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Why I Love Woody Allen

Posted by Rachel Broder in Uncategorized on June 14, 2011

I love going to the movie theater in the summer.  If you’re thinking Green Lantern and Thor, we may be on different pages.  My idea of a killer summer film is one which absorbs me to the point of mental separation from the world outside of the theater.  The Conspirator did so, Hesher tried, but my two trips over the last week really pulled me into the alternate movie universe.  I know that critics and viewers are buzzing about Terrence Malick’s The Tree of Life, but I don’t think I’m even prepared to write coherent observations of the film yet.  The Philadelphia Inquirer claims that the film “aspires to change your life,” but don’t fret, I won’t preach at you.  Instead, I want to talk about everyone’s favorite New York Jew and why his newest film shattered my expectations.  

At the end of Midnight in Paris, as I sat listening to the music, the man behind me (not the one snoring, but the other guy) said, “Owen Wilson was great, he just really got Woody Allen.”  This comment got me thinking about Woody Allen (I always feel that I have to refer to him by full name), and how it is that an actor like Owen Wilson, so seemingly different, can channel him.  According to many lovers and haters, Woody Allen represents the quintessential New York Jew.  He has taken neuroticism and self-deprecation – age-old themes used by Jewish funnymen – and made them not only modern, but cosmopolitan.  Woody Allen played by Woody Allen, or Woody Allen channeled by Larry David (in place of Zero Mostel for the disappointing Whatever Works), is a character well-known and well-developed.  But really, Woody Allen is a lot of things- a brilliant writer, observer of human social etiquette, musician, and a visionary.  What I love about Woody Allen is that I connect with him as a Jew, but also as a lover of culture.  Midnight in Paris is in no way overtly Jewish, nor is it un-Jewish.  It just is.

The aforementioned character of Woody Allen is easily recognizable, but Owen Wilson’s character (Gil) in Midnight in Paris is not neurotic or self-deprecating- yet he is still a Woody Allen character.  Gil could be delusional, but we as an audience are led to view him as a successful traveler of time.  Gil seamlessly becomes an enviable figure as he is able to do what all humans wish to do – travel to times of yore.  I gushed each time a figure was introduced – no more so than for Cole Porter – and realized that Woody Allen is my favorite New York Jew because he gets me and thousands of other viewers into a theater to watch his movies and we all love and hate them for different reasons.  Woody Allen connects with my musical and literary desires, just as Owen Wilson connects with Woody Allen’s, and together we share an incendiary summer film experience.  Do yourself a favor and go see Midnight in Paris!

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Easy-to-Keep New Year’s Resolutions!

Posted by Sarah in JPS Books, Publishing, Uncategorized on December 29, 2009

New Year’s – one of those really big flashy holidays where everything glitters. Literally. People sit around with bubbly champagne, crazy hats, and a list of things they plan to do differently in the coming year.

That’s right, the infamous list of New Year’s resolutions. The things each person wants to change, but rarely does. So, maybe it’s time to find some New Year’s resolutions that you can easily accomplish! Need some help? Here are some easy resolutions just for you, from JPS:

1. Read a book that you’d never think to read – Ever get too caught up in the things you know you like and forget about trying something new? The New Year is a perfect time to branch out and read a book that is totally out of your comfort zone. Whether it’s a New York Times bestseller, a used out-of-print novel, or a JPS title , I can guarantee you that the books you may be least likely to read are sometimes the ones that surprise you most. So, take a chance!

2. Comment on a blog – whether you’re a fan or not, blogs are here to stay (woohoo!), so you might as well take part in the action! Bloggers, myself included, love to hear what readers have to say. I mean, after all, it IS an interactive community, meaning we thrive off comments and discussion. Even if you disagree with what’s being said, tell us! It spices up the conversation.

3. Try an e-book – Yes, I know I’ve made it clear that I’m not entirely sold on e-readers and e-books, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t see what they’re like! Got an iPod touch? Or a friend with a Kindle? If so, take some time to check out a device, and then let us know what you think! We’re always interested in hearing more about the print vs. e-book debate.

Try out these simple resolutions, and start out the New Year on a high.  Good luck!

-Sarah

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A Jew’s Christmas To-Do List

Posted by Sarah in Uncategorized on December 24, 2009

It’s that time of year. Only one more day until Christmas – until radio stations go back to playing regular music and stores become less crazy. Most have spent weeks, if not months, getting hyped for the holidays. They’ve planned out their presents and meals, and now it’s here. Tomorrow is the big day!

So, if you don’t celebrate Christmas, what’s there to do?

As a Jew, there are tons of things you can do to fill your Christmas day. Some are typical and some are not, so pick and choose whichever fit for you!

1. Enjoy the famous Chinese food and a movie – Yes, I know. It’s the most stereotypical activity for Jews on Christmas, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t a good one! Since most places are closed on Christmas, it’s hard finding good food…which leads us to Chinese restaurants. They’re one of the few places open, and with so many delicious options, they’re hard to resist! The same limited selection goes for non-restaurants, which is why so many Jews follow up or precede their meal with a trip to the movies. Careful though, in places like NYC and other highly populated Jewish areas, I’m betting theaters may be busy.

2. Celebrate Christmas – Sure, you may not practice Christianity, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t something to gain from participating in the Christmas holiday. Spend time with friends who celebrate and find out what makes the holiday so great for them. As someone who has experienced Christmas through loved ones for the past few years, I can tell you that it’s totally worth it. Why? Because happiness is happiness, and there’s something contagious about it no matter the reason.

3. Plan a game tournament – If you feel like there’s no where to go with every place closed, stay home! There’s nothing wrong with spending the day indoors and playing all the games you can get your hands on. Indulge your competitive side by inviting friends or family over and holding a day-long gaming tournament. The time will fly and the memories will be great!

4. Go outside – It’s true. December isn’t exactly the warmest time of the year, but that doesn’t mean you can’t still enjoy being outside. Right now, with all the snow on the ground, it’s hard to resist playing in it. Build snowmen, create snow angels, have a snowball fight, and just let loose. When you’re finished, you can spend the rest of the day inside getting warm.

So, if you’re at a loss of what to do with your day tomorrow, try one of these suggestions and have fun!

-Sarah

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The Apple Tablet – Amazing? Or Another Nail in the Coffin?

Posted by Sarah in Publishing, Uncategorized on December 1, 2009

I should start off by being completely honest. I’m a Mac. I’ve only ever owned Apple computers and iPods, and that’s the way I like it. So, as the rumors of the Apple Tablet continue to swirl through the technology realm, one must assume that if true, I will be an immediate fan. The thing is, I’m not so sure. Of everything I’ve read, the Tablet really just seems like a bigger iPod Touch.

apple_tabletWhich makes me wonder. What’s the point?

As an iPod Touch owner, I’m very satisfied with what I have, so why would I switch to something larger?

It seems that the answer lies in the explosion of e-reading devices. Assumedly, Apple is creating a bigger screen to making reading easier. So, now we get to my dilemma. I love Apple, but I’m not sold on e-readers. I like print books – the feel of paper and the idea of holding something tangible. And the battle between print and digital media rages on. Will the Tablet be just another reason for people to shift from print books to e-materials?  Who knows? For now though, no worries.  Apple hasn’t officially announced the Tablet yet, which gives me more time to figure out whether I’ll want one.

One thing’s for sure, it’s bound to be cool.

-Sarah

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Foer’s Common Thread: Death and Accountability

Posted by Sarah in Jewish Books, Uncategorized on November 18, 2009

As you might remember from a while back, I think Jonathan Safran Foer is a great writer. His style is lyrical, emotionally-packed, subtle, and infused with a much-needed humor, making his writing something that people can sink into. So, it’s no surprise that I am of fan of Foer’s novels, but what will I think of his newest work – a nonfiction book called Eating Animals?

Oddly enough, I first heard of Foer’s new book in a public statement made by Natalie Portman a few weeks. Random, I know. At the time, I remember being really surprised. In my mind, I had cataloged Foer as a novelist, so to find out that he had written a nonfiction piece threw me off. While he’s named main characters after himself, this is the first time Foer has truly written as himself. The words are his and no longer protected by the veil of fiction.

Eating AnimalsIn an attempt to understand, I tried to find some parallels between his works. In a nutshell, Eating Animals attempts to reveal the violence behind the use of animals as food, thereby discouraging the eating of animals. Surely a fictional piece about the Holocaust and its aftermath (Everything is Illuminated) has no relation to a work promoting vegetarianism, right?

Wrong.

Despite being nonfiction, Eating Animals addresses the same things as Foer’s previous novels – horror, violence, and accountability. Only this time, the subject is blunt, unclouded by fictional plot lines and characters, leaving readers with no doubts as to the author’s intentions. In his writing, Foer raises the point that we are accountable for the violence inflicted on animals. He explains,

Those alive today are the generations that came to know better. We are the ones of whom it will be fairly asked, What did you do when you learned the truth about eating animals?

His mode of communication may be different but his message is the same as some of those raised in his earlier works. We are accountable! The decisions we make have consequences, and whether discussing the Holocaust or the meat-eating people of the world, we cannot deny that human beings share responsibility for many of the horrors around us.

The real question is, will people switch to vegetarianism as a result of this book? Who knows? But, given the fact that I think Foer is an amazing Jewish writer, I recommend checking out Eating Animals. Once you’ve finished, see how it affects you!

If you want to find out more about Eating Animals, check out Keith Meatto’s review at The Forward!

-Sarah

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All good things must come to an end…

Posted by Naomi in Jewish Innovation, Uncategorized on October 12, 2009

BE046842Wow.  What a month.  We’ve just been through a bevy of Jewish Holidays: Rosh Hashana, Yom Kippur, Sukkot, and Simchat Torah.  That’s an awful lot of hours clocked in the synagogue.  And an even more awful lot of food.

It’s been, simultaneously, both a fun month, and a difficult one.  Last night, as we marked the closing of Simchat Torah, my friends and I reminisced about our favorite High Holiday tunes, and joked (somewhat seriously) that now that the holidays were over, we wouldn’t see each other again until next year.  But we were also kind of excited – excited to have our regular Sundays back, excited for normal (shorter) synagogue services to resume, excited to not eat quite as much every weekend.

But despite all that excitement, there was still a general sense of gloominess.  Now that the holidays are over, we’ll be entering the holiday-less Jewish month of Cheshvan (in fact, there are no more Jewish holidays until Chanukkah, which this year begins in mid-December).  This month is sometimes also known as “Marcheshvan” – in Hebrew “mar” means “bitter”.  And an entire month with no fun holidays is a bitter month, indeed.

So what can we do to keep away the Marcheshvan blues, and to bring a bit of Jewish joy into our lives?  Well, I have a couple of ideas for ya:

1. Check out the newly redesigned JPS website!  (In particular, check out the all-new feature on the right side, towards the bottom… that’s right, you can now stream the JPS Audio Bible!  Each week, the new Torah portion will be posted, along with the full text, so you can read along as you listen.  Genesis is up right now – check it out!)

2. Find a way to incorporate a bit of Judaism into the upcoming secular holidays.  Thanksgiving (my all-time favorite secular holiday!) is a day ripe for an infusion of spirituality.  Brainstorm with your family how you can make the day meaningful – have a discussion over dinner about the things you are grateful for, compose your own Thanksgiving prayer, or volunteer to serve Thanksgiving dinner at a local soup kitchen.  (I’m a bit stuck on Halloween – “act-of-kindness or treat” just seems a little bit lame.  Any ideas?)

3. Stock up on your Chanukkah gifts.  It’s never too early!  (And FYI: JPS is having an early-bird Chanukkah sale – 40% off select titles!)

4. Get involved with Jewish Social Action Month – KolDor has earmarked October 19th – November 17th as a month for Jews to get involved in social action projects.  Check out their site for a listing of volunteer opportunities, or to put up an event of your own!

5. Now that the weather is getting chilly, it’s time to whip out those fleece blankets, brew a cup of steaming hot tea or apple cider, and crack open a good book.  In fact, now that we’re beginning the Torah reading cycle from the top, how about cracking open the Good Book?

    Do you have any other creative ideas for brightening up Marcheshvan?  Let me know!
    - Naomi

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