arts&life

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April 12 • 2018

jn

says the director whose responsi-
bilities include production and art
direction. “When people see the
film, they come away loving him
the way they love other famous
Jewish athletes.”
Newberger thinks of the film as
very relatable to Jews of the dias-
pora, like himself, who feel a con-
nection to Israel. That connection
is especially meaningful for him
because he lived there for a year
and visits a brother and sister-in-
law now residing there.
“Ironbound Films is the busi-
ness of three Jewish guys, and this
is our first Jewish film,” he says.
“Heading Home has a very special
place in our hearts and our work.”
Maucere also feels a connec-
tion to Michigan because of stage
performances and a friendship
with Sean Forbes, who heads up
the Deaf Professional Arts Network
based in Ferndale. Although
Maucere is not Jewish, he feels
comfortable in Jewish environ-
ments because his wife, Lauren
Abbott, and children are Jewish.
“I am John Maucere, not a deaf
actor or a deaf teacher or a deaf
anything,” he says. “I am an artist,
and I think this film is going to
open people’s minds to think about
diversity and acceptance of what-
ever a person is.
“I’m an actor as well as a deaf
interpreter in the legal system as
well as an instructor of deaf stud-
ies. The deaf studies program is
the focus of the film, and I feel it’s
part of my career to educate the
public about communicating with
individuals in their language and
interacting with them in their own
culture.”
Maucere started acting when

CLOCKWISE: 1945; Muhi: Generally Temporary; Shelter; Four by Four; At Eye Level.

LOCAL CONNECTIONS

Before the films Indecent and Wendy’s
Shabbat were made, Nicole Eisenberg of
Bloomfield Hills and Abbe Sherbin of West
Bloomfield had firsthand — but separate
— experiences with the productions from
behind the scenes.
The importance of Indecent was known
by Eisenberg, a longtime Broadway show
investor who co-produced the play by Paula
Vogel and will introduce the playwright at
the JCC.
“I’m proud to be making this introduc-
tion,” Eisenberg says. “This play brings to
life what we’re going through today with
many issues — anti-Semitism as well as
discrimination against women and mem-
bers of the LGBTQ community. I’ve shared
my feelings on Facebook.”
Sherbin shared Shabbat at Wendy’s with
her 94-year-old dad, Harry Binder, and his
friendly group of seniors in Palm Desert,
Calif., way ahead of the filmmaking that
shows the cohesive and caring group.
“These are such sweet people,” she

he was 23. He had met an actress
who opened his mind to acting
as a career choice. School theater
programs claimed his attention,
and he worked with the National
Theatre of the Deaf, touring the
world for five years.
Maucere, who will be accom-
panied by an interpreter for his
Michigan appearance, will be
going to Israel in May.
“I’ve appeared on TV and in
commercials,” he says. “I’ve been a
spokesperson for a variety of cor-
porations.”

HAYDEN STINEBAUGH

Whether Vogel discusses issues
or projects during her appearance
will depend on the audience. She
thinks of her presentation as a
conversation. She will play it in the
moment and is prepared to discuss
the creation of the Indecent film
project, historical research and
whatever else the audience may
bring up.
Newberger, who has talked
about Heading Home at many film
festivals, plans on offering a Q and
A session after the screening. For
him, the visit to Michigan will feel
comfortable because of visits to
the Tiger stronghold that were part
of making the sports documentary.
Heading Home actually reaches
back to the Jewish summer camp
experiences of the documen-
tary’s three directors, partners
in Ironbound Films. Newberger,
Daniel A. Miller and Seth Kramer
were camp friends with Jonathan
Mayo, who became a sports writer
and much later suggested the proj-
ect.
“We really got to know these
guys,” says Newberger, who spent
Detroit time with Zeid in 2015. A
free agent this season, “Josh is the
unsung hero of Team Israel’s suc-
cess and the film. He’s the relief
pitcher who brings Israel to victory
against some really tough teams.”
In capturing the competition,
Newberger describes the film as a
roller coaster ride of emotions, the
element he believes elevates the
storyline.
“Getting to know Josh and his
wife in Israel made it clear that he
was very earnest and likable, but I
had no idea, until we got to Korea,
how pivotal his performance on
the field would be to the victories,”

Nicole Eisenberg

explains, noting that her dad is seen more
in the outtakes. “They’ve created their own
ritual, and I think that’s more important
than where they practice that ritual.” •

A graduate of the California
School for the Deaf, Maucere was
the first deaf actor in ABC’s Talent
Development Program. Acting has
placed him in episodes of Law and
Order, Brand New Life and Pacific
Blue among other series. He com-
municated about access ability
programming for Sprint over nine
years. He’s also the founder of
Deafywood, an ensemble for deaf
entertainers. He’s currently work-
ing on part two of the SuperDeafy
film. •