Moving Heaven and Earth

Moving Heaven and Earth tells the little-known story of the Abayudaya, an independent community of Jews in rural Uganda. In a remote village, amidst conditions of extreme poverty, they preserve their tradition and faith, despite enormous obstacles. The film documents the sacrifices they have made to be Jews, including persecution under Idi Amin, and their struggle for recognition from the institutions of world Jewry, whose definition of who is a Jew is often too narrow to include them. Even after a formal conversion by Reform and Conservative U.S. rabbis, the debate persists. Their exclusion exposes a power struggle within Jewish culture, and the film asks a resonant question about Jewish identity while celebrating the music, culture, and devotion of these African Jews.

Debra Gonsher Vinik is a Professor in the Communications Arts & Sciences Department and head of the Humanities Division of the Bronx Community College of the City University of New York. Her most recent book, Embracing Judaism: Personal Narratives of Renewed Faith was published by Jason Aronson Publishers. Dr. Debra Gonsher Vinik is the producer and writer of more than seven documentaries on Jewish themes including Embracing Judaism: Reaching In, Reaching Out, Reaching Up (1995), Grateful, Am I, To You (1999), To God's Ear: Song and Music of the Jewish Liturgy,(2000) A Sacred Noise, (2001) Faith First, (2002) and The Highest Commandment (2003), and Legacy of Our Ancestors (2004) all of which have aired on both ABC and NBC. The former head of production for CBS/Video, Dr. Gonsher Vinik has produced over 30 full-length programs for broadcast, cable and home video covering a broad range from, First Aid: The Video Kit to How to Read A Woman like a Book. She has been nominated for 2 Emmy awards. Dr. Gonsher Vinik is currently working on a documentary on the history and impact of women's ordination into the rabbinate., David Vinik is the director/editor of the following 1-hour network documentaries all of which have aired on both ABC and NBC. Embracing Judaism: Reaching In, Reaching Out, Reaching Up (1995); Grateful, Am I, To You (1999); To God's Ear: Song and Music of the Jewish Liturgy (2000); A Sacred Noise (2001); Faith First (2002); and The Highest Commandment (2003). Editing for over twenty years, he is versed in all forms of linear On-Line and non-Linear editing utilizing AVID Media Composer and Media 100. David is also cameraman and director on industrial projects: Ikar The Torah Fund, The BCC Gala, Tribute to the Chancellor and Diva Communications' documentary project "Moving Heaven & Earth". David has been nominated for 2 Emmy Awards.