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Friday March 23, 2007

Shorts: The Arts

J. cartoonist exhibits in Germany

Occasional j. contributor Jordan Gorfinkel, creator of the “Everything’s Relative” cartoon strip, displayed a special series of his work in Germany. Earlier this month he showed 10 selections from his cartoon strip at Munich’s Jewish Museum. The cartoons depict a Jewish grandfather retelling his Holocaust story to his younger family members. Gorfinkel’s work can also be seen in New York’s Jewish museum.

Philip Roth wins literary prize

American Jewish novelist Philip Roth won the 2007 PEN/Faulkner Award for Fiction for “Everyman.”

The prestigious PEN/Faulkner honors the greatest work of literature of the year by an American writer. Roth won the $15,000 award twice before: in 1994 for “Operation Shylock” and in 2001 for “The Human Stain.”

“Everyman” is a study of aging and death, chronicling the life of an ordinary Jewish man who undergoes many medical procedures to prolong his life but ends up as the book begins — in the grave.

Film on fallen IDF soldier available

“A Hero in Heaven,” a documentary about the only American-born soldier in the Israeli army killed in last summer’s war with Hezbollah, will be broadcast this spring on Israeli TV and available for wider distribution in April.

The family of Philadelphia native Michael Levin commissioned the documentary in his honor. The 40-minute film tells of Levin’s devotion to his family, his people and Israel. It features the music of Naomi Shemer, the poetry of Shaul Tchernokovsky and the words of Levin, his family, friends and fellow soldiers.

Levin grew up in a traditional, loving Jewish household. At 16, he decided to make aliyah and join the Israeli Defense Forces. Three years later, he was chosen for an elite paratroop unit. Levin, 22, fell in a village in southern Lebanon.

“A Hero in Heaven” is available free to synagogues and Jewish organizations. For information or to obtain a copy, email Harriet Levin of The Michael Levin Memorial Fund for Israel: Harriet@AheroInHeaven.com. 

Israeli band wins competitionM

An Israeli band, the Rockfour, recently won first prize in an international music competition judged by David Bowie and David Gilmour.

Contestants were asked to record a cover version of the Pink Floyd song “Arnold Layne.” Members of the group won a day of recording at Abbey Road Studios in London.

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