"Jewish life and learning are central to who I am, and it's a privilege to be able to find creative ways to share those passions with others,” said Rochelle "Shelley" Rappaport, director of the Kehillah of Chester County and Kehillah of Delaware County, which are part of the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia's neighborhood initiative.

One of those "creative ways" is through cinema. Returning this August for its ninth year is the Chester County Summer Shorts Film Festival. Dating back to 2014, the shorts film festival has become a staple and beloved tradition within Greater Philadelphia that preserves and spreads the stories, culture and values of the Jewish people. 

For the comfort and safety of the community, this will be the third year that the festival will be held virtually. While movie goers will not physically enter the festival's home base of The Colonial Theatre, built in 1903 as the "Colonial Opera House," they will virtually go to its website to screen the lineup of shorts on August 3, 10, 17 and 24 at 7:00 p.m. 

Each week of the festival will include a new set of thought-provoking short films, tailored to a different theme: Jewish identity, food, relationships and humor. Following the screenings, participants will engage in an interactive, facilitated discussion to reflect on the themes and ideas of the films they just watched.

Tickets are $10 per person for each week, but no one will be turned away for lack of funds. The price of admission not only includes an incredible lineup of films and discussions, but also one month of free access to IZZY for new subscribers, the leading streaming platform focused on Israeli produced content all with English subtitles. 

In addition to IZZY, the festival is also co-sponsored by Gross & Sons Family Dentistry and Jewish Museum Berlin. 

"Watching these films is like going to restaurants that you have never been to and tasting different dishes and discovering new flavors," said Shelley. "While the films may be different, they all translate as a collective Jewish experience."

About Shelley Rappaport

Shelley is a native Philadelphian, who grew up in the West Oak Lane area of the city. Educated within the Philadelphia school system, and a graduate of Philadelphia High School for Girls, she studied Fine Arts at the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts in its coordinated degree program with the University of Pennsylvania.

She began her formal Jewish education at the Hebrew Sunday School Society, which was founded in 1838 by Rebecca Gratz and the women of Congregation Mikveh Israel. Inspired by that experience, Shelley taught for many years at several of the organization's locations throughout the area, including in the basements of private homes in the Oxford Circle neighborhood, where she currently lives.

Jewish education and participation has always been an important part of Shelley's Jewish community life. She started her Jewish communal career within the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia’s Women’s Division, and has held a number of positions within our community.

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Learn more and get your ticket today for the 9th Annual Chester County Summer Shorts Film Festival by clicking here. For questions about the festival or about Jewish community in Chester County or Delaware County, contact Shelley at chestercounty@kehillah.jewishphilly.org or delawarecounty@kehillah.jewishphilly.org.