April 5, 2009

11th of Nisan, 5769

 

This is an email announcement regarding the documentary film, Lonely Man of Faith: The Life and Legacy of Rabbi Joseph B. Soloveitchik. 

 

Welcome to the over 130 people who have joined this list since the last mailing!

 

First off, I apologize that it has been so long since I last sent out an update.  In the meantime, as I mentioned last time, my wife and I moved from New York to Los Angeles, and as you might imagine, I've been quite busy handling the many details on both ends.  In addition, my outreach coordinator gave birth to a baby girl, so she hasn't been able to lend a hand.

 

Now, it's probably too late, but just in case, I wanted to mention a screening that was recently organized: 

This afternoon, April 5 (11th of Nisan), at 4 PM, there will be a screening at Boston University, in the College of Arts & Sciences Building, at 685 - 725 Commonwealth Avenue.  The screening is presented by Jewish Learning Initiative, B.U. Beit Midrash Society, and The Vilna Shul.  Doors open at 3:30.

 

Here are some other new screenings coming up:

 

NEW: May 17 (24th night of Iyar): Queens Jewish Center, co-sponsored by Young Israel of Forest Hills.

 

NEW: May 19 (26th night of Iyar): Edward J. Safra Synagogue in Manhattan. 

 

NEW: June 14 (22nd of Sivan): San Diego Premiere at Beth Jacob Congregation.

 

More information will follow about all of these events. 

 

Since Passover is coming up, this Weds night, I wanted to bring you attention to several publications by Rabbi Soloveitchik.  As I mentioned last time, there is a new Haggadah out called The Seder Night: An Exalted Evening, featuring a commentary based on the writings of Rabbi Soloveitchik.  It is edited by R. Menachem Genack (who was an advisor on the film) and published by the Orthodox Union.  It should be available at your local Jewish bookstore, as well as from KTAV. 

This is actually the third haggadah featuring Rabbi Soloveitchik's teachings.  The first one to be published was called Siach Ha-Grid and was compiled by R. Yitzchok Lichtenstein, the Rav's grandson.  The second came out last year, and was compiled by R. Yosef Adler (who was featured in the film).  Gil Student wrote an interesting review in which he compared the three editions on his Hirhurim Blog.  In addition, R. Ari Kahn has made available a fourth haggadah featuring the teachings of the Rav.  This one is available for free online, and is a work-in-progress.

 

As I mentioned last year, there is a terrific collection of essays by R. Soloveitchik that is now available, called Festival of Freedom.  It should be available at your local Jewish bookstore (if it isn't sold out).

 

And you can hear the audio of one lecture on the mitzvah of sippur yetziat Mitzrayim (obligation to retell the story of the Exodus from Egypt) here (part one) and here (part two).

 

 

Here's a rundown on the screenings that took place since the last update:

January 25 was the Philadelphia Premiere at Lower Merion Synagogue. There was a great turnout there, and I enjoyed getting to speak with a number of the congregants.  The screening was preceded by a special preview at the University of Pennsylvania Hillel and organized by the local Jewish Learning Initiative on Campus.  I was joined by Rabbi Menachem Schrader, from Nishmat.  It was great to be back at my alma mater.

 

January 28, there was a screening at Columbia University.  The screening was organized by the Center for the Study of Science and Religion and co-sponsored by Columbia/Barnard Hillel and Yeshivat Chovevei Torah.  There was a great turnout at this screening as well, around 200 people.

 

January 31st was the Las Vegas Premiere at the Las Vegas Jewish Film Festival.  The screening was held at Congregation Shaarei Tefilla.  Rabbi Yaakov Wasser spoke afterwards.

 

February 7, there was a screening at Young Israel of White Plains, NY.  The screening was co-sponsored by the Hebrew Institute of White Plains. 

 

February 21, there was a screening at Synagogue Beit Eliezer in Rechovot, Israel.  Rabbi Dr. Eliezer Goldschmidt spoke following the screening.

 

February 22, there was a screening at Young Israel of Bedford Bay, in Brooklyn, NY. 

 

March 19, there was a screening at Stern College for Women, organized by the Stern Torah Activities Council.  The fim was introduced by Rabbi Dr. Jacob J. Schacter, who was featured in the film and served as an advisor.  

March 23, there was be a screening at the Matnas Bet Foster in Herzeliah, Israel. 

March 29, there was a screening at the Skirball Center for Adult Jewish Learning in Manhattan.  Following the screening, there was a "lively and animated" discussion led by Dr. Neil Gilman of the Jewish Theological Seminary. 

 

Ethan Isenberg