Leap of Faith Documentary and Discussion

“Leap of Faith”  is a short documentary produced and presented in person by Sonoma County filmmaker Lina Hoshino.  It chronicles the brave and compassionate act by local Sebastopol caucasian Christian youths who stood guard to protect the Enmanji Buddhist Temple from arson during the WWII Japanese American internment.

Learn about the history of the Enmanji Temple building itself which was originally part of the Japanese Pavillion at the 1933 Chicago World Fair.

In addition, a history of Sonoma County Japanese American immigration will be presented.  You will learn about the beginnings of the Meiji period in Japan that opened the door to Westerners and allowed Japanese to leave Japan.  Hear personal stories from descendants of these early west  county  Japanese American immigrants.