Orthodox Stance (DVD)

A NY TIMES Critic's Pick!

For the last 60 years, the term "Jewish boxer" has been an oxymoron. But Dmitriy Salita, a 25 year-old Russian immigrant is making history as a top professional boxer and a rigorously observant Jew. While providing an intimate, 3-year long look at the trials and tribulations faced by an up and coming professional boxer, ORTHODOX STANCE is a portrait of seemingly incompatible cultures and characters--boxing promoters, trainers and Orthodox Rabbis--working together to support Dmitriy's rare and remarkable devotion to both Orthodox Judaism and the pursuit of a professional boxing title. In the end, the film is about more than just boxing and religion, but a young man's search for meaning in life.

At a time when religion increasingly divides and destroys, Orthodox Stance presents a unique, yet universal, story that provides an example for Jews and non-Jews of the positive effects of faith, tolerance, diversity and pluralism-the things people talk about when they talk about the greatness of America.