While the overwhelming number of Hasidic groups can trace their rabbinic leadership back to the Maggid of Mezeritch, who was a disciple of the Baal Shem Tov, there are some notable exceptions. One of these is the movement founded by Rebbe Nachman, the Baal Shem Tov's great-grandson. Known as Breslovers, they have had a chequered history: some consider them to be a messianic movement, while some others believe that they are not really Hasidim at all. Gidi Dar's 2005 film, Ushpizin, relates the misadventures of a newly religious Breslov couple in Jerusalem. The screening will be introduced by Simon Holloway, who will provide a short introduction to Breslov and to its various subgroups. This is a double session.
