The Wandering View: The Jewish Immigrant in World Cinema

Lecture by Lawrence Baron

Thursday, October 25

7:00pm @ the William K. Sanford Public Library

 

Most people have seen Exodus, Fiddler on the Roof, Yentl, and Schindler's List--well-known films with obvious Jewish subjects. But the Jewish experience in film is far richer than this.

Over the past century, Jewish-themed films have emerged from the Americas, Europe, Israel, and North Africa. San Diego State University Professor Lawrence Baron, author and editor of The Modern Jewish Experience in World Cinema (2011), compares the depictions of Jewish immigrants in several national cinemas. The presentation will include clips from representative films such as The Jazz Singer, Hester Street, Sallah, and Little Jerusalem.

Professor Emeritus Lawrence Baron held the Nasatir Chair of Modern Jewish History at San Diego State University from 1988 until his retirement this year, and directed its Jewish Studies Program until 2006. He is the editor of The Modern Jewish Experience in World Cinema (Brandeis University Press: 2011). He currently is the president of the Western Jewish Studies Association, the chair of the Film Committee of the Association for Jewish Studies, and a film reviewer for the San Diego Jewish World.

This program is free and open to the public. Kosher refreshments will be served.