The American Jewish story through cinema

In his new book “The American Jewish Story Through Cinema,” Dr. Eric A. Goldman explains that the cinema provides a unique vehicle by which one may closely examine Jewish history. Goldman is a Professor of Cinema at Yeshiva University and noted film educator who will be visiting Rhode Island on Thursday, May 1, at noon for an event sponsored by Dor L’Dor, the planned giving bequest society of the Jewish Federation Foundation of Greater Rhode Island.

Goldman notes that like the haggadah – the traditional “telling” of the story of the Israelites’ exodus from Egypt that is read at the Passover seder – cinema offers a valuable text from which to gain an understanding of the social, political and cultural realities of Jews in America. Goldman believes that in an industry strongly influenced by Jewish filmmakers who made and continue to make the decisions as to which films are produced, the complex and evolving nature of the American Jewish condition has had considerable impact on American cinema and, in particular, on how Jews are reflected on the screen. This groundbreaking study analyzes select mainstream films from the beginning of the sound era to today to provide an understanding of the American Jewish experience over the last century.

Goldman says that in the first half of the twentieth century, Hollywood’s movie moguls, most of whom were Jewish, shied away from asserting a Jewish image on the screen for fear that they might be too closely identified with that representation. Over the next two decades, Jewish moviemakers became more comfortable with the concept of a Jewish hero and with an overpowered, yet heroic, Israel. In time, the Holocaust assumed center stage as the single event with the greatest effect on American Jewish identity. Recently, as American Jewish screenwriters, directors and producers have become increasingly comfortable with their heritage, Goldman asserts that we are seeing an unprecedented number of movies that spotlight Jewish protagonists, experiences and challenges.

“By analyzing select mainstream films from the beginning of the sound era until today, one can use the medium of cinema to provide an understanding of the American Jewish experience over the last century,” said Goldman in an interview with Miriam L. Wallach. “The fact that Jews have been so predominant in the movie business makes cinema such a wonderful text for study and analysis. Through film clips and discussion, I explain how filmmakers created and packaged their own unique concept of the Jew – as filtered through their own consciousness.”

The May 1 event featuring Dr. Goldman will be hosted by Cheryl Greenfeld Teverow and is open to anyone who is interested in learning more about planned giving and endowment. For more information or to reserve your spot, contact Danielle Germanowski at 401-421-4111, ext 109 or dgermanowski@jewishallianceri.org.

TRINE LUSTIG is the Senior Development Officer for Financial Resource Development at the Jewish Alli-ance.