Prize-winning Video documentary on the Jews in Cuba released

The first comprehensive video documenting the story of the Jews
in Cuba has just been released by Modesto, California filmmakers
Laura Paull and Evan Garelle.It will premiere at the Jewish Film
Festival in San Francisco July 23 and 30, and has won first prize
in the Judah L. Magnes Museum's second competition for Innovative
Use of Video in Socially Progressive Jewish Themes.It will also
be shown at a fundraiser for the Center for Cuban Studies in New
York in the Fall.

"This is not just a story for and about Jews," said Paull, a
former reporter for the San Francisco Examiner and specialist in
Latin American issues."Given the history of the Jews in different
places around the world, I think that the way a nation, or a
government, treats its Jewish citizens reveals a great deal about
what kind of country it is."

"Havana Nagila: The Jews in Cuba"  traces the history and
presence of the Jewish community in Cuba, their reasons for
immigration to Cuba, the growth of a thriving Jewish population
in the post-War period despite corrupt and problematic
governments, the impact of the 1959 Revolution, the experience of
the remaining Jewish CUbans under Castro, and the phenomenon of
the community's resurgence in recent years. It also looks at the
meaning of Jewish identity for contemporary Cuban Jews, and at
some of the international issues (including the U.S. embargo)
affecting the community's future.Needless to say, it has a
soundtrack full of wonderful Cuban and Jewish music.

The bilingual (Spanish/English) 56 minute show is being
distributed by Schnitzki and Stone Video Productions, is seeking
national and international television slots, and is available for
public forums and screenings. For further information send e-mail
to LAUREVAN@igc.apc.org