1

RachelMyers,DirectorWendy’sShabbat-(10minuteDocumentaryShort)

PressBackgroundInformation:

1. FromtheDirector2. RachelMyers-50wordBio3. RachelMyers-ProductionBio4. Press5. InterviewwithRachelMyers,DirectorbyGloriaHammer,writerforOregon

JewishLife

FromtheDirectorofWENDY’SSHABBATDearFilmgoers,Foryearsmygrandmother,RobertaMahlerhasattendedtheweeklyritualofJewishShabbatdinneronFridaynight,meetingattheWendy'sfastfoodrestaurantnearherhomeinPalmDesert.ForovereightyearstheseniorsinhercommunitymostofthemintheireightiesandninetieshavecongregatedatthefastfoodchaintolightShabbatcandles,saytheblessingsandsharechallahandgrapejuice(nowineatWendy's).Itisaweeklyeventandit'smeaningfulandatradition.Ihadoftensharedthestorywithfriendsinconversationdescribingthislovelytraditionthatsheparticipatedinanddecidedthatitwastimetodocumentthisgatheringandhercommunity.It'saspecialstoryandIfeelluckytobeabletoshareit.Thisisafilmaboutrediscoveringthejoysofcommunityandtheimportanceofconnectioninolderagewhilefacingthefragilityofaging,andthelongingandforritualhoweverunorthodoxitmayappear.It’sashortfilmthatmayappearratherquirkyatfacevalue,butatitscoreisphilosophical.Therearethemesoflove,ofritualandofcommunity--allwithinthecontextofanadorablesceneatWendy’s.Enjoy,RachelMyers,Director

2

RachelMyers50wordBIO

RachelMyers-“Wendy’sShabbat”

DirectorandDesignerforFilm,TV,Stageandliveevents.Rachel’sawardwinningcompany,3PENNYDESIGNportfolioincludes-“TheEmmy’s,”“Crayola”TimesSquare,“ShortTerm12,”“TheDrowning,”“EastLosHigh,”TV-HULU,Lionsgate,Facebook,MTV,LIFETIME.She’scurrentlydevelopingherfeaturefilmdirectorialdebut.MFAYale-Drama.

www.3pennydesign.com,www.rachelmyersdesign.com,www.wendysshabbat.com

3

ProductionBios/RACHELMYERS-DIRECTOR

RachelisadirectoranddesignerforStage,Filmandliveevents.

Rachel’sawardwinningexperientialdesigncompany,3PENNYDESIGNhasconceivedandproducedliveevents,brandactivationsandinteriorsfor“Crayola”inTimesSquare,“TheEmmy’s,”“TheGoldenGlobeAwards,”VIDCON,andmore.ShedirectedvisualsforStreamyawardwinningBestBrandCampaign“WritingwithGrace.”Herfilm“DirtyWord”willbereleasedthissummerandsheiscurrentlyindevelopmentforherfeaturefilmdirectorialdebutnextyear.

HerProductionDesignFilmcreditsinclude,“ShortTerm12,”winnerofSXSWandIndependentSpiritAwards,“TheDrowning,”“SearchParty”“IdentityTheft,”“ChroniclesSimpson,”“SavingLincoln”and“Liminal,”WinnerofBestArtDirection-BarcelonaInternationalFilmFestival,PuntadelEsteFestivalandActiononFilmFestival.

Televisiondesign,HULU“EastLosHigh,“FivePoints”Facebook,"SingIt"YouTube-Red,“FakingIt”MTV,“Blue”LIFETIMEnomineeforADGAward,“Paloma”and“VideoGameHighSchool”Lionsgate,ProducersGuildAwardandStreamyAwardnomineeforBestProductionDesign.

Commercialclients,Crayola,ADIDAS,RayBan,ESPN,Volkswagon,Marriott,DAQRI,HewlettPackard,TurboTax,Wrigley’s,Gevalia,CVS,Soul,Pampers,L’oreal,Schick,TacoBell,MaccaroniGrillandGettyImages.

Shehasdesignedforregionaltheatres,CenterTheatreGroup,SouthCoastRepertory,TheShakespeareTheatre,TheGettyVilla,RobertWilson’sWatermillCenterandWilliamstownTheatreFestival.LosAngelesTheatres-RattlestickWest,LosAngelesOvationAwards,IAMA,TheatreatBostonCourtandVsTheatre.

RachelreceivedherMFAfromtheYaleSchoolofDramaandisamemberoftheArtDirectorsGuildLocal800andUnitedScenicArtists829.Additionalsamplesofherworkcanbeviewedatwww.3pennydesign.comandwww.rachelmyersdesign.com.

4

PRESS / 2018

Kveller

https://www.kveller.com/watching-these-elderly-jews-have-shabbat-dinner-at-wendys-will-make-your-week/

Article titled: Watching These Elderly Jews Have Shabbat Dinner At Wendy’s Will

Make Your Week

Tablet Magazine

http://www.tabletmag.com/scroll/253658/for-some-elderly-jews-in-california-wendys-is-the-place-to-be-on-shabbat

Article titled: For Some Elderly Jews in California, Wendy’s is the Place to Be on

Shabbat . by Jesse Bernstein

The Jewish Standard

http://jewishstandard.timesofisrael.com/wendys-shabbat/

K News

http://www.knewsradio.com/great-entertaining-story-palm-desert/

Jewish Federation of the Desert

http://www.jfedps.com/assets/2017_09september_jcn.pdf

Article titled: Wendy's Shabbat by Miriam H. Bent, Page 19

5

Aish.com

http://www.aish.com/jw/s/Wendys-Shabbat-Beauty-Traced-with-Sadness.html?s=mm

Article titled: Wendy’s Shabbat: Beauty Traced with Sadness

by Dr. Yvette Alt Miller

The Forward

https://forward.com/food/394416/when-shabbat-dinner-means-bacon-cheeseburgers-at-wendys/

Article titled: When Shabbat Dinner Means Bacon Cheeseburgers At Wendy's by

Shira Feder

The Times of Israel

https://www.timesofisrael.com/jewish-seniors-fight-isolation-with-a-fast-food-community-in-wendys-shabbat/

Article titled: Jewish seniors fight isolation with a fast food community in ‘Wendy’s

Shabbat’ by Renee Ghert-Zand

6

‘Wendy’sShabbat’DocumentaryShortInterviewwithDirector,RachelMyers

ByGloriaHammer,writerforOregonJewishLifeWendy’sShabbatwilldrawawiderangeofinterestandemotions.ItisnotonlyaboutgrowingoldandfindingaplacetogatherforShabbat,itisaboutfamily,friendshipandthelegacythatthisvibrant,88yearoldgrandmother,RobertaMahlerleavesherchildren’schildren.Roberta,apositiverolemodelinhergolfcart,ridesinthedesertsunshinewithherlovingdog.Wemayaskourselves,howdoweleadourlives?Whatritualswillbewithyouforalifetime?Poignantly,Robertatellsusaboutmakingherbed.Thisgroupofseniors,eighteentotwenty-eightofthemliveinPalmDesserthavebeencelebratingShabbatattheirlocalWendy’sforabouttenyears.TheycelebratetheirJewishrootsandtraditions.Itgetsdowntosayingtheprayers,catchingupongossipandnoonehastocleanup.TheyhavecreatedanextendedfamilythatgetstogetheronFridays.ForRachelthisisalovinglookatherGrandmother.GrowingupwithlovingGrandparentsistransparentinthissmallflickfilmedbythestar’sgranddaughter.Rachelcapturesthedepthofhavingarelationshipwiththeoldergenerationasshelooksatwhatlifeislikeforthisgrowingworldofseniors.RachelcapturesRobertainawaythatonlysomeonewhohasacloserelationshipwithherwouldknowwhattoemphasize.Thefilmisariot.ReadingRachel’sbioandseeingtheawardwinningscopeofherworkitisclearthatsheisawarriorwithawiderangeofworkandtheexperienceandconnectionstotapintoothertalentfortheirexpertisetocreatetheoutstandingworkthatfollows.RacheldidherundergraduateworkatClaremontCollege,andearnedherMastersofFineArtsatYaleSchoolofDrama.HerLosAngelesCompany,3PennyDesignhasbeenworkingincreatingthree-dimensionalcollaborationsinfilm,theatredesignandfineartforyears.Herprojectshavebeenawardwinningbrandedentertainmentintelevisioncommercials,musicvideosandliveentertainmentevents.Gloria:TellmeaboutyourGrandmaRoberta?Rachel:Weareveryclose.Sheissmartwithasharpwit,abundantlovingkindnessandaperfectmemory.She’sterriblyfunny.Forawomanwhois88yearsold,talkingtoherfeelslikechattingwithagirlfriendbecauseshesaysitlikeitis.Robertaisanencyclopediaofwisdom,memoriesandadages.Sheseesthingsinmeandinotherswithsuchclarity.Sheilluminatesthefullpicture,orinotherwordsshowsmedoorsinsidemyselfthatIdon’tseewithloveanddirecthonesty.ItwasquitehardforheraftermyGrandfatherpassedaway.Theyweremarriedforfifty-

7

sevenyears.Shesharedwithmehervulnerabilitywhenshewasnewlywidowedandtryingtonavigateherownidentityafterhavingbeenmarriedformostofherlife.Itwasthenwhenwebecamefriends,asadults.She’smarvelous,fascinatingandexplodingwithlove.Icouldtalkaboutherallday.Filmingthemoviewassurprising.Ifeltthechallengeofwantingtobeprotectiveofherportrayalonfilmwhilebeinghonestasafilmmakerbecausethefilmisreallyaboutcommunity,thelonelinessofagingandhowwenavigatetheprospectofourownmortalitywhilefacingthefuture.Gloria:HowdidgoingtoWendy’sfastfoodinPalmDessertforShabbatevolve?Rachel:RobertastartedgoingtoWendy’safterJack,herhusband,died.Theyweremarriedfifty-sevenyearsandmygrandfatherhadbeengonetenyears.Thatisalongtimetobeacouple.Agroupofseniorcitizensinherretirementcommunitystartedthetraditioneightyearsagoandshefoundoutaboutitandjoinedin.TherearemanycouplesandbeingsinglehasbeenhardforherbutthecommunityofWendy’shasfeltlikefamilyandanextendedgroupoffriendstoseeeveryweektocelebratetheirreligionandshareJewishtraditionstogether.Theysaytheprayerscatchuponthegossipandnoonehastocleanup.Gloria:Whendidyoudecidetomakeafilmofthisexperience?Rachel:IhadheardaboutWendy’sShabbatsforyearsandIhadattendedandtakensomephotosandthoughtitwouldbeafantasticdocumentary.Isharedmyideawithfriendswhothoughtitwasheartwarmingandsweet.Theyencouragedmetomakeithappen.Workinginthefilmindustrymadeiteasytoputateamtogether.Itwasmostlyafemalecrew.JeanneTysonwasmycinematographer.Istoryboardedandplannedtheshotlistwithmyfieldproducer,JulianaSchatzwhohelpedguideourquestion’sformats.Webroughtourtwo-membercamerateamouttoPalmSpringsforaweekendtodointerviewsandshoottheShabbatdinner.Aftershootingwascompletemyeditor,DanaTurkenandIorganizedthenarrative.Weworkedsidebysideforweekstolandonthelookofoureditforthefilm.Gloria:Howlongdidtheshoottake?Rachel:WeshotinPalmSprings,CaliforniafortwodaysayearagoinDecember.Theedittookseveralmonthsuntilwelockedthepictureandstartedsubmittingittofestivalsoverthesummer.WescreeneditforthefirsttimetotheWendy’sShabbatGroupwhoappearinthefilm.Gloria:Whathaveyoutakenfromsuchapersonalexperiencefilmingyourgrandmaandhercircle?

8

Rachel:Ithasbeenverytouchingtohearfeedbackfrompeoplewhohaveseenthefilmandidentifywiththethemesofaging,andthesweetnessoftheShabbatgathering.OurpremierwasintheAtlantafilmFestival.WearecurrentlyinsevenfilmfestivalswithmoretocomefromSedonaInternationaltoChicago.Thereceptionisimmenseandpositive.OnasaddernoteIhavelearnedabouttherealityofdocumentaryandfilmmakingwitholdersubjects.SinceshootingDecemberof2016threemembersoftheWendy’sShabbathavepassedaway.Ifeelhonoredtohavebeenabletomakethisandsharetheirvoicesonscreenandmyheartisfullthatthereisatestamentoftheirlivesandmygrandmother’sstory.Gloria:WhathaveInotaskedthatIshouldhave?Rachel:IwantedtobeadirectorwhenIwasincollege.Idirectedonetheatrebutwasdeterredbyearlychallengingexperiencesofbeingayoungwomandirectorthatdidn’thavetheconfidencetonavigatemakingtheworkIwantedonmyownterms.Imovedintodesign,whichhasbeenarewardingcareerthatIlove.Wendy’sShabbat,whereIdirected,hasremindedmeofthepossibilitiesthatwhentherightfactorsareatplayandtherightpeoplecometogethertomakesomethingimportantandareinvestedthenyourimaginationandenergyaretheonlylimits.Gloria:You’reinanindustrylikemanythatareexpressingtheinequalitiesinpay,gettingtheworkandmore.Doyouhavesomethingyouwanttosay?Rachel:IwasinterviewedforadocumentaryaboutWomeninFilmearlierthisyear.I’venoticedachangingtideinHollywoodinhowtheyarehiringandinterviewingfornewwork.Ifeeloptimisticformorewomenstorytellersandfilmmakingcrewstochangetheshapeaboutwhosevoiceswehearandhowstoriesaretold.Gloria:Whatprojectareyoumostproudof?Rachel:Everyprojectyouworkonbecomesyourloveandyoupoureverythingintoit.Currently,I’meditingmysecondshortfilmandintheplanningandfundraisingstagesforafeaturefilmIwilldirect.ItalsodealswiththetopicofmortalityandhasastrongJewishmatriarch.I’mexcitedaboutthenextstepsandjourneyforthatfilm.Gloria:Yourmostambitiousprojecttodate?Rachel:IdesignedagiantsetinTimesSquarelastyearforCrayolathatwasprettyambitiousandworkingontheGoldenGlobesandtheEmmyswaschallenging.WhatIdiscoverediswhethertheprojectisaninetynine-seattheatreorTimesSquareyoufacethesamechallenges.SmallerprojectslikeWendy’sShabbatcanbetheoneswiththebiggestrewards.Checkwebsiteformoreinformationhttp://wendysshabbat.com

9

2/27/2018 For Some Elderly Jews in California, Wendy's is the Place to Be on Shabbat – Tablet Magazine

http://www.tabletmag.com/scroll/253658/for-some-elderly-jews-in-california-wendys-is-the-place-to-be-on-shabbat 1/21

For most of the last decade, a group of God’s chosen Golden Oldies have gathered to celebrate theday of His rest at a Wendy’s in Palm Desert, California. The number of regular attendees issomewhere between 18 and 28, according to Rachel Myers, director of a new short documentaryabout the group, the appropriately titled Wendy’s Shabbat. Among the group is Myers’grandmother, Roberta Mahler, who also happens to be the star of the movie (to complete the familyaffair, Myers’ mother, Abby Mahler, is the executive producer).

Myers, a director and production designer based in Los Angeles, first heard of the weekly ritualfrom her grandmother a few years back. “I just thought it was the most hilarious thing,” she said.But she understood that for Jews of a certain age, the appeal of “social engagements without theclean­up and cooking and cost” is too much to pass up. To back her up, one of the movie’s morememorable characters, Rabbi Isaiah Zeldin, 97, marvels at the affordability of the Wendy’s menu(Zeldin, a legendary Reform rabbi, passed away this week).

Years later, she mentioned her grandmother’s fryer oil­soaked Shabbos to a friend, Juliana Schatz,who encouraged her to pursue the idea as a film (Schatz, a director herself, ended up as a producer

The Scroll

FOR SOME ELDERLY JEWS IN CALIFORNIA, WENDY’S IS THEPLACE TO BE ON SHABBATA new short documentary tells the moving story of zaydes and bubbes looking for community among the Baconators and the fries

By Jesse BernsteinFebruary 2, 2018 • 10:00 AM

10

2/27/2018 Watching These Elderly Jews Have Shabbat Dinner At Wendy’s Will Make Your Week – Kveller

https://www.kveller.com/watching-these-elderly-jews-have-shabbat-dinner-at-wendys-will-make-your-week/ 1/4

Skip to Content Skip to Footer

shabbat

Watching These Elderly Jews Have Shabbat Dinner

At Wendy’s Will Make Your Week

By Kveller Staff Feb 9, 2018

“One of my friends said to me, ‘Come on, we’re going to go to Wendy’s for Shabbat,'” says Roberta Mahler, 87.

“I said, ‘Wendy’s? Shabbat?’ I couldn’t believe this.”

So begins Wendy’s Shabbat, a delightful short film about a group of elderly Jews in Palm Desert, California, who

gather at the fast food restaurant every Friday night for Shabbat dinner.

Directed by Rachel Myers, the charming four-minute film profiles this remarkable group that’s thinking outside

the bun — er, box. (Wait — that’s a Taco Bell slogan. Let’s just say their idea is fresh, never frozen.)

Viewers learn about the genesis of the tradition (“We’re not fancy people, so we figured, let’s go down to

Wendy’s”, says Sharon Goodman, 79, the group’s founder); to the kindness of the Wendy’s employees, who set

up and reserve the  tables; to the items people tend to order (“I usually have a Son of Baconator,” says Lou

Silberman, 91, to giggles in the room. “And some well-done french fries. Other times I’ll have a baked potato

and with some chili, because I want to tell you something: Wendy’s chili is outstanding.”)

We watch the group sitting around the tables, saying the blessings over the candles, the wine, and the challah. We

see them order and eat their food, we watch them chat and laugh. Then we see them drive off, smiling, in their

golf carts in the cool desert night.

“Living by yourself, and having a group like going to Wendy’s — it gives you a feeling of belonging,” says one

woman.

And if that’s not the feeling of Shabbat, then we don’t know what is.

Watch the short below. You won’t regret it — and it just may inspire you.

11

2/27/2018 Wendy’s Shabbat: Beauty Traced with Sadness

http://www.aish.com/jw/s/Wendys-Shabbat-Beauty-Traced-with-Sadness.html?s=mm 1/6

Wallcam Ask the Rabbi MP3 Aish Academy Shabbat Holocaust Israel Programs World HQ Shop About Us Emails Donate

Home Israel Current Issues Spirituality Family Dating Judaism 101 Torah Portion Holidays Jewlarious Video

Jewish World Israel Diary Middle East Media Objectivity Jerusalem

Home  »  Israel  »  Jewish World

Every week a group of elderly retired Jews hold Shabbat dinners atWendy's. Despite its unusual and decidedly non­kosher setting, “It’s ameaningful celebration,” notes Rachel Myers, a Los Angeles directorand designer in the film industry, whose grandmother Roberta Mahleris one of the Shabbat dinner regulars. In 2017, Ms. Myers decided tomake a short documentary about the community, and her film,“Wendy’s Shabbat”, is being screened in film festivals across theUnited States in 2018.

WENDY'S SHABBAT | OFFICIAL TEASER39K views • 13 comments

In an Aish.com exclusive interview, Ms. Myers explains that hergrandmother and others are “finding the connection to Judaism inwhatever way they can” through their weekly Shabbat dinners atWendy’s.

The film is a moving window into the yearning of this group of retireesto connect with Jewish tradition and community. “Shabbat is a uniqueday,” one regular notes, “because it’s supposed to transform you from

Español Français עברית

Wendy’s Shabbat: BeautyTraced with SadnessEvery week a group of elderly retiredJews hold Shabbat dinners at Wendy’s.It’s beautiful but is this the best we cando for them?

by Dr. Yvette Alt Miller

Facebook 336 Twitter Email More 186

Herman and Betty Epstein were driving down thefreeway on the way to their retirement community.Suddenly, Herman’s cell phone rang

»

Adar 12 marks the dedication of Herod's renovationson the second Holy Temple in Jerusalem in 11 BCE.

»

Daily Lift » Growing Each Day »

Today @ Feb 27 / 12 Adar 5778

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

Today's Joke

Today in Jewish History

Most Popular In:

Sentenced to Death in IranA Jewish grandmother is denied asylum in the Netherlands. She ishoping for a Purim miracle.

Why Jews Don't Believe In JesusFor 2,000 years Jews have rejected the Christian idea of Jesus asmessiah. Why?

Queen Esther and 6 Other ExtraordinaryJewish WomenJewish history abounds with strong Jewish women who ensuredthe survival of the Jewish people.

The Olive Branch on the Temple MountTwo American Congressmen discover it’s a crime to bend downand pick an olive branch on this sacred spot.

The Meaning of Some Common Jewish LastNamesSome of these will surprise you.

Sponsors

Upcoming Holiday

Aish.com Features

Quote Photo

Recipe

*#Ask the Rabbi

Israel aish.com

Share 97K

Torah Reading: Ki Tisa Join Our Newsletter Search Aish.com  DONATE