About The Film

Ultra-Orthodox Yaakov Smith was married with six children, director of the Chabad center in Jerusalem, and a pillar of the community before divorcing, abandoning religious observance, and leaving Israel to become Jessica (Yiscah in Hebrew). In the US, Smith underwent a gender transition and moved to Seattle, where no one knew her, and decided to return to traditional Judaism. "It was ... more of a spiritual transition than a gender transition," she told Jewish in Seattle magazine. After living in Seattle—where she was active in Congregations Shaarei Tefilah-Lubavitch and Beth Shalom, and taught at Seattle Jewish Community School—Yiscah decided to return to Israel to be close to her family and heritage, and to become a religious educator, spiritual mentor, author, and lecturer on authentic living and spirituality. The film chronicles her reconciliation from loneliness to self-acceptance and compassion. Her inspiring journey has earned her the moniker, "grandmother of the Israeli transgender community."

About The Gay Gezunt! LGBTQ Spotlight

In Yiddish "gay gezunt" means "Go in good health." Often said in parting, it is also means, "Go do your own thing." SJFF spotlights the health and wealth of Jewish and Israeli LGBTQ offerings, and invites path-breaking filmmakers, film subjects, and local luminaries for Q&A after.

Special Guest

Yiscah Smith is a Jewish educator, spiritual activist and published author who addresses the spiritual practice of encountering the Divine spark within, the foundation of authentic living.  She employs her personal story of ​the joys and struggles with her spirituality, Jewish tradition and commitment to authentic living. Full bio and website

Director Bios

Rachel Rusinek is an Israeli director, cinematographer, and screenwriter (THE ESCAPE ARTIST, 2004).
Eyal Ben Moshe is an Israeli director, screenwriter, comic book artist, animator, designer, and cinematographer.

 Sponsors:

• Michele and Alan Tesler
• Danielle and Paul Nacamuli and Friends of Yiscah Smith
• Community Partners: Congregation Beth Shalom, Congregation Tikvah Chadashah, GSBA, Washington State's LGBTQ and Allied Chamber of Commerce, Pride Foundation, and Sisters of Beth Am