Atlanta Jewish Film Festival
Various Venues
through February 15, 2018

Under the incredible leadership of Kenny Blank and his Board, the AJFF has grown in 18 years to be one of the largest festivals of its kind in the world. In this 18th year of their work in our community they will present more than 50 films in 7 different cinemas in a three week period.

They opened a couple of nights ago at the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Center with an elegant Gala attended by more 800 patrons, and then presented their opening film to an audience of more than 1,000 viewers. The film was the story of the life of Sammy Davis, Jr., and while we all know of him from the days of the Rat Pack and shows in Vegas, few of us really knew the man and what his life had been like. Here’s a young man who takes to the stage at age 3, and never leaves the spotlight. He was a singer, actor, comedian, dancer and whatever else a role may have called for. Yet, he was never really schooled, had to deal with the days of segregation, and loss of an eye, and plenty of other problems.

One of his most famous lines was when he was golfing with Jack Benny, who asked him what his handicap was. “Handicap?” he replied. “Talk about handicap. I’m a one-eyed Negro Jew.” He had some alcohol problems, had caused much consternation for some folks when he married a white Swedish actress, May Britt. But, through it all he kept on going and passed away at age 62 from throat cancer. His presence remains.

On a similar subject, you don’t have to be Jewish to enjoy the films they are showing. And in these days where people are rising up against others not of their ethnic background in countries around the world; the common experience of us all as human beings is of top-most importance today and forever.

They’re easily available any day of the week. Just visit the site at AJFF.org for full info and tickets.