JDate Launches Netflix-Like Jewish Film Club
Cinematic tastes are usually a good indicator of compatibility. Maybe that’s why JDate, which calls itself “the premier Jewish singles community online,“ is launching a movie site.
The New York Times reports this week that JDate is sponsoring “North America’s first Jewish Film-of-the-Month Club,” which plans to send a new, Jewish-themed feature film on DVD or streamed to subscribers bimonthly — “and then monthly, when things get swinging” — for an annual subscription rate of $108, or $68 for six months and $3.25 in shipping and handling costs per disc.
“Great news, people who enjoy the convenience and ease of Netflix but are disappointed by its undefined religious affiliation!” enthused New York Magazine’s NYMag.com.
The club will be operated by Film Movement, whose website describes it as “a full-service North American distributor of critically acclaimed award-winning independent and foreign films.”
Adley Gartenstein, Film Movement’s president, told the Times that the Jewish club came about partly because film gatherings like the Los Angeles Jewish Film Festival (“Our films aren’t just selected, they’re chosen”) provide a potential audience and a ready pipeline to movies. Gartenstein estimated that 500,000 people attended Jewish film festivals annually in the United States.
A shidduch, however, is probably not guaranteed with a Jewish Film of the Month Club subscription.
I’m personally matching all gifts to the Forward, up to $36,000. Can I match your gift now?
Hello, fellow Forward reader! I’m Joel Brown, a Forward reader and supporter for more than 15 years, and currently the chair of the board of directors.
I’m an avid Forward reader because it ticks so many of my essential boxes: excellent journalism, Jewish focus and diverse viewpoints. In today’s political climate, what I most appreciate is the Forward’s independence — made possible by the generosity of its membership.
The Forward is committed to bringing you unbiased, nuanced Jewish news. From my position as board chair, I see an exciting future as we expand our position as the definitive independent voice of contemporary American Judaism.
— Joel Brown, Forward board chair
Support our mission to tell the Jewish story fully and fairly.
