JHVC

F

East and West  (1923)

Eas

A silent comedy made in Vienna in 1923, East and West takes a satirical look at some of the stereotypes of the Jewish world shortly after World War l. It is the earliest existing film with Molly Picon, one of the most prominent actresses of Yiddish stage and film. Molly Brown, a young American woman, and her immigrant father, a wealthy businessman, are invited back to his Polish hometown for a family wedding. Molly finds her Old World relatives old-fashioned, while they are shocked by her modern, carefree ways. Molly's rebellious pranks are climaxed by a mock wedding, in which she unintentionally becomes married for real to a devout yeshiva student. The deed, it turns out, is not easily undone.

B&W. 1 hr. 25 min.  AGE: 14 to Adult

973

ELLIS ISLAND  (1996)

Ell

Produced by the Arts & Entertainment Network for the History Channel, this extensive documentary takes a look at Ellis Island and the immigrant experience. It explores how Ellis Island was chosen, how it was built and how it was eventually transformed into a national treasure. The bulk of the film deals with the immigrant experience with numerous interviews as well as archival documentary film clips. Narrated by Mandy Patinkin.

3 hrs.  AGE: 12 to Adult

JHVC

F

Enemies, A Love Story  (1989)

Ene

Memories pursued Holocaust survivors when they tried to reestablish their lives after World War II. For many who came to America, the vast differences between their new lives and what they had experienced created problems that were difficult to resolve. Enemies, A Love Story, based on a novel by Isaac Bashevis Singer, follows the intertwined affairs of Herman Broder, a writer haunted by nightmares as he tries to settle into his new life in New York. Married to Yadwiga, the Polish woman who saved him, he has a Jewish mistress, fellow survivor Masha. His life and deceptions become even more frenetic as his first wife, Tamara, arrives in New York, having also survived. Ron Silver, Anjelica Huston and Lena Olin all give superb performances in this compelling movie.

2 hrs. 1 min. Rated R.  AGE: Adult

F

THE FIRST SEVEN YEARS  (1998)

Fir

Wonderful adaptation of Bernard Malamud’s National Book Award-winning story. This drama takes place in Manhattan’s Lower East Side in 1949 and tells the story of a shoemaker and his wife who have a daughter, Miriam, of marriageable age. They want her to have a better life than theirs, to marry a college boy; but they are unaware that she is in love with her father’s assistant, a Holocaust survivor. The film leads to an examination of what is most valuable in life. Stars Carol Kane and Israel Horovitz. Study guide available.

28 min.  AGE: 12 to Adult

Arthur Miller story set in early 1940s Brooklyn which examines themes of anti-Semitism, intolerance and the danger of being a bystander. Lawrence Newman (William H. Macy) is a very average sort of man, a meek ordinary businessman who lives with his mother and leads a quiet life. When the film opens, Macy witnesses the rape of a Puerto Rican woman outside his window but takes no action to help her – not even when a criminal investigator is looking for witnesses. Not long after, he becomes the victim as people mistake him for a Jew. Newman starts to wear a new pair of glasses that make him “look Jewish” and he becomes a target for discrimination among his neighbors and associates (Newman couldn’t see well before – both realistically and metaphorically). First, Newman loses the job he has held for 20 years in a publishing company. While searching for a new job, he meets, falls in love with and marries a woman (Laura Dern) who his neighbors think is Jewish. The two become ostracized and must decide whether to stand up to racism or try to fit in. Also starring David Paymer and Meat Loaf. Note: Based on Arthur Miller’s first novel, this work does not have the polish and power of some of his later pieces. William H. Macy is a fine actor, but it may be difficult for some viewers to believe that he would be mistaken for a Jew in this role. Rated PG-13 for thematic material, violence and some sexual content.

1 hr. 44 min.  AGE:  13 to Adult

JHVC

070.484

The Forward: From Immigrants to Americans  (1989)

For

Between 1880 and 1925, two and a half million Yiddish speaking Jews immigrated to America, leading to a flourishing Yiddish publishing industry. The Forward, founded in 1897 by Abraham Cahan, was the most famous and influential of the Yiddish newspapers. It served as a guide to transition, helping Yiddish speakers assimilate into the American mainstream by covering a vast range of topics, from citizenship to canning fruit. The Forward strongly supported labor unions, socialist candidates, and FDR. It published translations of classics such as Madame Bovary and the works of the giants of Yiddish literature, including Isaac Bashevis Singer. The film follows the paper up to 1987, when it became a weekly.

58 min.  AGE: 12 to Adult

JHVC

320.5

Free Voice of Labor: The Jewish Anarchists  (1980)

Fre

Anarchism, which rejected government in all its forms, was the largest radical movement among Jewish immigrants in the 1880’s and 1890’s and continued to attract fervent supporters in the early decades of this century. In 1977, as the Jewish anarchist newspaper Freie Arbeiter Stimme was about to close down after 87 years of publication, the filmmakers interviewed elderly anarchists about their experiences in the movement. They talked about the conditions that led them to join, their fight to build trade unions, differences with the Communists, attitudes toward violence, Yiddish culture, and loyalty to one another. Free Voice of Labor: The Jewish Anarchists introduces us to the authentic voices of an era gone by.

58 min.  AGE: Adult

F

THE FRISCO KID  (1979)

Fri

Hilarious comedy about a nonconformist Rabbi in 1850’s Poland who is sent by his yeshiva to a congregation in San Francisco. He is swindled out of all his money on his first day in America and befriends a bank robber. Together they go through life and faith-testing episodes through which each becomes a better man. Stars Gene Wilder and Harrison Ford. Note: Some offensive language.

2 hrs.  AGE: 11 to Adult

977.5

FROM WALNUT STREET  (1985)

Fro

A history of the Jews in Milwaukee as told by a grandfather to his grandson. Study guide available.

17 min.  AGE: 9 to Adult

F

FUNNY GIRL  (1968)

Fun

Barbra Streisand won an Oscar for her performance in this musical about the early stage career of Jewish comedienne Fanny Brice. We see Brice’s theatrical beginnings as a roller-skating chorus girl in a music hall, when no one believed she could ever be a star as she didn’t have “classic” good looks. Within a year, Fanny becomes a hit in comic roles for Florenz Ziegfield in his Follies. She falls madly in love with a handsome non-Jewish gambler, Nick Arnstein, which leads to a tumultuous marriage. Memorable songs include “People” and “Don’t Rain on My Parade.”

2 hrs. 35 min. Rated G.  AGE: 10 to Adult

F

GOD, MAN AND DEVIL  (1949)

God

Based on a play by Jacob Gordin, this American-made Yiddish drama explores whether or not a good and pious man will be corrupted by money. Satan makes a wager with God that he can tempt Hershele Dubrovner—a poor, religious Torah scribe—by handing him a lottery ticket which will win a fortune. Satan then disguises himself and becomes Hershele’s business partner, advising Hershele to open a tallis factory and hire the community men to work for a pittance. The disguised Satan also tells Hershele to divorce his barren wife of 22 years and marry the young and beautiful niece that Hershele and his wife had raised. Hershele follows all of the advice he is given—and in the process destroys his family, his friendships, and any spiritual values he once had. He learns that life holds no remedies for the damage he has caused, and the film ends tragically. Note: A heavy, moralistic film which illustrates how money and power can corrupt—bringing greed and discontent rather than the happiness which is sought.

In Yiddish with subtitles (which are difficult to read at times).

B&W. 1 hr. 40 min.  AGE: 14 to Adult

792

THE GOLDEN AGE OF SECOND AVENUE  (1968)

Gol

An entertaining and loving chronicle of Yiddish theater in America, from its beginnings at the turn of the century to its Golden Age on Second Avenue. Narrated by Herschel Bernardi, this documentary includes excerpts from classic Yiddish films (subtitled in English) plus rare stills and musical vignettes from the American Yiddish Theater, as well as scenes from New York’s Lower East Side. The film introduces viewers to the major personalities of 75 years of Yiddish theater, including an unrehearsed meeting with Molly Picon, Jacob Kalich, Isaac Bashevis Singer, Jacob Ben Ami, Berta Gersten, and Cella Adler. Includes performances by Paul Muni, Maurice Schwartz, Menashe Skulnik, Molly Picon, and Boris Thomashefsky.

Color/B&W. 1 hr.10 min.  AGE: 12 to Adult

909.04

THE GOLDEN LAND (1654-1932)  (Heritage: Civilization and the Jews, Chapter VII) (1984)

Her

Part of the “Heritage” series which chronicles over 3,000 years of Jewish history, thought, and culture. This chapter looks at the Jewish experience in the New World. Topics covered include “The Colonial Jew,” “The German-Jewish Experience” and “The Lower East Side.” Study guide available.

1 hr.  AGE: 12 to Adult

917.3

THE GOLDEN LAND ON THE SILVER SCREEN  (1987)

Gol

Provides an opportunity to study the American Jewish experience through discussion of six carefully selected American feature films. This video introduces and provides some follow-up discussion for these films: Hester Street, The Jazz Singer, Brighton Beach Memoirs, The Way We Were, The Heartbreak Kid and The Frisco Kid. Study guide available.

1 hr.  AGE: 16 to Adult

F

THE GOLEM OF L.A.  (1994)

Gol

A modern day Golem story set in 1990’s urban America. Ed Asner plays the elderly rabbi in the oldest remaining synagogue in Los Angeles. The story involves David, a contemporary young Jewish man studying to be a teacher, and his elderly, religious grandfather. David’s grandfather is very upset that his 75-year-old synagogue is about to be demolished to make way for luxury apartments. In desperation, he brings to life a Golem to help save the synagogue—not anticipating the consequences. The story highlights the generation gap and differences between a modern day Jewish teenager, who doesn’t see the need for old traditions, and the world of his Traditional grandfather, who doesn’t understand his grandson’s secularism. Note: Teachers may wish to read students a more traditional Golem story, such as The Golem, by Barbara Rogasky, Let’s Steal the Moon, or one of the picture book versions—and then compare this modern day version.

25 min.  AGE: 10 to Adult

Intriguing interview with renowned American Jewish writer, Chaim Potok, author of The Chosen and My Name is Asher Lev at his home near Philadelphia. Potok discusses his career as a writer, his love for painting, and how his traditional background discouraged both. He also speaks about what he thinks it means to be a Jew in America and his own religious identity, including his faith in G-d. Potok says that he feels that human beings create meaning in what may otherwise be an indifferent existence. He hopes that his writing will open up new worlds for readers – worlds which they may not otherwise explore and which may affect them positively. Note: Six minutes into the film there is a brief “commercial” for the Jewish Theological Seminary in New York which lasts about two minutes.

20 min.  AGE:  13 to Adult

F

GOODBYE COLUMBUS  (1969)

Goo

Classic Jewish film, based on the social satire by Philip Roth, about a poor Bronx librarian, Neil, who falls in love with Brenda, a spoiled “Jewish princess” in the 1960’s. The film presents a biting portrayal of the snobbishness and materialism of Jewish life in the upper social sphere of the suburbs. Brenda’s “country club” life and values are contrasted to Neil’s modest background, as he aspires to be part of her group—amid the opposition of both sets of parents. Stars Richard Benjamin and Ali McGraw. Note: The film has been widely criticized for its stereotypical portrayal of upper class Jews.

1 hr. 45 min.  AGE: 14 to Adult

783.2

GREAT CANTORS IN CINEMA  (1993)

Gre

Produced by the National Center for Jewish Film, this documentary uses restored archival footage to look at five specific cantors who appeared on film from 1931 to 1946. These include Josef “Yossele” Rosenblatt, Moshe Koussevitsky, Mordechai Hershman, Moishe Oysher and Louis “Leibele” Waldman. The first third of the twentieth century was the “Golden Age of Chazzanut” in America—a coming together of unbelievable cantorial talent from the capitols of Europe, most of it focused in New York. As sound in film was not available until the late 1920’s, this “Golden Age” is recorded on film mainly during the 1930’s and 1940’s—when cantors often played cantors in the films in which they appeared.

In Yiddish with English narration and subtitles. B&W. 1 hr.  AGE: 14 to Adult

783.2

GREAT CANTORS OF THE GOLDEN AGE  (1990)

Gre

The “Golden Age of Chazzanut” was between 1910 and 1940. In 1931, a film called The Voice of Israel was produced. It provided both a visual and audio record of some of the most famous cantors of this period. This video includes selections from that original film, narrated with commentary by Dr. Max Wohlberg, a Jewish Theological Seminary Professor of Liturgy and Chazzanut. Cantors performing include Mordechai Hershman, Adolph Katchko, David Roitman, Yossele Rosenblatt, Joseph Shilsky and the voice of Gershon Sirota. Note: During the first eight minutes, Dr. Wohlberg provides a brief history of the Golden Age of Chazzanut. Then the film clips of the cantors begin, interspersed with Wohlberg’s commentary.

Color/B&W. 55 min.  AGE: 13 to Adult