BETWEEN THE TEMPLES Movie Review: Carol Kane Steals the Show
By Dean Bruce, PJFM Marketing Associate
Faith is complicated for cantor Ben Gottlieb, played by Jason Schwartzman, in Nathan Silver’s BETWEEN THE TEMPLES. After his wife’s passing, Gottlieb, affectionately known as Cantor Ben, has gone down a depressive spiral, lost his voice, a crucial resource for a cantor, and can’t find passion for anything besides mudslide cocktails. Enter Carla, played by Carol Kane, Cantor Ben’s former music teacher who comes in with a request for a 50-odd years late bat mitzvah.
The relationship between Schwartzman and Kane’s characters is immediately intriguing. At first glance, they seem to be polar opposites. Schwartzman is very maudlin, and Kane is more of an energy ball who is looking for a new lease on life after grieving her husband. As the film progresses, though, we see how that shared experience of loss connects them and Kane’s search for a new path in life helps Schwartzman see that he needs to find one for himself.
Kane is hilarious. Her brand of shrill, bold-faced passion carries the energy of the movie through its 110-minute runtime. Kane has a gift as an actress to be the perfect foil to more buttoned-down characters, as I remember from her days in UNBREAKABLE KIMMY SCHMIDT (2015-2019), and it translates even better here. She is a very likable presence, and it’s completely understandable why Schwartzman and other characters are drawn in by her manic vibes.
“Kane has a gift as an actress to be the perfect foil...”
Schwartzman and the supporting cast hold their own. Schwartzman seems to be taking cues from past Wes Anderson performances and cranking up the neuroses, which works in the context of this movie that holds some wackier instincts. Madeline Weinstein, playing the rabbi’s daughter, also has a few fun scenes. The supporting performances that are highlights, however, are Schwartzman’s mothers, played by Dolly De Leon and Caroline Aaron. Their blend of everlasting love for Schwartzman and misplaced ambitions that a romantic relationship will get him back in the saddle make for some great moments.
The directing and editing style are visually engaging. It is dizzying and a unique fit for a character-driven comedy-drama where usually the relationships would take center stage. The climax of the film spins around a table quickly and jumps from topic to topic, making the completion of Schwartzman’s arc as a character stand out when the chaos stops. The conscious deployment of a steady hand helped distinguish the comedic moments from the dramatic.
The film premieres in theaters August 23, and if you’re a fan of Carol Kane or any of the other cast members, it is worth schlepping out to the theater. The performances drive the film to some very interesting places, and when the movie is given a chance to breathe and the audience can consider what it has to say, it becomes compellingly contemplative.
Unapologetically Jewish Reception
The Bob and Susan Horan Studio Theatre remains one of the best places to go for new independent theatre. GRIEF, A LOVE STORY, showing at the studio September 22, looks to continue the trend.
Larry Hirschhorn entered the Philadelphia theater scene just two years ago with an original musical, no less. A titanic task for any artist, Hirschhorn’s
GRIEVING AARON premiered in March 2022 to a crowd of 200. Hirschhorn is looking to follow up this success with GRIEF: A LOVE STORY, a narrative inspired by his upbringing in a Jewish neighborhood in New York City by reconnecting with his GRIEVING AARON director Beth Criscuolo and tackling themes of the immigrant experience.
Local Jewish Media
HIRSCHHORN’S AUTHORIAL JOURNEY
Hirschhorn’s journey into the dramatic arts started when he wrote a book of poems after his son tragically passed away in 2021. From there, his grief created an artistic pathway to music where Hirschhorn would blend the two together into a narrative musical
The two works may have similar titles involving grief, but GRIEF: A LOVE STORY looks to be about the broader grief of the Holocaust and how survival doesn’t always mean escaping with your heart intact
The play follows Jacob and Eva, two Holocaust survivors who find a community in an Orthodox synagogue. Jacob is still doing battle with his demons after escaping the Holocaust, and finds himself interfacing with his nearby community in ways he could never have expected.
Hirschhorn notes in an interview that this play blends his “childhood milieu” with his recent grieving experiences While much of the plot is under wraps, the playwright suggests that survivor’s guilt plays a role in the narrative, as does the difference between being an American Jew and a survivor. As Jacob and his friends face different experiences of grief, their understanding of God’s relationship to the Jews is tested..
GRIEF: A LOVE STORY looks to be a reminder of the bonds community can forge and how mourning is not exclusively about the people you know who have passed on. Hirschhorn’s unique authorial voice is a welcome addition to the Philadelphia theatre scene
GRIEF: A LOVE STORY will be performing at the Bob and Selma Huron Studio Theater, 62 North 2nd Street on September 20-22. Tickets are available through the play’s website, Griefalovestory.com, or directly from the Philadelphia Fringe Festival.
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The Jewish Experience in Animation
Finding representation in media can be difficult, especially in cartoons Hollywood, and animation companies in general, hold a picture in their subconscious of the types of people they want to represent in media at given times, and have a difficult time moving off of that to create more diverse pieces. Unfortunately, as a result, the Jewish population is less likely to find representation in the animation genre, but it is possible to find quality examples of great Jewish characters in the medium. Here is a look at three animated properties featuring Jewish characters that provide great representation for Jewish animation fans to appreciate.
AN AMERICAN TAIL (1986) is a groundbreaking animated film that provides a heartfelt representation of Jewish immigrant experiences. The movie follows Fievel Mousekewitz, a young Jewish mouse who emigrates from Russia to America in search of a better life The film subtly incorporates Jewish cultural traditions and tenets, reflecting the struggles and hopes of Jewish immigrants. Its portrayal of the challenges faced by Fievel and his family provide connection to the historical experiences of Jewish communities, making it a touching example of Jewish representation in animation.
RUGRATS stands out as an animated series that integrates Jewish culture in a natural and relatable way. Episodes like “A Rugrats Passover” (1995) highlight Jewish traditions and holidays, presenting them in a way that is accessible to children and families. By including Jewish characters and celebrating their customs, RUGRATS promotes understanding and acceptance, offering a meaningful representation of Jewish life within the broader context of the show's adventures.
Shown at the 2010 iteration of our fall film and media festival, $9.99 (2008) is an Australian animated film that incorporates Jewish culture through its portrayal of the characters and their experiences. One of the film’s central figures is a Jewish man grappling with his own identity and familial expectations. The film's nuanced depiction of Jewish life, alongside its exploration of broader themes of self-discovery and personal growth, makes it a valuable example of Jewish representation in animation, contributing to a richer, more inclusive cinematic landscape
Kaiserman JCC’s 3rd annual Fall Fest is coming up on Sunday, October 20. Bring the whole family out to Wynnewood for face painting, games, treats, and more! Registration opens soon.
This fall, Kaiserman is offering a variety of afterschool activities for school-aged children. The KidsTime program provides afterschool care to Lower Merion with fun daily activities like arts and crafts, sports, and homework help. They also offer After School Enrichment Programs open to all This year’s offerings include cooking, arts, soccer, pickleball, and taekwondo. The center also offers fencing, cheerleading, and gymnastics.
Kaiserman’s new preschool, the Philly JCC Jewish Early Learning Center in King of Prussia, opens on August 19. They are still enrolling students ages 6 weeks-pre-K for the 20242025 school year. The new facility is located within Temple Brith Achim, though it is not directly affiliated with the temple. The preschool won Best Child Care of the Main Line in 2024 and runs year-long with extended hours.
The fall classes for the Gems program for older adults are now open for registration. Some highlights include Yiddish Dancing, a screening and lecture series on movies set in the Catskills, and political affairs lectures In October, Kaiserman will be hosting events for all ages to commemorate October 7th. They also have adult pickleball clinics and events for all ages and levels.
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