PRESS RELEASE: February 2008

New Silicon Valley Jewish Film Festival Promises New Commitments to Jewish Cinema in South Bay

Now in its 17th year, the San Jose Jewish Film Festival is reinventing itself.

Reflecting the growth of the region, as well as the year-after-year expansion of the Film Festival programming, the SJJFF has changed its name to the Silicon Valley Jewish Film Festival (SVJFF).

With this name change, the SVJFF will bring more Israeli Film and more festive film events that will be screened at various venues in the Valley. This will be accomplished with new partnerships and a strategic change in operations. The SVJFF will back that commitment up by bringing two blockbuster Israeli films to two new venues in February this year. “The Israeli film industry is producing major movies and the Silicon Valley population—including the many Israelis in the area—are a natural audience.” says new SVJFF President, Lorin Fink.

The strategic changes were made as a result of the Festival’s growth and the fact that the day-to-day activities of the Festival throughout the year require professional attention. “I am pleased to announce that Mark Levine, who has been involved with the Festival for ten years, has been named the part-time Executive Director,” said Lorin. “Mark has served four years as President and he is uniquely familiar with the needs of the organization and the community.” Lisa Ceile-Goldfus, the part-time liaison between the APJCC and the Film Festival continues in her role.

The Board also approved sweeping changes to the structure of the organization, transitioning from a purely volunteer group to a hybrid paid/volunteer organization. The SVJFF remains a major program of the Addison Penzak Jewish Community Center of Silicon Valley.

The SVJFF continues to need volunteers. If you are interested in being part of the Festival’s growth, please call Lisa Ceile-Goldfus at 408-357-7492.