Trembling Before G-D: Amazon.ca: Shlomo Ashkinazy, Steve Greenberg, Nathan Lopes Cardozo, Naomi Mark, Shlomo Riskin, Yaakov Meir Weil, David W. Leitner, Sandi Simcha Dubowski, Susan Korda, James Velaise, Marc Smolowitz, Philippa Kowarsky: DVD

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Trembling Before G-d is an unprecedented feature documentary that shatters assumptions about faith, sexuality, and religious fundamentalism. Built around intimately told personal stories of Hasidic and Orthodox Jews who are gay or lesbian, the film portrays a group of people who face a profound dilemma eligious identity and tradition in the world.

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Customer Reviews

13 Reviews

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4.4 out of 5 stars (13 customer reviews)

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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Fascinating, validating, precedent-setting, Nov 4 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Trembling Before G-D (DVD)

When this movie premiered at a San Francisco film festival in 2001, the lines stretched around the block and I couldn't get into the theater. I've been eagerly awaiting the DVD's release, and -- cliche alert!-- it was well worth the wait. Seeing this film, I cried, I laughed. I'm Jewish (not Orthodox) and gay, and my coming-out created much 'tsuris' in my family, so I could relate to the material on many levels.

I did not expect to learn so much about spirituality, theology, and the awesome spirit and strength of the individual. The people who "dared" to speak out in this documentary are role models-- down to earth, articulate, struggling, wise, warm.

Special mention must be made of the mesmerizing soundtrack by John Zorn; the bonus, sweet, short feature, "Tomboychik," featuring the filmmaker's irreverent and delightful Grandma; and the "on the road" featurette showing how the film transformed the lives of the women and men involved.

*Trembling Before G-d* seems especially relevant in these times when the church [and synagogue] are dealing with the public's growing realization that being gay is neither an illness nor a crime. The existence of this film is a mitzvah.

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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Moving, Touching, Thought Provoking, 2 THUMBS UP!, Oct 1 2003

By

Jennifer R Levinsky (Bronx, New York United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Trembling Before G-D (DVD)

I was lucky enough to have the opportunity to view this film at my school. Although I am not homosexual, this film moved me and touched my heart. It is just such an experience to see these good people who are very devoted to their faith be made to feel like "less important Jews" just because of the sexual orientation they have. If you are interested in people, enjoy learning, or are gay yourself, this is a great film to watch! Sandi Dubowski does a great job and this film has helped many people who struggle with the same burden.

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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A 'Must Have' DVD, Mar 14 2004

By

R. Epstein "asanisimasa" (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Trembling Before G-D (DVD)

I saw this film when it was first released in cinemas and I thought it was good, perhaps warranting a 3 1/2 star rating.
The DVD experience brings this film up to 5 stars because there is SO much added material that gives one a deeper and broader understanding of the complexities of religion. Not just Judaism, I think every religion has as wide a spectrum of interpretation. There's over 3 hours of extras on the second disc, and I especially thought that the added comments by Rabbi Steve Greenberg (the openly gay orthodox Rabbi) and several of the other orthodox Rabbis featured in the film were extremely important. There is a pretty wide range of views and interpretations, which makes one realize just how cult-like orthodoxy can be in any religion if one is relying on just one particular religious leader for guidance. Most of the gay people interviewed in the film who were really suffering over how to accept who they are and still be a 'good Jew' were people who talked to Rabbis who were inflexible on accepting homosexuals. Five out of six of the rabbis interviewed on the second disc were able to understand that being gay is not a choice and therefore not a sin. They were still conservative overall, but their reasoning was very sound and certainly not some wish on their part to reconcile homosexuality with Judaism. The wonderful thing about Judaism is that the Torah is full of questioning and interpretation of God's laws. It teaches us that we have to look at the circumstances of the people who are living outside the parameter of God's law and see if they are really betraying God's law, or if they are essentially good people who are doing the best they can under the given circumstances.

The DVD also has a great 35-minute follow-up documentary on the effect this film has had around the world (and some terrific Klezmer music in the end credits!), and there are lots of other odds and ends that are entertaining and/or interesting. If you are a teacher or Rabbi who is considering showing this film to your students or community, make sure you show them this DVD version with the added interviews. At the very least, it will bring up some fascinating discussion!

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Most recent customer reviews

1.0 out of 5 stars The movie deliberately omitted key people and facts
We always hear about two extremes- the one that shuns homosexuality without any other discussion and the one that embraces it as normal. Read more

Published on Jun 17 2009 by Robb Ross

5.0 out of 5 stars An electric documentary from Sandi Simcha Dubowski
In 'Trembling Before God,' director Sandi Simcha Dubowski has compiled an emotional series of interviews and vignettes featuring Orthodox Jews - unwilling to renounce their... Read more

Published on April 12 2004 by Andy Orrock