Be Fruitful and Multiply
A film by Shosh Shlam
For those in the ultra-orthodox community there is no higher commandment than the biblical imperative to "be fruitful and multiply." In many instances this results in families with 10, 12 or even 16 children, as is the case of one Brooklyn mother profiled in this probing documentary. Director Shosh Shlam examines what it must be like for women to spend most of their life either pregnant or nursing. Women who revel in their role as head of their large families are presented as proud and strong female figures. On the other hand, Shlam also presents two ultra-orthodox women who decided to limit their family size. Yentl, who appears in the film without her husband's knowledge, goes so far as to assert that many of these perpetually-pregnant women are not as happy as they claim, but caught up in the peer pressure to produce large families. Be Fruitful and Multiply provokes a fascinating discussion of the choices women make and the role of the ultra-orthodox women.
The screening will be followed by a panel presentation.
Click here to read articles about Fertility and Birth.
Past Screenings:
A film by Shosh Shlam
For those in the ultra-orthodox community there is no higher commandment than the biblical imperative to "be fruitful and multiply." In many instances this results in families with 10, 12 or even 16 children, as is the case of one Brooklyn mother profiled in this probing documentary. Director Shosh Shlam examines what it must be like for women to spend most of their life either pregnant or nursing. Women who revel in their role as head of their large families are presented as proud and strong female figures. On the other hand, Shlam also presents two ultra-orthodox women who decided to limit their family size. Yentl, who appears in the film without her husband's knowledge, goes so far as to assert that many of these perpetually-pregnant women are not as happy as they claim, but caught up in the peer pressure to produce large families. Be Fruitful and Multiply provokes a fascinating discussion of the choices women make and the role of the ultra-orthodox women.
The screening will be followed by a panel presentation.
Click here to read articles about Fertility and Birth.
Past Screenings:
- JCC in Manhattan
334 Amsterdam Avenue
Monday, May 14, 2007 - 7:30 pm
Presenters: Michelle Friedman, Viva Hammer,
Shosh Shlam, and Pearl Stroh - JCC-Y of Rockland County
Ramapo Cultural Arts Center
66 N Main St
Spring Valley, NY
Monday March 19, 2007 - 1:30 pm
Be Fruitful and Multiply will be shown with
A Good Uplift and My Nose
Presenters: Viva Hammer, Faye Lederman, and Gayle Kirschenbaum - Museum of Jewish Heritage
36 Battery Place, Battery Park City
Wednesday March 7, 2007 - 7 pm
Presenters:
Shoshana Bulow, Viva Hammer, Shosh Shlam, and Pearl Stroh - Washington DC JCC
Aaron and Cecile Goldman Theater
1529 16th Street NW
Thursday December 7, 2006 - 6pm
Presenters:
Sylvia Fishman, Viva Hammer, Shosh Shlam, and Pearl Stroh
