DCJCC’s Cafritz Hall aims to become the not-so-hidden gem of D.C.’s indie film scene

If you stroll through the Q Street NW entrance of the recently renovated Edlavitch DC Jewish Community Center, hang a right at the grand piano in the lobby, take the elevator down one level and pass by the indoor pool, you’ll find a hidden haven for independent cinema: Cafritz Hall.

As the home of JxJ — an interdisciplinary arts program created last year to combine the center’s film and music offerings with talks, readings and the like — Cafritz Hall hosts year-round film programming, primarily focused on Jewish and Israeli subjects. With its 140-seat capacity, DCP projection (touted as the digital version of 35mm), 7.1 surround sound and Dolby servers, the venue has presented dozens of art-house film screenings since opening in September.

“Our biggest challenge is just getting more knowledge out there about the fact that this exists,” says Ilya Tovbis, JxJ’s artistic and managing director. “If I just walked outside and said to people, ‘Hey, do you know there’s a cinema within a block of here?’ I think 98 out of 100 people would say no. And that’s really our challenge.”