ADL Partners with Common Sense Media on Film Lists Celebrating Jewish Experience and Educating About the Holocaust

Los Angeles, CA, May 8, 2024 – In honor of Jewish American Heritage Month, the ADL (Anti-Defamation League) Media & Entertainment Institute today announced the release of two curated film lists developed in partnership with Common Sense Media: "Movies That Illustrate and Celebrate the Jewish Experience" and "Movies About the Holocaust." The initiative aims to promote understanding, appreciation, and diversity through cinema that reflects the rich tapestry of Jewish life and the profound human narratives of the Holocaust.

Coming at a time when antisemitic incidents have reached historic levels in the aftermath of the Oct. 7 massacre in Israel, these film lists serve as crucial educational tools for those curious about Jews and the Jewish world. They showcase films that aim to combat stereotypes and foster empathy through a wide range of Jewish characters and stories.

This collaboration stems from the ADL Media & Entertainment Institute's ongoing efforts to ensure nuanced, authentic, and diverse representations of Jewish stories and characters in media. Common Sense Media’s original Jewish film list, "Movies That Illustrate and Celebrate the Jewish Experience" now features 31 titles, while the "Movies About the Holocaust" list includes 14 titles, with plans to add more in the coming months.

“As we face an alarming increase in antisemitic incidents, it’s more crucial than ever to harness the power of film to educate and inspire,” said Jonathan Greenblatt, ADL CEO. “We encourage storytellers, educators, and all content creators to join us by expanding on the many beautiful, dramatic, funny, and ultimately human narratives in these collections. By doing so, we will illuminate the richness and resilience of the Jewish community, building empathy and understanding.”

“This collaboration with ADL’s Media & Entertainment Institute ensures that Common Sense Media’s lists encapsulate a wide range of Jewish experiences, so that our resources can help foster understanding and combat stereotypes across diverse audiences,” said Li Lai, Senior Director of Content at Common Sense Media.

Curating a World of Jewish Stories

The selection process for the lists was meticulous, with a focus on films that:

• Illustrate the great variety of Jewish backgrounds and historical experience via every genre of film, from animated classics to profound dramas.

• Feature Jewish narratives as central to their plots and avoid perpetuating negative Jewish stereotypes or antisemitic tropes.

• Depict the unique historical and moral significance of the Holocaust.

These films are more than entertainment: they are a gateway to understanding the complexities of Jewish life and history. For Jewish individuals, they are mirrors reflecting lived experience, and for others they are windows framing the rich vibrancy of Jewish culture.

"This is just the start of our effort to compile and share films showcasing the incredible range of experience of the Jewish people, and we will be building out these lists further in the coming months,” said Deborah Camiel, Director of the ADL Media & Entertainment Institute. “Our partnership with Common Sense Media is powerful because of their vast reach and trusted reputation among parents. Through this collaboration, we aim to share a wide range of Jewish stories that are both engaging and eye-opening."

A Call to Action for Continued Storytelling

ADL and Common Sense Media invite everyone, from families to film enthusiasts, to explore these lists. Viewers are encouraged to share these films and engage in discussions about the Jewish experience and broader themes of difference and tolerance.