Before World War II, Lithuania was one of the most celebrated centres of Jewish culture in Europe. It was home to famed Jewish scholars, artists and writers, as well as more than 250,000 Jews, who spoke Yiddish - the language common to Jews across Eastern Europe. But that community was almost totally destroyed by the Nazi Holocaust and decades of Soviet repression. For the South African Jewish community, there is a strong and poignant connection to these events, for the overwhelming number of South African Jews look to Lithuania as "de heim", the home in the "old country" from which their parents, grandparents and great grandparents immigrated to South Africa. This connection has traditionally been a source of great pride for South African Jews. "From The Ashes, A New Beginning", is an emotional and celebratory documentary, depicting the journey of the Litvak Jews to South Africa.

Why is the belief in Moshiach (the Messiah) included among the foundations of the Jewish faith? Obviously, the concept of Moshiach is an important part of Judaism. The Torah, the Hebrew Bible, speaks of it in Deuteronomy 30 and Numbers 24, among others and the prophets are full of it. But how do we understand the concept of a Messiah and just what does this represent to us as Jews? Moshiach or Messiah means that the true nature of creation will ultimately come to light. That "evil" is but the shallow distortion of this truth, and has no enduring reality. That man will free himself of hate and ignorance. That every human being will fulfill his divinely ordained role as outlined in the Torah, transforming the world into a place suffused with the wisdom, goodness and perfection of its Creator.

Oudtshoorn is one of South Africas most interesting Jewish historic centres. So vibrant was the Jewish community that the town was named, with some degree of exaggeration, 'Little Jerusalem' or 'Yerushalayim beDerom Afrika' (Jerusalem of South Africa). To escape the mobilisation of young Jews to the Russian army between 1881 and 1910, as well as the anti-semitism that limited their ability to lead productive lives, many Jews left Latvia and Lithuania for a better life. A large Jewish community, primarily from Lithuania, immigrated to Oudtshoorn and played a large role in the world wide marketing of ostrich feathers.

JERUSALEM: CITY OF HOPE If one looks beyond the political controversies regarding Jerusalem, one sees a city of ordinary people living and thriving as in any other major city in the world. Regardless of their religious persuasion, many Israelis (Jewish, Muslim and Christian) are living in unity, understanding their differences and sharing in a vibrant cultural and spiritual togetherness. Seeking for the commonness and mutual respect breeds a tolerance that holds no boundaries but rather a working together to realize one's potential and therefore to be able to live in Jerusalem, The City of Hope. The objective of this program is to highlight various programs and facilities in Jerusalem which seek to bring Jews, Christians and Muslims together in common benefit, thereby contributing to the building of a shared sense of community and common interest. The further objective is to enable Jerusalem to be seen by South Africans as not only a city of political contention, but also, as a city which, step by step, is seeking to create viable means to bring its disparate peoples together in day to day life.

Through 'Purim: the Joyous Mystery of the Hidden and the Revealed', we view and enter the world of Purim festivities and joy for both young and old, while at the same time, explaining how these rituals serve as symbols of the hidden, deeper, spiritual meanings of Purim. This festival is not meant only to mark great moments of the past, but no less, to bring their energy and spiritual insight from the past into the present and the future. The inner meaning of Purim speaks to us of the way light and divinity Can be found even in the deepest darkness, and how joy can bring about this transformation.

Dreaming the New explores the lives, works and aspirations of two very different South African artists - one a young visual 'spontaneous' artist Nico Phooka and the other, a mature playwright and dramatist - Fatima Dike. We follow them through their artistic collaborations and show how these two very different art forms melt and fuse to create new forms of expression, whether through poetry, drama, music or painting. The documentary is entirely related in the first person and set against the turbulent political background in South African history. We show through personal accounts and testimonies of survival and triumph, how their experiences have shaped their lives and ultimately their approach to their works. Through the two protagonists the film explores their backgrounds, culture, belief systems and how they see themselves and their work in the greater society, and how they can contribute to its betterment while at the same time providing an insightful and profound vision for the future of South African society.