Hatboxes at Limmud

In February 2013, we had the privilege of presenting a sneak preview of Hatboxes to attendees at Limmud Chicago, a conference of Jewish learning.  After screening the film, participants joined us in discussion of the film and its themes.

Several attendees had actually advised in the development of Hatboxes, and we found it gratifying to hear that the story they had first encountered aligned well with what they saw onscreen.

One participant told us that she found Hatboxes dangerous, relatable, and discomfiting because it reminded her of some of her own experiences in life.   She wondered if seeing it might free some to consider other ways of being, of living their lives.

Some saw Hatboxes as centering on Miriam’s personal arc, while others saw Nadine and Miriam moving towards each other across the spectrum of Jewish observance, womanhood, and relationships.  Some liked the ending, and some wanted a different one.

But the question that seemed to captivate our Limmud audience almost as much as “What happens next?” was “What’s in the hatbox at the end?”

What would be in your box of dearest treasures?