Yom Kippur in Lockdown

Synopsis

Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, is the holiest day in the Jewish calendar.  It is also the busiest day of the year for synagogues across Australia, for if there is one time a year a Jew will step into a synagogue – think Christians on Christmas or Easter -  it is on Yom Kippur. However, in 2020 the world is struck by the COVID pandemic. In Melbourne, where the majority of Australian Jews reside, because of strict social distancing, for the first time ever gathering as a community in the synagogue is impossible. This is a surprisingly upbeat half hour documentary set in Australia’s most locked down city, Melbourne, about how its Jewish community pivoted for Yom Kippur in lockdown.  

Screenings: ABC TV 2020, Boston Jewish Film Festival 2021 

Watch globally on Vimeo

Watch on Vimeo.