Arnold Labaton

Arnold Labaton

Arnold Labaton Quick Links

Film RSS

A Life Apart: Hasidism In America Review


Extraordinary
Legend has it that one rabbi, when coming to America, couldn't fit the Torah's scrolls into their new covers. "We can't modify the Torah to fit America," he said, but "we will tailor America to fit the Torah." A Life Apart: Hasidism in America is a thoughtful, compassionate documentary that illuminates the philosophy behind Hasidism's stubborn refusal to join the American mainstream.

Even among different denominations of Jewish religion, Hasidism stands alone, a religion of minorities among minorities. The invaluable quality of this film is that it neither critiques nor praises the Hasidic religion. For a subject matter as extreme and uncompromising as the religion itself, A Life Apart is wonderfully even-handed. Throughout the film, which starts and concludes with an exuberant wedding ceremony underlying the significance of ritual for the Hasidic community, we dig into the mystic philosophy behind the Hasidic refusal to participate in the contemporary world.

Continue reading: A Life Apart: Hasidism In America Review

Arnold Labaton

Arnold Labaton Quick Links

Film RSS

Occupation

Filmmaker


Suggested

Leisure Festival - Dreamland in Margate

Leisure Festival - Dreamland in Margate

On the same day that Glastonbury welcomed back Margate's adopted sons, The Libertines, Margate itself put on it's very own Leisure Festival as it...

Pretty Fierce talk to us about collaborating with Doja Cat, emetophobia, arena tours and staying

Pretty Fierce talk to us about collaborating with Doja Cat, emetophobia, arena tours and staying "true to yourself" [EXCLUSIVE]

Sheffield's very own all girl group Pretty Fierce are still on a high after the recent release of their debut single - 'Ready For Me'.

Will Varley & Jack Valero - The Astor Theatre Deal Live Review

Will Varley & Jack Valero - The Astor Theatre Deal Live Review

Three nights before the end of his current tour Will Varley returned to his home town of Deal to delight a sold out crowd in The Astor Theatre.

WYSE talks to us about her

WYSE talks to us about her "form of synaesthesia", collaborating with Radiohead's Thom York and the prospect of touring with a band [EXCLUSIVE]

With only a few days to go before Portsmouth based songstress and producer WYSE releases her new single, 'Belladonna', we caught up with her to find...

Advertisement
Bay Bryan talks to us about being a

Bay Bryan talks to us about being a "wee queer ginger", singing with Laura Marling and being inspired by Matilda [EXCLUSIVE]

Colorado raised, Glasgow educated and Manchester based Bay Bryan is nothing if not a multi-talented, multi-faceted artist performing as both...

Keelan X talks to us about staying true to

Keelan X talks to us about staying true to "your creative vision", collaborating with Giorgio Moroder and being "a yoga nut" [EXCLUSIVE]

Former Marigolds band member Keelan Cunningham has rediscovered his love of music with his new solo project Keelan X.

Luke De-Sciscio talks to us about having the courage to be yourself, forgiving that which is outside of one's control and following whims [EXCLUSIVE]

Luke De-Sciscio talks to us about having the courage to be yourself, forgiving that which is outside of one's control and following whims [EXCLUSIVE]

Wiltshire singer-songwriter Luke De Sciscio, formally known as Folk Boy, is set to release is latest album - 'The Banquet' via AntiFragile Music on...

Annie Elise talks to us about the challenges a female producer has to face and

Annie Elise talks to us about the challenges a female producer has to face and "going through a year of grief and sickness" [EXCLUSIVE]

Electronic music pioneer and producer Annie Elise says that the release of her first EP - 'Breathe In, Breathe Out' feels "both vulnerable and...

Advertisement

Arnold Labaton Movies

A Life Apart: Hasidism In America Movie Review

A Life Apart: Hasidism In America Movie Review

Legend has it that one rabbi, when coming to America, couldn't fit the Torah's scrolls...

Artists
Actors
    Filmmakers
      Artists
      Bands
        Musicians
          Artists
          Celebrities
             
              Artists
              Interviews