Film, Conversation, and Queer Tango Bring Community Together in Jerusalem

Project Kesher Israel recently partnered with the Jerusalem Open House and the Sam Spiegel Film School for a special cultural event exploring LGBTQ+ immigration, belonging, and resilience.

The evening featured a screening of Before We Move, a documentary by Alexander Vinogradov that follows a gay couple’s journey from Russia to Israel in search of safety, freedom, and the opportunity to build a life together. The film’s themes of migration, identity, and finding home resonated deeply with many participants, whose own experiences reflected similar journeys.

Following the screening, attendees joined a discussion with the film’s protagonist, Mikhail Kapitsky, alongside Rabbi Olya Weinstein, Anna Talisman, and Michal Natali Kireeva. The conversation explored LGBTQ+ experiences of migration, community building, and belonging. The evening concluded with a queer tango lesson and social gathering, creating space for connection, friendship, and mutual support. By bringing together film, dialogue, and culture, the event strengthened community ties and fostered a deeper sense of belonging for Russian-speaking LGBTQ+ immigrants and refugees in Israel.