[HANASHIR:16919] "The Passion" and our passion

[LPKAROL <LPKAROL...>]

Dear Friends,
     I have been reading comments and articles about Mel Gibson's movie for 
most of the last few months.   Last night, I read the Gospel passion narratives 
in preparation to see the film this afternoon along with a priest, an 
evangelical minister, a liberal protestant minister and the religion writer for 
the 
local paper.  I plan to read another translation of those texts this morning.   
I have already been interviewed 5 times about the release of the film by TV, 
radio and 2 newspapers. 
      I think people should go see the movie if they so desire, and I think 
there are measured but sincere ways to express if the movie perpetuates 
anti-Jewish impressions.  What is important is not only if Christians will act 
on any 
anti-Jewish images in the movie.  Our response is just as important - and we 
can respond by engaging Christians of all denominations in dialogue - 
including expressing if the movie seems, to us, to perpetuate anti-Jewish 
images and 
stereotypes.  
      There are many websites that have important information about the film, 
with statements by Christian and Jewish scholars on the New Testament.  The 
Gellman-Hartman article has merit (I greatly respect them and what they have to 
say), but one cannot say for sure whether or not Jesus was a Pharisee.   Some 
rabbis responded on another e-mail list to this assertion with great 
skepticism and doubt.  We just don't really know if that is true.  
      What we can do in our music sessions is to use some of the best music 
we know that we think will bring our students closer to God and express pride 
in their heritage.   They need to be reminded how the Jewish people have 
remained strong through connecting with each other and by extending a hand to 
people 
of all religions and backgrounds.  This is what we should continue to do.  
And we know how powerful music can be in communicating these important 
messages. 
 Let's continue to do just that, as we always do, as we move towards Purim, 
Passover, Yom Hashoah and Yom Haatzmaut.   Jewish music and the feelings and 
dedication and commitment it helps to convey is, after all, our passion.
      E-mail me privately after this afternoon if you want to know what I 
thought about the movie.  
L'shalom,
Larry Karol
Rabbi, Temple Beth Sholom
Topeka, Kansas