Watch Streit's: Matzo and the American Dream

Streit's: Matzo and the American Dream is a documentary film that takes us on a journey through the history of matzo production in America, tracing the legacy of the Streit family over the course of nearly a century. Directed by Michael Levine, the film is a fascinating exploration of the intersection of tradition and modernity, family and business, and the American immigrant experience.

The film begins with a brief introduction to the history of matzo and the important role it has played in Jewish cultural and religious traditions. We learn how the Streit family came to America from Austria-Hungary in the early 20th century and began producing matzo in the Lower East Side of Manhattan. From these humble beginnings, the Streit family built a thriving business that has endured for four generations.

Throughout the film, we hear from members of the Streit family as well as employees and community members who have been impacted by the company's legacy. One of the most striking aspects of the film is the way it captures the sense of pride and dedication that the Streit family has for their product. This is particularly evident in scenes of the matzo factory where we see workers carefully monitoring the baking process and ensuring that every piece of matzo meets the company's high standards.

As the film progresses, we see how the Streit family navigates the changing economic and cultural landscape of New York City. We learn about the challenges they faced during the Depression, the role they played in the Civil Rights movement, and the difficult decision they made to leave their historic factory on the Lower East Side and relocate to a modern facility in New Jersey.

Throughout these changes, the family remains deeply committed to their product and to the values that have defined the company for generations. This is perhaps best captured in a scene where one of the family members reflects on the fact that the company has never laid off a single employee, even during the toughest times.

Along the way, the film also provides a fascinating window into New York City's immigrant history and the diverse communities that have made the city their home over the years. From the streets of the Lower East Side to the factories of New Jersey, we see how the tradition of matzo production has been woven into the fabric of the city itself.

Perhaps the most powerful aspect of Streit's: Matzo and the American Dream is the way it captures the sense of continuity between the past and the present. We see how the Streit family has maintained their commitment to the traditions of their ancestors even as they have adapted to the challenges of the modern world. This is embodied in a particularly poignant scene where a member of the family reflects on the fact that she still uses the same matzo recipe that her great-grandmother brought over from Austria-Hungary 100 years ago.

Overall, Streit's: Matzo and the American Dream is a beautifully made documentary film that offers a compelling and heartfelt portrait of a family and a community that has played an important role in the history of New York City. Through its exploration of tradition, family, and the immigrant experience, the film provides a powerful reminder of the enduring spirit of the American Dream.

Streit's: Matzo and the American Dream is a 2015 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 24 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.9 and a MetaScore of 60.