During Elul, the month preceding the High Holidays, we spend our time in self-examination. As Rosh Hashanah approaches, we introduce prayers of Selichot, “forgiveness,” to help us access compassion – God’s compassion, one another’s compassion, and our own.

Sinai’s Selichot program begins with a Havdallah service to mark the end of Shabbat, followed by the screening of the film Driver, and ending with Selichot prayers.

8:00 pm - Arvit and Havdallah
8:15 pm - Screening of the film Driver, followed by a discussion led by Rabbi Berkenwald
10:30 pm - Selichot service

Cosponsored by the Sinai Film Club

From the creator of "Shtisel!" Nahman Ruzumni (Moshe Folkenflik, "Redemption") lives on the fringes of the ultra-orthodox community in Bnei Brak, Israel. As a "Driver," he takes beggars to wealthy homes and coaches them in telling their stories in order to inspire philanthropy. For his service, he gets a cut of the money and writes down their stories in his notebook. He spends the rest of his nights in makeshift casinos and dining halls with the more questionable members of this pious society.

When his wife suddenly leaves, Ruzumni is faced with the responsibility of taking care of his nine-year-old daughter alone. Now, he has to take her with him on his nightly journeys, exposing her to his world for the first time. Getting to know his daughter, Ruzumni remembers the only story he could never tell…his own. Together in the dark alleys of Bnei Brak, they each find their lost childhoods – even if it is for just one moment.