Clarion-Ledger staff writer, LaRecca Rucker, authored a nice piece promoting this year’s JewishCinemaMississippi 2013 Film Festival on the clarionledger.com website. Speaking on the significance of one of this year’s films, Remembrance, set to screen on International Holocauset Remembrance Day, Beth Israel Rabbi Valerie Cohen states:

(It is ) the day that we honor the memory of millions of Jews and Gentiles who were massacred during the Holocaust…We use this day to reassert our commitment to human rights and religious and ethnic tolerance and appeal to our leaders to develop Holocaust history education programs to help prevent future acts of genocide.

The full article is available online at: http://www.clarionledger.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2013301240005

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We’re honored

Proclamation – City of Madison
Whereas JewishCinemaMississippi, a partnership between Beth Israel Congregation (Jackson, MS) and the Jewish Culture Organization at Millsaps College (Jackson, MS), is celebrating its eleventh season of bringing thoughtful and award-winning independent Jewish- and Israeli-themed films, speakers, performers and visitors to our community; andWhereas, JewishCinemaMississippi continues to advance its original goal of utilizing the powerful medium of film to educate the public, enhance Jewish life, strengthen ethnic pride, promote multi-cultural and multi-ethnic dialogue, celebrate diversity and encourage and promote tolerance and understanding; and

Whereas JewishCinemaMississippi moved its festival to Madison, MS in 2012 to take advantage of a vibrant community that supports the arts and the superior facilities and film festival expertise at the Malco Grandview Cinema (Madison, MS); and

Whereas, JewishCinemaMississippi is celebrating its 2013 program at the Malco Grandview Theater from January 23 to January 27, 2013 (corresponding on the Hebrew calendar to 12 Shevat to 16 Shevat, 5773); and

Whereas, JewishCinemaMississippi has helped introduce visitors to our community, its hotels, restaurants, businesses and people; and

Whereas, JewishCinemaMississippi is devoting part of its 2013 festival to showcase the rich musical tradition of Klezmer, an art form dating back to 15th century Eastern and Central European Jewry which was almost lost when most Klezmer performers were murdered during the Holocaust; and

Whereas, JewishCinemaMississippi is showing a remarkable love story that blossomed amidst the terror of a German concentration camp on the last day of the festival, January 27, 2013 (16 Shevat, 5773), the day each year designated by the United Nations as International Day of Commemoration in Memory of the Victims of the Holocaust. The festival will use this day to honor the memory of millions of Jews and gentiles who were massacred during the Holocaust by reasserting its commitment to human rights and religious and ethnic tolerance and appealing to our leaders to develop Holocaust history education programs to help prevent future acts of genocide; and

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Mary Hawkins Butler, Mayor of Hometown, MS (also known as Madison, MS), on behalf of the Board of Aldermen, honor the festival organizers, volunteers, sponsors and underwriters that contribute to the success of JewishCinemaMississippi and proclaim the one week period starting on January 23, 2013 (12 Shevat, 5773), to be JewishCinemaMississippi Film Festival Week. The City of Madison, MS, calls upon its citizens to enjoy this exciting annual opportunity to view extraordinary Jewish- and Israeli-themed independent films from around the world and to welcome the artists and guests who will be visiting our community.

PROCLAIMED this 23th day of January, 2013.

JewishCinemaMississippi is overjoyed to have received this honorable proclamation and we look forward to continuing our relationship with Madison, MS and the rest of the greater Jackson, MS metro area during this year’s festival and well into the future.

Thank You Mayor!

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VisitMississippi.org is the official tourism resource for the State of Mississippi and we’re listed on their events page!

Check it out at: http://www.visitmississippi.org/event-details.aspx?id=23342&title=Jewish+Cinema+Mississippi+2013

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For the 11th year, Jewish Cinema Mississippi presents the best films of the year to explore Jewish culture. Out of 60 films screened, the selection committee chose four to bring to Madison’s Malco Grandview.

Check out the full write-up at:

http://www.jacksonfreepress.com/news/2013/jan/16/celebration-and-remembrance/

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January 23 – 24 & 26 – 27

Thanks to Dan Blumenthal and Jeff Good you will be able to dine at BRAVO Italian Restaurant and Bar, Sal & Mookie’s New York Pizza & Ice Cream Joint or Broad Street Café and receive 25% off your purchase.

To receive the discount, the date of the ticket must match the date that you are dining. If you haven’t done so already, head on over to the Ticket page to learn how you can purchase your ticket and be eligible for this great discount. Thanks a

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As part of the film festival’s focus on the rich musical tradition of Klezmer music, you will not want to miss Shabbat Services at Beth Israel on January 25th. We’re excited to introduce Klezmer performers Glenn Hartman and Jonathan Freilich, two founding members of the New Orleans Klezmer All-Stars. They will play during Shabbat Services and discuss the unique beauty of Klezmer music. Glenn and Jonathan will play again on Saturday, January 26th for a concert after the showing of Hava Nagila: THE MOVIE. They will be joined on stage by Beth Israel’s own Buddy “Dr. Rhythm” Fish.”

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Jewish Cinema Mississippi is pleased to announce its 2013 program.  JewishCinemaMississippi2013 (JCM2013) will be held on January 23, 24, 26, and 27 at the Malco Grandview Theater in Madison, MS.  Dr. James Bowley, co-chair of this year’s festival, stated that “the film selection process was the most competitive year in the history of the festival.  The Selection Committee screened sixty films and picked the four best.  These are extraordinarily well-crafted films that have yet to be released commercially in the US or any other market.”  The films range from the story of a long distance friendship between two teenagers on opposite sides of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict to a light-hearted documentary about the origin of that universally recognizable melody, Hava Nagila.  The festival is cosponsored by Beth Israel Congregation and the Jewish Culture Organization at Millsaps College.

The festival opens on Wednesday, January 23, 2013, with My First Wedding, a 2011 film from Argentina about the politics of the proverbial “Big Day.”  Jewish-born Adrián and Catholic-born Leonora have finally reached their wedding day.  Instead of gracefully embracing matrimony, Adrián spends the hours leading up to the ceremony trying to postpone it, not because he’s got cold feet (or does he?), but because he’s clumsily lost both his and his bride-to-be’s sacred wedding rings.  Disaster ensues in director Ariel Winograd’s winning comedy.  The opening film is presented in loving memory of Suzanne Goodwin, a member of the 2012 festival planning committee, who passed away unexpectedly in 2012.

On Thursday, January 24, the festival presents A Bottle in the Gaza Sea, described by one reviewer as “THE story (to see to understand) the Israeli/Palestinian conflict.”  It is a story of two opposites: a teenage girl living in Israel and a boy living in Palestine.  The thought of people from both countries befriending one another is unimaginable considering the circumstances and years of war and rivalry – yet it happens.

On Saturday night (January 26), JCM2013 will feature Hava Nagila: THE MOVIE, followed by a live Klezmer concert (sometimes referred to as “Jewish soul music”).  The film is a documentary romp through the history, mystery and meaning of the great Jewish standard.  Featuring interviews with Harry Belafonte, Leonard Nimoy, Connie Francis, Glen Campbell, Regina Spektor and more, the film follows the ubiquitous party song on its fascinating journey from the shtetls of Eastern Europe to the kibbutzim of Palestine to the cul-de-sacs of America.    Michael Steiner, Co-Chair of JCM2013, noted that “Hava Nagila has been a huge hit this year at other Jewish film festivals in the United States and abroad.  It’s a foot-tapping celebration of 100 years of Jewish culture and spirituality.  It peels back the rich history, mystery and meaning of the song which is “kitschy, but oh so profound.”  The film and short concert to follow will have you dancing out of the theater.

The live Klezmer concert will begin immediately after the film Hava Nagila: THE MOVIE.  The artists who will be performing include Glenn Hartman and Jonathan Freilich, two founding members of the New Orleans Klezmer All-Stars, and Beth Israel’s own Buddy “Dr. Rhythm” Fish.  Klezmer is a musical tradition of the Jews of Eastern and Central Europe dating back to the 15th century.  Klezmer is easily identifiable by its characteristic expressive melodies, reminiscent of the human voice.  It was originally based upon devotional vocal music heard in the synagogue and later strongly influenced by traditional European dance music.  The art was nearly lost in the 1930’s and 1940’s as most performers were killed during the Holocaust.  Klezmer has been undergoing a revival over the last 40 years and JCM2013 is proud to bring this rich musical tradition to central Mississippi.

The festival’s final showing falls on Sunday, January 27, designated by the United Nations as International Holocaust Remembrance Day. Rabbi Valerie Cohen, Beth Israel Congregation’s religious leader, stated that “Beth Israel is proud to show the film Remembranceon this special day of observance, the day that we honor the memory of millions of Jews and gentiles who were massacred during the Holocaust.  We use this day to reassert our commitment to human rights and religious and ethnic tolerance and appeal to our leaders to develop Holocaust history education programs to help prevent future acts of genocide.

The film, Remembrance, depicts a remarkable love story that blossomed amidst the terror of a German concentration camp in 1944 between a Polish prisoner and his Jewish girlfriend.  More than thirty years later in New York, the happily married 52-year-old woman accidentally finds out that her former Polish lover is still alive. And she has to see him again.  As one reviewer stated “To those who swore they’d seen enough Holocaust-themed films to last a lifetime: Rescind your vow, just this once.  Remembrance is that good.  It’s better than good. It’s unforgettable.”

For more information about the festival and to purchase tickets and festival passes in advance, please visit www.JewishCinemaMS.com.  Tickets purchased on the web site through January 18^th are discounted.  Full price tickets and festival passes can be purchased at the door each night of the festival.

Press Contacts & Sponsorship Opportunities

Dr. James Bowley, Co-Chair, 601-454-9075

George Glass, Public Relations, 601-898-9778

Michael Steiner, Co-Chair, 601-572-6122

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The Yiddish word for musician is “klezmer.” Over time, however, it has come to characterize the style of secular music played by Ashkenazi (Eastern European) Jews for joyful celebrations such as weddings. Klezmer music is intended to replicate the human voice, including sounds of crying, wailing and laughing. Common instruments in Klezmer bands include the violin, fiddle, bass or cello, clarinet, drums, dulcimer and accordion.

Klezmer music, though drawing on centuries-old Jewish traditions, also incorporates various sounds of music from European and international traditions, including Roma (gypsy) music, Eastern European folk music (particularly Russian music), French Cafe music and early jazz.

Klezmer music is made for dancing. Most dances which are intended to go along with klezmer music are set dances (much like the Anglo square or contra dances). Klezmer music also has many traditional waltzes. In later years, many musicians picked up some tangos and polkas, which remain in the repertoire.

Like most aspects of European Jewish culture, the Holocaust nearly decimated the tradition of klezmer music. Because klezmer, like most folk music, is an aural tradition. When the older musicians died, the music died with them. A sparse few survivors, though, helped revitalize the music and musicologists have worked tirelessly to record their repertoires.

Klezmer Samples

New Orleans Klezmer Allstars

Web Site: http://www.klezmerallstars.com

Other Klezmer Artists

The Klezmatics (grammy award winning group)
http://klezmatics.com/klezmer-music/

Itzhak Perlman plays Klezmer (more than 1.2 million hits)

Note – this post based on an article by Megan Romer for About.com

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JewishCinemaMississippi is in its 11th year, co-sponsored by Beth Israel Congregation and the Jewish Culture Organization at Millsaps. Co-chair Michael Steiner said the festival is “the only organization that brings first-class independent Jewish- and Israeli-themed films to the state. It serves as a vehicle to educate and entertain audiences on the Jewish experience and Israeli life and culture.”

The final film, “Remembrance,” is being shown on Jan. 27 in conjunction with the United Nations-designated International Holocaust Remembrance Day.

The Mississippi festival will include a visit from Glenn Hartman and Jonathan Freilich, founding members of the New Orleans Klezmer All-Stars. They will discuss Klezmer music and perform during Shabbat services at Beth Israel in Jackson on Jan. 25.

On Jan. 26, they will perform at the Malco following the screening of “Hava Nagila,” joined by Buddy “Dr. Rhythm” Fish, a Beth Israel member. Individual tickets for the Jan. 26 program are $15.

Check out the full article over on the sjlmag.com website.

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Along with local drummer Buddy “Dr. Rhythm” Fish will be joined by two of The New Orleans Klezmer Allstars – Glenn Harman and Jonathan Frelich.

Jonathan Frelich

Guitarist/Composer, Jonathan Freilich has been an active part of the New Orleans music scene since his arrival in 1989. Almost immediately, he found himself playing backup to notable locals such as Kermit Ruffins, Michael Ward and The Reward, and Sun Ra trumpeter Michael Ray. In 1992 he co-founded the New Orleans Klezmer All-Stars (NOKAS), a pioneering klezmer ensemble that infused that music with the vibrancy and energy of the funk, jazz and brass music of New Orleans.

NOKAS was playing some of his compositions, but by 1993 he found himself seeking outlets for his compositions in other styles and forms. After playing with a plethora of combos and experimenting with many great local musicians he formed Naked On The Floor and eventually The Naked Orchestra.

He has appeared at the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival over 24 times as well as headlining the Berlin Jazz Festival with NOKAS , and has appeared at numerous other festivals inside and outside the country including Bonnaroo, the Ann Arbor Jazz Festival, collaborations with poet, Andrei Codrescu at the Holocaust museum in NYC.

Throughout this time he has continued to work as a sideman and frontman for a number of new orleans music bands and projects. He has been lucky to play alongside some of the greatest in New Orleans music. He has a discography of over 21 recordings many of them either Big Easy or Offbeat entertainment award winners. He has music featured in films and TV shows (Andy Richter conquers the Universe, The Dukes of Hazzard(Warner Home Video) as well as commercials for companies such as Southwest Airlines and Mercedes.

Recent work includes a comic-satirical opera about a couple of New Orleans lawyers and their movements through New Orleans class detritus after Hurricane Katrina debuted in November 2009, a two movement orchestral fantasy about Elias Cannetti at carnival, formation of a new quintet to play new original compositions, an octet reduction of Peter and the Wolf for a New Orleans Contemporary Art Center/Guggenheim foundation presentation and more explorations into folk material and possibilities the for further novel presentations.

He is the subject of the one hour radio documentary Jonathan Freilich’s Freedom Double-O Naked Klezmer Jazz Latin Boogaloo: The Radio Documentary by award winning documentarian, David Kunian and was the 2008 Governors’ Music Fellowship Award recipient.

Freilich was born Oct.13, 1968 in Philadelphia, Pa. He spent most of his early years, up until a late teenager in London, England before moving to Los Angeles in 1985. Thereafter, he moved to Santa Cruz, Ca in 1987 before the 1989 move to New Orleans.

Glenn Hartman

Accordionist, Glenn Hartman has been playing music professionally since he was 15 yrs old. He is one of the founding members of the New Orleans Klezmer Allstars. He grew up in Long Beach, CA but at the age of 18 moved to New Orleans to study music at Tulane University . He received both a BFA and an MFA from Tulane. His masters thesis was entitled :The Historical Development of Klezmer.” During Glenn’s years in New Orleans he played with many, many bands and musicians including: Robbie Robertson, Walter “Wolfman” Washington, Leo Nocentelli, Big Chief Bo Dollis, Monk Boudreaux, John Popper, Alex McMurray, Washboard Chaz, and the legend, Jimbo Walsh.

Hurricane Katrina forced Glenn to relocate to San Francisco with his family. He is currently playing and recording with The Ark, a Jewish music super group created by San Francisco’s Jewish Music Festival. He is also leading his own band – The Klezmer Playboys. Besides Klezmer, Glenn plays many types of folk music, rock, funk and jazz.

Buddy “Dr. Rhythm” Fish

Buddy Fish grew up in Pensacola, FL and received Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees at the University of Florida. After a year teaching Kindergarten he became a pre-school teacher at a cooperative nursery school. Buddy then moved to Boulder, CO to study at the Naropa Institute (Master Drummer specializing in Middle Eastern drumming). He became a recording and touring musician first in Boulder, CO at Northstar Studios and then in Los Angeles, CA at the Music Lab Studios. He has played with such greats as Carlos Santana, Joey Chambers, and Quincy Jones. It was in LA that he developed his Dr. Rhythm persona.

He moved to Mississippi to get his doctorate in Early Childhood Education and help educators of young children learn from his experiences. Dr. Fish has two passions: Playing music and teaching young children. He has combined the two with Dr. Rhythm by recording two albums and writing seven books for adults and children. He was listed on the Mississippi Arts Commission’s Arts in Education Roster in 2003, chaired the Mississippi Child Care Advisory Board and served on the professional development panel for the National Association for the Education of Young Children. “Basically, Dr. Fish is an overeducated, preschool teaching, blues playing college professor.” For more information on Dr. Fish, please go to www.dr-rhythm.com.

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