OMNI DETROIT Ho EL
RIVER PLACE
•
before Shabbat meals, but also to the
complete Birkat Halt/lazon (grace after
meals) and zemirot (Sabbath tunes
sung at meals).
The CD-ROM packer includes a
paperback bentscher — a book that
includes prayers and songs, with expla-
nations and transliterations, to be used
on Shabbat, holidays and other special
occasions. With information provided
on where to find each song in this par-
ticular bentscher (published by the
National Council of Young Israel), a
user can follow along and see how the
Hebrew words fit with each tune.
For the person with some Hebrew
skills but not much fluency, the CD-
ROM offers a way to practice the
prayers and zemirot with an infinitely
patient teacher. For the person with
no Hebrew, it provides a crash course
on reading Hebrew.
A motivated user can improve syna-
gogue and home-observance skills dra-
matically With Virtual Shabbat. And
with that added proficiency can come
the confidence ro "turn Friday night
into Shabbat.”
Reviewed by Deborah AT. Cymrot
nshington Jewish Week
To preview the CD-ROM, go to
www.njop.org or call 1-800-44-
TORAH. The cost is $ 19.95,
with discounts for some NJOP
program participants.
In A Good Light
Earlier this summer, the Morning
Star Commission of Hadassah present-
ed awards to films and television pro-
grams that have presented their Jewish
female characters in a good light.
The Morning Star Commission was
founded a few of years ago to combat
the negative stereotyping of Jewish
women in the entertainment media
and`to advocate for a healthier diversi-
ty of portrayals of Jewish women in
show business. -
In focus groups conducted by the
commissions researchers, participants
complained that Jewish women in the
media were portrayed as un-sexy, nag-
ging, controlling and materialistic.
One of the worst offenders, according
to panel participants, was the charac-
ter of Fran Fine in The Nanny.
So, you may ask, which programs
were honored at ceremonies in Los
Angeles? Well ... The Nanny, to name
one. One has to start somewhere.
The honorees:
PRESENTS•
A Benefit for the National Kidney Foundation of Michigan, Inc.
Hosted by
Didi Pickles: Favorably portrayed.
• The Nanny
the series that
includes the materialistic but sexy
and intelligent character of Fran
Fine (who ends up getting her non-
Jewish man). And let's not forget her
mother, her grandmother and her
man-hunting aunt. Put another
shrimp on the barbecue?
• Frasier
the top-rated show
about Frasier Crane, his family, neigh-
bors, co-workers and loves. I guess it
was honored for that hilarious
Christmas show that concerned
Frasier's Jewish girlfriend, her control-
ling mother and their highly volatile
but loving relationship.
Hmmmm.
• Suddenly Susan
Well the character of flirty- Vicki
Rubenstein (played by Kathy Griffin)
did marry Ben, a rabbi with a secret
coronary illness. She became a widow
during a night of romance, dealt with
her grief, hit on any guy who breathed
and had a mettlesome mother (Joan
Rivers). Maybe the award is for the role
of Sarah, the passionate cantor at Ben's
temple. Sarah loses her voice after an
erotic affair with Todd the music critic.
• Rugrats — one of my favorite
shows. As for the depiction of Jewish
women, well there is Didi Pickles, a
devoted mother and wife who is rais-
ing up Tommy and Dyl as young Jews.
And there is Minka, Didi's mother.
Why the character of Grace from
Will and Grace was missing, I do not
know -... but the commission forgot to
honor the greatest Jewish female TV
character of all: Mrs. Sheila Broflovski,
Kyle's mother on South Park.
The four movies honored were The
Prince of Egypt, A Wilk on the Moon,
The Devil's Arithmetic and I Love You,
Don't Touch Me.
—
Larry Mark
Jewish Film Archive Online
Don Shane
Friday, August 27, 1999
7:00pm
• Cocktails • Strolling Dinner
• Live Auction • Silent Auction
Live Jazz by "Modern Tribe" Featuring
Charles and Gwen Scales
NIEDIA SPONSORS:
STYLE
magazine
0
W
0
1—
O IP
WWJ • 951:111
NEWSR AD 10
For tickets or more
information please call
1-800-482-1455
HOUR
I) I I ROI I
MAC/AZ - INN
THE GALLERY RESTAURANT
Enjoy gracious dining amid a beautiful
atmosphere of casual elegance
of
BREAKFAST LUNCH DINNER
OPEN 7 DAYS: MON. SAT. 7 a.m.- 9:30 p.m. SUN. 8 a.m.- 9 p.m.
West Bloomfield Plaza • 6638 Telegraph Road and Maple • 248-851-0313
-
CATERING
WE CAN DO
SOMETHING
FABULOUS
FOR THAT
SPECIAL
EVENT
DELIVERY
SERVICE
AVAILABLE
A Little Bit Of New York
Right Here In Bloomfield Hills
LET US TAKE
CARE OF
THE FOOD!
HOME OR
OFFICE,
ANY
OCCASIONS,
SHIVAS,
NO
NOTICE
NEEDED!
6646 Telegraph at Maple • Bloomfield Plaza • 248 -932-0800
Detroit Jewish News
8/6
1999
93