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What Makes Culture Popular and Jewish? Klutznick-Harris Symposium to Provide the Answers by DR. LEONARD GREENSPOON Holder of the Klutznick Chair in Jewish Civilization at Creighton University At a movie theater, on a basketball court, in a grocery store checkout line---these may not seem to be likely places for senior professors. But the three keynote speakers for this year’s Klutznick-Harris Symposium, on Sunday and Monday, Oct. 24-25, are as at home in these locations as they are in libraries, classrooms, and lecture halls. The theme of this 17th annual Klutznick-Harris Symposium is 350 Years of American Judaism and Popular Culture. Princeton Professor Jenna Weissman Joselit is the perfect person to be the main keynote presenter, on Sunday, Oct. 24, 7:30 p.m., in the theater of the Jewish Community Center. The title of her appearance--“‘Harness My Zebras’: American Jews and Popular Culture in 20th Century America”--is indicative of the breath of her knowledge and insights.
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Official Heading AIPAC Probe Linked to Anti-Semitism Case by EDWIN BLACK Israel. AIPAC denies any wrongdoWASHINGTON (JTA)--David ing and has called the alleged Szady, the senior FBI counterintellicharges “baseless.” But the case gence official currently heading the cast a spotlight on the venerable controversial investigation of the lobbying organization and has sent American Israel Public Affairs shock waves through the Jewish Committee, is well-known to senior community. Jewish communal officials, who Jewish communal officials and assert he has targeted Jews in the members of Congress have protestpast. ed the investigation and the media Now, an investigation reveals that frenzy around it, calling for an Szady was involved in a well-publiinvestigation into who leaked the cized case involving a Jewish forinvestigation and for what purmer CIA staff attorney who sued the pose. FBI, the CIA and its top officials for Many questions remain unrereligious discrimination. solved, including who initiated the Although not named in the suit, investigation, believed to have Szady headed the elite department Adam Ciralsky, appearing on a segment of begun two years ago, and why. that former CIA Director George CBS’ “60 Minutes” in 2000 after he Szady, who was appointed by Tenet admitted in 1999 was involved charged the FBI and CIA with religious dis- President Bush in 2001 to head a with “insensitive, unprofessional crimination. Credit: JTA file photo courtesy little-known intelligence interand highly inappropriate” language 60 Minutes agency unit known as the National regarding the case of the attorney, Counter Intelligence Policy Board, Adam Ciralsky. returned to the FBI about two years ago, becoming The AIPAC investigation, which CBS broke last month assistant director for counterintelligence. on the eve of the Republican convention, is believed to Jewish communal officials familiar with Szady assert focus on a Pentagon official suspected of passing a he has targeted Jews, blocked or slowed their clearclassified draft policy statement on Iran to AIPAC, the ances and squeezed minor security violators. pro-Israel lobby, which allegedly then passed it on to Continued on page 9
Tova Mirvis Opens Jewish Book Month with Annual Kripke Library Luncheon by GARY KATZ Library Administrator The Kripke Jewish Federation Library will kick off Jewish Book Month this year by hosting best selling author Tova Mirvis at the Library’s annual luncheon on Wednesday, Oct. 20, 11:45 a.m. in the JCC Auditorium. During the luncheon Mirvis, author of the popular The Ladies Auxiliary will discuss her newest novel and bestselling book, The Outside World, a hilarious story about two Orthodox Jewish families brought together by the marriage of their children. Tzippy Goldman’s mother has been planning her wedding since before she was born. Her four younger sisters want her to marry the crown prince of Boro Park. But Tzippy, approaching spinsterhood at the age of 22, has other ideas. Tzippy has been on one too many blind dates in the lobby of the Brooklyn Marriott. She is hungry for experience and longs to escape the suffocating expectations of religious structure and romantic obligation. The Outside World is a marvelous evocation of family and community, and of the struggle to be religious in a modern world. “With a sharp and sympathetic eye for the oft neglected and misunderstood worlds of ultra-Orthodox and Modern Orthodox Judaism, Mirvis crafts a compelling narrative that delves into the lives of two families, each struggling with its own insecurities and difficulties. At times giddily humorous, at times stirring and sorrowful, Mirvis’ insightful novel is packed with convincing detail, from descriptions of yarmulkes (fancifully embroidered or stolid black velvet) to the varieties of
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Local Author’s Book to Benefit Beth El: Page 3
wigs worn by married ultra-Orthodox women…but the universal themes of growing up and choosing a fitting life to lead will resonate with readers of all faiths” states Publisher’s Weekly. Tova Mirvis grew up in Memphis, Tennessee. She has a MFA in creative writing from Columbia University. She lives in New York City with her husband and two children. Continued on page 4
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The first part of her title comes from Cecil deMille’s 1927 Biblical epic, The King of Kings, and the second part is a perfect description of Joselit as an experienced scholar and teacher whose signature course at Princeton is titled “Culture Mavens: American Jews and Performing Arts.” Her presentation will be followed by a dessert reception. Two of Joselit’s books would appear on anyone’s list of popular culture best sellers: A Perfect Fit: Clothes, Character and the Promise of America and The Wonders of America: Reinventing Jewish Culture: 1880-1950. Joselit is also a frequent contributor to The New Republic and a columnist for The Forward. She Jenna Weissman Joselit describes herself as “an avid movie and theater-goer, who lives not far from the Great White Way and follows the ups and downs of the ballet world with the same intensity with which others follow baseball.” Joselit’s reference to sports also serves as a perfect introduction to another one of the Symposium’s keynoters, Jeffrey S. Gurock, Professor at Yeshiva University in New York City. Gurock’s presentation, titled “The Crowning of a ‘Jewish Jordan’: Tamir Goodman, the American Sports Media, and Modern Orthodox Jewry’s Fantasy World,” will take place in the City Student Union at University of NebraskaLincoln at Sunday, Oct. 24, Jeffrey S. Gurock 12:30 p.m. Describing his choice of topics, Gurock said: “This presentation is derived from my recently completed book, Competing Cultures: Judaism’s Encounter with American Sports. The focus of my presentation is how in 1999-2001 the popular sports media created in the person of Tamir Goodman a larger-than-life figure. This Continued on page 2
16 Tishrei, 5765 October 1, 2004
PIZ
Vol. LXXXIV No. 4 Omaha, NE
$438,000 pledged to The 2005 Jewish Federation of Omaha Annual Campaign! 121 increased gifts!
RAISE YOUR PLEDGE, SEND A PIZZA! Show your support and boost the morale of Israel Defense Forces troops! In honor of YOUR increased gift to the 2005 Jewish Federation of Omaha Annual Campaign, a private donor will sponsor the delivery of hot, kosher pizza to active-duty IDF soldiers with an acknowledgement from the Omaha Jewish community. Pizzas provided through the generosity of Sharon and Howard Kooper. Pledge increases will NOT be used to pay for the pizzas. The Federation is working through Pizza IDF (www.pizzaidf), a non-profit website that lets supporters send pizza to active duty soldiers on the front lines.
Coming: Salute to Education and Camping: Oct. 22 Read It and Eat Dairy Free Recipes: Page 4
Hadassah HMO Event Features Omaha Library Director: Page 12