Bridging Worlds: The Life and Teachings of Rav Azriel Chaim Goldfein (2014)

In 1978 the Yeshiva Gedolah of Johannesburg opened its doors, becoming the first advanced Torah learning institution of its kind in South Africa. At its helm stood Rav Azriel Chaim Goldfein, graduate of the illustrious Telshe Yeshiva. Through his dedication, intellectual integrity and generosity of spirit, Rav Goldfein inspired generations of students and helped mould a society. In this quietly powerful documentary, Rav Goldfein's world and teachings are brought lyrically to life. The film intersperses rare archival footage with a range of colourful interviews, as we hear from his family and students, from his Telshe roommate, Rav Avraham Tanzer, to his old Italian hairdresser. Together, they paint a portrait of someone whose rarefied approach to living and learning redefined South African Jewry forever.