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Do you want to host a unique and inspiring impact screening event with our upcoming documentary about the amazing Rabbi Menachem Froman and his followers - both Israelis and Palestinians - following in his unique path of shalom-salaam? And you are welcome to contribute any amount to our crowdfunding page (all contributions get a perk!) here: www.igg.me/at/fromansway |
Froman's Way
The Unique Story of Israel's "Settler Rabbi for Peace"
We will bring our upcoming 30-minute documentary to your community:
first, we watch the movie together, and then “Froman’s Way” co-directors Vered Post and Harvey Stein participate in a discussion about all the complex issues in our story. (We may also sing together one of the beautiful nigguns - sacred songs - that Rav Froman sang with many Jewish congregations during his lifetime).
"The land doesn't belong to us, we belong to the land."
- Rabbi Menachem Froman
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Rabbi Menachem Froman is known by millions of Israelis. A creative and courageous (some would say notorious) figure, he was the head rabbi of Tekoa settlement. But he realized many years ago, that to further the likelihood that the Messiah would return, Froman should make friends with his Palestinian neighbors, and work for their freedom. The Messiah wants peace. Controversially, Froman developed a friendship with Yasser Arafat, and even met with Sheikh Yassin (the spiritual founder of Hamas).
In 2018, we finished our first version of the only feature documentary on Rabbi Menachem Froman, Z'L, then called "A Third Way”. It also focused on West Bank Israelis and Palestinians who were inspired by his work (including the activist Ali Abu Awwad, the founder of Roots -Judur - Shorashim) - and who continue his courageous activism right now today in the West Bank/Judea. We are now premiering a major update/revision of our documentary - renamed "Froman's Way" - which includes much new footage. And your synagogue, church, mosque, school or university, NGO or any other organization, can host a powerful, fun Impact Screening/Discussion Event - of about 90 minutes in length. "You just have to love your neighbor" - Rabbi Froman quoted the Torah often. How can we use his example to help the world move towards peace in Israel/Palestine now? You can design your unique event together with us: which can include participation by handpicked local guests you select. You can decide to focus the discussion on Rabbi Froman and his inspiring activities and religious roots, or also to bring in current political implications of his work (like innovative plans such as a confederation or federation). Your Impact Screening Event can also include short videos made by teens in your community - encouraging their attendance: We briefly work with you online, to supervise any teens in your community to make short 2-minute videos about "Loving Your Neighbor". Teens can even make videos in pairs of "others" - a Jewish teen and an African-American teen, a male teen and a female teen, etc. How can we learn to love our neighbor? Our Event can open with several of these short videos, galvanizing your community and helping bring them all together for our event. A "Froman's Way" event can be planned to bring different communities together to get to know each other more - for example, an event could be hosted jointly by a Jewish organization and a Moslem or Christian organization - and the viewers sitting together can be a mixed group from both communities. |
For background, some articles on Rabbi Froman: - From an Israeli Settlement, a Rabbi’s Unorthodox Plan for Peace - Menachem Froman, Rabbi Seeking Peace, Dies at 68 - Thousands mourn beloved, controversial West Bank rabbi And some press on our previous "A Third Way" documentary: - 2022 Times of Israel article by co-director Harvey Stein - i24 Video interview with Harvey Stein - Haaretz article - Jewish Week article 
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In 2023, our Holy Land continues to be a place of great suffering and conflict.
Our "Froman's Way" movie asks: "
What would Rabbi Froman do now, if he were still with us?"
Rav Froman had a natural way of loving all his neighbors equally - his Jewish neighbors, as well as his Palestinian neighbors outside the fence of his settlement. We need unique peace activists like Rabbi Froman, who don’t automatically “take sides”. For our updated story, we have filmed much new footage - spending time with incredible current activists and followers of Froman's path such as:
Our "Froman's Way" movie asks: "
What would Rabbi Froman do now, if he were still with us?"
Rav Froman had a natural way of loving all his neighbors equally - his Jewish neighbors, as well as his Palestinian neighbors outside the fence of his settlement. We need unique peace activists like Rabbi Froman, who don’t automatically “take sides”. For our updated story, we have filmed much new footage - spending time with incredible current activists and followers of Froman's path such as:
- Hadassah Froman (his widow), and several of Froman’s activist children
- Shaul Judelman, Noor Awad, Rabbi Hanan Schlesinger, Natalie Martinez Zacks and Khaled Abu Awwad (Palestinian and Israeli staff at Roots/Shorashim/Judur - the innovative and thriving Gush Etsion center founded by students of Rabbi Froman the year after he died - where many Israeli and Palestinian residents of Judea/West Bank - Israelis and Palestinians - meet and get to know each other)
- Other cutting edge activists and political writers, including Yossi Klein Halevi, Gershon Baskin, Pinhas Inbari and others.
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It is said that “crisis equals danger plus opportunity”. Here in the Holy Land, how can we use the chutzpah, creativity, and playfulness of Rabbi Froman’s way - turning our many leveled, complex crisis, into a path towards a radically new future of freedom for all here? |
Our Menu and Fees:
To inquire about an impact screening event, please contact us as soon as possible:
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 646-823-2228
- We will be visiting the USA from our base in Jerusalem, and available to present an impact event for your community in the United States or Canada, anytime from October 1 - November 30, 2023.
- Our cost to present an Impact Screening Event is $600 (plus transportation to your location from New York City).
To inquire about an impact screening event, please contact us as soon as possible:
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 646-823-2228
We believe the universal medium of movies can be a crucial catalyst in the struggle for positive social and political change.
Testimonials from screenings of our previous version of our Rabbi Froman story:
Director Harvey Stein's powerful narrative conveys to us the profound empathy and hopefulness of Rabbi Froman's approach, without losing sight of the profound cynicism and mistrust between the two communities. In this sense, it is a 'balanced" film and a very good basis for a dialogic, peace building program.
- Rabbi Andrea Cohen-Kiener, Temple Israel (and Compassionate Listening Project), Greenfield, MA
“A Third Way” drew a diverse audience in what is otherwise a very politically divided campus. Refreshing to see a truly unique perspective, students were amazed to see the strides that the featured individuals have made in coexistence. “A Third Way” broke down the dichotomy of "us and them" that too often prevails here. Our post-screening discussion with director Harvey Stein was extremely thought provoking and exposed students both to tough questions and innovative ways forward. Kol Hakavod for this inspirational film!
- Marissa Young, Aryeh (Columbia University Students Association for Israel)
Although I did not agree with all that was said...there is something magical about the film and it conveys a picture of hope.
- Head of the Political Section, Embassy of Israel in Ireland
Extremely moving - a graphic, well-paced, personal visual of both brutality and heartbreak, warmth and friendship, politics and humanity, the possibilities and desire to reach the next/future generations in a constructive manner, not by politics alone, but by friendship and dialogue.
- Ron, audience member
Bring this documentary to your synagogue, mosque, church, or local community center... We did, and the impact of the story and the opportunity to discuss the film's themes with the director left a lasting impression on the audience that we must support such grassroots efforts to bring a real and lasting peace to all the inhabitants of the Holy Land.
- John Moyle, Pastor, Oakbrook Church