Mimouna packs the place

An annual occurrence just about since JUMP opened its doors, Heebonics has been there to join with the JUMP staff and program participants to break Passover - Sephardi style. While well attended in past years, last night the center was teeming with just over 200 JUMP regulars and first timers alike. The couscous and cherizo was plentiful and the table overflowed once more with sweet treats for all.


We here at Heebonics congratulate JUMP and the BAC's Community Connect on a stellar spread that never disappoints.

Glee: A Passover Story

Tonight marks the first night of Passover, a time when millions of people will gather around the Seder table and from the Haggadah, read the story of four children, one wise, one wicked, one simple, and one who does not even know how to ask a question.

These children have always seemed a mystery to me. What do they symbolize? Why would we invite a wicked child to our Seder table? And is there really a child who does not even know how to ask a question?

It seems that all my questions can be answered, simply by turning on my TV Tuesday nights, to watch the latest episode of Glee.

For those who don’t know, Glee is the “it” show on TV right now. It shows a realistic depiction of high school and deals with its problems through song and dance. The show is also the most “out” Jewish show.

Four main characters in the show are Jewish, yet each very different from the other.

As it happens, the four Jewish characters in McKinley High School’s glee club map quite neatly onto the four children of the Passover Seder. The way each of them performs his or her Jewishness shines a different light on Jewish identity, and on the themes of the Passover holiday.

First is Rachel Berry (Lea Michele). Rachel is quite obviously the Wise Child. Whether it be her asking annoyingly, detailed questions, or her endless bragging, Rachel is the type that want others to know her greatness, which can also be said of the Wise Child. Rachel is also a typical Jewish stereotype. Smart, Semitic-looking, and Magen-David wearing, Rachel is an in-your-face Jew, which, like the wise child, can become quite irritable after a while.

Noah “Puck” Puckerman, (Mark Salling) is easily categorized as the Wicked Child. In and out of Juvy (or Jew-vy, as he likes to refer to it as), Puck contradicts every Jewish stereotype possible. However, despite is un-stereotypical Jewish-ness, Puck, similar to Rachel, is very upfront about his Jewish upbringing. Singing songs by mostly Jewish artists, and eating Chinese food while watching Schindler’s List as a family tradition, Puck, with his defiant attitude, embodies the Wicked Child perfectly.

Artie Abrams (Kevin McHale) is the Simple Child. Not unintelligent, Artie is the simplest and the least interesting of those in the glee club. Artie has never performed his Jewishness in anyway, unlike Rachel and Puck, yet he is quite obviously Jewish. His name, along with his stereotypical Jewish appearance, is the only indicator of his Jewish background. Like the simple son, he shows up at the Seder, but does little more. Artie’s character symbolizes a Jew that is on his way to assimilation. Artie is Jewish simply by birth, and feels no ties to his religion or faith.

Lastly, is Tina Cohen-Chang (Jenna Ushkowitz). Tina is the child Who Does Not Even Know How to Ask A Question. Similar to Artie, Tina isn’t unintelligent; she is simply an unidentified Jew, with the exception of her interfaith name. Tina, although partially Jewish, is completely invisible, not just when it comes to Judaism, but in the glee club as well. Tina represents many people who are Jewish, yet have no connection to their faith, or religion, and because of this, Tina is a perfect example of the child who does not know how to ask a question.

It seems that Glee, besides being a source of catchy songs and complicated dance sequences, is also a show that helps identify the four children at the Passover Seder.

To read the full article in the Forward about all of the hidden Jewish meanings in Glee, click here.

The Beastie Boys are back

One of the most famous rap trios is back.

No. I’m not talking about Run-DMC.

I’m talking about the Beastie Boys, who are set to release their eighth album, entitled Hot Sauce Committee Part 2, May 3.

For those unfamiliar with the awesomeness that is the Beasties, here is a little background information about the band.

Starting as a hardcore punk band in 1979, the band transitioned into hip-hop in 1984, with four albums reaching top of the Billboard charts. Not only have they been ranked #77 on the Rolling Stones 100 Greatest Artists of All Time, but they were also nominated to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2007.

Who would have thought that three Jewish white kids would eventually become one of hip-hop's most influential acts ever? The Beastie Boys were among the legion of trailblazers who left an unforgettable impression on a generation of rappers to follow.

Now that they’re back, and wanting to promote their long anticipated album, the Beastie’s asked a couple of their closest friends to star in their new promo and 30-minute video for their new single Make Some Noise. But obviously, these legends don’t have ordinary friends. That is why this promo is jammed packed with stars such as Will Ferrel, Jack Black, Danny McBride, Elijah Wood, Will Arnett, John C. Reilly, Ted Danson, Seth Rogen, Steve Buscemi, Stanley Tucci, Susan Sarandon and Chloe Sevigny.

These middle aged rappers are always game for making fun of themselves as is evident in this video.

Watch below and enjoy their promo video for Fight For Your Right – Revisited.

Helping heal Jewish soldiers through sport

Linoy Hazan, a Canadian volunteer with the Peace of Mind (POM) program at the Israel Centre for the Treatment of Psychotrauma (ICPT) in Jerusalem, said she is proud to be involved with an organization that benefits both the discharged Israeli soldiers who participate in a therapeutic, week-long retreat, and the Jewish communities that host them.

Hazan, POM’s co-ordinating director in Toronto, explained that since 1989, the Israel Centre for the Treatment of Psychotrauma (ICTP) has been working to treat the estimated nine per cent of Israelis who suffer from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) – three times the level of that in most western countries.

“The goal of the trips abroad is to get them away from the triggers in Israel and [have them] showered with love and admiration from the Jewish community in Diaspora.”

The $55,000 it costs to bring the soldiers to Toronto covers the round-trip flights, therapy fees, local transportation, field trips and meals.

To raise funds for the groups scheduled to come to Toronto later in the year, Hazan is planning a "bowl-with-a-soldier" event May 25th at Playtime Bowl near the Yorkdale Shopping Center in Toronto from 6 to 8 p.m. Competing in teams of 7 (6 plus a soldier), prizes will be awarded – from TFC and movie tickets to an ipad, ipod and more. With local entertainment, the Magen Boys mixing the tunes live at the bowling event. Every team is required to raise $613 or close to it, prior to the event (a minimum of $100 per player). One hundred per cent of funds will go to benefit POM.

For more information about Peace of Mind jump to the feature piece here on cjnews.com, visit www.traumaweb.org or e-mail Hazan at peaceomindcanada@gmail.com to bowl-with-a-solider. Five lanes remain open.

Compiled by The CJN staff

Wanted: Adam Sandler look-alike

Adam Sandler is looking for his teenage look-alike for his upcoming movie I Hate You, Dad.

The movie tells the tale of a short-tempered father who moves in with his son and his son’s gold-digging fiancée.

Sandler will be starring alongside Andy Samberg, James Caan, Leighton Meester and Vanilla Ice.

The movie is set to be released in the summer of 2012, with principal photography starting in June.

However, still missing from the cast is two young boys to play Adam Sandler’s teenage self in the movie.

Now, Sony Pictures and Sandler’s Happy Madison Production Company are holding open casting calls for boys between 13 and 18 years old, in the hopes of finding Adam Sandler doppelgangers.

Casting calls are taking place in Minneapolis, Chicago, Richmond, Virginia and Charlotte, North Carolina, between April 16 and April 21.

But for those who will not be able to make these dates, don’t fret! There is also an electronic submission

All you have to do is send an email to ihateyoudadcasting@gmail.com. In the subject line, put name, age and place of residence. In the email body, put the boy’s name, date of birth, parent or guardian’s name, and contact info. Also be sure to include any acting experience, and attach two recent colour photos.

For more information on exactly what Sony Pictures and Happy Madison are looking for, check out this link.

Who knows, maybe you could be the next Adam Sandler!

Toronto Jewish Film Festival returns for eight day stay

The 19^th annual Toronto Jewish Film Festival is returning to Toronto May 7, for an eight day run in which 118 films from 20 different countries will be featured.

The festival will be screening the films at four locations throughout Toronto, beginning with the premiere of Elan Gale’s documentary entitled Looking For Lenny, which follows the life of the late comedian and social commentator Lenny Bruce.

Another feature this year is a tribute to “Three Lennys.” The Three Lennys is a 19 part series exploring and celebrating the lives and careers of Leonard Bernstein, Leonard Cohen and Lenny Bruce.

TJFF will additionally be hosting the world premiere of Between Two Worlds, a documentary by Deborah Kaufman and Alan Snitow. The documentary explores the redefining of Jewish identity and politics. Directors Kaufman and Snitow will be in attendance, and will be speaking to the audience following the film.

You can also see the international premiere of I Shall Remember by Vitaly Vorobjev and the Canadian premiere of Yoav Potash’s Crime After Crime following its premiere at Sundance. Other Canadian premieres include The Karski Report by Claude Lanzman and A Jewish Girl in Shanghai, which is the first animated film from China that deals with the Holocaust.

In a new partnership will Hillel, TJFF will be paying tribute to the achievements of Israeli film schools, in which students have produced world acknowledged short films, that are recognized at film festivals such as Cannes, Berlin, Venice, New York, and Tribeca.

The festival will close May 15 with Leonard Cohen: Live in London, a July 2008 recorded concert that features 26 songs by the talented Canadian artist.

Make sure to get your ticket at http://www.tjff.com/ as this year’s festival is sure to be full of amazing films that showcase the talent of its filmmakers and actors, and display the diversity of Jewish life.

Everybody Loves Raymond remade for Poland and Israel

Everybody Loves Raymond creator and producer Phil Rosenthal has just signed a deal that will create two new versions of the show, one in Poland and one in Israel.

Poland’s TV network TVN has ordered 30 episodes, while Israel’s network Reshet has picked up 33 episodes.

Everybody Loves Raymond was previously remade in Russia, where it was called The Voronins and was well received and considered to be one of the top TV comedies.

In North America, the show ran from September 1996 to May 2005, winning 13 Emmy Awards and over 40 nominations.

Starring Ray Romano, the nine season series follows the everyday lives of Raymond and his family. The show is based on Romano and Rosenthal’s real life experiences, and is loosely based on their family and friends.

Following the success the show had in Russia, Rosenthal made a documentary that will be out for theatrical release on April 29, called Exporting Raymond, which chronicles how Everybody Loves Raymond came to be a hit Russian comedy.

No word yet on when the new overseas series are set to begin filming, but we have no doubt that they will become a big success in Poland and Israel.

If Moses had Facebook

Check out this hilarious Passover-themed Aish.com video that asks us to ponder not the Four Questions, but how different the Passover story would be if Moses and Pharoah were Facebook friends and had access to Google.

Israeli doctor aids tsunami victims

An Israeli doctor, who is part of a medical team that travelled to Japan late last month to treat the victims of the earthquake and tsunami, has created a blog to give people daily updates about the mission.

Dr. Ofer Merin, Shaare Zedek Medical Center’s deputy director-general, arrived in the Northern Japanese town of Kurihara on March 27 with his team that includes 19 physicians and nurses from the Israel Defence Force.

The makeshift clinic is operating in the nearby village of Minamisanriko, which was destroyed by the tsunami. Half of the 17,000 residents in the village were either killed or are still missing.

“The people who survived are the refugees you read about on the news - completely homeless. These are the ones we came to assist,” wrote Merin, the director of the surgical operations at the field hospital, in his first blog entry on March 29.

The Israeli clinic, led by the only foreign team on the ground, provides wards for pediatrics, surgery, maternity and gynaecology, ophthalmology and intensive care, as well as a lab and pharmacy.

“Physicians from all around are coming with their patients for consults with our specialists, for blood tests and x-rays. Pregnant women are coming for ultrasounds as well, as this is a service they don’t have,” wrote Merin, who also updates his blog with videos and pictures.

One of the challenges facing the Israeli medical team is breaking through the cultural barriers and gaining the trust of the Japanese people.

But Merin said that after just a few days, his team is “gaining popularity here, which is a bit surprising. We are seeing more and more patients, and it seems we are turning out to be the local referral centre.”

Merin added that the mission is also an opportunity to show the rest of the world what Israel has to offer.

“We are getting excellent coverage from the media here, so the feeling is that we are on a humanitarian mission while also providing good PR for Israel.”

Merin is no stranger when it comes to working under pressure in the midst of catastrophe.

Following the January 12 earthquake that struck Haiti last year, Dr. Merin and his 230-member crew were one of the first to arrive in Haiti’s capital, working for 10 days straight to see more than 1,000 patients.

To read more about Dr. Merin and his medical team’s ongoing work in Japan, check out his blog here.

Israel to be hit with Bieber Fever

Canadian teen heartthrob Justin Bieber is gearing up to perform in Israel this month, to the sounds of 60,000 screaming girls.

The April 14 concert was originally set to happen in Israel’s 41, 653-seat soccer stadium in Ramat Gan where other musicians such as Elton John, Leonard Cohen, Sting and Metallica have performed. However, the demand for Bieber forced him to move the concert to Yarkon Park in Tel Aviv, which can hold as many as 60,000 people.

This will be Bieber’s first time in Israel. His mother Patti, and his Jewish manager/stage dad “Scooter” Braun will accompany him.

A year of firsts for the 17-year-old singer, Bieber will also be participating in his first seder.

With Passover beginning just five days after Bieber’s scheduled performance, Bieber will be participating in Braun’s Passover seder.

Its seems that Braun is having a strong influence on the young star, as just last year, with the release of Bieber’s 3D movie Never Say Never, it was revealed that before each concert, Bieber says the Shema Yisrael, a Jewish prayer, along with Braun.

Although not personally a Justin Bieber fan, it will be exciting to see the young star perform in Israel, especially when other artists such as Elvis Costello and Roger Waters choose to boycott the country.