Asya
This short documentary, part of the Children of Jerusalem series, profiles 11-year-old Russian immigrant Asya as she and her family get accustomed to life in Jerusalem. From issues of cultural, political and religious diversity to the simple act of making new friends, this portrait of Asya is indicative of life for many ethnic Jewish immigrants to Jerusalem.
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Children of Jerusalem1991 7 filmsChildren of Jerusalem (1991–1996) is a collection of seven films by multi-award-winning filmmaker Beverly Shaffer. The series offers portraits of life in Jerusalem as experienced by seven children from diverse social, cultural and religious backgrounds.
This short documentary, part of the Children of Jerusalem series, profiles 11-year-old Russian immigrant Asya as she and her family get accustomed to life in Jerusalem. From issues of cultural, political and religious diversity to the simple act of making new friends, this portrait of Asya is indicative of life for many ethnic Jewish immigrants to Jerusalem.
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directorBeverly Shaffer
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producerBeverly ShafferColin Neale
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executive producerColin Neale
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cameraKent Nason
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soundJacques Drouin
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editingRita Roy
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sound editingTony Reed
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re-recordingHans Peter StroblSerge Boivin
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voiceMaureen Hebert
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musicChris CrillyLouis Hone
Warning (if any): mentions of alcohol in discussion among adults
Brief “lesson launcher type” activity or a series of inquiry questions with a bit of context:
- Profile of a 12-year-girl named Asya who immigrated to Jerusalem from Russia one year prior.
- What was happening in Russia that made Asya’s parents decide to leave?
- Asya describes several differences between Israeli culture and Russian culture. She outlines how she had to change herself to fit in and “integrate” into Israeli society. Do you think immigrants should have to change themselves to integrate into a new society, or should the society accept a variety of cultures as they are? Where is the line drawn?
- How does Asya see that Arabs and Jews are not treated equally in Israeli society? How might she have been treated differently if her family was not Jewish?