Imagine Gen Xers in New York City — that’s what these were wanting to do. These were wanting to be hip and cool. The rabbi and priest had been attempting to conduct by themselves and supply exactly just what will be compelling to Manhattanites and urbanites. ”
Rabbi Joseph Ebony, Temple Emanuel, Denver: “If we had been an assistant rabbi, as well as the conclusion of a service I thought to the cantor, ‘Hold on a moment, modification of plans … overlook the track You need to sing, I’ve got something better, ’ I would personally be fired the following day. ”
From the love
Norry: “One critique I’ve heard is the fact that the film appears to accept or tolerate interfaith relationships and sex that is casual for rabbis. … You learn by the end that she’s thinking about converting to Judaism perhaps, kinda, sorta. However 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 who has for ages been, ‘Who do you believe our company is? That do you imagine rabbis are? ’ Or these priests — who do you consider these are generally? It is simply a portrayal that is honest one thing and about someone. Their failings are peoples failings. The thing that is non-Jewish? Needless to say it is problematic. But that’s why it is a beneficial tale. ”
Rabbi Leah Berkowitz, Congregation Kol Ami, Elkins Park, Pennsylvania: “I liked the way they had both an awful date that is jewish a great Jewish date early into the film to exhibit it wasn’t exactly that Jake didn’t like Jewish girls. That implied a great deal to me personally being A jewish woman. The potential romantic partner through the same ethnicity is a terrible caricature. In a great deal of interfaith love story lines”
Father Paul Garrity, Lexington Catholic Community, Lexington, Massachusetts: “Celibacy is a genuine challenge and we thought the film did A okay work of working with it. The movie had been a romantic comedy, therefore an in-depth check celibacy had not been my expectation. ”
Rabbi Emeritus Elliot Gertel, Congregation Rodfei Zedek, Chicago (from their 2003 guide “Over the utmost effective Judaism, ” reprinted together with his authorization): “The movie illustrates a rabbi who would like intercourse and companionship having a Gentile girl it is unwilling to provide his congregation up. Schram has the capacity to result in the synagogue grow, however the implication at every change is the fact that the audience is drawn and misled by emptiness and superficiality. The newest Age innovations are praised right 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 has been doing a large amount of nutrients, nonetheless it states nothing good about him and about their constituency. The synagogue people are either throwing their daughters during the rabbi or taking part in stylish spirituality or in self-promotion. The senior rabbi, played by Eli Wallach, is a practiced lackey without any genuine advice to provide. ”
Bellows: “I specially love that Jenna Elfman’s character converts within the end. ”
In the rabbi-priest relationship
Jaffe: “In truth, the majority of my non-Jewish buddies are Christian clergy. ”
Rabbi Emeritus Norman Cohen, Bet Shalom Congregation, Minnetonka, Minnesota: “It reminded me of just just how blessed I have already been to own a lot of close peers of other faiths, who remind me personally that individuals are in this together. We quite often share tales of congregants and their problems and possibilities to play such a significant part in their life at critical times. Can’t say we ever competed for the same ladies! ”
Father James M. Hayes, SJ, chaplain that is associate objective, university of this Holy Cross: “Rabbi Norman Cohen and I also are dear buddies but since are both 70, a female will not get between us. ”
Rafi Cohen: “If you look straight back on twenty years ago vs. Today, I am able to definitely say inside the rabbinate, developing good interreligious relations is very important. These relationships assist any clergy person respond to acts against their faith community, whether it is graffiti or anti-Semitism russianbrides for a mosque or church. Whenever things aren’t so excellent — you need those relationships … You might not share sermon ideas, fundamentally, you have actually commonalities. Most of us have the exact same challenges and blessings, and conditions that you use. ”
Garrity: “The rabbi relationship is quite genuine. I’m able to attest to this in my life. The film relationship antedates their occupations, in order that is just a little various. ”
Berkowitz: “It constantly appeared like a laugh, a priest and a rabbi, but i’ve a day-to-day check-in having a Jewish chaplain as well as 2 Episcopal priests, and that want for shared understanding is quite genuine. ”