myschrec

This has just become available on ChaiFlicks. The performances are outstanding -- with the well-known greats Max Von Sydow, Donald Pleasance, Lili Palmer, and Theodore Bikel. This is a stage performance -- the original Broadway production. It is well designed and does not feel as cramped as what was probably the real physical circumstances. The picture quality is less than what I hoped, which is not surprising for a 1967 TV program. However, the audio is clear ... so I did not miss not having the closed captions that I generally need. The video also contains some commercials -- which fortunately are not too long.

My father, his father, and his grandparents - over 100 years ago - attended the synagogue in Kolbuszowa, Poland. It was one of the few synagogues not totally destroyed by the Nazis. But the beautiful, hand-painted,ornate ceiling was destroyed. Fortunately, a photograph of the ceiling was saved by Norman Salsitz, and it is preserved in the United States of Holocaust Memorial Museum. Several years ago, I visited the synagogue and the cemetery where my ancestors are buried. So this film is very meaningful for me because it attempts to recreate a past that I treasure. However, this film is also a tribute to architecture, construction skills, artistic talent and collective creative pursuit. One has "hope for humanity" when seeing so many skillful people work together to preserve history and recreate beauty. Even if you have no connection to Poland, to Judaism, or to art, I think you will be pleased to see such a wonderful documentary. This is what we mean when we use the term: "a labor of love."

I saw this on the Disney Plus channel. The details describe this as "Daweed Diggs' official music video." It is fun for the kids. My granddaughters danced with the video. I grew up Orthodox and we might get one or two gifts, but not one for every night of Chanukah. My wife, however, liked to spread out gifts for our girls for each night... like chocolate, sox, and other small items. I object to the idea that Chanukah has to be associated with gifts for kids ... like Christmas. That said, this video is fun. And I have to agree with my wife ... it is always fun to give gifts and bring joy to our kids and grandkids. It's only 3 minutes long, but the kids might force you to see it several times.