The Avrum Rosensweig Show

AGNON VS. SHAKESPEARE: A RIVETTING TALK WITH HOLLYWOOD WRITER, DAN GORDON & RABBI SHLOMO GEMARA (Audio)

Both Shai Agnon and William Shakespeare are celebrated literary figures, yet their works reflect distinctive cultural and historical contexts that shape their writing. Shakespeare, writing in Elizabethan England, is known for his exploration of universal themes such as love, power, and the human condition through complex characters and intricate plots, often employing poetic language and verse. His works, including tragedies like Hamlet and comedies like A Midsummer Night's Dream, delve deeply into psychological and social dynamics. On the other hand, Agnon, a 20th-century Israeli writer, blends modernist techniques with Jewish folklore and history, often using a more introspective, symbolic, and sometimes fragmented narrative style. Agnon's writing, such as in The Bridal Canopy, reflects a tension between tradition and modernity, exploring identity, memory, and the challenges of cultural assimilation. While Shakespeare’s influence spans a global literary tradition, Agnon’s work is more grounded in the context of Jewish identity and the specific challenges of life in early modern Israel. Both writers, however, share a commitment to portraying the complexities of human existence, using their respective cultural lenses to explore similar themes of love, morality, and existential struggle.

AGNON VS. SHAKESPEARE: A RIVETTING TALK WITH HOLLYWOOD WRITER, DAN GORDON & RABBI SHLOMO GEMARA (Audio/Visual)

Both Shai Agnon and William Shakespeare are celebrated literary figures, yet their works reflect distinctive cultural and historical contexts that shape their writing. Shakespeare, writing in Elizabethan England, is known for his exploration of universal themes such as love, power, and the human condition through complex characters and intricate plots, often employing poetic language and verse. His works, including tragedies like Hamlet and comedies like A Midsummer Night's Dream, delve deeply into psychological and social dynamics. On the other hand, Agnon, a 20th-century Israeli writer, blends modernist techniques with Jewish folklore and history, often using a more introspective, symbolic, and sometimes fragmented narrative style. Agnon's writing, such as in The Bridal Canopy, reflects a tension between tradition and modernity, exploring identity, memory, and the challenges of cultural assimilation. While Shakespeare’s influence spans a global literary tradition, Agnon’s work is more grounded in the context of Jewish identity and the specific challenges of life in early modern Israel. Both writers, however, share a commitment to portraying the complexities of human existence, using their respective cultural lenses to explore similar themes of love, morality, and existential struggle.

PARSHA & PROSE: THE TORAH PORTION OF BESHALACH THROUGH THE LENS OF 'LES MISERABLES' (Audio/Visual)

In Les Misérables, the themes of liberation, redemption, and divine intervention resonate deeply with the story of the Israelites in the Torah portion Beshalach. As the Israelites escape Egypt, they are freed from the oppressive hand of Pharaoh, mirroring the struggles of the characters in Hugo's novel who seek freedom from various forms of societal and personal bondage. The dramatic parting of the Red Sea can be seen as a divine act of mercy, reminiscent of moments in Les Misérables where grace transcends justice, such as Jean Valjean's transformation after the bishop’s forgiveness. The song of the Israelites after their crossing, expressing gratitude for God’s deliverance, echoes the redemptive songs of the novel's characters who rise above their suffering through acts of compassion and self-sacrifice. Both the Torah portion and the novel remind us that, even in the darkest times, there is a path to freedom, and it is paved through mercy, faith, and unwavering hope in the face of adversity.

PARSHA & PROSE: THE TORAH PORTION OF BESHALACH THROUGH THE LENS OF 'LES MISERABLES' (Audio)

In Les Misérables, the themes of liberation, redemption, and divine intervention resonate deeply with the story of the Israelites in the Torah portion Beshallach. As the Israelites escape Egypt, they are freed from the oppressive hand of Pharaoh, mirroring the struggles of the characters in Hugo's novel who seek freedom from various forms of societal and personal bondage. The dramatic parting of the Red Sea can be seen as a divine act of mercy, reminiscent of moments in Les Misérables where grace transcends justice, such as Jean Valjean's transformation after the bishop’s forgiveness. The song of the Israelites after their crossing, expressing gratitude for God’s deliverance, echoes the redemptive songs of the novel's characters who rise above their suffering through acts of compassion and self-sacrifice. Both the Torah portion and the novel remind us that, even in the darkest times, there is a path to freedom, and it is paved through mercy, faith, and unwavering hope in the face of adversity.

PANEL DISCUSSION: EDUCATING HUMANITY: THE FIGHT AGAINST GENOCIDE THROUGH EDUCATION (Audio/Visual)

Welcome to this episode of 'The Avrum Rosensweig Show', when we delve into a crucial and heart-wrenching topic: Educating Humanity: The Fight Against Genocide Through Education. In this powerful panel discussion, we are joined by three extraordinary voices who bring their unique perspectives and experiences to the table. First, we have Providence Umagwaneza, a Rwandan survivor and author, who shares her personal story of resilience and the pivotal role education played in her journey, while also highlighting how learning about genocide can help prevent future atrocities. Next, Elizabeth Mehren, a distinguished journalist and author, offers her expert insight into the media’s crucial role in shaping awareness and driving action around issues of genocide and human rights. And finally, Tali Nates, the founder of the Johannesburg Holocaust and Genocide Centre, brings her wealth of knowledge on the vital work of education in confronting historical violence and ensuring that we remember and learn from the past. Together, these remarkable individuals will explore how teaching about genocide can build a more compassionate and just world, and why education is key to ensuring humanity never forgets the lessons of history.

PANEL DISCUSSION: EDUCATING HUMANITY: THE FIGHT AGAINST GENOCIDE THROUGH EDUCATION (Audio)

Welcome to this episode of 'The Avrum Rosensweig Show', when we delve into a crucial and heart-wrenching topic: Educating Humanity: The Fight Against Genocide Through Education. In this powerful panel discussion, we are joined by three extraordinary voices who bring their unique perspectives and experiences to the table. First, we have Providence Umagwaneza, a Rwandan survivor and author, who shares her personal story of resilience and the pivotal role education played in her journey, while also highlighting how learning about genocide can help prevent future atrocities. Next, Elizabeth Mehren, a distinguished journalist and author, offers her expert insight into the media’s crucial role in shaping awareness and driving action around issues of genocide and human rights. And finally, Tali Nates, the founder of the Johannesburg Holocaust and Genocide Centre, brings her wealth of knowledge on the vital work of education in confronting historical violence and ensuring that we remember and learn from the past. Together, these remarkable individuals will explore how teaching about genocide can build a more compassionate and just world, and why education is key to ensuring humanity never forgets the lessons of history.

DR. JUD NEWBORN: EMMY-AWARD WINNING PRODUCER, HISTORIAN, WINNER OF "SPIRIT OF ANNE FRANK" AWARD (Audio)

Welcome to this episode with Jud Newborn, an acclaimed historian, speaker, and expert in human rights and Holocaust education. Jud is a New York-based author, lecturer, cultural anthropologist and curator. A pioneer in the creation of Holocaust museums, he helped build New York's Museum of Jewish Heritage, serving as its Founding Historian and curator. He is known for his co-authored book, Sophie Scholl and the White Rose, an account of the history of the White Rose, a group formed in part by German Christian students—some former Hitler Youth fanatics—who were part of the German anti-Nazi resistance. With decades of experience in preserving and sharing stories that matter, Jud has dedicated his life to ensuring that the lessons of the past are never forgotten. His commitment to using history as a tool for empathy and change is truly inspiring, and we’re excited to dive into his journey, insights, and the ways in which history can shape our future. He was awarded his PhD with Distinction by the University of Chicago following three years of adventurous fieldwork as a Fulbright and Woodrow Wilson National Fellow, including hunting down former SS officers and working undercover during communist martial law in Poland. He was honored with the Anne Frank Center’s prestigious “Spirit of Anne Frank Award” and is the Emmy Award-winning Producer of Special Programs for Long Island’s Cinema Arts Centre.

DR. JUD NEWBORN: EMMY-AWARD WINNING PRODUCER, HISTORIAN, WINNER OF "SPIRIT OF ANNE FRANK" AWARD (Audio/Visual)

Welcome to this episode with Jud Newborn, an acclaimed historian, speaker, and expert in human rights and Holocaust education. Jud is a New York-based author, lecturer, cultural anthropologist and curator. A pioneer in the creation of Holocaust museums, he helped build New York's Museum of Jewish Heritage, serving as its Founding Historian and curator. He is known for his co-authored book, Sophie Scholl and the White Rose, an account of the history of the White Rose, a group formed in part by German Christian students—some former Hitler Youth fanatics—who were part of the German anti-Nazi resistance. With decades of experience in preserving and sharing stories that matter, Jud has dedicated his life to ensuring that the lessons of the past are never forgotten. His commitment to using history as a tool for empathy and change is truly inspiring, and we’re excited to dive into his journey, insights, and the ways in which history can shape our future. He was awarded his PhD with Distinction by the University of Chicago following three years of adventurous fieldwork as a Fulbright and Woodrow Wilson National Fellow, including hunting down former SS officers and working undercover during communist martial law in Poland. He was honored with the Anne Frank Center’s prestigious “Spirit of Anne Frank Award” and is the Emmy Award-winning Producer of Special Programs for Long Island’s Cinema Arts Centre.

PARSHA & PROSE WITH RABBI GEMARA: THE TORAH PORTION, BO THROUGH THE LENS OF 'FIDDLER ON THE ROOF' (Audio)

In the Torah portion Bo, the Israelites are preparing for their final liberation from Egypt, culminating in the dramatic events of the final three plagues and the institution of the Passover ritual. This moment of divine intervention, where God commands Moses to tell the people to mark their doorposts with lamb's blood, highlights themes of faith, obedience, and survival against oppressive forces. Through the lens of Fiddler on the Roof, this story resonates with Tevye’s struggle to maintain tradition in the face of changing times. Just as the Israelites had to trust in God’s instructions to protect them, Tevye and his family navigate a world where ancient customs are threatened by new forces, whether through political upheaval or the evolving beliefs of his daughters. The tension between holding onto tradition and adapting to survival mirrors the Israelites’ own experience in Egypt, where faith and perseverance led to their freedom, despite the overwhelming challenges they faced. In both narratives, the importance of identity, resilience, and faith in a higher power stands as a cornerstone of their survival and eventual triumph.

PARSHA & PROSE WITH RABBI GEMARA: THE TORAH PORTION, BO THROUGH THE LENS OF 'FIDDLER ON THE ROOF' (Audio/Visual)

In the Torah portion Bo, the Israelites are preparing for their final liberation from Egypt, culminating in the dramatic events of the final three plagues and the institution of the Passover ritual. This moment of divine intervention, where God commands Moses to tell the people to mark their doorposts with lamb's blood, highlights themes of faith, obedience, and survival against oppressive forces. Through the lens of Fiddler on the Roof, this story resonates with Tevye’s struggle to maintain tradition in the face of changing times. Just as the Israelites had to trust in God’s instructions to protect them, Tevye and his family navigate a world where ancient customs are threatened by new forces, whether through political upheaval or the evolving beliefs of his daughters. The tension between holding onto tradition and adapting to survival mirrors the Israelites’ own experience in Egypt, where faith and perseverance led to their freedom, despite the overwhelming challenges they faced. In both narratives, the importance of identity, resilience, and faith in a higher power stands as a cornerstone of their survival and eventual triumph.