Ma'aleh School of Television, Film and the Arts
The Ma'aleh School of Television, Film and the Arts, situated in a preserved stone building in the neighborhood of Musrara, Jerusalem, was founded in 1989 by Ma'aleh Association, with the aim of addressing the needs of national-religious Jews to learn media and film-related subjects.
Ma'aleh is an institution of higher education which trains filmmakers to produce work inspired by their Jewish heritage, fostering a unique connection between the world of media and Jewish culture. Since its establishment hundreds of documentaries and feature films have been produced, which mostly deal with current events in the lives of Jews in Israel, and at times touches controversial topics as well, which have often spiked quarrels and disputes, for example following the production of the Haim Elbaum's feature film And Thou Shalt Love, which deals with the controversy of religious homosexuals in Israel.
Groups visiting from North America, Europe and Australia participate in Ma'aleh's film workshops at the school every year. The school also boasts a number of important social programs which contribute to the wellbeing of the wider community.
For several years, the school has been running the "Torah and Creation" institution, directed by Rabbi Mordechai Vardi, where Rabbis who watch the graduates' films discuss the values and principles that the films bring up.
The School offers two main curricula: the Production and Directing curriculum and the Screenwriting curriculum.
During the celebration of 18 years since the school's establishment, in 2007, a DVD album containing 18 of the best films created by graduates was issued, and the best movie of all time, decided by film critics, was "Cohen's Wife" by Nava Hefets.[1]
Selected films
- Shabbos Mother
- Cohen's Wife
- Eicha
- Newspapers & Flowers
- Doda Dia
- Mousseiyoff 9
- Halel
- 782 Until Further Notice[2]
- Singing through our Tears
- Tofu
- Evacuation Order
- The Orthodox Way
- Elyokim
- A-maiseh
- Saving Private Finklestein
- Another Day
- A Woman Laughed
- Addes
- Prisoner