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A Jewish writers initiative launches its first film: a roommate comedy about a Holocaust survivor and his gay grandson

JL;DR SUMMARY "Bookends," the first feature produced by the Jewish Writers Institute Screenwriters Lab, is inspired by creator Noam Ash's personal experiences living with his Holocaust survivor grandparents after a breakup. A way out west there was a fella, fella I want to tell you about, fella by the name of Jeff Lebowski. At least, that was the handle his lovin' parents gave him, but he never had much use for it himself. This Lebowski, he called himself the Dude. Now, Dude, that's a name no one would self-apply where I come from. But then, there was a lot about the Dude that didn't make a whole lot of sense to me. And a lot about where he lived, likewise. But then again, maybe that's why I found the place s'durned innarestin'.

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Tags

Holocaust SurvivorJewish CommunityLgbtqJewish FilmJewish Writers InstituteScreenwriters LabNoam AshBookendsF. Murray AbrahamSanta Barbara Film Festival

Places mentioned

Santa Barbara, California, United States
"Bookends, directed by Mike Doyle, recently premiered at the Santa Barbara Film Festival, where it received the 2026 Stand Up Award sponsored by the Anti-Defamation League, and has since drawn offers of distribution."
California, United States
"Bookends is a work of art that explores the richness, diversity, and complexity of a Jewish family and community, ADL California regional director Joshua Burt said in a statement."
Israel
"Cohort members receive a $10,000 stipend and spend three days in New York, three days in Los Angeles, and eight days in Israel."
New York, United States
"Cohort members receive a $10,000 stipend and spend three days in New York, three days in Los Angeles, and eight days in Israel."
Los Angeles, California, United States
"Cohort members receive a $10,000 stipend and spend three days in New York, three days in Los Angeles, and eight days in Israel."
New York, United States
"Cohort members receive a $10,000 stipend and spend three days in New York, three days in Los Angeles, and eight days in Israel."
Borough Park, New York, United States
"We Canceled Mikvah Night, a miniseries inspired by the 2024 sex strike in Borough Park that became part of a campaign to help an Orthodox woman obtain her religious divorce."

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Retrieved 2026-03-06 05:31:05 UTC
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