Date: Thursday, October 22, 2026
Event Type: Film, lecture and dinner
Time: 5:30pm
Location: Sanctuary and Social Hall
When Faith Becomes Power
A Temple Isaiah Rabbi Albert Lewis Memorial Lecture
Religion has always shaped American public life. But what happens when political power begins to reshape religion?
Join Emmy Award-winning filmmaker Dan Partland for a screening of his acclaimed documentary, God & Country, co-produced by Michele and Rob Reiner. Dan will engage in conversation about Christian nationalism, religious freedom, and the responsibilities of faith communities in a democratic society.
At a moment when Americans are wrestling with questions of identity, belonging, and the health of our democracy, this timely conversation will explore how religious traditions can inspire justice, humility, and moral courage without becoming instruments of division or exclusion.
About Dan Partland
Dan Partland is a veteran documentary producer and director for film and television. He is a five-time Emmy nominee with two Emmys for Best Nonfiction Series and has been twice nominated for Nonfiction Producer of the Year by the Producers Guild of America.
Partland began his career with cinema verité pioneer Albert Maysles before launching his own New York-based indie film collective, OTHER PICTURES (OPIX), where he produced numerous independent features, both scripted and documentary, including Sundance Award-winners WELCOME TO THE DOLLHOUSE and documentary-feature THE BALLAD OF RAMBLIN’ JACK.
Partland’s work in television includes the ground-breaking verité series AMERICAN HIGH, the revolutionary documentary series INTERVENTION, for which Partland was Executive Producer and Showrunner for 14 seasons, and the multi-award-winning THE SIXTIES, which pioneered a new, immersive style for archival documentaries.
In 2020, Partland’s feature documentary #UNFIT quietly became Apple’s best-selling documentary of all time. In 2024 Partland directed the feature documentary GOD + COUNTRY chronicling the rise of Christian Nationalism in the Trump era, and #UNTRUTH about the influence of social media and disinformation on the current international trend toward authoritarianism.
Partland still runs the alternative film shingle OTHER PICTURES where he is currently producing a feature documentary about AfroMan & The First Amendment.
About the Rabbi Albert Lewis Lectureship Series
The Rabbi Albert Lewis (z'l) Lectureship was established to honor Temple Isaiah's founding Rabbi, who led our congregation to become active in the Civil Rights Movement, in efforts to end the Vietnam War, and many other causes. Through the Rabbi Albert Lewis Memorial Lectureship, Temple Isaiah welcomes distinguished leaders whose lives and work advance justice, strengthen democracy, and inspire us to repair the world.
The Film will be showcased in the Nickoll Sanctuary followed by Q+A and dinner in the Social Hall.
Please use the Rancho Park Golf Course and surrounding streets and read the posted street signs regarding parking. If you need a handicapped parking spot you will need to reserve ahead of time with Deborah Moses.