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IMDb > A Life Apart: Hasidism in America (1997)

A Life Apart: Hasidism in America (1997) More at IMDbPro »

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Overview

User Rating:
6.5/10   62 votes
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Down 25% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Writers:
Menachem Daum (writer)
Robert Seidman (writer)
Contact:
View company contact information for A Life Apart: Hasidism in America on IMDbPro.
Genre:
Plot Keywords:
User Reviews:
Excellent insights into a community so few understand in America more (1 total)

Cast

  (Credited cast)

Leonard Nimoy ... Himself (Narrator) (voice)

Sarah Jessica Parker ... Narrator (voice)
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Zeldy Abromowitz ... Herself
Yaffa Eliach ... Herself (as Prof. Yaffa Eliach)
Chips Gold ... Herself
Esther Gold ... Herself
Jack Gold ... Himself
Samuel Heilman ... Himself (as Prof. Samuel Heilman)
Arthur Hertzberg ... Himself (as Prof. Arthur Hertzberg)
Ben Zion Horowitz ... Himself
Nuta Kaufman ... Himself
Malke Klein ... Herself
Beryl Lazar ... Himself
Chanie Lazar ... Herself
Mayer Schiller ... Himself
Michal Springer ... Herself (as Rabbi Michal Springer)
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Additional Details

Runtime:
96 min
Country:
Language:
Color:

Fun Stuff

Quotes:
Hasidic woman shopkeeper: I watched TV while I was in the hospital, and I was amazed that women could watch it all day long and not become mentally ill. more
Soundtrack:
New York, New York more

FAQ

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3 out of 3 people found the following review useful.
Excellent insights into a community so few understand in America, 17 August 2008
8/10
Author: planktonrules from Bradenton, Florida

Not being a New York City native, I can't recall ever having had any interactions with Hasidic Jews. Sure, on trips to the Big Apple, I've seen them on the streets here and there but like most in my country, I know very little about them--especially since this sect of Judaism is one that generally avoids the media and lives in small tight-knit enclaves in New York and a few other places in the world--not here where I live in Florida. So, because of my ignorance, I really liked being able to have a rare glimpse into their community and families. Despite wanting to be very separate culturally, these people seemed generally open to explaining to others their customs and lifestyle. For that, I felt like I'd been granted a rare privilege and it would be nice to see more films like this. I've heard that there are similar films about the Amish and Muslims--these would be a nice complement to this film.

The part I appreciated the most were interviews with non-Jews. Listening to their suspicions and trepidation about these people and then seeing that there really isn't anything to fear about Hasidism was a nice opportunity.

As far as the film goes technically, it was well-constructed--with nice music, appropriate interviews and a nice gentle pacing. All this left me with an admiration, of sorts, for these gentle people.

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