Dani Menkin attended the Master Class, which led to the making and ultimate success of 39 Pounds of Love.

The Jewish Agency Partnership 2000 may be going to the Academy Awards. Through the Tel Aviv-Los Angeles Partnership's flagship Master Class, Israeli filmmaker Dani Menkin's internationally acclaimed documentary film, 39 Pounds of Love, was selected as a semi-finalist for the Academy's Best Documentary category.

The Master Class in Film Production is the brainchild of Mickey Yerushalmy, an Israeli industrialist and chairman of the Tel Aviv-Los Angeles Partnership Culture Committee. Since its inception seven years ago, the program has blossomed from a small cultural exchange to a highly sought-after program in filmmaking circles in Tel Aviv and Hollywood.

"As a lay leader who is deeply involved in Israeli culture, I wanted to open the doors of opportunity and cooperation between Israeli and American filmmakers," says Yerushalmy.

"The platform of Partnership 2000 was the perfect venue for this," says Marty Karp, Director of the Los Angeles Federation's Israel Office. "It revolves around building bridges of understanding, dialogue and people-to-people relationships between the two communities of Tel Aviv and Los Angeles. This is also a basis for sound professional relationships."

The Master Class is an intensive two-week course held at Tel Aviv University's Film School. Young Israeli and American filmmakers participate in classes ranging from "The Nuts and Bolts of Producing" to the "Art of Dealmaking and Financing for your Picture".

The American students live in the homes of the Israelis, thus forging strong bonds and personal connections. They travel together throughout Israel and learn about the different aspects of Israeli society.

"When we started this project the Intifada had just erupted and all people saw in the international media was fighting and violence," says Yerushalmy. "I wanted to show the other side of Israel – the dynamic culture, the creativity, the beauty. As a result of their positive experiences the Master Class participants return to California as cultural ambassadors."

The Master Class attracts high caliber Hollywood filmmakers, producers and screenwriters to teach the classes. These renowned personalities come to Israel for a full week, volunteering their time and expertise. In 2005, CSI - Crime Scene Investigation producer, director and screenwriter, Richard Lewis, and Shrek Two screenwriter, David Weiss were among the lecturers who came to Israel for the first time.

Paper Chase and 9-5 producer Lynn Roth has been a lecturer with the program from its inception.

"I was attending the Israel Film Festival in L.A. when someone asked me if I'd be willing to teach the master class," says Roth "It was in the middle of the last intifada and many people from here were afraid to go to Israel. I said yes in five seconds."

It was Roth's participation in the Master Class that led to the making and ultimate success of 39 Pounds of Love.

In 2002 Dani Menkin attended the Master Class taught by Roth. Roth was Dani's mentor and they developed an outstanding professional relationship.

"When I saw a very short clip of 39 Pounds of Love that Dani made I found myself bursting into tears in front of the whole class," recalls Roth. "I told Dani that if he wanted to come to the States and make this film a reality I would do anything I could to help him."

Over thirty years have passed and Ami, weighing only 39 pounds, is still alive and "loves life."

39 Pounds of Love is the story of Ami Ankilewitz, an American-born Israeli who is considered one of the world's greatest medical miracles. At the age of one he was diagnosed with a rare form of muscular dystrophy that rendered him immobile, except for one finger, which he uses to work as a 3D animator. His doctor predicted that he would die before the age of six.

Over thirty years have passed and Ami, weighing only 39 pounds, is still alive and "loves life." Leaving behind an unrequited love, Ami is determined to return to the United States to show the world that he is alive. The film follows his riveting cross-country journey with friends, as he confronts the doctor who told his mother he wouldn't survive, makes peace with his brother, and finally fulfills his dream of riding a Harley Davidson motorcycle.

"I was so intrigued by Ami, and also by the idea that, for him, the pain of unrequited love was harder to overcome than any physical challenge," says Roth.

Roth was the film's executive producer. She helped shape the script, sent the film to HBO in the early stages and encouraged and supported Dani as much as possible.

39 Pounds of Love won the Best Documentary Award at the Israel Film Academy Awards and at the Palm Beach International Film Festival in Florida. It has been bought by HBO, America's largest broadcaster and is due to air in 2006.

The New York Times has praised the film, writing "'39 Pounds of Love' presents a bracingly honest yet poetic portrait of a man refusing to be defined by the limitations of his body."

"This film is one of the fruits of the Tel Aviv-Los Angeles Partnership," says Yerushalmy. "And the amazing thing is that so much of the support for the Master Class was given by lay leaders in both cities. This was a project that was close to our hearts and we worked hard to make it happen."

Yerushalmy firmly believes that the Master Class has been instrumental in the recent growth and success of the Israeli film industry. "The connections forged through this program opened many doors of opportunity for Israeli filmmakers and has helped the industry to receive international recognition."

"When I first came to Israel there was an immediate kesher (connection) for me," says Roth. "I was thrilled to discover that this small country is brimming with talent and creativity. I love the work coming out of Israel… and I now find myself with more friends in Israel than in the United States."

The Partnership

The Los Angeles Jewish Federation is linked with the Tel Aviv Municipality through the Jewish Agency's Partnership 2000 Program. The Tel Aviv-Los Angeles Partnership seeks to foster and create relationships and dialogue between the citizens and institutions of Tel Aviv and Los Angeles for the benefit of both communities. Initiated in 1997, The Partnership embodies a widespread scope focusing on the areas of culture, education and health and human services.

The website for 39 Pounds of Love can be found at: www.39poundsoflove.com/

Written by: Lisa Samin