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November 30, 2007

Family’s tale recounts Libyan Jewish dispersion

Danielle Berrin November 30, 2007

The opening line from the documentary \”The Last Jews of Libya\” begins a nostalgic visit to an ill-fated community of 25,000 people living between the Mediterranean Sea and North African desert at the dawn of World War II. It\’s a story we know too well — pious, successful and family-oriented Jews living in coexistence with their neighbors suddenly become targets of racial hatred and are ultimately expelled or destroyed. Once in the United States, the immigrants struggle to find their place within an American Jewish life rooted firmly in Eastern European culture.

Schnabel dives into another mind with a visual poem

Tom Freudenheim November 30, 2007

I don\’t recall anyone ever classifying Schnabel as a \”Jewish artist\” — even if his mother was a Hadassah president and his father an active member of B\’nai B\’rith. Unlike the parody of pushy Jewish parents aiming their son at medical school, Schnabel says that his parents encouraged him to do anything he wanted — which may explain a kind of restlessness as an artist that sometimes feels like a lack of focus, and an oeuvre of uneven quality and interest. But if the result is a work of art as accomplished as Schnabel\’s latest film, then such antsy-ness is laudable.

Films: Dementia ordeal inspires comic tale of ‘The Savages’

Pat Sierchio November 30, 2007

Tamara Jenkins knows firsthand what an overwhelming task it is to care for a parent suffering from dementia. While she was in her mid-30s, she had to help care for both her father and grandmother during their final days in a nursing home. She also knows that no matter how grave a situation might be, there are always sparks of humor surrounding it. So it\’s no surprise that her new film, \”The Savages,\” addresses that very subject and does so with a healthy dose of comic perspective.

Frank, Dean and Sammy back from the dead and live on stage

Pat Sierchio November 30, 2007

The Rat Pack\’s impromptu shows, an intoxicating hi-ball of songs, dance, jokes and alcohol, are part of Vegas legend. Now, more than 40 years later, Angelenos will have the chance to experience a dead-on recreation of those legendary nights, at the Los Angeles premiere of \”The Rat Pack — Live at the Sands\” at the Wilshire Theatre Beverly Hills.

Chanukah — it’s not just about a miracle anymore

Ben Harris November 30, 2007

One of the Jewish calendar\’s most widespread and public observances, the Chanukah holiday has traditionally emphasized two miracles: the military victory of Jewish rebels over Greek invaders and the one vial of oil that lasted for eight nights. However, just as other holidays have seen their historic purpose shaped to contemporary narratives, Chanukah is increasingly being used as a vehicle for other Jewish agendas that seem to stray far from the holiday\’s original meaning.

For listening, for giving — klezmer and its cousins

George Robinson November 30, 2007

CD reviews, Metropolitan Klezmer, \”Traveling Show\”, The Polina Shepherd Vocal Experience (featuring Quartet Ashkenazim), \”Baym Taykh\”, Blue Fringe, \”The Whole World Lit Up\” , Gail Javitt, \”Like a Braided Candle, Songs for Havdalah\”, Klezamir, \”Warm Your Hands\”, Romashka, \”Romashka\”, Chana Rothman, \”We Can Rise\”, Slavic Soul Party, \”Teknochek Collision\”.

Chanukah and adult faith

Danya Ruttenberg November 30, 2007

A lot of people have trouble with Chanukah. I did, for years. I\’d go to parties and nibble on my latke or sufganiyot while grumbling under my breath about how there was nothing here to celebrate. I\’d light my Chanukiyah, but I\’d only do the bare minimum needed to fulfill the mitzvah and I\’d do my best not to enjoy it. My problem then, and the problem of the people who this year have already informed me that they\’re all but going to boycott the holiday, is that the history of this particular celebration is, well … complicated.

KCRW’s gift — five days of ‘Only in America’ Jewish history

Tom Tugend November 30, 2007

For a certain nostalgic segment of the Jewish community, Chanukah wasn\’t official until KCRW-FM general manager Ruth Seymour narrated her lively \”Philosophers, Fiddlers and Fools\” program at this time of the year. This noble tradition has now come to an end, but KCRW (89.9) has come up with a worthy replacement in \”Only in America,\” which will air over five days in one-hour segments, Dec. 3-7 at 2 p.m.\n

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