Exposed in the Turret: The Religious Journalist Created a Documentary About His Late Bachelorhood

"To me, bachelorhood is not just about being single, which can be discussed from various angles, but also a wonderful metaphor," says Nadav Gedalia (30), who is now happily married. "Essentially, anything that comes with the test of my faith, against my desires and what doesn't actually happen—and perhaps never will—there is the possibility to live with complete faith in Hashem. But, and it's a big but, this is obviously accompanied by great and challenging efforts. In the film, I present this very issue, within the framework of the bachelorhood story, which is fascinating in itself."

What was your biggest challenge in the whole bachelorhood affair?

"Keeping oneself until marriage, in terms of maintaining physical boundaries. It's very difficult, but the reward is commensurate, as we learn in the Torah. Incidentally, I don't think the film is just for religious people or just for secular ones, or for any particular sector. The film speaks to everyone. After all, in the end, we all believe in something important and sublime, from veganism to peace, from left to right and the observance of mitzvot. The belief in preserving one's body and soul until marriage also exists among quite a few secular people. Yes, there is such a phenomenon, of people who simply believe that a physical relationship is meant for true love and bringing children into the world, and they also have this consideration that it is a shame to waste it on something fleeting, which might later interfere in a truly serious relationship."

What else does the film talk about besides bachelorhood?

"Bachelorhood, as mentioned, is the framework story because that's how it is in cinema; you need a story. But the journey also delves into the depth of parent-child relationships in Generation Y. It also addresses the issue that parents from the previous generation often encounter relationships that sometimes lack emotion, and it's not necessarily their fault. The parents give everything to their children, funding education and providing money, a lot of money, but in the end, the children want emotion in our generation. Warmth, hugs, and love.

"For example, I have quite a few friends who can't tell their parents they love them, and their parents are in the same situation. A large group of parents and children who do not talk about love at all. It may seem strange to those who don't know this, but unfortunately, it exists."

You're actually coming from religious media, how did you get into filmmaking?

"I've been in religious media for many years, but I recently completed my studies in filmmaking, and let's say I took the studies very seriously. I made a narrative final film, wrote a full feature script, wrote proposals for developing a TV series, and some ideas for documentary series, but the most challenging thing I took on was what is called a one-man project. It's the hardest, the most artistic, the loneliest. That's how 'Single with Hashem' was born."

"I took all my insights from those not-so-cheerful bachelorhood days and put them into this film, which took quite a while to come out. And this, by the way, is what I always tell my friends who are still single—take the time and do the biggest things you dream about, instead of getting absorbed in the unpleasant wait until the wedding. Finish the Shas, make a film, there's enough time for everything. I'm glad both of these succeeded for me. And thank God, the responses have mostly been good. I feel it touches people and changes things for the better in practice. And that's my reward."

How can one actually watch the film?

"The film is independent and is distributed by booking private screenings + a director's meeting only. Yes, I'm into reaching every corner of the country that invites a screening and I want to hold an open and fascinating meeting after the film. This is mainly intended for house gatherings, community centers, educational institutions, and everyone interested in a truly cultural evening."

The premiere of "Single with Hashem" will take place on the 23rd of Tevet, 21:00, Saturday night of the Parashat 'Shemot', in Petah Tikva. To contact the filmmaker: gilinada@gmail.com