The fifth book of the Torah, Parashat Devarim (Deuteronomy in English), is primarily Moses' farewell address to the people Israel as they, and not him, prepare to enter the Promised Land.
The first part of his discourse mostly recalls the history of Israel from its redemption from slavery in Egypt up to the moment that they are about to enter Eretz Yisrael some 40 years later.
It is often questioned, why there is a need for the Book of Deuteronomy. If we have already read the first four books, the fifth book seems redundant. One reason given is that it permits Moses to put his personal stamp of the stories and the laws. Since the compendium is known as the "Five Books of Moses", Moses plan seems to have worked.
Another reason cited is that it provides an opportunity for Moses to ensure that the Israelites do not forget their story, including God's miracles and the Laws of the Torah. Indeed, by repeating the stories and the laws, Moses is utilizing a memorization technique. Inasmuch as the Torah has been read and studied for thousands of years, Moses' plan seems to have worked.
I tend to view the Book of Devarim as a film produced by Moses to provide more than just the story or the laws to the Israelites.
According to Merriam-Webster, the definition of the word "movie" is:
a recording of moving images that tells a story and that people watch on a screen or television.
A good film makes the viewer feel as if he/she is a part of the action. Watch the Godfather, and you are a member of the Corleone "family". Sit in a theater and view "Jaws" and the shark is attacking you. While the Book of Devarim it is not a visual recording, it functions as a movie, or perhaps more accurately, a documentary film. Just like a movie, the reader is immersed in the visual imagery of what happened. The reader becomes a part of the story.
Perhaps this the beginning of the tradition of Jews figuring so prominently in the film industry. We Jews, love a good movie!
While Devarim essentially begs us to visually connect ourselves to our story, actual films connect us in physical and emotional ways to the world around us. It is through film that we often find ourselves closely connected to our tradition and culture.
It is for this reason that I believe that our JCC community should take advantage of the Fabulous Jewish Film Festival sponsored by the Ocean County Federation. While we should make a point of attending as many films as possible, in particular please take note below of the films being shown at the Regal Cinema right here in Manahawkin on Tuesday, August 20th and Sunday, August 25. Please read the following for all of the information:
In this, the 6th year that the Jewish Federation of Ocean County is holding a Film Festival, something new and exciting is happening. This year two of the films are being shown at the Regal Manahawkin 10 Movie Theaters on Route 72, just a short drive from LBI the nine new movies continue to be shown at the Marquee Cinemas-Orchard 10 in Toms River as well.
On Tuesday evening, August 20th, at 7 pm the movie SHOELACES will be screened. It is the story of a complicated relationship between an older father and his special-needs son. The son, Gadi, wants to donate a kidney to save his father's life. The transplant committee objects, claiming that the father, Rueben, does not have the right to authorize such an invasive procedure. Gadi is afraid of losing his father and feels he finally has a chance to do something meaningful; to become a man; to stand on his own. Watch as Gadi sets out to fight for the right to save his father's life.
The second screening will be held on Sunday, August 25th at 7 pm. THE LIGHT OF HOPE is the true story of a young Red Cross nurse, Elizabeth Eidenbenz, in the 1940's when refugees from all over Europe are seeking shelter in South Western France, escaping from the Nazis and from Franco's regime in Spain. Feeling a responsibility to the countless pregnant women and small children in the camps, Elizabeth brings them to a refurbished villa and saves hundreds. But soon, threats from within and without take shape. It is a haunting story that will resonate with you.
The movies being screened at the Toms River movie theater include Golda's Balcony, the Film, on August 19 at 6:30 pm; The Unorthodox on August 21 at 12 noon; Working Woman on August 22 at 12 noon and You Only Die Twice at 3:30 pm; Redemption on August 23 at 3:30 pm; The Other Story at 3:30 pm on August 25 and Who Will Write Our History? also on Sunday at 6:30 pm. Check out the plots of these movies on the www.axelrodartscenter.com/ocean website. Feel free to call for more information at 609-494-9033.
Sheri and I will be at many of the films and we hope to see you there as well.
Support the JCC, Support Federation, Support our Jewish culture.
Shabbat Shalom - Michael S. Jay
THE OCEAN COUNTY FEDERATION 
PM (place to be announced). We will learn to make our own Challah from scratch and you will return home with a bowl containing your own raw dough to bake in your own kitchen Instructions fro our ow Ruth Miller.
Lanman's late mother had been given up for adoption in Germany in 1928. Seemingly, this would have been a dead-end road for finding any relatives. But through some good investigative journalism techniques, she was able to find her grandmother's immediate and extended family living right here in New Jersey within 5 months of beginning her search. She also had some interesting adventures that included identifying her grandfather through DNA.
High Holiday ticket forms are in the mail to JCC members. Thank you to Rose Valentine, Irene Babst, Sherry Fruchterman and Don Pripstein for their help in creating our new format.
