The 2013 Day of Celebration saw the launch of the LAFTAs (Liberal Academy for Film and Torah Awards), a competition where Liberal Judaism religion schools are asked to make a short film on a Jewish topic. The theme of the competition goes hand in hand with the Day of Celebration’s theme.
Films are to be between two and three minutes and will be judged on creativity, humour, youth participation, artistic merit and overall brilliance. Communities are sent educational packs to help the children understand the topic and explore various ideas for their films.
In its first year, the LAFTAs had over 100 participants from across our communities learning about our Liberal Jewish history and envisioning the future. This is a project that will continue into the future and is particularly beneficial because it connects liberal Jewish communities, regardless of geography.
The theme expanded on the Day of Celebration title ‘If I am not for myself…’ to encourage participants to think about the role we play in caring for each other and our community.
Both Brighton & Hove Progressive Synagogue and The Liberal Jewish Synagogue were announced as joint winners at the 2019 Day of Celebration.
You can watch the Brighton & Hove Progressive Synagogue’s winning entry about climate change here. Click here to view the accompanying poster, and click here to see the accompanying information leaflet.
You can watch The Liberal Jewish Synagogue’s winning entry about asylum seekers and refugees here. Click here to view the accompanying poster, and click here to see the accompanying information leaflet.