about our documentary
A Certain Woman" is a compelling and profoundly inspiring documentary that chronicles the remarkable journey of Shirael Pollack, an Israeli immigrant, wife, mother, social advocate, and entrepreneur.
The film delves into her multifaceted life, highlighting her incredible social and philanthropic efforts while subtly discussing current societal issues facing our country, like women's rights, working mothers, legal versus illegal immigration, public education, entrepreneurism, philanthropy, and core family values.
Born to Israeli parents and emigrating to the U.S. as a child so her father could attend Case Western Reserve University, her father's rags-to-riches story, from the Israeli military to a foreign exchange student to selling a 6000-employee company, shaped a 1st generation immigrant woman into a person who saw the world as a place to be reformed and improved through hard work and values.
Shirael's story is one of resilience and perseverance. As a child, she found herself not only adapting to a new culture but also helping her parents navigate the complexities of American society. Through humor, she contrasts her U.S. upbringing with her father's in Israel and shares how society has viewed her rise from immigrant to successful entrepreneur.
Shirael's professional success led her to co-found the nonprofit Hoboken Public Education Foundation, the first of its kind in the United States, which enables private funds to be given to a public school system. Her spearheaded efforts with H.P.E.F. continue to raise millions for public school improvements, and the State of New Jersey recognized her for her impact on public education. These monumental achievements were realized while Shirael was battling cancer for almost two years, undergoing 38 grueling rounds of chemotherapy, and she takes us through how this experience fueled her drive to continue her work.
Throughout the documentary, Shirael's journey takes us through the lens of other women, how the struggles Shireal faced are not uncommon to strong female leaders, and that through their vision, despite social resistance, they defied traditional expectations of being a wife and mother, embodying the ideals of hard work, dedication, optimism, and courage.
"A Certain Woman" is a story about one woman who was never content with the status quo and constantly strived to facilitate change. A loving mother, a desired and loved wife, but above all, a modern woman changed by her past and improving the future of others.