On Saturday evening, September 12, Temple Sinai will bring to Sarasota for the first time a moving documentary that shows how one teenage girl's courage impacted an entire community.

Hineini: Coming Out in a Jewish High School chronicles the struggles of Shulamit Izen trying to establish a gay-straight alliance at a Jewish high school in the Boston area and the transformative impact of her campaign on everyone involved. In addition to addressing the challenges inherent in creating a supportive environment for gay and lesbian students and teachers in a school setting, this is the story of a community wrestling with the very definition of pluralism and diversity in a Jewish context.

Screened at over 45 film festivals worldwide, Hineini has been described as "engaging," "inspiring" and "poignant." It is being shown at Temple Sinai as part of an evening, called Selichot, which precedes the beginning of the Jewish New Year and begins the season of contemplative reflection known as the High Holy Days.

The evening begins at 7:00 pm with a worship service and a dessert reception. The film screening will begin at approximately 8:15 followed by a short discussion led by Rabbi Geoff Hunting.

The entire evening is free and open to the public. Temple Sinai is at 4631 S. Lockwood Ridge Road, Sarasota. For more information call 924-1802.

Submitted by: Sonia Pressman Fuentes