The Cairo Genizah synagogue, officially called Ben Ezar synagogue, has occupied at least three building throughout its history, with the current building being completed in 1892. In the 19th century, over thousands of documents were discovered from a storage room in the synagogue, providing invaluable insight into over a thousand years of Jewish, Christian, and Muslim life in the heart of the Islamic world.

From Cairo to the Cloud documents the exploration of the Cairo Genizah and the historic treasures found within it. The creators of the film describe it as a “window into a vanished civilization."

From Cairo to the Cloud’s filmmaker Michelle Paymar was fascinated with the story of Genizah and was surprised it wasn’t getting coverage. This prompted her to make the film and document all there was to discover.

The documentary employs the skill set of three generations of renowned Genizah scholars, as well as computer scientists, archivists, librarians, conservators, photographers, artists, rabbis, and writers in order to fully illuminate the history trapped inside.

From Cairo to the Cloud is the first feature documentary about the Genizah and after its Vancouver premiere, it will be screened at the Cambridge Film Festival in the U.K., and at festivals in San Diego, Miami and Boca Raton in early 2019.

Main Image: From Cairo to the Cloud