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January 31, 2003
Jewish tradition on TV
Vision series looks at Orthodox Jewish life in Canada.
CYNTHIA RAMSAY SPECIAL TO THE JEWISH BULLETIN
For the first time, VisionTV is presenting a weekly series that
focuses on Jewish life in Canada.
Jewish Sparks is a half-hour program that looks at Judaism
from an Orthodox perspective. Hosted by Montreal Rabbi Pinny Gniwisch
– one of the founders of the online jewelry business ICE.com
– each episode focuses on a specific aspect of Jewish life
and tradition, and features both studio interviews and mini-documentary
segments taped on location.
"This is the first weekly program about contemporary Judaism
ever to air on VisionTV," said Chris Johnson, the multi-faith
network's senior vice-president of programming. "It comes at
a time when there is a clear need for greater understanding and
appreciation of the Jewish faith in Canada. We believe this landmark
series provides a real service for both our Jewish and non-Jewish
viewers."
The next episode, which airs Feb. 3, examines the customs and practices
surrounding the observance of Shabbat. In studio, Gniwisch is joined
by guests Sarah Raskin and Rabbi Moishe New. While their professional
credentials or personal affiliations are not indicated, they offer
sound responses to Gniwisch's questions about the meaning of Shabbat,
the significance of lighting the Sabbath candles and other aspects
of the holiday. This part of the show will be of most interest to
people with a limited knowledge of Judaism.
Those with a stronger Jewish foundation, but who aren't Orthodox,
will find the segments on the Rossner family as they prepare for
the Shabbat meal and, especially, the interview with Brooklyn-based
boxer Dmitriy "The Star of David" Salita more engaging.
Rena Rossner speaks with great passion about preparing for Shabbat.
For her, the planning starts on Wednesday and it's hectic right
up until the lighting of the candles on Friday night, at which point,
she said, a calmness overcomes her. With her week leading up to
and following Shabbat, she said, "You draw on Shabbat's life
and energy for the rest of your week."
Salita, who came to the United States from Odessa, Ukraine, became
more religious when his mother took fatally ill. His fighting contract
even includes the provision that he not box on the Sabbath.
"I actually feel that Shabbat works to my advantage because
I know that it's a day – if I'm fighting Saturday night –
it's a day where I can completely separate myself from all that
stress and tension, and just kind of relax and get into myself,"
said Salita, who later described religion as that which allows people
to do what it is they do, but to do it in a proper way.
This sentiment was echoed by Lavish Hundert, a teacher at the University
of Montreal "ghetto" shul. He said that Shabbat gives
us the strength to go into the week and do what needs to be done
in a "Shabbat-informed" way.
Joel Miller is the creator and executive producer of Jewish Sparks
and Rabbi Simcha Zirkind is the senior executive producer. It is
a presentation of the Ezrat Israel Charitable Foundation, which
is a member of the Chabad Lubavitch organization. The foundation's
stated mission is to assist in the development and growth of individuals
and communities, both Jewish and non-Jewish, throughout the world.
The first instalment of the series, which ran Jan. 27, examined
the role of women in Judaism. The show included a profile of two
female entrepreneurs who market wigs and fashions for Orthodox Jewish
women. Other segments will explore such issues as the challenge
of balancing professional and family life, and the tradition of
preparing challah bread for Shabbat.
Jewish Sparks airs Mondays at 7 and 10 p.m., until April 21.
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