Jewish Studies Interdisciplinary Program

This award-winning film tells the story of 12 year old Mauro, living in Brazil in 1970.  His parents, members of a left-wing militia opposed to the ruling dictatorship, go into hiding and leave him behind for safety with his Orthodox Jewish grandfather. Unbeknownst to the parents, grandfather has just died, and Mauro is taken care of by the Orthodox neighbors.  The film shows Mauro’s struggle with his new community which, like all of Brazil, is preoccupied with the World Cup soccer tournaments.  In Portuguese and Yiddish with English subtitles.  Appropriate for teens and adults.

Reporting from the Middle East

A lecture by Etgar Lefkovits, the Jerusalem correspondent for The Jerusalem Post 

Hear about the complexities of media coverage on terrorism, the rise of Islamic extremism, and the division between Hamas in Gaza and Fatah in the West Bank.

Wednesday, February 13, 2008

4:00 p.m.

Aronstam Library, Manzanita Hall

For more information call CSUN Hillel at 818-886-5101

Co-Sponsors: CSUN Hillel, CSUN Department of Communication Studies, ConsulateGeneral of Israel in Los Angeles,

CSUN Students for Israel, and Stand With Us

Film Screening at Temple Ahavat Shalom

18200 Rinaldi Place, Northridge 91326

Saturday, March 8th -8:00pm
Special for CSUN students: $5 with a valid CSUN ID

$10 TAS members, $15 non-members

Purchase in the Temple office or
online at www.TASNorthridge.org

The compelling story of two mothers— one Israeli, the other Palestinian—who try to make sense of the deaths of their daughters—one a victim, the other a suicide bomber.
Come see the Los Angeles area premiere of an award-winning documentarypresented by the film’s director, Hilla Medalia.

Free Sneak Preview of

Praying with Lior

a film by Ilana Trachtman

 Lior, a boy with Down's syndrome, is preparing for his Bar Mitzvah.  For years, his supportive family and community in contemporary Philadelphia have watched him pray with utter abandon.  This touching and engaging documentary raises questions about love, life, and spirituality.  Winner of Audience Awards at film festivals, it is suitable for teenagers and adults.

Sunday, March 23, 2008

At the Fallbrook Laemmle Theater

6731 Fallbrook Ave, West Hills, 10:00 a.m. (87 mins.)

Followed by Q & A and discussion led by CSUN Jewish Studies faculty

Liberalism and the Challenges of the 1960s: American Jews in a Contentious America with Professor Marc Dollinger, Jewish Studies Program, San Francisco State University

This lecture will trace the American Jewish community's  political activities in the years after the civil rights movement.   With the rise of Black Power and the introduction of quotas to affirmative action programs, many Jews chose the path to neo- Conservatism.  Others embraced American Zionism, the Soviet Jewry movement, or rediscovered their own spirituality in neo-Orthodoxy.  In  every case, though, Jews borrowed from political and cultural innovations championed by the African American community.  Just as Blacks and Jews split, they each "turned inward," mimicking one another more than either group could ever imagine.

Thursday, March 27, 9:30 -10:45 a.m.  Oviatt Library Presentation Room

Israel: A Leader in High Tech

Presenters: Wendy Lewis and Susan Dubin

Monday, April 14

11:00-11:50 a.m., Sierra Hall 310

American Jews and the Images of Israel

Professor Mark Raider, Professor of Modern Jewish History, University of Cincinnati

Professor Raider will demonstrate that shifts in American Jewish thinking about Zionism and Israel may be detected in the symbols and images used to describe Israelis.  The dominant symbol of the pioneer (halutz), he argues, noticeably changed from 1881 until the present. 

Tuesday, April 22

9:30-10:45 a.m., Sierra Hall 314

West Bank Story: Screening of the Film and the Journey of Making It

with Ari Sandel, Director of the Oscar Award-Winning Short Film

What are the challenges of creating an even-handed and humorous depiction of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict? Sandel will show his 20 minute film and speak about the responses to his film from international audiences of Arabs, Israelis, and Jews.

Monday, April 28, 2008 

4-6 p.m.  Oviatt Library Presentation Room

Jewish Music: The Soul of the People

With Cantor (Hazzan) Mike Stein

Cantor Stein will present an overview of Jewish music and its role from Ancient to Modern times. He will musically demonstrate his remarks through the playing of a guitar, shofar, violin and oude.

Cantor Stein will be speaking twice on Wednesday April 30th:

9:00-9:50 A.M, Education Building, Room 1126

10:00-10:50 A.M, Sierra Hall, Room 307

“They'd Love Us if They Knew Us”: Jewish Characters in TV & Film

with Joan Hyler former Senior VP of William Morris agency and currently Manager and Producer

(former and current clients include Andy Warhol, Madonna, Meryl Streep, Bob Dylan, Diane Lane, Alfred Molina, and Ricki Lake).  Join us for a lively lecture and discussion on Jews and the entertainment industry. 

Thursday, May 1st, 2008  

9:30 a.m.- 10:45 a.m. CSUN Grand Salon

Survival in Theresienstadt: The History of Mariánka Zadikow

        A Yom Hashoah lecture by scholar Debórah Dwork

Mariánka Zadikow collected inscriptions and sketches from fellow Theresienstadt inmates prior to their deportation to Auschwitz. Professor Dwork, through the surviving autograph album, will tell Mariánka’s story and those of the many adults and children whose promise would never be realized.

Thursday, May 1, 7 p.m.

Shomrei Torah  Synagogue   

7353 Valley Circle Blvd, West Hills, CA 91304

This program is funded by a grant from The “1939” Club and jointly sponsored by Temple Aliyah, Shomrei Torah Synagogue,and the Jewish Studies Program