Congregation B’nai Israel’s “Lunch and a Movie” series continues on Thursday, August 13, with a screening of producer Nancy Spielberg’s documentary feature ABOVE AND BEYOND.

Press release from Congreagtion B’Nai Israel

Would you risk everything…your future, your citizenship, even your life…to help a brother in need?

In 1948, just three years after the liberation of the Nazi death camps, a group of Jewish American pilots answered a call for help. In secret and at great personal risk, they smuggled planes out of the U.S., trained behind the Iron Curtain in Czechoslovakia, and flew for Israel in its War of Independence. As members of Machal (“volunteers from abroad”), this ragtag band of brothers not only turned the tide of the war; they also embarked on personal journeys of discovery and renewed Jewish pride.

Directed by Roberta Grossman and produced by Nancy Spielberg — sister of Academy Award winning producer-director Steven Spielberg, whose many modern classics include Schindler’s List — the documentary feature Above and Beyond tells their story. On Thursday, August 13 at 11:30 am, Congregation B’nai Israel (CBI) will screen the film as the latest in its series of “Lunch and a Movie” events.

The film, which runs 90 minutes, won numerous audience awards at film festivals around the country, and brings together new interviews as well as stunning aerial footage to present a fascinating, little-known tale filled with heart, heroism and high-flying chutzpah.

A delicious kosher lunch will be served prior to the film, and a discussion will follow. All are welcome to attend. The cost of the program is $15 for CBI members and $20 for non-members. Seating is limited and reservations are required (all walk-ins without a reservation will be $20). Register for the Lunch and Movie here. For additional information about this or other events at the synagogue, please contact CBI Director Emilie Kovit-Meyer, at (732)842-1800 x 203 or email emilie.kovit-meyer@cbirumson.org.