Film on Tijuana’s Jewish Community

In his 2005 documentary Tijuana Jews, Artenstein chronicled the lives of Eastern European and Turkish immigrants who settled in Mexico’s fabled border city, many of them—including Artenstein’s own father—by chance.  At its peak in the 1960s, Tijuana’s Jewish numbered around 600, and included a synagogue, any number of men’s and women’s clubs, and a recreation center that served as the community’s social hub. By the time Artenstein—who learned English by working in his father’s curio shop—began filming, in 2000, the enclave had thinned dramatically, as a younger generation left for Southern California, often for educational opportunities unavailable in Mexico. Artenstein’s film—which has been making the rounds of festivals for the past two years—looks back on the heyday of this singular community, which managed to maintain a strong sense of cultural identity (Yiddish can be heard spoken on the streets by a few old timers to this day), while embracing the traditions and politics of Mexico (Jewish charros, traditional Mexican cowboys, roamed those same streets).

For an interview with the filmaker, click here.

All in all, it is a complicated world!

KJ