Jewish music links generations, and bridges continents. SHAMATi (I Hear You) – A Journey to Jerusalem follows a beloved Jewish American band from Oakland, California as they travel to Israel to explore the roots of the Jewish music they play.

Think a travel-style documentary—only instead of food, the band is searching for music. 

Your tax-deductible gift through our 501(c)(3) fiscal sponsor, Jewish Creativity International, will help us complete and share the film. JCI supports independent Jewish arts, culture, and media projects.

Your support doesn’t just fund a film, it fuels a movement to connect generations of Jews worldwide through this music.

SHAMATi performs classic Israeli folk songs—blending them with bluegrass, the Grateful Dead, and Sam Cooke—at Jewish celebrations across the U.S. To learn from the original composers, the band travels to Israel, where they discover that reinventing Jewish music is itself an ancient tradition and a reflection of Judaism’s evolving cultural roots.

The documentary explores three areas: 

• Who wrote these songs?
  SHAMATi meets the original composers—whose melodies have shaped Jewish life for decades.
• What do they discover about Israel?
  They explore the geographic, cultural, and historical forces that shaped this music.
• What does it reveal about Jewish identity?
  The journey is a spiritual and generational lens into their own connection to Judaism.

Where Your Gift Goes: 

There is a large and eager audience for uplifting Jewish stories, from high school students, hundreds of Hillels, and dozens of major Jewish film festivals. Reaching them requires significant funding for finishing and distribution, and your support will directly expand the film’s impact.

After two years of work and $44,358 raised from 165 Kickstarter backers, along with additional private support, the film is close to completion. 

With $100,000 more, we can get it ready for festivals — and together, share it with the world.

Your donation will directly fund:

• Our professional editor in Israel (15+ years of documentary expertise)
• Post-production costs like sound mixing, visual design, and color correction
• Test screenings to shape the film into the most compelling version

Rewards for Our Supporters:
When you support the film. all amounts are appreciated, but a thank you gifts for $1,000+:

• $1,000 — VIP Premiere Experience
  Receive two VIP tickets to the San Francisco or Los Angeles premiere, exclusive party prior with other VIP guests and producers, plus your name prominently in the end credits, and deluxe digital edition.
• $3,600 — Your Own Song
  SHAMATi will make a personalized video of a song of your choice for a special occasion, plus your name prominently in the end credits, and four VIP tickets to the premiere.
• $20,000 — Film Producer Credit
  You have the opportunity to become a co-producer, shape the final direction of the film, interact with one of the 4 pioneers of Israeli music, have your name prominently in the opening credits, and four VIP tickets to the SF or LA premiere along with invite to exclusive party prior with other VIP guests and producers.
  
  

To Contribute via Your Donor Advised Fund

Please use the following information:

• EIN: 95-4328467 (Jewish Creativity International)
• Address: 5850 W 3rd St, Ste E PMB 1149, Los Angeles, CA 90036
• Memo line: “SHAMATi film”

Your Support Makes All the Difference

Every gift, big or small, brings this story to life — and ensures Jewish music, culture, and memory live on.

✨ Donate today. Become part of this journey. Keep the music alive.

With deepest thanks,
Jonathan Maimon, Director