RELIGION LIVES ON

Joshua Salama-Caro ‘23

My heritage is not something that I have put into words before. However, on talking to my parents and exploring some of my past, I came across an interview my mother had done with my maternal great-grandmother in 1993 about her experiences in the Holocaust. Although I knew quite a bit about this subject, it was amazing reading it in words and this really made me start to think about who I am. The thing that really stood out was how important my religion is as it has survived and lives on today despite such horrific times in the past. The story made me feel emotional and helped me to pinpoint my religion as a key part of who I am; understanding more why my parents strongly believe in keeping lots of Jewish customs that our ancestors started. My Jewish heritage is a big part of who I am and who my family is. My maternal great-grandmother was from Germany and she lived at the time of WW2. Since she was Jewish, her parents sensed danger before the war and sent her away to a boarding school in Switzerland. She had no contact with her family during the war and did not know whether they were alive or dead. Her parents and brother remained in Germany as the school could not accommodate him and were hidden from the Nazis by a kind Catholic family. Unfortunately one day they were found by the Nazis and taken together with the family hiding them to a concentration camp. On the way, my great-great-grandfather saw someone else bribing the driver with gold coins to be let off. By luck, my great-great-grandfather also had some gold coins in his pocket and managed to get off the transport with his family and the other family. They then spent the rest of the war safely in hiding.

Jewish traditions are what make having a religion feel meaningful to me. One particular tradition is Jewish boys and girls celebrate turning 13 and joining “Jewish adulthood” with a ceremony called a bar or bat mitzvah. Recently I had my bar mitzvah which was a lot of work and effort and at times I felt reluctant to study and angry about the time commitment. However, the day was very special and memorable, repeating what my ancestors had all done for many years previously. Additionally, all of the learning involved taught me so much more about why we do certain things in Judaism which has helped me appreciate more the meaning behind particular customs and where they originate from. Having a religion I think gives you a special identity and in some ways has helped me build connections and make friends after moving countries; it really is a key part of who I am deep within me. Being Jewish continued to be important for my parents and they even met at their synagogue many years ago! As well as my Jewish history, being English is also important to me as I lived in England until I was eight; for example, I have made an effort to keep my English accent as much as possible. I hope I will be able to carry on feeling English for many years to come as it is something I personally identify myself with in addition to my religion. Interestingly, my great grandparents originate from a number of different European countries and North Africa which of course have very diverse cultures of their own. However, the customs of Judaism are what have survived over the generations in my family rather than the specific customs of these countries. I think it is important to continue practicing religion even though it is sometimes a little inconvenient to follow the rules, as otherwise the customs get lost, and then having a religion can feel a little pointless. This would be very sad if the traditions were not passed onto future generations but this takes effort. I hope to be able to continue these traditions in the future with my family as it is important to understand where you came from and who you are; also for me, it is important to understand how my ancestors have suffered in order for me to be alive today.

Cape Carl

Graham Winfrey ‘98

EXCERPT FROM CAPE CARL SCREEN PLAY EXT. HAVEN POINT BEACH - DAY

A secluded beach. Carl and Griffin are ankle deep in the water, skipping rocks.

Dan is sitting in the sand holding a beer in an All Cape Boat Rentals koozie. Carl skips a rock and looks back at Dan.

CARL

Hey Griff. I got a job for you.

GRIFFIN What?

CARL

I want you to bring me the biggest shell you can find, okay? If it’s a big one, I’ll give you a dollar.

GRIFFIN A dollar?

CARL Okay, five dollars. Deal?

GRIFFIN Deal.

Carl walks back to the beach. He sits down next to Dan.

CARL

How was Boston?

DAN (shrugs)

Tryna get this company to use our software.

CARL (looking at the water)

I need your advice on something.

DAN

Okay.

CARL

One of my clients is having an affair. (pause)

I can’t decide whether I should say something.

DAN

Is it the husband or the wife?

CARL

The wife.

DAN

How well do you know them?

CARL

Pretty well.

DAN

Is it Tricia?

CARL (fakes shock)

Why would you say that?

DAN Is it?

Carl doesn’t budge.

DAN (CONT’D)

Chip Crothers, right?

CARL (surprised) You know?

DAN

(looks down at the sand) Our marriage has been in bad shape for a while.

CARL How long?

DAN Few years.

CARL

A few years? Why are you still together?

DAN

We have a kid.

CARL

Dan, it would be much better for everyone, especially Griff, if you and Tricia separated.

Dan takes this in.

CARL (CONT’D)

Trying to stay together literally killed my parents.

Dan furrows his brows.

CARL (CONT’D)

I mean, obviously, my dad died of heart disease and my mom died of cancer, but, it’s all related.

Behind the Scenes of “Cape

Dan scoffs.

CARL (CONT’D)

Look, the best thing you can do for Griff would be to-

DAN (sternly) You’re not his father, Carl.

CARL (defensive) I know.

DAN

I appreciate you trying to help but I don’t wanna get into it.

Carl and Dan look at Griffin as the sun sets.

CARL Claire’s back in town.

DAN (surprised) What? (MORE) (pause)

What do you mean, back in town?

CARL

She’s staying at the McCormick’s.

DAN

Have you seen her?

CARL

I saw her this morning.

DAN

Jesus. How is she?

CARL (raises his eyebrows) Divorced.

DAN Oh god.

CARL What?

DAN

No wonder you’re so perky.

CARL Perky?

DAN

It’s just a little strange. I haven’t been allowed to say her name for 10 years and you’re like smiling right now.

CARL

I’m...not even remotely smiling.

Dan scoffs.

CARL (CONT’D)

And I never said you couldn’t say her name.

Dan shakes his head.

CARL (CONT’D) What?

DAN

I just hope you don’t do anything stupid.

Graham Winfrey ‘98 is a features editor at Inc. magazine and lives in Brooklyn with his wife, Meredith, and their son, William. He has written and directed two feature films: “Double Belgian,” which was released in 2020, and “Cape Carl,” currently in post-production.