Now available in DVD.
JEWS AND BUDDHISM: Belief Amended, Faith Revealed
A film by Bill
Chayes and Isaac Solotaroff
Original music by Jami Sieber
Produced in cooperation with The Judah L. Magnes Museum
Narrated by Sharon
Stone
This film examines the
dramatic surge of interest among American Jews in the spiritual teachings of
Buddhism. Jews, who make up 2% of the population, account for some 30% of
non-Asian American Buddhists. Many of them are among the leading expositors
and scholars of Buddhism in America. In practice, traditional Jewish ritual
and liturgy are being modified in synagogues and among individuals seeking
to incorporate the teachings of Buddhism into their spiritual lives.
Jews and Buddhism is the first film to interrogate in depth the reasons for
this phenomenon, explore it in the context of 20th century Jewish-American
life, and consider its impact on contemporary Jewish thought and practice.
This documentary, named “…one of the outstanding documentaries of 1999.” by
the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, is narrated by Sharon
Stone, and includes rare footage of the Dalai Lama, spiritual leader of
Tibet, as well as David Ben Gurion, Alan Ginsberg, Sylvia Boorstein, Rabbi
Alan Lew, and many others. The film has appeared on PBS and the History
channel as well as over 50 film festivals worldwide. In addition, it is in
widespread educational distribution.
* "It is the first film that accurately tells the story of the effect of
Eastern religion on Jewish life and presents it in a way that is emblematic
of the cross cultural issues that are before us as separate communities."
Janis Plotkin, Director,
San Francisco
Jewish Festival
* "A sensitive and gentle
exploration of the little known, but growing trend among Jews and Buddhists
in the West to discern common threads… A most intriguing concept, very
well-presented here … this is highly recommended for collections.”
Video Librarian
* “This film is a very welcome addition to my library on World Religions. It
expands both Judaism and Buddhism in new directions and by doing so, it
expands our awareness of what is happening in our world. This will be very
valuable for my students of Comparative Religions.”
Professor Ben Cox
Running Time: 40 Minutes
Price: $24.95
| DVD |
