For Menajem Aguirre and his wife, Isska Dvash, immigration to Israel would be a dream come true. The young couple from Cali, Colombia, think of little else after having bought airplane tickets to Israel for themselves and their two young daughters, Jaia and Ruth.
They are members of Beit Israel, a small community of Christians who have converted to Judaism and contemplate aliya. They are the subjects of Torah Tropical, an intriguing documentary by Ezra Axelrod, Gloria Nancy Monsalve and Jimmy Ferguson. It will be screened at the Toronto Jewish Film Festival, which starts on June 5 and runs until June 15.
The trio focus on Menajem, a baker, and Isska, a former singer, who have been captivated by Judaism and Israel and live their lives as Orthodox Jews in a country with a small Jewish community.
As Menajem astutely observes, their challenge is to transition from Christianity and messianic Judaism to real Judaism.
Although they have undergone conversions in Cali, the rabbinate in Israel does not recognize them. However, a rabbi in Israel is ready to help them convert should they make aliya.
Menajem is prepared to start from zero in the nation he considers “our land.” He thinks he would enjoy a “beautiful life” in Israel, and he is certain he would not be seen as a “foreigner” there. Isska is just as keen, talking about Israel with her friends and teaching her daughters about it.
On the advice of friends, they intend to arrive in Israel as Christian pilgrims, since the Israeli government discourages converts like themselves from entering the country.
While Torah Tropical is skillfully crafted and the cinematography is on a professional level, there are yawning gaps in it. We’re not told how the mainstream Jewish community, or the community at large, relate to Beit Israel. Nor do we know what Menajem’s and Isska’s parents think of their embrace of Judaism.
The film reaches its climax with their arrival in Israel just before Passover. Much to to their profound disappointment, the reception they receive at passport control in the airport is underwhelming. Despite the setback, they remain enamored of the Promised Land and are still very much committed to Judaism.
Torah Tropical charts their emotional roller-coaster ride with sensitivity and empathy.