Trembling Before G-D

Trembling Before G-D
by Sandi Simcha Dubowski

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Category: DVD
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DVD details

Actor: Naomi Mark, Nathan Lopes Cardozo, Shlomo Ashkinazy, Shlomo Riskin, Steve Greenberg
Director: Sandi Simcha Dubowski
Cinematographer: David W. Leitner
Producer: Sandi Simcha Dubowski
Editor: Susan Korda
Producer: James Velaise
Producer: Marc Smolowitz
Producer: Philippa Kowarsky
DVD: Region Code 1
Audio: English (Original Language)
Format: Closed-captioned, Color, DVD, NTSC
Running Time: 84 minutes
DVD Release Date: 2003-10-21
Audience Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Studio: New Yorker Video

DVD Reviews of Trembling Before G-D

DVD Review: Moving and surprisingly nuanced
Summary: 4 Stars

I was curious about this film but expected it to caricature Orthodox Jews and present a pretty straightforward, progressive, pro-gay viewpoint, but I was pleasantly surprised that the documentary does not give easy answers or try to denigrate anyone. The subjects of the movie, especially those who are willing to be fully interviewed, are really interesting and show the extent of their emotions and unique experiences. I also don't think the rabbis were presented insensitively, and I think their reactions were actually quite generous and compassionate to what I believe they would have been 100 years ago.

The interview with the director on the second disc was also really informative to me, because he's newly interested in Orthodox Judaism and that (IMO) colors his view of Judaism and Orthodox Jews. I think a Conservative or other traditional Jew would probably make a different type of documentary.

Anyway, very unique and interesting film that's highly recommended, regardless of how you feel about this subject.

DVD Review: Putting faces to a verse
Summary: 5 Stars

This moving documentary really merits being seen by everyone, no matter what their religion or sexual orientation. While the issue of being both gay and Jewish doesn't seem like a conflict to those in the liberal denominations, it's a much more complex and anguished issue for those who wish to remain true to both parts of their core identity, living a frum life and being gay. It seems like a dire contradiction in terms to devote your life to a religious tradition that essentially denies who you are, but for the brave individuals who agreed to appear in this film (some of them with false names or appearing in silhouette or with blurred faces), being Orthodox and still gay isn't a contradiction at all.

For too many people, the issue of Judaism and homosexuality is a cut and dried prohibition, one verse in Leviticus. They don't have any real-life experience with it, or think it doesn't exist in their ultra-frum communities. But this documentary puts faces to that one verse, shows the people who are in very real pain and conflict over this. It's easy to condemn or dismiss something when it only exists in theory, something you've read about, not something you suddenly find yourself dealing with in your own family or community. People like Leah, Malka, Michelle, David, Israel, Mark, and Devorah are real people who have been living this double identity for years, struggling to come to terms with their orientation and how to still be frum in spite of it. I think it's quite refreshing how the rabbis who appear in this film, though some of them are quite Orthodox, are speaking from personal experience in dealing with gay people. While the Orthodox hold to the belief that the Torah is 100% the literal word of Hashem, these rabbis are flexible and compassionate enough, within that very conservative framework, to reinterpret the verse to find some sort of realistic solution to this problem. Many people are killing themselves or suffering from depression because there is no support network for frum gays; it's completely unfair to compare not following this one particular mitzvah to deciding to also ignore mitzvot such as kashrut and keeping Shabbos. Halacha is really not set in stone, and an alternative answer can always be found even with an Orthodox approach to reading the text. It's also surprising how some of these long-bearded rabbis are more progressive and understanding than some secular people.

It's unfathomable that anyone, after seeing this film and getting to know these people, could still insist that homosexuality is wrong because it's in the Torah, and that settles that issue. Anyone with a heart would see the pain and frustration in people like Israel, desperate to reunite with his 98 year old dad; Devorah, who is married to a man in spite of being a lesbian; and Mark, who misses the yeshiva world even though he was estranged from it after coming out. One's heart goes out to these people who either have to live double lives or live as openly gay in a world where early heterosexual marriage and large families are considered not only the norm, but the only way to live. Hopefully some halachic solutions will be found for this issue sooner than later, so that the next generation of people like Malka, Michelle, David, and Israel won't have to struggle with being frum gays.

The second disc contains a wealth of extras that really enhance the documentary. Among them are an interview with Rabbi Steve Greenberg (whom I was honored to meet when he spoke at my [Conservative] shul in December '06), an interview with director Sandi Simcha Dubowski, a featurette, 'Trembling on the Road,' the trailer, interviews with five of the prominent rabbis featured in the documentary (and while they're quite Orthodox, they also seem compassionate and open-minded, wanting to find a halachic solution to this issue instead of just telling gay people to live celibate lives or pretend to be straight), a deleted scene, a discussion with people involved in Petach Lev, an Israeli group dealing with these issues, footage of an arcane Medieval ceremony to atone for "sexual sins," and so much more.

DVD Review: Agree or Disagree A Must See By Questioning Believers
Summary: 5 Stars

Trembling before G-d is simply an excellant movie that needs to be scene. It is too easy for many to simply blindly respond to the issue quoting the Torah/Hashem/G-d/Rabbis/Scripture etc. with such and such and such and such about homosexuals when you have not known any up close and the suffering they experience by the attitudes of the religious majority. Most people who condemn homosexuality have never met any homosexuals yet alone have tried to get to know them. I know I never did.

The accompanying disc of extra features is almost as compelling viewing as the movie itself so don't miss them.

You may not come away ready to throw out long held biblical beliefs but you will if you come with an open mind interested in grapling with the subject on a religious level leave with greater compassion and understanding, with many new questions and the willingness to search for and open yourself to possible answers.

Just see it!

DVD Review: Powerful!!!!
Summary: 5 Stars

I do believe this wonderful documentary has shaken the Jewish community, and I am glad. People in this world need to open their eyes to gays and lesbian and transgender individuals that are not just going go away silently in the night. Director Sandi Simcha DuBowski examines the hidden lives of gay and lesbian Orthodox and Hasidic Jews. His revelations are compelling and the DVD's extras -- including a separate interview with Steve Greenberg, the first openly gay Orthodox rabbi -- are even more fascinating.

DVD Review: Can We Agree This World Is Not Flat?
Summary: 3 Stars

Trembling Before G-d is a sad story of gay and lesbian people who are the victims of the traditions in which they have been raised. The film gives us glimpses of gay and lesbian individuals, struggling to be accepted into a heterosexual world where traditional marriage and reproduction is considered the highest esteem, even though they know they are not ever going to share this same goal. While I was watching this film, I kept asking myself why are these people giving so much credibility to those holding so much ignornace? There once was a time many thought the world was flat, but we now know better! God is love and men and women, who are not inclined to reproduce, have been given a special gift and have much to teach others about ending the trouble with normal. While marriage, land ownership and reproduction are the three pillars of family values which fuel selfish traditions, around the world, gay people need look no further than inside themselves for an answer!
While this movie is primarily focussed on the struggle of Orthodox Jews, concerning the issue of homosexualty, the film is for anyone who has thought about acceptance, by others, in light of their sexuality. It's the type of film which makes you feel deeply for the hurt and struggle of the characters.

Description of Trembling Before G-D

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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