VERY SPECIAL
CONCERT

The God Squad
In liolywood'

Turner Classic Movies gets some divine
intervention in a month-long
airing of religious-themed movies..

BENYAMIN COHEN
Special to the Jewish News

swath of well-coifed silver hair, to no
one in particular.
Modest as it may appear, this wry
abbi Marc Gellman is perched little exchange between these two men
on a wooden pew in the bal-
of faith — making observations about
cony of a picturesque Atlanta
the meaning of life, weaving them into
church singing the theme to
a kind of Siskel & Ebert for the spiri-
Star Wars. Sitting next to him is his best
tual crowd — symbolizes somewhat of
friend, Monsignor Tom Hartman.
a landmark moment in pop history.
They're in a heated discussion —
The clerical dream team is in
not about religious doctrine but about
town shooting scenes for Turner
musical scores in films.
Classic Movie's
Above: Mo n signor
Gellman, a clean-shaven
"Holywood: Religion in
Tom Hartm an
man with a knit yarmulke
the Movies," a 27-film
and Rabbi Marc
covering a portion of his
festival that reflects the
Gellman: Call them
white disheveled hair, is try-
cinema's long fascination
the poster ch ildren
ing to hum the tune to the
with
matters of faith.
of interfaith relations.
scene where Darth Vader is
Their banter and analysis
attempting to kidnap
will be used to introduce
Princess Leia. Despite the dramatic
the movies during the festival.
overture, Leia escapes harm's way.
The duo's discussion of the impor-
"Just once," deadpans the rabbi, "I'd
tance, accuracy and_evolution of reli-
like to see a guy get up after a miracle
gious themes in movies will include an
and just say 'Thanks.'"
evening of Jewish films, scheduled for
There is a pause. Hartman, the
broadcast beginning at 8 p.m. on April
Abbott to Gellman's Costello, bursts
15. The monsignor and the rabbi will
into laughter and the director yells,
scrutinize Yentl, Fiddler on the Roof and
"Cut!"
The Jazz Singer, where the pontifica-
"Does anyone have any Prozac?"
tion shifts from musical treatments in
asks the priest, steely-eyed with a
religious-themed films to stereotypes.

R

SHLOMO GRONICH

and

The SHEBA CHOIR of ISRAEL

featuring Mickal Adler

SUNDAY, APRIL 9

7:3o p.m.

Congregation Shaarey Zedek • 27375 Bell Road, Southfield

Current donors to Federation's Annual Campaign:
Your donation entitles you to two
complimentary tickets to the concert.

Non-donors: $10 per ticket

(donated to Federation's Annual Campaign)

Children: complimentary admission

For more information,
call Allison Rabinovitz, (248) 203-1497
or rabinovitz©jfmd.org

,

We would like to thank the following'event sponsors:
Ben N. Teitel Charitable Trust
Marta and Ben Rosenthal
Michael and Elaine Serling
Nancy and Stephen Grand

T his is -r-ecleration

Visit us on the Web: www.tkisisiederation.org/MIC

3/31

2000