Congregations Anshei Israel and Or Chadash will host a themed film series, “All God … And Only God,” Sundays, July 10 – August 7 at 7 p.m. at Congregation Anshei Israel. The series is free and will include complimentary popcorn and lemonade. A discussion with Rabbi Robert Eisen, Rabbi Ben Herman or Rabbi Thomas Louchheim will follow each film.
The series begins July 10 with “Steambath,” a Bruce Jay Friedman play that presents the afterlife as a steam bath in which dead souls continue to obsess about the petty concerns of their lives. “Steambath” was controversial in its day for obscene language (softened for the film), a satirical take on religion, and brief nudity.
The series continues July 17 with “Oh, God!,” a comedy directed by Carl Reiner starring George Burns and John Denver, followed on July 24 by “Crimes and Misdemeanors,” a black comedy written and directed by Woody Allen, who co-stars along with Martin Landau and Anjelica Houston.
The selection for July 31 is “Zalmen or The Madness of God,” a play from the Broadway Theatre Archives set in a post-Stalinist Russian synagogue on the eve of an appearance by a Western acting troupe. It was written by Elie Wiesel after his visit to the Soviet Union in 1965.
The series concludes Aug. 7 with “God on Trial,” a televised play in which a group of prisoners at Auschwitz conduct a mock trial to address the age-old question: How can there be evil in a universe ruled by an all-powerful, benevolent God?
Some film subjects may not be suitable for children. For full descriptions of each film, visit www.caiaz.org or contact Sandy at 745-5550, ext. 225.
