Ma'aleh School of Television, Film and the Arts


The Ma'aleh School of Television, Film and the Arts, situated in a preserved stone building in the neighborhood of Musrara, Jerusalem, was founded in 1989 by Ma'aleh Association, with the aim of addressing the desire on the parts of of national-religious Jews to learn media and film-related subjects.
Ma'aleh is an institution of higher education that trains filmmakers to produce work inspired by their Jewish heritage, fostering a unique connection between the world of media and Jewish culture. Since its establishment, hundreds of documentaries and feature films have been produced, mostly addressing current events in the lives of Jews in Israel, and at times touching controversial topics as well, which have often sparked quarrels and disputes, for example following the production of the Haim Elbaum's feature film And Thou Shalt Love, which deals with the controversy of religious homosexuals in Israel.
Groups visiting from North America, Europe, and Australia participate in Ma'aleh's film workshops. The school also boasts a number of social welfare programs that contribute to the welfare of the wider community.
For several years, Ma'aleh has run "Torah and Creation", directed by Rabbi Mordechai Vardi, wherein rabbis who view the graduates' films discuss the values and principles that the films raise.
Ma'aleh offers two main curricula: the Production and Directing curriculum and the Screenwriting curriculum.
During the celebration of 18 years since its establishment, in 2007, a DVD album containing 18 of the best films created by Ma'aleh graduates was issued, and the best movie of all time, decided by film critics, was "Cohen's Wife" by Nava Hefets.

Selected films