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So Many Books, So Little Time!

Mon, 08/30/2010 - 15:56

If you’re like me, you started your summer with an overly ambitious reading list that’s been (mostly) neglected. Now that the time for beach reading is nearly done, you may find yourself staring woefully at a pile of almost-finished novels. Just be grateful that you didn’t try to start the season off with some Dostoyevsky. Trust me. Vowing to finish The Idiot in June is a great way to guarantee that you won’t finish anything by August.

So here’s your quest, should you choose to accept it: Knuckle down and finish something meaty before it’s fall. We’re talking a hardcore literature binge. No more teen vampire romances for us. If you need ideas, take a look at these:

Let’s start with a list of underrated authors compiled by Publishers Weekly. I’m pretty sure I haven’t read the work of anyone on here, so I’ll definitely be looking them up! Don’t you love being the one to introduce an awesome book to your friends and coworkers?
I’m really, really far behind if I want to read all the books suggested by JPS author Josh Lambert’s weekly column, On The Bookshelf, featured by Tablet Magazine. I do, though. Each of the books he highlights sound like they should be at the top of my list.
Super Sad True Love Story has been all over the internet this summer. I can’t believe that I haven’t read it yet…dystopian literature has been my favorite since I stole The Giver from my sister in fourth grade! Clearly I’m a terrible, lazy person. I swear I just bought a copy. Shteyngart’s new novel, according to some, indicates that books by Russian-Jewish immigrants are now quite the thing. Here he is in a podcast with Joshua Cohen, author of Witz, discussing their individual takes on dystopian America as a book setting.
Rachel Shukert is just a never ending source of hilarity. Her first memoir, in case you missed it, was Have You No Shame?, a witty and genuine look into her childhood as a Jewish girl in Nebraska and her attempts to break into acting in New York. She also wrote Everything’s Coming Up Moses: A Gypsy Seder, and juxtapositions of campy musicals and biblical tales are a genre I will support to the bitter end. Her second memoir, Everything Is Going To Be Great, chronicles her tour through Europe as a recent college graduate. To get an idea of what she’s all about, take a listen to this excerpt from Everything Is Going To Be Great.

What are you waiting for? Get off the internet and read! Well, first you should use the internet to procure reading material, and I suppose you might as well keep surfing while you wait for said book to arrive, but then you should hole up and read for as long as possible.

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Israel: The Land of the Book

Wed, 08/25/2010 - 15:45

The greasy smell of falafel, the floating sensation of the Dead Sea, and the remnants of a 2000-year-old wall. Take these three alluring features and mix in some history, panoramas, and religious importance, and it’s easy to understand why 2.7 million people in 2009 visited a country with a population of only 7 million.

With a broad appeal, Israel attracts tourists galore. And understandably, the summer season is most popular. Who wouldn’t prefer the sunny beaches of Tel Aviv to the comparably gloomy walls of their office? The summer break from school is also the ideal time for organized young adult trips to Israel such as those sponsored by Birthright Israel (www.birthrightisrael.com).

Oddly enough, I myself came back from Israel right before the start of summer, ending a year of living in the country. While there, I had the opportunity to explore its geographical diversity and beauty, to better understand its political complexity, and to encounter its historical richness.

But most importantly, I spent my year primarily studying, engaging my surroundings through an academic lens. Whether learning about the history of Judaism, tracing the roots of Zionism, reading modern Israeli literature, or learning about the intricacies of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, I found this the most fruitful way of interacting with and understanding this small parcel of land important to so many people. I emerged at the end of the year with a more mature and holistic perspective on Israel.

So for those of you heading to The Holy Land any time soon or those with hopeful aspirations to do so some time in the future, consider undertaking some form of study about Israel—if you’re desperate, just view it as some extra beach reading. It will make you ever-more appreciative of Israel’s richness.

If you’re not sure where to begin in your search for reading material, check out the following books on Israel-related topics:

• The Jerusalem Anthology: A Literary Guide, Reuven Hammer http://www.jewishpub.org/product.php?id=298

• A History of Israel: From the Rise of Zionism to Our Time, Howard M. Sachar
http://www.randomhouse.com/catalog/display.pperl?isbn=9780375711329

• The Zionist Idea, Arthur Hertzberg http://www.jewishpub.org/product.php?id=272

• Reinventing Jerusalem, Simone Ricca
http://books.google.com/books/ibtauris?id=Cbd1ALFq9hAC&printsec=frontcover&dq=jerusalem&cd=3#v=onepage&q&f=false

• Jerusalem Curiosities, Abraham E. Milgram
http://www.jewishpub.org/product.php?id=286

• Jerusalem, Lee Levine
http://www.jewishpub.org/product.php?id=101

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JPS E-News Promo!

Thu, 08/12/2010 - 18:49

Did you know there’s an easy way to find out about what’s going on at JPS? With JPS e-news, you’ll be the first to hear about all of our cost-saving discounts and special promotions as well as news about new titles and new projects that we’re working on. And if that’s not enough, for a limited time only, when you sign up for JPS e-news, you will automatically be entered into a drawing to receive a $100 coupon, good for your purchase of JPS books, eBooks, or audio downloads! We will also draw four random winners of $25 coupons. Be sure to add your name and email address to our mailing list between August 11, 2010 and September 15, 2010 for your chance to win.

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Calling Dibs on Culture

Mon, 08/09/2010 - 15:55

What makes a piece of artwork or literature too important to be privately owned? This is a complex issue that I’ve recently mentioned. The Kafka manuscripts that Israel fought for (and has, at least for the time being, won) were deemed to be “literary treasures”. This ruling meant that the legal owners of the manuscripts, who had inherited them indirectly, had no right to withhold the papers until they found a high enough bidder. Instead, the set of deposit boxes will be opened and made public by the Israel National Library.

What happens when the art in question was stolen from its owner during the war?

While most countries have done whatever possible to return lost and stolen property to victims of World War II, Hungary has kept dozens of paintings that belonged to Baron Mor Lipot Herzog, a Jewish art

The Agony In The Garden- El Greco (One of the stolen pieces)

collector, before the war. His family has had moderate success in tracking down and reclaiming pieces of his collection from Germany, but the vast majority of it was returned to Hungary decades ago and now hangs in museums there.

To me, at least, these issues seem pretty cut and dry. Society has too much to learn from any unread Kafka for it to stay in a locked box (though I would personally argue that there’s no reason the owners can’t receive compensation). On the other side of the public domain issue are the descendents of Herzog, who quite truly had their property stolen from them, and have stated that they’d be more than happy to let the museum keep some of the more culturally valuable pieces.

Usually literature passes into public possession because an author simply hasn’t set up a legal alternative, or so much time has passed that a clear owner can no longer be traced (I purse my lips at the thought of all the Pride and Prejudice “sequels” out there, but fair is fair). It’s rare that something is valuable enough for its own sake that governments fight to take it from living owners. Where do you think the line should be?

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Have a Case of the Hump Day Slump?

Wed, 08/04/2010 - 20:13

The Office

I’ve come to realize that not everyone is bombarded with funny images andvideos all day (it’s not my fault that my friends think of me whenever they see anything adorable), but I remain a firm believer in midday pick-me-ups. Here are some fun links to give you that thirty second smile break you didn’t know you were missing.

I absolutely love this collection of letterheads used by famous Jews. My favorites are the stark, strikingly simple ones, like Spielberg’s and Einstein’s. I guess that with a name like that you don’t need much else.
There’s tons of stuff online about last weekend’s big wedding, but this Jewcy post about the writer’s childhood crush on Chelsea Clinton brought back memories of a simpler time.
And here I thought I knew the New York subway pretty well. Heeb Magazine has a Subway map for Jews that made me chuckle. It reminds me of Abstract City, Cristoph Niemann’s cartoon blog for the New York Times.
It seems like he’s in pretty much every comedy I see these days, but it turns out Paul Rudd used to work the bar mitzvah circuit as a DJ. Oh, the early 90’s hair on him! Not to mention the bright yellow blazer/black dress shorts combo. It’s too good.

Whether you find yourself falling into mid-week, mid-day, or mid-hour slumps, I hope these help!

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Summer Nostalgia

Fri, 07/30/2010 - 16:30

Image: Jessica Giles

There’s something very nostalgic about this time of summer. Maybe it’s because of what those late July, early August days mean to most kids. Everyone runs around trying to enjoy themselves while increasingly frequent glances at the calendar remind them that school is looming in the near future. Of course, for me school is looming in the near future, but you get what I mean.

Here are some articles about summer fun, past and present.

So many people are writing about Jewish summer camp! It makes me wish I’d gone…I was too busy spending my summers at nerd camp studying Latin. (Can we pretend that I’m kidding?) Like all things, the concept of Jewish summer camp has changed a lot from one generation to the next (though Israeli dancing has remained a favorite activity among campers). Now there’s even an eco-friendly camp, called Eden Village Camp, that focuses on teaching campers to be environmentally friendly! Crazy kids.
There’s a new fad taking over Jewish summer camps everywhere: Jewish-themed Silly Bandz! The popular rubber bracelets are now available in the shape of various Jewish symbols, ritual objects, Hebrew letters, etc.
A lot of boomers, Jewish and not, have fond memories of summer days at Coney Island. Astroland closed a couple of years ago, and its heyday had arguably passed a long time before. Now Luna Park, its replacement, is making new memories for Coney Island veterans and their kids (and grandkids)!
Alright, so there isn’t really anything nostalgic about this article: It’s just about a hip ice cream place in the city. I argue, however, that the very idea of ice cream itself should make you nostalgic…or at least very hungry.

School is starting up in just a little more than a month! Let’s make the rest of the summer count.

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We Received a Blogger Award!

Wed, 07/28/2010 - 16:57

The JPS blog just received a Beautiful Blogger Award from our friends and co-authors of JPS title Dictionary of Jewish Words: A JPS Guide, Joyce Eisenberg and Ellen Scolnic, who blog at Schmoozing with the Word Mavens.

To claim our reward, we have to share 7 little known facts about JPS and pass the award on to 7 other blogs.

Things you might not know about The Jewish Publication Society:

On July 28, 1893 (exactly 117 years ago today), the Philadelphia Jewish Exponent announced that Henrietta Szold would be moving to Philadelphia from her home in Baltimore to serve as the secretary and first paid employee of JPS. Although she worked under the title and salary of secretary, she served as translator, indexer, fact checker, proofreader, statistician, administrator, and editor, overseeing the publication of 87 books during her tenure. Prior to working for JPS, Szold was elected as the only female member of its publication committee when JPS was founded in 1888.
The first Jewish Publication Society was initially founded in 1845 in Philadelphia, but was dissolved 6 years later after a fire destroyed the building and the entire JPS stock. The American Jewish Publication Society was then established in 1871, but folded only a few years later as a result of an economic downturn and organizational neglect.
The organization was originally called The Jewish Publication Society of America, but later dropped “of America” in 1986.
In the early years, JPS brand tag line was “Israel’s Mission is Peace,” which was written on the organization’s original seal (right). The seal depicted a scene from the book of Isaiah and was only used until 1906.
The extensive index for the original edition of Legends of the Jews by Louis Ginzberg was written on 70,000 index cards. Henrietta Szold fell in love with Ginzberg while working with him on the book. On a trip to Europe, he returned engaged to a younger woman, named Adele Katzenstein, which devastated Szold.
In the beginning stages of World War II, JPS rushed into print Cold Pogrom (1939) to bring greater attention to the plight of European Jewry. In 1941, at the request of the U.S. government, the Society undertook a secret mission by printing in Greek, Russian, Serbian, Croatian, and Rumanian pamphlets that were dropped from planes behind the enemy lines.
The very first JPS book was Outlines of Jewish History, by Lady Katie Magnus, though JPS’s best selling book of all time is the JPS Tanakh, which was first published in 1917 and later updated in 1985.

And here are our choices for blogs to receive the beautiful blogger award:

The Book of Life: A podcast & blog about Jewish books, music, film & web
Jewish Book Council Blog: A blog about trends in the Jewish literary scene, interesting new titles, etc. It also features a bi-weekly author blog series with guest posts by emerging authors.
People of the Books: A blog by the Association of Jewish Libraries dedicated to Jewish book news and reviews as well as information about AJL’s projects
Mixed Multitudes – My Jewish Learning: A blog by My Jewish Learning that explores current events and issues related to Judaism.
The Scroll – Tablet Magazine: Tablet Magazine’s daily blog covering Jewish news around the world.
Jewish Treats: The National Jewish Outreach Program’s blog that offers daily “Juicy Bits of Judaism” including bite-sized facts, actions and prayers that are easy to digest and are a great way to make a daily connection to Judaism in two minutes or less.
Jewish Literary Review: A blog about Jewish books, Jewish novels, Jewish writing, news about books and the occasional author interview.

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A Literary Treasure Trove

Mon, 07/26/2010 - 15:18

Try not to freak out, but we might have some previously unreleased Kafka on our hands very soon. If you’re not excited, I’m guessing that you’ve never read any Kafka. I forgive you, but just take my word for it: this is a big deal.

Photo Credit: AP Photo

After his death in 1924, Franz Kafka’s personal papers and documents were left to his friend and fellow writer, Max Brod. When Brod died in 1968, ten safety deposit boxes full of papers (some his, some Kafka’s) were left to his secretary and friend, Esther Hoffe. The disputed ownership of these documents is what’s kept them hidden from the public for so long. Hoffe’s daughters seem to have legal ownership, but if the papers are deemed to be “literary treasures” by the judge who is currently examining them, then they could be released into the public domain.

Even if the judge rules in favor of the Hoffe family, chances are good that the papers will soon be published in some form. Some speculate that the boxes contain unpublished manuscripts by Kafka, considered one of the greatest writers of the 20th century, while others hope that personal documents will shed light on his mysterious life.

You can read more in Haaretz, the Israeli newspaper that filed the lawsuit to make these documents public. The New York Times also has an article on the subject, where they suggest that an unpublished short story was found in the first box.

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Hugs, Kisses, and JDate Disasters: Happy Tu B’Av!

Thu, 07/22/2010 - 17:35

flickr.com/thinmints137

Happy Tu B’Av! This may not be an official holiday anymore, but why missout? The question is how does one celebrate Tu B’Av?

Originally, unmarried women marked the holiday by dressing in borrowed white clothing (so as to diminish distinctions between the rich and the poor) and dancing together. The unmarried men of the city could pick brides from among them, and were urged through traditional songs to pick based on the family and piety of the girl.

Dancing around in white probably isn’t the best way to find a date these days. We do have a similar forum, though. It’s called the internet. Of course, the whole process has gotten a lot more complicated in the past couple of centuries.

Or maybe not. This New York Times article describes some new dating websites that seem to be more similar to the old Tu B’Av way of meeting singles than JDate or eHarmony.
Fifty First (J) Dates is one woman’s witty accounts of her experience using the popular Jewish dating website. Read it for her dating advice, keep reading for the laughs. If her stories sound painfully familiar, you can share your own online dating experiences on JDaters Anonymous.
Speaking of laughs, have you heard about Geri Brin, the woman who started a dating site that caters to parents trying to find a match for their kids? (Don’t even think about it, Mom.)
Need tips on how to woo a date before your Mom feels she needs to get involved? Check out this fun Tu B’Av video from Alef NEXT.
If you’d rather spend the day wallowing (hey, I’m not judging), head over to this Tablet Magazine article with some of the best break-up songs written by Jews. You probably shouldn’t listen to them all in one go unless you have a ready supply of chocolate.

“But wait!” You say, “I’ve already got a boyfriend/girlfriend/fiancé/spouse/bubbala!” In that case, celebrating Tu B’Av will be easy. There’s a reason they call it the Jewish Valentine’s day, after all. You can’t go wrong with roses and a box of chocolates, assuming your S.O. doesn’t have any major pollen or dairy issues. I’m sure you’ll think of something by Monday.

So, one more time: Happy Tu B’Av. Have a great one.

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Illuminated Manuscripts Illuminate Culture

Wed, 07/21/2010 - 13:43

Looking for a fun, cheap, and educational summer outing? The Yeshiva University Museum is currently hosting A Journey Through Jewish Worlds- Highlights from the Braginsky Collection of Hebrew Manuscripts and Printed Books, but only until August 1st! Here’s a little about the collection, from The New York Times:

“And as you examine these rare findings, which the curators bill as the most remarkable private collection of illuminated Hebrew manuscripts in the world, you are amazed first at the sensuous variety of the illumination, the examples extending over a millennium and across multiple continents. There are “micrographic” illustrations in which miniature lines of Hebrew text wind around images of Jerusalem or bend into a portrait of the biblical Samson. There are 18th-century documents from small Italian towns in which Renaissance putti find themselves the heralds of Jewish weddings. An illustrated scroll from early-20th-century India shows the Jewish story of Purim played out in Indian and Ottoman costume with macabre explicitness. Astrological signs and charts are found in a 14th-century scientific manuscript; they are also elements in marriage contracts or appear in centuries of Purim scrolls.”

Finding Moses, Charlotte van Rothschild Haggadah, 1842 Courtesy The Braginsky Collection

It’s extremely rare that such an extensive collection be made available to the public, especially in the US! The pieces provide fascinating insight into Jewish culture around the world, and throughout different time periods, by showing how art and religion were brought together.

The Yeshiva University Museum, located in the flatiron district of New York, has the manuscripts on view through August 1st. Admission for adults is only $8, and you can also take advantage of their free admission hours on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 5-8 pm.

While you’re there, be sure to stop by another exhibit- Drawing on Tradition: The Book of Esther features illustrations from JPS author JT Waldman’s graphic novel Megillat Esther. Drawing on Tradition will be on display until August 15th.

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Tzedakah: Charity or Responsibility? Perhaps a Little Bit of Both

Mon, 07/19/2010 - 16:17

One of the most recognized words in the Jewish lexicon is tzedakah. Though usually translated as charity, the Hebrew-inclined will frequently remind us that the root of the word is tzedek, or justice. The message: that in Jewish tradition the act of supporting those in need is not something done gratuitously but rather compulsorily—one is required to perform tzedakah just as much as one is obligated to respect parents. While this alternate understanding of tzedakah conveys a sense of personal responsibility, I think that viewing acts of tzedakah as an enactment of justice, as well as a form of charity might help us more fully understand the meaning of this integral concept in Jewish tradition.

Maimonides, the famed 12th-century Jewish scholar, wrote an entire treatise on the laws of tzedakah, illustrating that it not only serves the recipient, but also benefits the donor, accentuating virtues of compassion and generosity and leading to personal growth. In other words, tzedakah provides an opportunity to cultivate self-awareness, to foster on an individual level values that are at the core of communal ethics. If only viewed as a mandated responsibility, tzedakah loses this appeal and can easily be overlooked as an element of human development. But if we choose to also highlight its charitable nature, we allow ourselves to tap into the compassion and sympathy that drive us to perform deeds of tzedakah.

Yet the idea of tzedek—think justice and personal responsibility—should still be part of the discussion (Hebrew grammar aside). Jewish tradition has always emphasized the individual mandate to support communal affairs. In biblical times, the Bible targeted the agrarian daily lifestyle, pressing all farmers to leave a corner of their fields untouched for the benefit of the poor. With the formation of Diaspora Jewish communities, every household reserved money for paupers as well as scholars who relied on community support.

Nowadays, the social action craze has taken hold of young and old alike. American teenagers are volunteering in Africa and neighborhood parks are being refurbished. This heightened awareness should also be a motivator for Jews to support organizations and institutions that encourage both continuity and innovation in the Jewish community—which brings me to JPS.

For a whopping 122 years, JPS has continually produced classic Jewish literary works of importance for a contemporary audience. With the ongoing support from the public, JPS has also published innovative works that add to the heritage of scholarly study. Take a look at our website to see what’s new at JPS and perhaps, with a new sense of the dual significance of tzedakah, you will find ways to support our important cause!

For more articles and information about tzedakah, check out these sites:

American Jewish World Service

Tzedakah, Inc.

My Jewish Learning: Tzedakah

Chesed and Tzedek: An interview with Ruth Messinger (American Jewish World Service), Yossi Prager (The AVI CHAI Foundation), Simon Greer (Jewish Fund for Justice) featured in Sh’ma.

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Introducing our new CEO, Barry Schwartz!

Wed, 07/14/2010 - 16:03

The Jewish Publication Society has named Rabbi Barry Schwartz as our new Chief Executive Officer. Prior to joining JPS, Rabbi Schwartz spent 11 years serving as the senior rabbi at Congregation M’kor Shalom in Cherry Hill, New Jersey. In addition to his rabbinical work, he served on the board of several nonprofit social justice organizations, where he was active in Jewish environmental work, and authored four books, a prize-winning short story, and scholarly articles that have appeared in the Journal of Reform Judaism, American Jewish History, and the Hebrew Union College Annual.

Q: What made you want to enter the publishing world and to work for The Jewish Publication Society?

A: I’ve loved JPS books since I was a kid. In my 1500 volume Judaica library, place of pride belongs to many wonderful JPS books. I strongly believe in our mission, and hope to help guide the transition to our future.

How will you translate your skills and experiences as a Rabbi to being the CEO of JPS?

It’s all about building and sustaining relationships. As a congregational rabbi for the past 25 years, I know my way around the Jewish community. We need to reach out to the community far and wide. Educators, rabbis, donors, and of course, book lovers all have a crucial role in our future success. I hope to share my passion for life long Jewish learning in a way that will help enhance Jewish literacy in general and JPS in particular.

What do you hope to accomplish at JPS and what are your long term goals?

The three words I think express my hope are: affirmation, imagination, and collaboration. We need to affirm JPS’ mission of publishing books of enduring worth that will stand the test of time. Yet in the digital era, we need imagination in order to innovate in ways that will excite a new generation. And I know that our future is linked to partnerships. Few of us in Jewish publishing will be able to go it alone in the years to come.

I am devoting this year to a non-stop series of conversations about our future, and I welcome anyone to join the conversation. Who are we, where are we going…and what is “the next big thing” for JPS?

What do you think is the greatest challenge in the publishing industry right now?

The short answer: how to make money from e-books. The bigger challenge: how to harness emerging technology for quality learning. The biggest challenge: how to combat the culture wide decline in “deep” reading.

Where do you see JPS in 5 years?

Five years is an eternity in publishing right now. At the same time, as I told an interviewer recently, the monuments of Judaism that endure are not buildings, but books. Great books will continue to convey the wisdom and beauty of our heritage, and one way or another I hope JPS will be part of that!

Related Interest:

The Jewish Exponent: Pulpit to Publishing: A New Leader for JPS

Jewish Community Voice: Rabbi Barry Schwartz to head The Jewish Publication Society

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A Jewish Christmas in July

Mon, 07/12/2010 - 17:08

Christmas in July- for stores, it’s an excuse to sell merchandise between holidays. In the US and Canada, after all, there are no major holidays between the first week of July and Labor Day. Whether or not you’re into Christmas, it’s the perfect time of year to stock up on twinkly lights and wrapping paper.

For me, it’s an excuse to share this video with you:

So go ahead and take a break from the grind! Celebrate a Jewish Christmas in July. Crank up the AC, buy some tinsel for cheap, and enjoy your fortune cookies.

Also, be sure to check out our Hanukkah in July special! Get a jump start on your holiday shopping by taking advantage of our 40% discount on a wide variety of JPS titles now through August 6, 2010.

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Gustav, You Don’t Look A Day Over 149!

Wed, 07/07/2010 - 19:22

Today marks the 150th birthday of Gustav Mahler, famed Jewish composer and conductor. Although he was considered one of the greatest conductors of his day, his compositions (now widely accepted as some of the most powerful music ever composed), were largely ignored, and even criticized, until long after his death.

Peanuts by Charles M. Schulz

Mahler was born on July 7th, 1860, to a family that lived a constant uphill struggle. The Mahler family, originally from Bohemia, belonged to two very unpopular minorities: They were German speaking, and they were Jewish. Gustav’s father worked his way into the middle class by purchasing an inn, which would later give his talented son the chance to pursue a career in music. Despite this advantage, Mahler’s Jewish heritage would always be looked down upon. He described himself as “thrice homeless, as a native of Bohemia in Austria, as an Austrian among Germans, as a Jew throughout the world—always an intruder, never welcomed” [Memories and Letters]

To achieve his greatest career move-Director of the Vienna Court Opera (Hofoper), Mahler was forced to convert from Judaism to Catholicism. Even after he’d made this sacrifice, his heritage was consistently used against him throughout the rest of his musical career. Rivals and critics of Mahler’s compositions were known to employ the use of anti-Semitic press to defame him. Criticism of his work regularly escalated to full-blown attacks against his person from local papers. Later, despite his intense study of the German nationalists (Nietzsche called him a genius, and Freud supposedly gave him the counseling that saved his failing marriage), Mahler was denounced by the Nazi party. His music was declared to be degenerate, and was not played in his homeland throughout the war. Of course, this temporary disappearance only made it easier for his music to then be rediscovered by a new generation. Long after his death in 1911, Mahler took his place as a great composer of Europe.

Today, some criticize Mahler for what they view as an abandonment of his faith. In truth, Mahler was far from being alone in this flaw (Mendelssohn was another of the many artists who converted). His music continued to be influenced by his heritage, with such bold displays as a klezmer movement in his first symphony. After his conversion, his personal turmoil over the act influenced his music and choices. Many consider his move to New York, where he became the first conductor to direct the Philharmonic as a full orchestra, to have been a final protest of his treatment in Vienna. He wrote, “America is really different from Europe. Only there do you feel like a human being, with no master above you.”

You can find out more about Gustav Mahler at his Wikipedia page or by visiting The International Gustav Mahler Society website. Most importantly, listen to his music! My sister, a self-proclaimed Mahler fanatic, recommends “Ich ben der welt abhanden gekommen” and “Urlicht”. She warns that the latter will make you melt into a puddle of “Mahlered” goo.

Happy birthday, Gustav!

Update: Today is also the 150th birthday of Abraham Cahan, the founding editor of the Jewish Daily Forward!

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Top 5 Jewish Book to Film Adaptations

Tue, 07/06/2010 - 15:22

I once had a professor wax poetic on a quote about love and marriage that he couldn’t remember the source of. He rattled off the titles of some classic literature, sure it was from a famous novel. It took me about three seconds to realize it was actually from Fiddler on the Roof.

The past century has seen a lot of great Jewish film, in America and elsewhere. Here are some movies, all based on or inspired by Jewish literature, that you should add to your “must see” list.

Don’t take my word for it…I’ve included each film’s “freshness” rating from rottentomatoes.com, which compiles all available reviews to find what percentage of viewers enjoyed a film.

The Jazz Singer (1927)-

This film wasn’t just a breakthrough in Jewish cinema, or even in American cinema, but in the very art of film itself. The story is a classic one that has become all too familiar: An American Jewish man must reconcile his modern dreams with the traditional wishes of his father. What makes this film really exceptional is its use of sound. The Jazz Singer was the first feature-length film to use synchronized sound and dialogue. Although only about two minutes of dialogue are actually spoken aloud, the feat wowed audiences around the world and encouraged the ascent of the talkie. The film is adapted from a stage play of the same name, which was based on the story “The Day of Atonement” by Samson Raphaelson. Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 76%

Gentleman’s Agreement (1947)-

Based on Laura Z. Hobson’s book of the same name, Gentleman’s Agreement is a well deserving award winner and classic. The plot follows Phillip Green, a journalist moving to New York with his son and mother. Looking for an angle for his piece on anti-semitism, Green decides to become a Greenburg and experience the discrimination first hand. The bigotry directed at he and his family, and the anti-Jewish sentiments that many characters (including Green’s girlfriend, and a woman who is actually Jewish) take for granted, paint a blunt picture of American anti-semitism. The honesty of the film got the attention of the House Un-American Activities Committee, which lead to the black-listing of two of its actors. Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 83%

Goodbye, Columbus (1969)-

This Phillip Roth adaptation is considered by many to be the best of them, and an underrated gem of American film. The movie explores class tension between American Jews, instead of focusing on their relations with gentiles. Neil and Brenda represent two sides of American Judaism in mid-twentieth century America. Neil is intelligent, working class, and comes from an observant family. Brenda is a stereotypical Jewish American Princess, with a rich, athletic family to match. The ups and downs of their affair shed light on extreme assimilation, and how it can look to those who haven’t assimilated themselves. Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 100% (wow)

Enemies, a Love Story (1989)-

The book, by Isaac Bashevis Singer, was originally published in The Jewish Daily Forward (in Yiddish, not English) in 1966. Paul Mazursky’s adaptation manages to be poignant, blunt, and sometimes even quite funny. When we meet Herman, he’s having enough trouble balancing two women (His wife, the Polish servant who saved his life by hiding him through the war, and his mistress, a volatile fellow survivor), but when his first wife, presumed dead, comes to America, he must weave an intricate web to keep his three loves content. Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 91%

Everything is Illuminated (2005)-

My personal favorite. It’s rare that I love both a book and its film adaptation, but Jonathan Safran Foer’s debut novel was lucky enough to end up in the capable hands of Live Schreiber (who both adapted the screenplay and directed). This is a film that manages to balance drama and comedy exquisitely. Elijah Wood plays Jonathan, a quirky writer and collector of family trinkets and photos. A mysterious woman in one of these photos prompts him to travel to the Ukraine in search of his grandfather’s village. His guide is the over-the-top Alex (played by musician Eugene Hutz), whose confident misuses of the English language make up the funniest lines in the film. The discoveries they both make, about themselves and both of their families, drives the plot of the film. Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 67%

Have another favorite that I didn’t mention? I sure hope you do, because this is an awfully short list. Comment with your favorite Jewish film!

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Three Weeks Round-Up

Thu, 07/01/2010 - 16:33

Destruction of the Temple of Jerusalem, by Francesco Hayez

Bein ha-Metzarim, also called The Three Weeks, began on Tuesday. This period, which is meant to be observed as one of mourning, begins with Shiv’ah Asar B’Tammuz, also known as the 17th of Tammuz, and culminateswith Tisha B’Av. Tisha B’Av is the saddest day on the Jewish calendar. While it primarily commemorates the destruction of both the First Temple and Second Temple in Jerusalem (which occurred 656 years apart on the same day of the Jewish calendar), it has become a day on which we reflect upon any and all calamities that have befallen the Jewish people throughout history.

Here are some resources for finding out more about Bein ha-Metzarim:

Tablet Magazine has posted a thorough, easy to read FAQ on the Three Weeks.
Wikipedia might not be a source you want to cite in your next research paper, but they do have a great article on the The Three Weeks (which of course links you to many related topics).
Last but not least, last year we wrote a blog post on the JPS Blog with tons of information on Tisha B’Av.

Unlike some other holidays and fasts, The Three Weeks and Tisha B’Av aren’t often observed by more secular members of the Jewish community. Even if you don’t plan on making any changes to your routine in the next few weeks, you can still keep the spirit in mind. Take some time to learn about the events we’re meant to mourn this month. If nothing else, you’ll gain a new appreciation for the resilience and strength of spirit of the Jewish people.

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Making the Cut

Wed, 06/30/2010 - 21:14

This month has been an exciting one for JPS! When Jewcy’s Big Jewcy list and New York Jewish Week’s 36 Under 36 list were announced, we were excited to find that three JPS authors had been recognized. Congratulations to JT Waldman, Danya Ruttenberg, and Josh Lambert. Here’s a little background on each of them:

JT Waldman- Jewish Week, “36 Under 36”:

JT Waldman is a comic book illustrator and interaction designer. His first graphic novel, Megillat Esther, drew from archeological, rabbinic and pop cultural sources to create a bold retelling of the biblical story of Esther. Illustrations from the book are currently being featured as part of the Reinventing Ritual exhibit at the Contemporary Jewish Museum in San Francisco and the Drawing on Tradition: The Book of Esther exhibit at the Yeshiva University Museum. He also contributed to From Krakow to Krypton: Jews and Comic Books. JT later went on to design the Tagged Tanakh, an interactive site that allows users to add their own commentary to the JPS Tanakh. He is currently working on his next graphic novel with Harvey Pekar.

Rabbi Danya Ruttenberg- Jewish Week, “36 Under 36”:

Danya Ruttenberg is the co-editor of three volumes in the Jewish Choices, Jewish Voices series published by JPS: Sex and Intimacy; War and National Security; Social Justice (2010). Her other works include Surprised By God: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love Religion (Beacon Press, 2008), nominated for the 2010 Sami Rohr Prize for Jewish Literature, The Passionate Torah: Sex and Judaism (NYU Press, 2009) and Yentl’s Revenge: The Next Wave of Jewish Feminism (Seal Press, 2001). She is also a contributing editor to Lilith and to the academic journal Women and Judaism and is on the editorial board of Jewschool.com.

Josh Lambert- Jewcy, Big Jewcy:

Josh Lambert is Dorot Assistant Professor/Faculty Fellow in the Department of Hebrew and Judaic Studies at New York University, and the author of American Jewish Fiction: A JPS Guide. He led the redesign and re-launch of JBooks.com, an online book review magazine, in 2003 and served as its editor until 2004. He now contributes book reviews and essays to The Forward, the San Francisco Chronicle, the two national daily newspapers in Canada (the National Post and Globe and Mail), and The Jerusalem Post, and serves as a Contributing Editor to Tablet Magazine.

In other exciting news, on Sunday July 4th, Debra Band, author/illustrator of I Will Wake the Dawn: Illuminated Psalms and Song of Songs: The Honeybee in the Garden, will have illuminations from I Will Wake the Dawn featured on the PBS television program Religion and Ethics Weekly. To find local broadcast listings, visit http://www.pbs.org/religion and check back at the PBS site after the weekend for more information on Debra and for downloads of the program itself.

Addendum: Seven JPS authors were named to Newsweek’s 50 Most Influential Rabbis in America! The list includes:

Elliot Dorff, author of Matters of Life and Death: A Jewish Approach to Modern Medical Ethics; To Do the Right and the Good: A Jewish Approach to Modern Social Ethics; Love Your Neighbor and Yourself: A Jewish Approach to Modern Personal Ethics; and For the Love of God and People: A Philosophy of Jewish Law. He is also the editor for theJewish Choices, Jewish Voices series.
Norman Lamm, author of The Shema: Spirituality and Law in Judaism
Zalman Schacter-Shalomi, author of A Heart Afire: Stories and Teachings of the Early Hasidic Masters
David Wolpe, wrote the forward for Etz Hayim Study Companion
Kerry M. Olitzky, author of From Your Father’s House: Reflections for Modern Jewish Men; Preparing Your Heart for Passover: A Guide for Spiritual Readiness; and Preparing Your Heart for the High Holy Days: A Guided Journal
Bradley Hirschfield, author of Remember For Life: Holocaust Survivors’ Stories of Faith and Hope
David Stern, wrote the forward for The JPS Commentary on the Haggadah and Legends of the Jews

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Introducing the Future of the Encyclopedia

Tue, 06/29/2010 - 18:46

The internet has gained a fun and exciting new resource for those interested in Eastern European Jewish culture! The Encyclopedia of Jews in Eastern Europe was actually published two years ago, but the online version just launched earlier in June.

http://www.yivoencyclopedia.org

The YIVO Institute for Jewish Research has designed a great online encyclopedia. The site is free, easy to browse, and incredibly thorough. Check it out, whether or not you have any specific research to do. Warning: With all the articles to read and images to enjoy, you’ll probably lose track of the time!

The online version doesn’t just feature text. Each article features relevant images, and even video in many cases. The fully interactive media resources turn the encyclopedia into something of an archive. It’s not to be missed.

For more information, check out Tablet Magazine’s podcast featuring the encyclopedia’s editor in chief, Gershon Hundert, talking about the project.

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Jews in the World Cup

Thu, 06/24/2010 - 19:35

Four years ago, I watched the World Cup matches on a huge outdoor screen on the beaches of Tel Aviv. This year, though I’m in the states, I’ve still been able to take some Jewish pride in watching the games. Thanks to a report by Ron Kaplan at New Jersey Jewish News, I’ve learned that there are three Jews on the US squad:

Both Bornstein and Feilhaber, who happen to be old friends and roommates, played in yesterday’s winning game. The Jewish Journal recently interviewed the two players on their connection to Judaism. Here are a few highlights:

Feilhaber said that he and Bornstein “definitely had a special connection” because of their religion. Plus, he said, “it was easy being friends with him because he scored all the goals so I passed him all the balls.”

“My father is Jewish, and I have a connection with Judaism through my father and my grandparents. I know our history as a people and embrace being Jewish myself,” Feilhaber said. “Of course, my proudest moment as a Jew was having my bar mitzvah in front of all my family and friends.”

Bornstein’s relationship with Judaism also stems from his father, a Jew born into an Orthodox family in New York. While Bornstein did not have a bar mitzvah and doesn’t consider himself observant, he did grow up celebrating Rosh Hashanah and Passover with relatives. And he credits his experience representing the United States in the Maccabiah Games in 2005 with reinforcing his Jewish identity.

“It was an amazing experience. I loved it, and not just because I got to play soccer in Israel. It made me realize how fulfilling and enriched Jewish culture really is,”Bornstein said.

Click here to read the full article.

For further reading about Jewish sports stars, check out these great resources:

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Jewish Delis: The History of the Nosh

Tue, 06/22/2010 - 16:08

Have you ever wondered how Delis became such a huge aspect of Jewish American culture? Today, I got the opportunity to flip through Sheryll Bellman’s America’s Great Delis: Recipes and Traditions from Coast to Coast. Bellman explains that the first delis were opened by German immigrants in New York. With buildings hard to come by, most cooks sold their wares in pushcarts. In the early 1900’s, a Jewish population in the city increased so rapidly that they were the largest immigrant group there by 1910. Naturally, Ashkenazim food began to dominate the pushcarts of New York. Soon the Deli business moved inside, and by then traditional European Jewish foods had become synonymous with Delicatessen.

While reading, besides finding out that I might be hot dog royalty (Charles Feltman, a German immigrant, opened the first American hot dog stand 1867), I also learned all about the origins of some of America’s favorite deli foods. Here are some fun facts:

Bagels originated in Krakow, Poland circa 1610. They were called beygls, and were originally given as gifts to women after childbirth.
Cheesecake was served to Olympic athletes in Greece as early as 776 B.C.E.
Most jarred pickles you can find at the grocery store are pickled rapidly using heat instead of long soaks in brine. To get the texture and taste of a genuine pickle, make sure you go to a deli that makes their own. My personal favorite, the half sour dill pickle, is pickled for two weeks. A real full sour takes three months.
Seltzer, adopted quickly as a classic deli drink because it complimented the rich food, was once known as Jewish champagne.
If they’re made of milk, chocolate syrup, and seltzer, why are they called Egg Creams? Some think it was a witty way of describing the beverage as being rich, since when it was invented (1890) no one could possibly afford to use eggs and cream in a beverage.
Jewish macaroons were probably adapted from a recipe created by Italian nuns, while biscotti were most likely inspired by Mandelbrot that Spanish Jews brought to Italy. It’s a small world!

For more facts and a ton of great recipes, check out the book at Bellman’s website: http://sheryllbellman.com

Of course, anyone can see that there just aren’t as many Delis as there used to be, especially outside of New York! Find out how to fight the fast food takeover at http://www.savethedeli.com.

It doesn’t matter where you’re from: Nothing beats an old-fashioned Jewish Deli. Yum!

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