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Description
We are excited to host a screening of the film Unorthodox in the presence of the film’s co-director/producer, Anna Wexler. Anna will be available for a brief talk back after the film and more leisurely conversation during our family style dinner that will follow.
Film synopsis: At sixteen, Anna Wexler had broken away from her Orthodox Jewish community in New Jersey, rejecting its religious doctrine and social restrictions, and severing ties to her family. This led to her running away from home, sleeping on the streets, and experimenting with sex and drugs with friends who had also left the Orthodox world. However, after studying in Israel, her friends had a change of heart and returned to the fold. Feeling betrayed, Anna launches a quest to understand their transformation by following three rebellious Jewish teenagers in their yearlong rite-of-passage journey from high school to Israel. Along the way, Anna is forced back to the roots of her own struggle to understand the meaning of faith and the essence of religion and identity.
Anna Wexler is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Medical Ethics and Health Policy at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania. She is the Principal Investigator of the Wexler Lab, which studies ethical, legal and social issues surrounding emerging technology, with a particular focus on neurotechnology, and do-it-yourself and direct-to-consumer medicine and science.
Prior to her Ph.D., Anna worked as a freelance science/travel writer and documentary filmmaker. She co-directed and co-produced the feature documentary film Unorthodox (2013).
Unorthodox by Anna Wexler and Nadja Oertelt
Genre: Documentary
Release date: 2013
Language: English & Hebrew
Subtitles: English
Running time: 1h 29m
Timeline :
Film screening: 5:30 pm
Q & A: 7:00 pm
Dinner: 7:30 pm
Menu
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Mixed Green Salad
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Turkey Lasagna*
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Poached pears w/ vanilla ice cream, chocolate sauce and toasted almonds (GF)
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*A GF vegan option of tagine with rice is available, please inquire at time of reservation.
This event is BYOB
Prices include 20% gratuity.
By reservation only.
Please sign up at least 2 days prior to the event.
*Cancellation policy: We are unable to issue refunds. In the interest of building community, we ask that you donate your ticket to another person should you need to cancel. If you are not able to find someone to attend in your stead, let us know and we will donate your ticket on your behalf. Thank you for sharing FRIEDAcommunity’s mission and values.
Date & Time
Tue, Jan 20, 2026 5:30 PM - 8:30 PM
Venue Details
FRIEDA
320 Walnut StreetPhiladelphia, Pennsylvania 19106
