Passover and “renewed life” are just around the corner and yet ‘the Arts’ appear slowly crawling toward a death-like state, becoming devoid of memory and knowledge.
And now, Theatre Troubles — is this just local or just beginning . . .
“The Bryn Mawr Film Institute’s attempt to stop the screening of an Israeli film sparked protest and a court order from the Israeli Film Festival”
Is this only ‘Theater Trouble?” — Perhaps we might consider that there may be significant issues involved for the Jewish community, both locally and nationally . . .
Perhaps what we have thought of as a war in Gaza is just a thin veneer for a much wider war . . . a war against whom or what?
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A Philadelphia theater that had initially canceled a screening hosted by a local Israeli film festival amid protests from anti-Israel activists showed the film last night following a court injunction; a spokesperson for the Bryn Mawr Film Institute acknowledged in an apology statement that the theater “handled all of this very badly.” (note: The Theatre Staff did not issue an apology — factually, it was an acknowledgment of a court-ordered Injunction). For anyone who thinks these are insignificant hiccups or small issues, perhaps take a moment to think again.
Honored to stand against the haters, in yet another attempt to disguise Jewhate, plain and simple.
Theater Trouble continues . . .
The Jewish Reaction: “The decision sparked outrage from local Jewish and Israeli groups, including the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia and ADL Philadelphia.
“Although BMFI states that this decision was made in an attempt to avoid controversy, this action only serves to blacklist Israeli culture, playing into the hands of antisemites who try to deny the Jewish people their voice and existence,” a spokesperson for both organizations wrote. “The IFF intentionally offers a multifaceted view of Israeli society. Each season, carefully curated feature films and documentaries provide glimpses into the intricate tapestry of Israeli life, allowing audiences to form their own informed opinions.” According to accurate reports, it was the staff of the theatre that decided to cancel the film, however later under a Court Injunction Staff was forced to show the film, claiming as flawed human beings, to have handled it poorly. It is difficult to reconcile this with their statement that due to the court order, they were permitting the showing. If you watch the video clip to its conclusion you might notice the comment of the counter demonstrator in which she is quoted as saying:“Israel already has so much support from the US, I don’t understand why they need more solidarity. “It’s fine, they can see the film if they want to,” Frances Gardner, a counter-protester, said. Here it is my understanding that there are many Franceses who live among us. I am suggesting, that unlike ‘The Hamen” of Purim, we remember her name. Please see me if you are wondering why.
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Why else would the explanation of the symbols of the Seder plate be so important and required for the Seder? We are reminded of ‘the Seder opening’:
“All who are Hungary, let them come and eat.”
In a world starving, devoid of memory and knowledge, there appears a plethora of Jewhate rising in its stead. It is not only in the Western Negev, it is in Europe (when has it not been), it is in so-called world institutions, it is in capitals and it has now come to our community. While we are not a paranoid people, we would be entitled to be more so if we were truly weak. We are not. We are becoming a more vigilant people (not to be confused with vigilanteism) as governments, institutions, and individuals progress further down a certain path that is growing to be more visible and noticeable every day.
This evening, we will continue our discussion of the Seder and memory, or the lack thereof, at 7:00 PM. These are significant days and as a result, our gatherings are becoming simultaneously more significant. Very few synagogues are discussing these issues plainly and without paranoia, either because they are not equipped to do so or they prefer a path not unknown in Jewish history, to be “Schah Shtill” — to be quiet to not make waves or trouble. While there are times in which certain people have resorted to hyperbole, in all truth, I suspect those days are over. Hyperbole is no longer needed. “You don’t need a Weatherman to tell which way the wind is blowing.”
At Passover time, we open our doors.
It has now become a time in which we do so proudly and ever more boldly.
Why are these times different from all other times?
Because ‘Am Yisrael Chai’ — is now.
