Boulder Jewish News Arts, Culture, Events, Lifestyles, Holidays, Synagogues, Education
The runaway hit of the Jewish film festival circuit, “Above and Beyond” returns as Menorah’s commemoration of Veterans’ Day.
In 1948, a group of WW II veterans answered another battle call for freedom. Israel’s declaration of Independence in 1948 was met with a ferocious war of aggression from its Arab neighbors. The incipient nation faced seemingly insurmountable odds as it was attacked on all fronts. With no Air Force, let alone aircraft, Israel was all but defenseless.
A few hundred American heroes who had fought against Hitler, along with a handful from Europe and South Africa, were not about to stand by as the remaining Holocaust survivors who had taken refuge in Israel were slaughtered.
Instead, these brave souls secretly massed in Israel and began assembling the aircraft necessary to defend the Jewish homeland, and began flying missions that turned the tide of the war.
Boulder’s late, great George Lichter is one of six men featured in the documentary that tells this remarkable story of these WW II ace pilots who volunteered to risk their lives fighting in Israel’s War of Independence. In the process, these veterans not only saved the newly formed state from what was widely considered certain destruction but also created the fabled Israeli Air Force.
The winner of 17 festival awards, including the Boulder Jewish Film Festival’s prize for best documentary, “Above and Beyond” is produced by Nancy Spielberg and directed by Roberta Grossman. It screens on Veteran’s Day, November 11, at 7:00 pm at the Boedecker Theater at the Dairy Center for the Arts. To purchase tickets, CLICK HERE.
