Brooklyn Religion Briefs: Jan. 7, 2013
Film on Muslim stand-up comedy launches ‘Interfaith Movie Nights’
Plymouth Church’s growing Interfaith Ministry presents a three-night movie series, “Laughing Through Our Tears,” which aims to demonstrate the power of humor in addressing some challenging cultural issues. Plymouth’s Interfaith Connections Group presents the series, which launches with an engaging, wise, and hilarious comedy titled “Stand Up: Muslim-American Comics Come of Age.”
Originally shown on PBS in 2008 as part of the acclaimed “America at a Crossroads” series, “Stand Up” delivers an age-old American tradition: immigrant groups taking up comedy to fight stereotypes. The contemporary twist of “Stand Up” is in the casting. Five talented Muslim-American comics are forced to decide whether to take the safe route, or to humorously share their experiences in post-9/11 America. “Stand Up” delivers laughs and insights through live comedy routines and first-person interviews, giving voice to a slice of American culture that has felt obligated to remain silent.
“Stand Up” begins at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 16 in the Reception Room. A light supper will be served, after which the movie will begin promptly at 7 p.m. Contributions of side dishes, desserts and drinks are welcome. After the screening, there will be an opportunity for brief discussion. Interfaith Movie Nights are presented free of charge and open to the community.
The next two films in this Wednesday series will be “Stolen Summer” on Feb. 20 and “Where Do We Go Now” on March 13.
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Shabbaton explores pursuit of war, peace within Judaism
How does one reconcile Judaism’s vision of a utopian world of peace with its acceptance of—and at times, insistence on—war?
This paradox is the topic of Congregation B’nai Avraham’s next Shabbaton, on Friday, Jan. 18, with Shmuel Klatzkin, Ph.D., offering a Jewish Perspective on War and Peace.
Dr. Klatzkin will examine the spiritual teachings of Judaism, and pose questions such as, “How does Judaism differ with other religions in its pursuit of peace?”
Rabbi Klatzkin, a resident of Dayton, Ohio, was ordained as a Reform Rabbi at Hebrew Union College, and then journeyed into the world of Chabad where he has since been ordained as an Orthodox Rabbi. Sponsors for this program are Steve & Jana Cohn.
According to an announcement of this event, “B’nai Avraham’s innovative approach to Shabbat combines the traditional functions of the synagogue — gathering, study and prayer — with discussion and dinner. Experience the best of Jewish cultural, scientific, and literary life!”
Shabbat services begin at 4:40 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 18, just after the standard candelighting time of 4:38, according to most New York-area Hebrew calendars. The dinner and lecture begin at 5:40 p.m. For reservations: email [email protected] or call (718)596-4840 ext. 11. The cost for members is $25; for non-members: $30; and for children under 12: $10 www.bnaiavraham.com. Congregation B’nai Avraham is at 117 Remsen Street, Brooklyn Heights.