Meir Fenigstein, Founder of the IFF US. |
FENIGSTEIN’S DREAM
Meir Fenigstein, an Israeli drummer - known as POOGY - at the most popular and hot Israeli musical rock band KAVERET, (Beehive) - was always a dreamer. After the dismantling of the band in 1976 he has been acting for a year at the Jerusalem CHAN Theatre, wrote a few songs for the show - but was determined to pursue a music career. He dreamed of becoming a professional musician and went to study at the famous Berkley College of Music in Boston, to be more adequate to produce another dream - an album of his own music and songs.
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“To what extent do we remain obligated to the world even when we have been expelled from it?” – Men In Dark Times, by Hannah Arendt.
This quote, which opens up Chapter 10 of Ellen Feldman’s novel, THE BOY WHO LOVED ANNE FRANK, puts forth the suggestion that those who have been made redundant or rejected by the world need not retain faith in it. This premise is firmly converse to Anne Frank’s sentiment when she stated at the end of her own diary that she still loved life and the world. Read More
Gods of Fire are a traditional heavy metal band from New York City with a flair for the theatrical and an ultra-modern song about Hanukkah titled “Hanukkah Gone Metal”. Appropriately this new title will be performed at the MLD (Major League Dreidel) Tournament on December 21, 2008 at Fontana’s Bar December 21st at 07:30 PM (105 Eldridge Street - between Broome and Grand). After lighting the Hanukkah candles, be sure to bring along the lighter for the heavy metal renditions of covers of such classics as “Oh Hanukkah”, “Hava Nagila” and “Shalom Alecheim”. Read More
When discussing why his 1936 film Romeo and Juliet didn’t age gracefully, Director George Cukor said if he could remake it he would "get the garlic and the Mediterranean into it." While Cukor was likely thinking of escaping the stuffy soundstages of Hollywood for fair Verona, the film David and Fatima, which premiers in New York September 12 at the Quad Cinema, lays its scene someplace more political. Read More
Different doesn’t mean scary and it doesn’t mean pitiful. Something that is different is out of the ordinary; it’s extraordinary. Judaism explains that people with cognitive and physical disabilities are indeed very different; they’re special in that they possess very lofty souls. Read More
Although the American economy is slipping into a recession, New York City always seems to be in deficit of the coveted ‘nice Jewish boy.’ This creature usually either thrives in the depths of Wall Street or occupies the starch white walls of an Emergency Room; disheartening the typical ‘nice Jewish girl’ from finding them. It is with that in mind that HurryDate, a virtual and in person dating service, dedicates speed dating events to Jewish singles ranging from 21 to 26 of age. Read More
August 4th marks the birthday of Raoul Wallenberg, a man who single-handedly saved 100,000 Jews during the Holocaust. Museums around the world offer the opportunity to remember and pay tribute to his name on the day that brought him into our world, August 4, 1912. Read More
The tanks are gearing up around New York City for their annual Mitzvah campaign in honor and memory of Rabbi Schneerson. Armed with megaphones and young bearded men clad in white shirts, black pants, and black hats; they are looking to bring goodness into the world.
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Good art provokes response—either by easing tension, or adding some more. In the case of Glen E. Friedman, it’s a bit of both. Glen reflects on his challenges with Judaism as a young boy and his current view of Judaism (and religion in general). Ultimately Glen’s view on religion, like his photography, requires placing responsibility on him. Read More
At first glance, Adam Sandler’s latest comedy “You Don’t Mess With The Zohan” doesn’t look like it has any particular substance except using Middle Eastern culture and an absurd plot to portray clichéd toilet humor. Although accurate, Sandler also bases this film on the highly controversial Israeli-Palestinian conflict; making it more comparable to his previous gay rights themed “I Now Pronounce You Chuck And Larry” than the senseless “Little Nicky.” Chock full of strong sexual innuendo, “You Don’t Mess With The Zohan” will please audience members based on their familiarity with the Middle East, as well as Mr. Sandler’s ass. Read More
When it comes to how Americans view Israel and Palestine, opinions vary greatly; however, with the popularity of independent films that romanticize the idea of friendship between these two countries, perceptions of this conflict may change. In this case, art may be the latest form of commentary on Israel and Palestine. Read More
FLIPPING OUT is the third political documentary produced by the noted Israeli film maker Yoav Shamir after his acclaimed CHECKPOINT and 5 DAYS. Though the film lacks the hard edge and fast pacing of his previous work, FLIPPING OUT is more persuasive and accessible to a larger audience.
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Some 200 Long Islanders recently gathered at the Plainview Jewish Center to remember and pay tribute to the martyrs of the Holocaust and the heroes of the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising. The night of April 30th marked the beginning of the 24-hour period designated by Israel’s parliament, the Knesset, as Yom Hashoah v’Hagevareh – the Holocaust and Heroism Day – which coincides, on the Jewish calendar, with the destruction of the Warsaw Ghetto in 1943, The congregation, partnered with the Workmen’s Circle/Arbeiter Ring to present an evening which focused dramatically on the relations between Jews and Poles, then and now.
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Recently, www.askmusa.org was established as an online resource for Muslims to learn more about Judaism. The website is available is English, Arabic, Farsi, Urdu, and Bahasa.
The project was started by Rabbi Abraham Cooper who is the associate dean of the Simon Wiesenthal Center. This was done in response to what he saw as a marked lack of knowledge about Judaism among many Muslims, even the most learned. During one interesting encounter, he brought his Tallis and Tefillin to a meeting with a prominent Muslim figure and the man was surprised to learn that Jews prayed. Situations like these impressed upon him the need for this project. The Simon Wiesenthal center is responsible for the site.
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Other Culture Articles:
• Synaplex: A Creative Response to a Decline in Synagogue Identification
• A Mosaic of Insights into Yom Kippur
• Internet Dating's Major Impact Jewish Life
• Trump Executive and former "Apprentice" star at the White House
• The Klezmatics Win Grammy
• When the World Closed Its Doors
• Sephardic Charoset
• Movie Review: Borat
