A Life Apart: Hasidism in America (1997)

In this "unique glimpse into this closed society" (Philadelphia Inquirer), seven years in the making, we are taken into the depths of the Hasidim's joyous, sometimes harsh, and often ... See full summary »

Directors:

Menachem Daum, Oren Rudavsky

Writers:

Menachem Daum, Robert Seidman

Stars:

Leonard Nimoy, Sarah Jessica Parker, Zeldy Abromowitz

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

Storyline

In this "unique glimpse into this closed society" (Philadelphia Inquirer), seven years in the making, we are taken into the depths of the Hasidim's joyous, sometimes harsh, and often beautiful world. A "series of beautifully shot, startlingly intimate interviews" (New York Post).

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Plot Keywords:

hasidim | judaism | narration | orthodox jew | jewish | 

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Genres:

Documentary

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Details

Official Sites:

PBS

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

November 1997 (USA)

Also Known As:

Egy külön élet: Haszidizmus Amerikában

Company Credits

Production Co:

Oren Rudavsky Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

96 min

Color:

Color

Did You Know?

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.

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Soundtracks

"New York, New York"
Written by John Kander and Fred Ebb
Published by EMI UNART

User Reviews

Excellent insights into a community so few understand in America

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.