Re: Tangential to the Madonna Thread

[Sandra Layman <sandralayman...>]

OK, well, FWIW, anyone who wants the official Jewish Federation explanation can 
find it at http://www.jewishinseattle.org/JF/Events/Event45.asp . My 
understanding is that they decided to avoid alienating a lot of potential 
donors because they're trying to raise bucks, not make a point about free 
speech or diaphanously davening divas.

(In any case, given the price of admission, they're not aiming their campaign 
at penniless musicians! ;-] )

Meanwhile, Nimoy will be appearing at the local Judaica book store, Tree of 
Life, for a book-signing on Thurs., Oct. 24, at 7:30. And hey! it's a freebie.

- Sandra
in that den of controversy, Seattle (where else?)

  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: MaxwellSt (at) aol(dot)com 
  To: World music from a Jewish slant 
  Sent: Thursday, October 17, 2002 9:18 AM
  Subject: Tangential to the Madonna Thread


  Jewish Fund-Raiser Drops Nimoy Over Nude Book Photos
  Organization Says Actor Contracted Talk Of His 'Jewish Journey'
  POSTED: 11:52 a.m. EDT October 11, 2002
  UPDATED: 5:53 p.m. EDT October 11, 2002


  Actor and photographer Leonard Nimoy says he's "shocked" over being dropped 
from a Jewish fund-raiser because of his book that features naked and 
near-naked women with Jewish artifacts. 

  The star of the original "Star Trek" told the Seattle Times that the book 
"Shekhina" is "reverential," and is about the "feminine presence of God." He 
added that "this is not some figure that is a foggy mist in a cloud somewhere. 
I have depicted her as being a flesh-and-blood woman." 

  But Jewish Federation of Greater Seattle's director Barry Goren said the 
organization got complaints about the photos, which led to the cancellation in 
an interview with the Times. 


  The Times described the book's cover, which shows a woman with a nipple 
visible through a translucent garment. She also has phylacteries -- a 
traditional Jewish prayer accessory -- wrapped around one arm. 

  Goren added that the federation "invited Leonard Nimoy because he's a 
well-known Jewish person that would be a draw for our donors." He claimed he 
contracted Nimoy in July "not to talk about his book, but to talk about his 
'Jewish journey,' a speech he has given in Jewish organizations before." 

  According to the Times, Nimoy's publicist nor the Jewish Federation would 
release a copy of the contract. 

  Nimoy learned he was being replaced during an "unpleasant" conversation with 
Goren. He told the Times the cancellation "may be an anomaly. I hope it is. We 
have not had this kind of reaction anyplace else." 

  Former "Saturday Night Live" actor and political satirist Al Franken replaced 
Nimoy at the event, scheduled for Oct. 23.