Imagine Gen Xers in ny City — that’s what they certainly were attempting to do. These were wanting to be hip and cool. The priest and rabbi had been attempting to conduct by themselves and gives exactly just just what will be compelling to Manhattanites and urbanites. ”
Rabbi Joseph Ebony, Temple Emanuel, Denver: “If we had been an assistant rabbi, and also at the termination of a solution we thought to the cantor, ‘Hold on a moment, modification of plans … overlook the track you wish to sing, I’ve got one thing better, ’ I would personally be fired the very next day. ”
From the relationship
Norry: “One critique I’ve heard is the film generally seems to accept or tolerate interfaith relationships and sex that is casual for rabbis. … You learn by the end that she’s considering transforming to Judaism perhaps, kinda, sorta. But also for the part that is most, right right here’s a rabbi who’s involved profoundly, and intimately, with a lady who’s not Jewish, and also to whom he’s maybe maybe not married. My reaction to which includes for ages been, ‘Who do you consider we have been? That do you might think rabbis are? ’ Or these priests — who do you consider these are generally? It’s simply a portrayal that is honest one thing and about someone. Their failings are peoples failings. The non-Jewish thing? Needless to say it is problematic. But that’s why it is a great tale. ”
Rabbi Leah Berkowitz, Congregation Kol Ami, Elkins Park, Pennsylvania: “I liked the way they had both a terrible Jewish date and a great Jewish date early when you look at the film showing it wasn’t exactly that Jake didn’t like Jewish girls. That intended a great deal to me personally as being A jewish woman. In lots of interfaith relationship tale lines, the prospective partner through the exact same ethnicity is a terrible caricature. ”
Father Paul Garrity, Lexington Catholic Community, Lexington, Massachusetts: “Celibacy is just a genuine challenge and we thought the movie did A okay work of coping with it. The film had been a intimate comedy, therefore an in-depth glance at celibacy had not been my expectation. ”
Rabbi Emeritus Elliot Gertel, Congregation Rodfei Zedek, Chicago (from their 2003 guide “Over the most effective Judaism, ” reprinted together with permission): “The movie illustrates a rabbi who would like intercourse and companionship having a Gentile girl it is reluctant to offer his congregation up. Schram is able to result in the synagogue grow, however the implication at each change is the fact that the audience is drawn and misled by emptiness and superficiality. The brand new Age innovations are praised right here but run into as hollow, as does the partnership amongst the rabbi along with his gf.
“The movie keeps insisting, also protesting, that Schram does lots of good stuff, nonetheless it claims nothing good about him and about their constituency. The synagogue members are generally throwing their daughters at the rabbi or involved with fashionable spirituality or in self-promotion. The senior rabbi, played by Eli Wallach, is a seasoned lackey without any genuine advice to provide. ”
Bellows: “I specially love that Jenna Elfman’s character converts within the end. ”
In the rabbi-priest friendship
Jaffe: “In truth, most of my friends that are non-Jewish Christian clergy. ”
Rabbi Emeritus Norman Cohen, Bet Shalom Congregation, Minnetonka, Minnesota: “It reminded me of just just how blessed I have now been to own a lot of close peers of other faiths, whom remind me personally that individuals are typical in this together. We usually share tales of congregants and their dilemmas and possibilities to play this type of role that is significant their life at critical times. Can’t say we ever competed for similar ladies! ”
Father James M. Hayes, SJ, associate chaplain for objective, College associated with Holy Cross: “Rabbi Norman Cohen and I are dear buddies but since are both 70, a lady will not get between us. ”
Rafi Cohen: I can certainly say within the rabbinate, establishing positive interreligious relations is very important“If you look back on 20 years ago vs. Today. These relationships assist any clergy person react to acts against their faith community, whether it’s anti-Semitism or graffiti on a mosque or church. Whenever things aren’t so excellent — you need those relationships … You may not share sermon ideas, fundamentally, however you have actually commonalities. Most of us have actually the exact same challenges and blessings, and conditions that you utilize. ”
Garrity: “The rabbi relationship is extremely genuine. I could attest compared to that in my life. The film relationship antedates their vocations, making sure that is just a little various. discover this info here ”
Berkowitz: “It always appeared like a tale, a priest and a rabbi, but We have a day-to-day check-in by having a Jewish chaplain as well as 2 Episcopal priests, and that want for mutual understanding is quite genuine. ”