For its 30th season, running March 30 through April 8, the St. Louis Jewish Film Festival is serving up a perfectly crafted appetizer to whet your appetite for the main event.
On Sunday, Feb. 16, the St. Louis Kaplan Feldman Holocaust Museum will screen “Exodus,” the 1960 epic that played a pivotal role in shaping Jewish identity in American media and inspiring support for Israel. Based on Leon Uris’ best-selling novel, the 3½-hour film tells the powerful story of Holocaust survivors seeking refuge in Palestine and the struggles leading to the birth of the modern Israeli state.
There will be an intermission.
For $8 a ticket, you’re not just watching a classic—you’re experiencing a piece of cultural history.
A pre-event discussion
Before the film, Dr. Brad Prager, professor of German and film studies at the University of Missouri, will lead a pre-screening discussion exploring the cultural and historical significance of “Exodus.” Prager will examine how the film reshaped the narrative of Jewish resilience and strength at a time when such portrayals were rare in mainstream media.
The film gave us a new Jewish hero
At the heart of the story is Ari Ben Canaan, played by Paul Newman, a determined Haganah officer who leads Jewish refugees on a dangerous journey to freedom. But “Exodus” is about more than just its hero—it’s a film about reclaiming Jewish strength and dignity. Released during a time when Jewish characters in cinema were often portrayed as victims or outsiders, “Exodus” offered a new narrative of empowerment and survival.
A cultural milestone
Directed by Otto Preminger, a Jewish Holocaust survivor, and featuring a screenplay by blacklisted writer Dalton Trumbo, the film made history by fostering greater awareness of Zionism and Israel’s founding among American audiences. Its depiction of Jews as leaders and fighters helped alter perceptions and strengthened cultural pride.
Why “Exodus” still resonates
By attending this screening, you’ll gain more than just a cinematic experience—you’ll be stepping into a moment of cultural transformation. With a pre-film discussion setting the stage, this event offers a deeper dive into why “Exodus” continues to resonate with audiences today. Don’t miss this meaningful prelude to the St. Louis Jewish Film Festival.
What: A special showing of “Exodus”
When: Sunday, Feb. 16 at 12 p.m.
Where: The St. Louis Kaplan Feldman Holocaust Museum
Tickets: $8 General Admission / $5 for members. Purchase Online.
