Sometimes tradition is best served with a side of fries.
A new documentary short about a group of California senior citizens who hold their weekly Shabbat dinner at a local Wendy's is a mother-daughter-granddaughter collaboration.
The first-time director Rachel Myers' "Wendy's Shabbat" is about her 88-year-old grandmother Roberta Mahler's search for community after her husband's death.
"I didn't know how she was going to be on camera and it turns out she was sassy and comedic," said Myers in an interview Friday with Cheddar.
Mahler's dinners typically drew about 20 people from her Palm Desert, Calif., neighborhood. Myers said the film is striking a chord with audiences around the country, and is even inspiring some to hold similar gatherings at local restaurants.
"I think that the reason the movie has resonated is because often seniors are not seen on camera in this way, " said Myers. "The seniors in our films are finding the possibility and opportunity in the everyday."
Mahler said the tradition is still "going strong," thanks in part to its convenience.
"You go there, have whatever you want, walk out, no mess, no kitchen to worry about or clean up, it's great," she said.
No, the fast-food offerings are not in line with Kosher guidelines, but Myers said her family is not religiously observant.
For her directorial debut, Myers teamed up with her mother, who served as producer on the film, making the project a three-generation family affair.
"It's been really delightful to discover this other side of my mother and grandmother and have this connection," Myers said about making the documentary.
"Wendy's Shabbat" was scheduled to have its New York debut at the TriBeCa Film Festival on Saturday, April 21.
For full interview, [click here](https://cheddar.com/videos/the-unorthodox-tradition-of-wendys-shabbat).
Kona Brewing Co., pro surfer Anna Gudauskus, and surf photographer Sarah Lee are embarking on an 1,500+ mile beach cleanup down the East Coast. Gudauskus and Lee join Cheddar News to discuss the initiative.
March For Our Lives will be returning this weekend to Washington, DC, in the wake of the recent mass shooting seen throughout the country. Marchers include Yolanda Renee King, the only granddaughter of Martin Luther King Jr. She joined Cheddar News to discuss the importance of the march and activism in general. "I just think that it's so important to have these rallies because we need to demand to our leaders and politicians that they pass legislation and that and we actually need to see action," she said.
Catching you up on today’s entertainment headlines with the Grammys announcing new categories to be added to the awards show, Johnny Depp and Jeff Beck planning to release an album together, Britney Spears' ex-husband crashing her wedding, and more.
Erika Alexander and Whitney Dow, directors of 'The Big Payback,' join Cheddar News to discuss their new film, 'The Big Payback.' It premieres Saturday, June 11 at the Tribeca Festival.
'Pride Portraits' is a trans-led organization aiming to visually represent the LGBTQ+ community one photograph at a time. Eden Rose Torres, founder and president of Pride Portraits, joins Cheddar News to discuss its participants and the issues the LGBTQ+ community still faces.
The 75th Annual Tony Awards will take place on Sunday, June 12. Cheddar News takes a closer look at who's nominated and what audiences can expect from the ceremony.
On this episode of ChedHER: Global VP of LinkedIn Sales Solutions explains how she leads a 1,000+ person team for LinkedIn's $1 billion business, and gives advice for determining your own unique leadership style; Chief Sales Officer at Xometry, joins ChedHER breaks down why women should consider careers in manufacturing, and what opportunities are available for them in this industry; Founder of Pride Live & Stonewall Day, joins ChedHER talks about the mission and story behind Pride Live, and what to expect from this year's Stonewall Day.
Kathy Mayerhofer, Chief Sales Officer at Xometry, joins ChedHER to discuss why women should consider careers in manufacturing, and what opportunities are available for them in this industry.
Alyssa Merwin, Global VP of LinkedIn Sales Solutions, joins ChedHER to discuss how she leads a 1,000+ person team for LinkedIn's $1 billion business, and gives advice for determining your own unique leadership style.
