Award-Winning Documentary Film
and its Emmy Award-Winning Director
Coming to Temple Beth Shalom on February 26th

The Adult Learning Committee and the Reaching Across Faith Boundaries Task Force of TBS are thrilled to bring the documentary film "My So-Called Enemy" and its Director Lisa Gossels to Temple Beth Shalom on Sunday afternoon, February 26th beginning at 2:00 PM.  This documentary film, since its release in 2010, has won a half dozen national awards for documentary filmmaking.

In July 2002, 22 Palestinian and Israeli teenage girls came to the U.S. to participate in a women's leadership program called Building Bridges for Peace.  "My So Called Enemy" is a coming of age story about six of the program participants, three Palestinians and three Israelis, and how they reconcile their transformative experience in the program with the realities of life back home in the Middle East over the next 7 years.  What unfolds is an emotionally-charged film about the human consequences of all conflicts--as seen through the eyes of these six young women who are thoughtful and articulate beyond their years.

Starting during the women's leadership program as they listen to each other’s deepest feelings about what divides them, the film shows their struggle to open each other up.  The women reach out, become friends, and significantly, though tenuously, bridge the chasm between them even as bombs and rockets explode. These young women, each in her own way, choose futures which may light paths out of an intractable conflict.  According to film director Lisa Gossels who has followed them on their journey since 2002, "you will be glad you met them".

This 90 minute documentary will be followed by an inspiring 45 minute panel discussion and audience Q&A with the film' director, Lisa Gossels.  She will be joined on the panel by Temple Beth Shalom's own Rabbi Jay Perlman, Mohamed Lazzouni from the Islamic Center of Boston, and Skip Windsor, Rector of Christ Episcopal Church in Needham as they discuss the lessons learned from this film about humanity and achieving peace, harmony and mutual respect in our local communities.  Lisa Gossels will also update the audience on the experiences of the six women since the filming ended in 2009.

The program will run from 2:00 – 4:15 at Temple Beth Shalom.  Afterwards there will be refreshments and a chance to chat with the members of the panel.

To watch a 4-minute sample of "My So-Called Enemy" click below: