By Chaim Hershkowitz
Over the years we’ve learned to always expect the unexpected. We’ve planned perfect shoot days, only to have weather issues, be told we can’t film at a location, or props not arriving in time etc. Other times, we didn’t think it would go well, and it ended up working out perfectly. Sometimes the hashgacha protis is seen every step of the way. In Toveedo’s newest Chanukah film “The Treasure of Lightning Bay” the cast and crew felt it every step of the way.
Several months ago, filmmaker Atara Wolf approached Toveedo with the idea for a Chanukah film called The Treasure of Lightning Bay. The story involves the search for a lost menorah, a mysterious lighthouse, and a diary filled with notes and a hand-drawn map.
Once Toveedo greenlit the project, Atara and her collaborator Rivka Deray, who also stars in the film, headed to Northern Michigan to work on the script together. While exploring the nearest town, they stumbled on a triangular-shaped building. A uniformed mannequin guarded its open doors. Was this a business? A museum? A private club?
Curious, Atara and Rivka stepped inside and met Mike, the building’s owner. The three-story building was usually closed, but Mike happened to be getting ready to host a private dinner party. Graciously, he took the two writers on a quick tour.
Mike’s place was filled with antiques, collectibles, and historic pieces of every type, size and description. Furthermore, Mike knew the background of each item including the people who had owned them. The filmmakers were enthralled.
Rivka asked for permission to use his building for their film and Mike readily agreed. They also added a character inspired by him and their unusual meeting.
Once Toveedo approved the shooting script, Rivka called Mike to tell him the good news. During the conversation, Mike wanted to know the story of the film. Rivka responded that it involved a family’s search for a missing heirloom.
“What’s the heirloom?” he asked.
“Well, I don’t know how much you know about the Jewish holiday of Chanukah, but it’s a missing menorah,” Rivka replied.
“Of course I know what a menorah is,” Mike answered. “My grandmother lost our family menorah years ago!”
Rivka felt goosebumps. As soon as she finished their talk, Rivka called her friend. “You will not believe what I just learned from Mike!”
Atara laughed. “Let me guess, his great-grandfather also lost a menorah…?”
“Close! His grandmother lost one!!”
“…What?!”
A few weeks later, they went to prepare the building for the shoot. Casually, Atara asked Mike if his mother’s mother was Jewish. Mike confirmed she was.
In this small town in the middle of Michigan, they had found a fellow Jew.
Atara’s next question was even more direct: “Hey Mike…have you ever heard of tefillin?”
Mike had not. Atara explained what it was and asked if he would like to put it on. Mike cautiously agreed.
Two days later, filming began. Atara’s brother-in-law Danny helped Mike put on tefillin for the first time in his life. Mike was incredibly moved, and so was Danny, especially since his tefillin was likely the only pair around for miles.
Later, Mike sent Atara this note: “Thank you for the prayer blessing. I had no idea what I was getting into, but somehow, this has left an indelible mark on my being and my soul. I will always remember this act of kindness and use it to help guide me to becoming a better person. I feel blessed, and oh so grateful for having all of you become a part of my life. Your forever friend, Mike.”
Even though the building was only used for one scene, Mike continued to support the effort. He even arranged a boat for one of the last days of shooting. For their part, Atara and Rivka wanted him to be in the film to mark their serendipitous meeting. Mike agreed to be in the background for one of the final scenes.
Soon, Atara and Rivka will be reuniting with Mike to screen the completed film in the city where it was shot. By Hashgacha Protis, the screening is on Chanukah and Toveedo is throwing a party to celebrate. In a very fitting way, Mike will be lighting the menorah.
Atara and Rivka went to Michigan to tell the story of a missing menorah. Yet the real story involved lighting a Jewish soul, and that story has just begun!
“The Treasure of Lightning Bay” is now streaming exclusively on Toveedo.com