MARCH 23 • 2023 | 57

the Arabic language in past 
years, used by Jews who 
lived in the Arab world, 
Berman calls his the first 
one in the Palestinian 
dialect, transliterated by a 
Palestinian colleague.
The Haggadah grew out 
of Berman’s proficiency in 
Arabic, which he practic-
es frequently with native 
speakers in Israel, the 
Palestinian territories and 
Gaza.
Why a Haggadah in 
Arabic?
“People do crazy or 
interesting things to keep 
the kids up seder night,” he 
says. “People read part of 
it in Yiddish or Japanese to 
have fun.”
He adds, “A great way to 
learn a language is to sing 
a song that you know the 
words by heart in a foreign 
language and then you can 
figure out what the words 
mean in that language.” 
His has a contemporary 
twist — “it’s a way to help 
Israelis learn Palestinian 
Arabic.”
That’s why he offers only 
Hebrew transliterations for 
his anticipated Hebrew-
speaking readership. 
Berman is a veteran 
author: His earlier books 
include What Happens if 
You Miss a Kaddish: The 
origin, development and 
putative efficacy of mourn-
er’s Kaddish.
For the Four Sons, his 
Haggadah, publicized on 
social media, offers four, 
different photographs of 
him. 
“It was cheaper than pay-
ing for more illustrations,” 
he explains, “and I like 
to ham it up … although 
I know that is not quite 
kosher.” 

 

JUST AS I AM: 
The Shira Choir

Movie | Wednesday 
May 3, 2023 | 7PM

The Berman Center for 
the Performing Arts

Fee: $12.00

For questions email: openingthedoors@jccdet.org 
To register for the event go to: https:/
/jccdetroit.csstix.com/events.php

EDUCATE. INCLUDE. EMPOWER.

Celebrating Accessibility and Inclusion

Moderator: 
Cheryl Chodun 
Former WXYZ 
News Reporter/ 
Adjunct Professor

A 

little film with a big heart follows the lives of choir members of all 

abilities during a pandemic. This touching journey through sorrow 

and joy, life and death is a reminder to always treasure one another and 

shows how music heals and uplifts. 

• Live on-screen performance by the Shira Choir preceding the film.

• 
Live on-screen Q & A with Director Evan Beloff and Cantor Daniel 

Benlolo with in-person moderator, Cheryl Chodun.

Director Evan Beloff (l) 
and Cantor Daniel Benlolo
Director Evan Beloff (l) 
and Cantor Daniel Benlolo

