The village of Yishi, about halfway between Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, was created by Arabic-speaking Jews from the Yemen, who came to Israel at the foundation of the state. Because of their isolation the Yemeni Jews have kept many of the most ancient practices of Judaism untouched, which they observe with an exceptionally joyous feeling. This film was shot during Passover, 1976. A family re-created the seder meal for the film crew, because no religious Jewish family would dream of allowing the seder itself to be witnessed by outsiders.
Producer NUALA O'FAOLAIN
A BBC/Open University production