The New Jew: Days of War is a timely documentary film that explores the profound and challenging impact of the October 7th, 2023, attack on Israel on the identity, security, and status of Jewish communities in the United States.

Directed by Asaf Nawi, Guri Alfi, and Moshe Samuels, the film follows Israeli comedian and actor Guri Alfi as he embarks on a journey across America to understand the new realities faced by American Jews, many of whom are grappling with rising antisemitism and intergenerational divides on issues related to Israel.

A follow-up to the acclaimed 2021 miniseries The New Jew, this new installment weaves together intimate personal narratives—from the families of hostages and individuals confronting hate crimes to students at elite universities like Columbia and Harvard—to capture a community searching for unity and a renewed sense of belonging in uncertain times. Balancing deep emotional resonance with Alfi's signature mix of empathy and humor, the documentary offers a poignant look at pain, resilience, and the quest for hope in a dramatically altered world.

GURI ALFI

Guri Alfi-Aharon, 49, is an Israeli actor, director, screenwriter, producer, stand-up comedian, voice actor, comedian and television host. In 2007, he appeared in Avi Nesher’s The Secrets, and in 2010, Eran Riklis’ The Human Resources Manager (for which he was nominated for an Ophir Award for Best Supporting Actor), both of which have been shown at the Festival. For 8 seasons starting in 2010, he regularly participated in the satire show The State of the Nation on Israel’s Channel 2. He also was the host for the 2021 The New Jew.

MOSHE SAMUELS

With an extensive experience as an emissary and educator in Israel and the United States, Samuels has served as the CEO of Shazur/Interwoven, a nonprofit organization established to connect Israelis with American Jewry and help bridge the gap between the two significant centers of the Jewish world today. Throughout his career, Moshe has traveled across the globe, leading workshops, staff training and seminars for diverse Jewish communities. The idea for The New Jew was inspired by the meaningful encounters he experienced during his travels, which have profoundly shaped his Jewish and Israeli identity.