Films about the Jewish Experience: Classroom Toolkit

In collaboration with Common Sense Media, ADL’s Media & Entertainment Institute curated collections of Movies That Illustrate and Celebrate the Jewish Experience. The collections are part of ADL’s ongoing effort to ensure that the vibrance and variety of Jewish life and experience are accurately represented in media and entertainment. 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. 

Films provide entertaining, rich, complex and evocative narratives for students to learn about Jewish people and the Jewish experience. Learning about the Jewish experience through film—including the joy, beauty, culture, history and hardship—helps to provide mirrors for Jewish people to see their own experiences reflected and as windows for others to learn about and appreciate the diversity and richness of Jewish life and history.

This film watch toolkit includes: 

• Words and definitions to help with the discussion and activities.

• Discussion questions and writing prompts.

• Classroom and teaching activities.

• Additional writing ideas for students.