Two young American Jews – Simone Zimmerman and Eitan – are raised to defend the state of Israel at all costs. Eitan joins the Israeli military. Simone supports Israel on ‘the other battlefield:’ America’s college campuses. When they witness Israel’s mistreatment of the Palestinian people with their own eyes, they are horrified and heartbroken. They join the movement of young American Jews battling the old guard over Israel’s centrality in American Judaism, and demanding freedom for the Palestinian people. Their stories reveal a generational divide in the American Jewish community as more young Jews question the narratives they grew up with.

ISRAELISM uniquely explores how Jewish attitudes towards Israel are changing dramatically, with massive consequences for the region and for Judaism itself.

Dr. Gabor Maté is a renowned speaker, and bestselling author, and is highly sought after for his expertise on a range of topics including addiction, stress and childhood development. Rather than offering quick-fix solutions to these complex issues, Dr. Maté weaves together scientific research, case histories, and his own insights and experience to present a broad perspective that enlightens and empowers people to promote their own healing and that of those around them. After 20 years of family practice and palliative care experience, Dr. Maté worked for over a decade in Vancouver’s Downtown East Side with patients challenged by drug addiction and mental illness. His latest book, The Myth of Normal: Trauma, Illness & Healing in a Toxic Culture, is an international best seller translated into 35 languages.

Dr. Naomi Klein  is an award-winning journalist, columnist, and international bestselling author of nine books published in over 35 languages including No Logo, The Shock Doctrine, This Changes Everything, No Is Not Enough, On Fire, and Doppelganger: A Trip into the Mirror World which was published in September 2023. Her writing has appeared in leading publications around the world, and she is a columnist for The Guardian. She is an honorary professor of Media and Climate at Rutgers University, an associate professor in Geography at UBC and founding co-director of UBC’s Centre for Climate Justice. (Dr. Klein will be on the panel on January 30 at 6:15 pm.)

Tuesday, January 30 SOLD OUT
Doors 5:00 pm | Movie 6:15 pm *Start time subject to change. Please arrive on time.
Rush seating may be available at the door at showtime, subject to availability only. First come, first served, come early and be prepared to wait.

Tuesday, January 30 Third Show Added! Final Screening
Doors 9:00 pm | Movie 9:30 pm *Start time subject to change. Please arrive on time.
Advance tickets HERE

Filmmaker Erin Axelman in attendance, and will feature panelists from IJV and more. Details on additional guests TBD.

ISRAELISM (Eric Axelman, Sam Eilertsen, 2023 / 84 mins / 18A) When two young American Jews raised to unconditionally love Israel witness the brutal way Israel treats Palestinians, their lives take sharp left turns. They join a movement of young American Jews battling the old guard to redefine Judaism’s relationship with Israel, revealing a deepening generational divide over modern Jewish identity.

*Minors permitted. Must be 19+ w/ID for bar service.
*Sorry, Rio Theatre Groupons and passes n/a for this event.
*Online sales end an hour before showtime; unless otherwise noted, tickets are always available for purchase at the box office prior to showtime.  Our box office is typically open 60 minutes before showtime.
*All seating is General Admission; please arrive at least  30-45 minutes prior to showtime to ensure great seats and time for snacks at concession.
*All Rio Theatre tickets are final sale.