Exile Podcast Review

It is easy to assume that the world is saved by Generals and Presidents. While it is true that they have a hand in restoring normalcy, we should never forget that one ordinary person can make a difference.

The new podcast, Exile, started airing earlier this month. it is sponsored by the Leo Baeck Institute and hosted by Mandy Patinkin. Each episode tells the story of a person of German Jewish descent who fought against fascism during World War II. Using archived letters, stories, and first-hand accounts, each subject is given their due as a hero or heroine in their own right.

As I listened to the episodes that have been released, I can’t help but think that history is one more repeating itself. Around the world, democracy is slowly being replaced by other forms of government that do not respect the rights of the average citizen. The lessons are there, if we are willing to stop and listen.

Do I recommend it? Absolutely.

New episodes of Exile are released every Tuesday.

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Flashback Friday- Yentl (1983)

It has been a common practice for centuries that boys receive extensive educations when girls receive education that can be described as minimal.

But that does mean that women have not dreamed and found creative ways to become educated.

In Yentl (1983),  Yentl (Barbra Streisand) is a Jewish girl who is yearning for an education. Based on the short story by Isaac Bashevis Singer, titled “Yentl, The Yeshiva Boy”, Yentl will do anything for education, including cross dressing. After her widower Rabbi father who previously forbade his daughter from learning the Talmud passes way, Yentl sheds the clothes of a woman, changes her name to Anshel and pretends to be a man. The experience is educational well beyond the classroom. Yentl likes Avigdor (Mandy Patinkin), while Hadass (Amy Irving) who is engaged to Avigdor likes Anshel, not knowing that Yentl is not a he.

This movie is very interesting.  While it remains true to the original story, the odd combination of traditional Jewish Eastern European storytelling with Twelfth Night twist makes it stand out.

I recommend it.

Wish I Was Here Review

Wish I Was Here is about being an adult and dealing the crossroads in life.

Aidan Bloom (Zach Braff) is a 35 year old married man with two kids. His wife, Sarah (Kate Hudson) works to support the family while Aidan tries to find acting jobs. Aidan made a deal with his father Gabe (Mandy Patinkin), that he can choose his grandchildren’s school as long as he pays for it. For the past few years, Gabe has been paying the tuition so his grandchildren to attend Yeshiva. But Gabe has cancer and can no longer afford to pay the tuition. Aidan’s brother, Noah (Josh Gad) is living on the beach, emotionally and physically separated from his father.

I liked this movie. It’s bit a long, but there is a heart and a humanity to this movie. The themes of life and death, parents and children and being an adult while still not knowing everything just spoke to me.

I recommend this movie.