Documentary on the Jewish History of El Paso, Texas Makes its World Premiere | Shalom Austin

Documentary on the Jewish History of El Paso, Texas Makes its World Premiere

The Jewish Outlook

Aug 29, 2023

Audience inside the Kendall Kidd Performance Hall at the Plaza Theatre for the world premiere of “People of the Crossing—the Jews of El Paso” on July 23, 202 3. Credit: Brian Kanof

“People of the Crossing—the Jews of El Paso” made its world premiere on July 23, 2023, at the Plaza Classic Film Festival held at El Paso’s historic Plaza Theatre. Over 500 people attended the documentary that focuses on the array of Jews who crossed through the borderland and established their homes and lives in El Paso. The film is the fifth in a series of documentaries on the Jewish Experience of the Aman Southwest directed by filmmaker Isaac Artenstein and broadcast regionally and nationally on PBS.

“People of the Crossing” is a multi-layered portrait of a Texas Jewish community on the border with Mexico told through family stories relating the history, culture, and customs of this important gateway between continents, people, and languages. Its narrative includes El Paso’s early history as a rough and tumble town before Jewish merchants and politicians helped make it a viable place of commerce and civic life. Descendants of Jewish pioneers and community and spiritual leaders share their stories about the unique aspect of Jewish El Paso and the multicultural and multilingual nature of its Jewish congregations. Historic photographs and film footage richly illustrate the testimonials, along with compelling cinematography (from land and air) that highlights the city’s geographic location at the foot of the Franklin Mountains and on the banks of the Rio Grande.

After the film’s premiere, Artenstein joined in a question-and-answer session with prominent local El Paso journalist Bob Moore, followed by a public reception in a historic venue of the El Paso Community Foundation. The film was supported by local families, individuals, and a grant from the Texas Jewish Historical Society.

Latest Posts

Austin’s Jewish Community Has Pride    

Austin’s Jewish Community Has Pride    

Members of the 2024 Austin Pride Jewish community delegation. Credit: Rob Rossignol  By Emily Bourgeois     In a year marked by so much heartbreak for the Jewish community, Pride seemed like it would be a welcome reprieve. The celebration, held in Austin during August...

Praying for a Peaceful New Year  

Praying for a Peaceful New Year  

Since I will be on sabbatical, I am writing this column in June shortly before my leave begins. Summer camp is well underway at Shalom Austin and both of our Texas overnight camps, Camp Young Judaea Texas and URJ Greene Family Camp, began their first session only a...

Home Away From Home: Austin Welcomes New ShinShinim for Second Year

Home Away From Home: Austin Welcomes New ShinShinim for Second Year

Austin's ShinShinim Eyal Yehonatan Butbul and Ariella Goldstein. Courtesy: Michal Ilali As a part of Shalom Austin’s Israel initiative, a Zeff family grant and generous local donors, for the second year in a row, two ShinShinim are coming to Austin. ShinShinim are...