by Ronen [➚] · Thursday, December 21st, 2006
When most of us think about the institutions that define the typical American
Jewish experience, we think of synagoguges, summer camps, JCCs and youth groups.
Not Sing Sing prison in New York or death row in Texas.
Boston-based filmmaker Rhonda Moskowitz has asked me to compose an original musical score for her upcoming documentary, American Prison: The Forgotten Jews. The film explores the lives of Jews who are serving long sentences in American prisons (including Sing Sing and others).
How do these prisoners relate to their spirituality? What role does Judaism play in their lives? How do the prison system and the Jewish community relate to these inmates?
This is an important film that will explore these subjects. As interest in Jewish-themed documentaries surges, American Prison: The Forgotten Jews is destined to make its mark alongside films like Trembling Before God; it will illuminate a segment of our community that, until now, we’ve largely swept under the rug.
This documentary needs your help. Watch the clip below, and please consider making a tax deductible donation–even a small one.
You can make a secure tax-deductible donation on-line, or if you prefer, send a check by mail. Click here to support Rhonda’s film.
by Ronen [➚] · Saturday, May 20th, 2006
Catholics?
by Ronen [➚] · Wednesday, May 17th, 2006
Since A.B. Yehoshua’s recent remarks at the AJC centennial symposium, Haaretz has been compiling a diverse set of responses written by various public figures
I liked this one from Natan Sharansky:
There is no Zionism without Judaism and there never has been. Just as the Israeli people has never had a right to the Land of Israel. Only the Jewish people. It was the Jewish people that received the Balfour Declaration, and it was they who were granted by the United Nations the legal right to establish a state. It was the Jewish people that returned to its ancient homeland, for which it had prayed and longed for, for 2,000 years. For if we are talking about the Israeli “people” – how is the right of a “people” that has existed for about 100 years greater than or equal to that of the Palestinians, who have been living on their land for about 300 years? What really distinguishes it from other colonial projects that have vanished from the earth?
The discussion of our right to the land and the war between our narrative and theirs is not a purely philosophical discussion. At least not in the eyes of the Palestinian leaders. When the leaders of Hamas, like Yasser Arafat in his day, were or are prepared to consider recognition of the fact of Israel’s existence, but not its right to existence, they are not playing word games. That is why Arafat reiterated over and over again his supposedly historical claims with regard to the absence of the connection between the Temple Mount and the Jewish people. It was clear to him that the historical connection that is anchored and based in Jewish tradition is the basis for the existence of the State of Israel, and without it, the state will disappear, just as it “appeared from the sea.”
by Ronen [➚] · Tuesday, February 21st, 2006
I just received this e-mail from my good friend Ian Cooper, a student at Pardes in Jerusalem:
Hi everyone,
Many of you know that I’ve been in Israel since September studying at the Pardes Institute for Jewish Studies.
I’ve also been volunteering with Atzum’s Task Force on Human Trafficking here in Israel. We have just created a new website (www.tfht.org) for information about human trafficking here in Israel and how you can help.
One of the things we are trying to do is to get Jews throughout the world to sign our online petition (and especially our petitions for rabbis) to demand that the Israeli government take greater action to stop this problem. Unfortunately, with over 3000 trafficked women here, Israel is one of the worst destination countries in the world for human trafficking (despite recent improvements).
Please help Israel become a place which fulfills the commandment:
“You shall not wrong a stranger or oppress him, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt (Ex.23:20).”
Regular Petition
Petition for Rabbis
Please feel free to peruse the website and find out other ways to get involved – and of course, forward this to your Jewish friends and rabbis and ask them to sign the petition!
Thank you all so much!
Ian
by Ronen [➚] · Thursday, July 21st, 2005
Haaretz is reporting on a survey indicating that 65% of Israelis believe prostitution should be legalized
At first, it seems like Israeli society has reached a new moral low. But read this:
A prostitute who had been a victim of trafficking testified that since arriving in Israel by way of Romania, under a false name, she was bought and sold five times. She said she was forced to receive between seven and 15 clients a day, each of whom paid her NIS 150, and all of which was taken by her pimp.
“I was treated like trash, as if I were an object,” she said. “I got to the point where I thought I had no life.”
Israelis aren’t necessarily voicing their support for the trade itself, but rather for ending the inhumane and illegal treatment these women are receiving at the hands of pimps and traffickers. Still, I think a crack-down on the scum that are abusing these women is more socially appropriate than giving the prostitutes their working papers.
by Ronen [➚] · Thursday, May 5th, 2005
Ha’aretz reports that the melody for Naomi Shemer’s (Z”L) classic song “Jerusalem of Gold” (Yerushalyim shel Zahav) was lifted from a Basque folksong.
Shemer wrote that she had heard the Basque lullaby sung by a friend, Nehama Hendel, in the mid-1960s. “Apparently, at one of these meetings, Nehama sang the well-known Basque lullaby to me, and it went in one ear and out the other,” Shemer wrote.
“In the winter of 1967, when I was working on the writing of `Jerusalem of Gold,’ the song must have creeped into me unwittingly,” she wrote. “I also didn’t know that an invisible hand dictated changes in the original to me. … It turns out that someone protected me and provided me with my eight notes that grant me the rights to my version of the folk song. But all this was done, as I said, unwittingly.”
Well, Naomi, if it’s of any consolation, Stravinsky once said that great composers don’t borrow, they steal (and he was great!). Nothing can ever diminish the power your song had in Israel at the time of the 6 day war or its ability to help connect generations of young Jews to Jerusalem ever since.
by Ronen [➚] · Sunday, April 17th, 2005
Those of you that are concerned with the Middle East should see The Dreams of Sparrows, the first documentary film by an Iraqi filmmaker to be made in post-Saddam Iraq. I had the opportunity to work on this film, and I think it will be of interest to many JewSchool readers.
The Dreams of Sparrows follows first time Iraqi director Hayder Mousa Daffar and his team of contributing directors as they share their vision of life in Baghdad, post war, pre-reconstruction and mid-chaos. The film attempts to reconcile the conflicting points of view among Iraqis regarding the war, Saddam Hussein and the occupation.
Some recent press includes a Q&A with the director in Newsweek (on newsstands tomorrow), an interview and preview that aired as part of BBC’s “The World” program on NPR, and a review on Filmthreat which calls it “a frightening, eye-opening kick in the butt” and awards it 4 stars out of 5.
If you’d like to understand the holy mess that is post-war Iraq, the hope and the fear that pervades daily life there, you can order your copy of The Dreams of Sparrows on DVD today.
On a personal note, I must add that composing the music for this film was at once an arduous and inspiring task; a true labor of love. It’s not often that a composer gets to work on a project of such significance, and I feel that the original score is some of my best work to date. Feel free to listen to a sample from the score or buy the soundtrack CD.
For once this isn’t about left vs. right or religious vs. secular. It goes without saying that the situation in Iraq carries tremendous importance to both Israel and America in the future. If you want to understand the complexities of that society, you need to see this movie.
by Ronen [➚] · Monday, April 11th, 2005
I just watched the Frontline documentary “Israel’s Next War?”
It focusses on the Kahanists, the Hilltop Youth and Jewish terrorists whose primary goals are to rid “greater Israel” of non-Jews, to rid Israel of Western influence, and to establish a theocratic monarchic state.
The film is extraordinarily well done and very revealing (and very very frightening). In one interview, a Jew who had tried to blow up a Palestinian girls’ school admits in a calm tone that his approach was not different from that of Hamas. Wow.
In my opinion, these radical elements are the greatest danger to the future of Israel and to the well being of the Jewish people. Those of you who read this blog and identify with right wing ideology need to see this film in order to understand that our religion can be bastardized from the right as well as from the left– you are the ones with the clout and knowledge to reign in this fringe, and I challenge you to do just that.
Everyone else should see it too. You can watch it online (and read some interesting articles/interviews) here.
by Ronen [➚] · Friday, March 4th, 2005
Just a small treat for the Jewschool crowd: “Sunset Over Mt. Meron” from Strignettes for String Quartet, a set of nine short pieces I composed between 2001-2004.
This movement was inspired by my last trip to Tzefat, where we celebrated my grandfather’s 90th birthday (he was born there in 1913). Performed by the Lumina String Quartet.
Shabbat Shalom!
by Ronen [➚] · Friday, March 4th, 2005
Composer and downtown ringleader John Zorn is launching a New York City club of his own: The Stone.
Sounds like a fatal blow to the already struggling Tonic, though I don’t know if this new business model will succeed either (unless rent is super super cheap, and the trend is decidedly not moving in that direction).
by Ronen [➚] · Sunday, February 6th, 2005
Mountfield, a Czech home and garden company, decided to run a TV spot featuring a man dressed as an ultra-orthodox Jew bargaining with a store clerk. After Jewing the clerk down to 20% of the original purchase price, the Yid says to himself “80% off, that’s not such a big deal…”
Well, Mountfield agreed to pull the ad after the Israeli ambassador and other local Jews complained. But apparently
The spokesman refused to apologize, saying the ad was intended to describe the “positive aspects” of a skillful Jewish merchant – a figure frequently described in literature, the company said – “to show customers how to best take advantage of company reductions.”
Well if it’s in “literature” it must be true! Gee, thanks Shakespeare. Full Story
by Ronen [➚] · Thursday, January 13th, 2005
According to MSNBC:
In more good news for the victims of the tsunami: water is on the way. But not just any water. Kabbalah water.
Leaders of the currently hot off-shoot of Judaism have sent more than 10,000 liters of the trendy bottled water to the disaster-stricken people of Indonesia. The drink is the favorite of celebs such as Madonna and Demi Moore. “The Kabbalah Centre has begun raising tens of thousands of dollars to ship their water to South East Asia,†a Kabbalah spokesman told The Scoop. “Our goal is raising one million for this project.â€
Apparently, Esther herself is helping raise funds for the Bergs, uh, I mean, for the victims.
If anyone happens to run into the materio-spiritual girl, feel free to (strictly metaphorically) smack her across the face for me. Thanks.
by Ronen [➚] · Sunday, January 2nd, 2005
That’s right.
Apparently on his way to New York after investigating the “conspiracy” while undercover in Israel, I spotted Khazaki journalist Borat Sagdiyev in Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion Airport.
It turns out that Borat has been studying the Jews quite closely and can even speak fluent Hebrew.
When I approached him, Borat was quite gracious, but refused to have his picture taken because of the sensitive nature of his operation. He did agree to sign a note though, using a strange alias. It reads “Ronen & Yael, muff respek, Ali G.”
He promised that more of his important news coverage will be aired in the future.
by Ronen [➚] · Wednesday, December 29th, 2004
As I am currently visiting Israel, I thought I should drop a JewSchool line…
The other day I saw a photo exhibit in Tel Aviv’s Dizingoff Center, “World Press Photo ’04″, featuring photography from around the world and a special section devoted to photos from Israel and the territories (you can get some info and see examples here.)
Suffice to say that it’s always fascinating to see the world, and especially the Israeli-Arab conflict, through the eyes of these journalists. The interplay between power and fear that is so central to this struggle is so clearly demonstrated in these images: the eyes of an Israeli soldier, a religious father whisking his daughter away from an attack, or Palestinians demonstrating against the IDF.
But most striking is that when you leave the exhibit (which, by the way, was generally depressing… there’s a lot of bad shit in this world), you are immediately struck by Israel’s commitment to normalcy– cafes, shops, kiosks– the stuff of daily life are generally unchanged by the conflict (except for maybe the extra security guards). Indeed, Israel is all about self-preservation. Maybe not always at the existential level, but at least with regards to the standards of day-to-day life. It’s sad to me that preservation seems to have required the complete domination of another people– I’m not always sure that’s true, but on the other hand, how else can you ensure the normal function of your society when you under constant threat and attack from a group of extremists with apparently no moral limits and no desire to achieve peace. A couple days later, in a hip Shenkin restaurant, my friend casually told me how she witnessed the attack on Sinai a few months ago… the juxtaposition is mind boggling.
Another friend mentioned to me that the mood has changed dramatically since the death of “the Asshole” as he referred to him. People are optimistic, but with a note of caution after the miserable failure of the Oslo process. No matter what, Israelis never seem to lose The Hope.
by Ronen [➚] · Sunday, December 19th, 2004
Nobel Peace Prize laureate Mairead Corrigan Maguire, who was awarded the prize in 1976 for her Northern Ireland peace campaign, decided to compare Israel’s presumed nuclear stores to Nazi gas chambers:
“When I think about nuclear weapons, I’ve been to Auschwitz concentration camp… Nuclear weapons are only gas chambers perfected… and for a people who know what gas chambers are, how can you even think of building perfect gas chambers?”
Full Story
I know that people love to compare Israel to the Nazis– and as much as it strikes me as immoral and unjustified to begin to associate Israel’s self-defense measures vis a vis the Palestinians with Nazi mass extermination of the Jews, at least there is some basic (if misappropriated) correlation when you are talking about the subjugation of peoples, etc.
But, I mean, I don’t even SEE the analogy here!!
Israel’s nuclear weapons are clearly intended for self-defense and deterrent purposes with respect to hostile nation-states– not the mass extermination of any ethnic or other self-defined group (including the Palestinians). Furthermore, they’ve never been used at all. So what’s the connection? If you want to argue for disarmament, fine, but you’re going to need to present a logical argument!
Seems to me that this lady was looking for any excuse to compare Israel to the Nazis. She was at a press conference with Vanunu, and made up whatever she could. B’tachlis, this is another example of a so-called peace worker helping to thwart a realistic peace settlement in the Middle East by trying to placate Arab nations at Israel’s expense (I’m reminded of Nelson Mandela, Ghandi’s grandson and Jimmy Carter). I don’t hear her exactly calling for Syria to get rid of its Sarin and VX supply– so this is transparent, stupid and grotesque. Really.
by Ronen [➚] · Monday, November 15th, 2004
Seminal New York composer & saxophonist John Zorn hit the big time with his Masada project– a book of 100 short tunes that combine Jewish music and a “downtown” inclination towards improvisation and experimentation. The Masada tunes have been performed by numerous ensembles and soloists: the original Masada quartet (Zorn, Dave Douglas, Greg Cohen and Joey Baron), the Bar Kochba chamber ensembles, the Masada string trio, Masada Guitars, Electric Masada and so on and so forth. The music’s popularity played a serious role in crowning Zorn the “leader” of the downtown avant-garde scene. There is no doubt that he is a major force in bringing the music of “Radical Jewish Culture” to the fore, especially through his label Tzadik Records (and its newly redesigned web site).
Though the tunes are already a decade old, somehow the new settings kept the music relatively fresh. Until recently, it seems. When Zorn released Masada “tribute” albums in honor of the music’s 10th anniversary and trudged out nearly every Masada ensemble to play at his month-long 50th birthday party last year, I began to worry.
So now Zorn is trying to recreate the magic. According to Zorn’s favorite venue Tonic, Zorn will be premiering brand new Masada music 12/8-12/10:
MASADA MINI FESTIVAL – WORLD PREMIERE of John Zorn’s MASADA: BOOK TWO
With Jamie Saft (keyboard), Ben Perowsky (drums), John Zorn (alto sax), Erik Friedlander (cello), Ikue Mori (drum machine / power book), Dave Douglas (trumpet), Marc Ribot (guitar), Cyro Baptista (percussion), Sylvie Courvoisier (piano), Greg Cohen (bass), Trevor Dunn (bass), Shanir Blumenkranz (bass), Jon Madof (guitar) & Mathias Kunzli (drums). Ten years ago John Zorn composed the first 100 Masada tunes in a single year. From September to October of 2004 he composed an unprecedented 240 tunes in only two months, and the book continues to grow. This special mini festival brings together the best of the Masada Family in a kaleidoscopic premiere reading of 80 new tunes from the second book of Zorn’s most popular musical project. New music every set so come early and come often!
Some of the best musicians I have ever heard play will be on stage at Tonic (although Joey Baron’s absence is somewhat conspicuous), so I have no doubt that these shows will be thrilling– especially to the uninitiated. Whether Masada II can compare to the original, though, we’ll have to wait and see.
by Ronen [➚] · Tuesday, November 2nd, 2004
I know that JewSchool readers are an informed and proactive bunch– so maybe I’m preaching to the choir. But if you’re a registered American citizen sitting on your ass and reading this post during voting hours on Tuesday 11/2… stop and get thee to a polling place. There can’t be any doubt of this election’s massive importance to the American Jewish community, Israel… and pretty much everyone else too.
And if you need some relief from hackery, punditry and the inevitable recount or two, click around this site (Triumph the Insult Comic Dog is one of my favorites).
by Ronen [➚] · Friday, October 29th, 2004
Not to detract from Asaf’s post on the film about professors harassing pro-Israel students at Columbia University (below), but I had planned on posting about this situation. From 1998-2001 I led Columbia’s pro-Israel political activism group and my successor is featured in the film (which I have not yet seen). I just have a few comments about Israel and Columbia.
1. Some professors at Columbia are vehemently anti-Israel. Edward Said is gone, true, but I will never forget the masses of professors (particularly from the Middle East Languages and Cultures Dept, which is featured in the film, and its chair Prof. Van de Mieroop) who rallied around Said after he was caught red-handed engaging in violence against Israel. There were other professors who condemned Said. In classes, I believe there were a range of opinions (at least in the political science department where I hung out).
2. There is a lot of good pro-Israel activism on campus at Columbia. When I was there, we brought congressmen, academics, diplomats and more to speak about Israel and the U.S.-Israel relationship. When the intifada broke out (again) the passion and commitment of the Jewish community was in full display with rallies, demonstrations, educational programs and more.
3. There is also a lot of anti-Israel student activity at Columbia. In addition to arguing major policy points and writing letters to the editor, the Arab students’ group at one time even fought to change the name of a sandwich sold on campus from the “Israel wrap” to the “Middle Eastern wrap.” They blamed the campus cafe for engaging in “cultural dispossession,” but in reality they were out to eliminate any positive mention of Israel and nothing more. Sadly, they staged their fight behind closed doors and the name was changed before I could do anything– I did have a conversation with the cafe administrators afterwards who insisted they just didn’t want to upset anyone. As ridiculous as that episode was, it illustrated the lengths to which some Columbians would stretch in order to denigrate Israel.
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