About the film
Jews and Buddhism: Belief Amended, Faith Revealed is a 1999 documentary film directed by Isaac Solotaroff and Bill Chayes. Narrated by Sharon Stone, it combines interviews with archival footage to examine American Jews who have been drawn to Buddhist tradition. The film includes Jewish, Buddhist, and Jewish-Buddhist personalities, among them the Dalai Lama, David Ben-Gurion, Allen Ginsberg, Rabbi Allen Lew, and Sylvia Boorstein.
Its subject is the meeting of Jewish identity and Buddhist practice, presented through the experiences and perspectives of prominent participants. Made in the United States in English, the documentary offers a focused look at a newer religious and cultural phenomenon among American Jews. The entry lists Isaac Solotaroff as maker and gives its release date as January 1, 1999.
Who it is for
It suits viewers interested in documentary films about religion, Jewish identity, Buddhism, and American cultural life. Students exploring Jewish-Buddhist connections may also find its interviews useful.
Worth knowing
- Interviews prominent Jewish and Buddhist personalities
- Includes archival footage
- Narrated by Sharon Stone
- Explores American Jews drawn to Buddhism
Before you press play
- Focuses on a specific religious and cultural phenomenon
- Released in 1999
The short of it
Jews and Buddhism centers on American Jews engaging with Buddhist tradition. Its combination of interviews and archival footage makes it a clear choice for viewers exploring religion and cultural identity.