuzah on every Jewish doorpost he can find. But his outsized personality and proselytizing tactics are openly challenged by Jewish neighbors and fellow rabbis. When the specter of neo-Nazism threatens the community, ideological differences come to the fore. Spectacular Montana landscapes provide a scenic backdrop to this engaging, funny and balanced profile of religious pioneers in the American West.
Run Time
78
Year
2019
Has Subtitles
Off
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Image
Media Type
Title
The Rabbi Goes West
Genre
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Languages
Airtable ID
recFvOiQx3bJ8ul0Z
Content Hash
3be15d60ba2dd93a811f260b367fd30e
Festival/Series
Path
/film/rabbi-goes-west
IMDb ID
tt8692562
Sort Title
Rabbi Goes West, The
Publish to ajff.org
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Synopsis for ajffrecommends.org
An idealistic New York City rabbi brings his Hasidic brand of Judaism all the way to Big Sky country, where he encounters a mixed reception from locals. In 2007, Rabbi Chaim Bruk, his wife and their five children left the bustle of Brooklyn for a new home in Bozeman, Montana. Founding the state’s first Chabad center, he sets out to affix a mezuzah on every Jewish doorpost he can find. But his outsized personality and proselytizing tactics are openly challenged by Jewish neighbors and fellow rabbis. When the specter of neo-Nazism threatens the community, ideological differences come to the fore. Spectacular Montana landscapes provide a scenic backdrop to this engaging, funny and balanced profile of religious pioneers in the American West.
Premiere Status