From My Screen: ABOVE AND BEYOND

Over the Shavuot/Memorial Day weekend, I watched an extraordinary film. In its simplest terms, the film might be described (as a New York Times reviewer has written) as follows: “Produced by Nancy Spielberg (sister of Steven Spielberg), the documentary ‘Above and Beyond’ recounts the story of Jewish American pilots who, beginning in 1948, secretly fought for Israel in its war of independence, when the Israeli military was nascent.”

It’s an amazing story. To be sure, it’s not without its discomforts. For starters, the American Jews who participated in this effort were risking their U.S. citizenship. But by the end of the film, one can’t help thinking of the devastating consequences had they not made the choices that they did.

The same NYT reviewer mentioned above also notes that “the movie’s one-sided view of history is bound to start arguments.” Maybe. But if this is a “one-sided view of history,” it’s also an accurate view of history. For instance, the Arab countries’ 1947 rejection of the U.N. Partition Plan that would have created the first-ever Palestinian state is included as part of the prelude to Israel’s War of Independence. Not everyone is cognizant of this pre-history to Israel’s declaration of statehood. Is its inclusion what the reviewer means by “one-sided”?

Regardless, I strongly recommend this film, especially for anyone who wants to learn more about the establishment of the State of Israel and the contributions of American Jews to that achievement. Above and Beyond can be viewed via (some) on-demand cable companies, iTunes, and at screenings. You’ll find more information on the film’s website.

Words of the Week

“’Divided by politics, Israelis and Palestinians are united by a love for the same land with its rich indivisible history, and now even shared saints,’ the Pope could have declared, addressing Abbas and Rivlin in Rome, in a speech broadest simultaneously on Israeli and Palestinian television. He could have gone on to challenge members of both nations to consider what else unites them, and to suggest that shared saints is just one manifestation of how the Church could be a constructive bridge to peace between Israelis and Palestinians.

The Pope could have deployed his moral authority in recent days to bring Palestinians and Israelis together, and send out a very real call for conciliation between them. Instead, he lent out this moral authority, and even the solemn rite of canonization, for diplomatic point-scoring.”

Source: Nathan Jeffay, “Pope No Saint On Palestinian Saints? Missed opportunity to stress unity on both sides of the Green Line.” (The Jewish Week)

Pre-Shabbat Jewish Literary Links

Photo Credit: Reut Miryam Cohen
Photo Credit: Reut Miryam Cohen

Every Friday My Machberet presents an array of Jewish-interest links, primarily of the literary variety.

  • The May Jewish Book Carnival went live this week. It’s a great one.
  • Over on the Fig Tree Books blog, we took note of Herman Wouk’s approaching 100th birthday.
  • Congregation B’nai Israel in Rumson, N.J., is looking for a part-time librarian/library coordinator.
  • The American Jewish Congress is advertising for a Social Media Coordinator to work from its New York City offices.
  • New Jersey Jewish News features a Q&A with Letty Cottin Pogrebin on the occasion of her new novel’s publication.
  • Shabbat shalom, and have a joyous Shavuot.

    Pre-Shabbat Jewish Literary Links

    Photo Credit: Reut Miryam Cohen
    Photo Credit: Reut Miryam Cohen

    Every Friday My Machberet presents an array of Jewish-interest links, primarily of the literary variety.

  • The latest newsletter from Fig Tree Books features the final pre-publication giveaway for Jessamyn Hope’s debut novel Safekeeping, and lots more JLit info.
  • Wonderful profile in The Jewish Week of Ayelet Tsabari and her mission to tell Mizrahi stories.
  • In the new Brevity magazine: “Heathen, Slave, Woman”—a powerful short excerpt from Judy Bolton-Fasman’s recently completed memoir.
  • “Kveller.com is seeking a full-time editorial assistant to join our New York-based team.”
  • And to conclude: Torah limericks.
  • Shabbat shalom.