ROM Speaks
Search Out the Land

Name: Search Out the Land
Start: 2026-05-27T19:00:00-0400
End: 2026-05-27T20:30:00-0400
Location: Royal Ontario Museum

Date

Wednesday, May 27, 2026 19:00 - 20:30

Admission

$36.00 Member Price

$40.00 Regular Price

Audience

Adults

Date

Wednesday, May 27, 2026 19:00 - 20:30

Admission

$36.00 Member Price

$40.00 Regular Price

Audience

Adults

Search Out the Land follows filmmaker Len Pearl as he confronts a devastating personal tragedy and sets out on a journey of healing that becomes an epic odyssey across Canada and Europe. Filmed across sweeping landscapes and storm‑tossed seas – from rugged Canadian wilderness to ocean depths and long‑sealed archives, the documentary uncovers an overlooked chapter of history – the vital role the Jewish community of Canada played in shaping the nation.

The screening will be followed by a discussion with Len Pearl and Bernie Farber on the film’s key themes, and concludes with a reception in Eaton Court and viewing of the Judaica Collection.

Panelists

Len Pearl

Len Pearl is an award‑winning Toronto‑based filmmaker and child of a Holocaust survivor whose work addresses racism, prejudice, and bigotry. He has produced over 60 educational films, including the acclaimed Garbage! The Revolution Starts at Home, and directed Search Out the Land, a documentary exploring the history and impact of the Jewish community in Canada.

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Bernie Farber

Bernie Farber is a leading Canadian Jewish and human rights figure with over 30 years of national leadership experience, and a featured participant in Search Out the Land. In the film, he brings historical insight and lived experience to Len Pearl’s personal journey of grief and discovery, helping illuminate the broader story of Jewish identity, memory, and belonging in Canada.

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Moderator

Ellin Bessner

Ellin Bessner is a Toronto-based Canadian journalist, author, and educator who hosts North Star, a podcast on news from Canada’s Jewish community for The Canadian Jewish News, where she also works as a print journalist. Born in Montreal and educated at Carleton University in journalism and political science, she has had an expansive career with CBC News, CTV News, and as a contributor to outlets including The Globe and Mail and The Canadian Press.

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