QUESTION: Why do we wash our hands after leaving a funeral or the cemetery?

ANSWER: This is a very old tradition. There are references to this over a thousand years ago in Jewish sources. It is symbolic of “washing away death” and probably symbolic of purification after exposure to death. Louis Memorial Chapel has a washing basin outside their chapel. It is even heated so that it can be used on the coldest days in the winter. One absolutely needs to wash one’s hands after leaving the chapel. Similarly one should try to wash after leaving the cemetery. I realize that is a challenge in winter months. But usually one can go to the nearest bathroom in the facility in the chapels of most of our cemeteries and wash there as well. There is also a similar tradition to have water waiting outside the shiva home upon returning from the cemetery, in which case one does not have to wash their hands on leaving the cemetery if one is going directly to the shiva home. It is also traditional not to dry our hands at that time but to let one’s hands “air dry.”

At one time people would purify themselves after exposure to death through a sacrifice known as the “red heifer.” We have not had access to that type of ceremony for over 2,000 years. The use of the mikvah and washing, etc. is the closest we have to those purification ceremonies.

There are many other symbols that take place at the cemetery. Many people have the tradition of leaving a stone, a rock or a pebble on the grave as a kind of “visiting card” that one has been there to pay respect to the memory of those buried there. Other people have the tradition of plucking a little grass and throwing it over their shoulder upon leaving the cemetery based on the verse talking about the fact that we are as “the grass of the field.” Even placing soil on the grave has to do with verses based in the Bible about “dust to dust” and completing a full burial by shoveling into the grave.

So many of these traditions are just that, they are not law but they are steeped in our Jewish past and should be highly respected.

An icon is lost

We lost a pillar of our community when Rose Evelyn Sporn died on Sept. 21, 2011.

Many people have called me who knew that she had devoted her life to the education of children. Letters from Rabbi Hadas and Rabbi Margolies wrote about her creative work. Many of your grandchildren were enchanted with her “Kiddie Kapers” plays. She put Jewish Women International on the map with her “Dolls For Democrary” program. Through her poetry and songs she left a legacy for President Harry Truman and Thomas Hart Benton. Randall Jessee (WDAF) once wrote her a letter saying: “You have done so much for many people of all faiths and races. You are one of the few people who really serves your city. Many times this is unknown to all but a few closest to you.” Bill Yearout (KCMO) also wrote letters to her, saying “Only one time in so many years does God create a talent like yours ... there will never be another Rose Evelyn Sporn in this century.”

She will be missed.

Sunie Levin
Leawood, Kan.

Oppose a Palestinian state

Editor’s Note: Bob Magoon wishes to share this New Year’s greeting he received with the entire Kansas City Jewish community.

My friends,
I would like to wish you a happy New Year. Here in Israel now it’s a complicated time, as I am sure you know.
The Arabs, who already have 26 Muslim countries, want to have one more country — their 27th country — inside of our very, very tiny country. Imagine what would happen if al-Qaida demanded to have a country created inside the U.S.A. Americans would never, ever agree to such a ridiculous thing.
It is our luck that our prime minister now is Benjamin Netanyahu, who is an excellent speaker. He has explained in a very clear way that (creating another country) is absurd. We already gave Gaza to the Arabs. Many wonderful and Zionist Jews in this area were thrown out of their homes. What did the Arabs do with Gaza? They send rockets from there to Israel and try to kill us, as always.
So the world must understand that Israel is the only Jewish nation. The Muslims have 26 countries. They can build another state there if they want, just not here.
Once again, I wish you all a good and happy year. For Israel, I wish a safe and quiet year.

Tirtsa Roi
Jerusalem, Israel

So many things happened in Israel during my visit home: the terrorist attack on the way to Eilat, rockets over my home town of Ashkelon, preparing for the discussion over a Palestinian state on Sept. 20, angry Erdogan in Turkey and the attack on the Israeli embassy in Egypt. Well, I guess it’s not a secret that in Israel there is never a dull moment…

But another important thing happened in Israel during my stay. I am not talking about anything security-related, or foreign affairs issues. I am talking about a social movement, one that has the support of more than 85 percent of the Israelis.

It all started one day when a young man from the city of B’nei Brak, Israel, decided to open a Facebook group. This group called for Israelis to stop buying cottage cheese because of its inordinately high price. Although that cheese is an important ingredient on the Israeli breakfast/dinner table, this peaceful boycott worked. People stopped buying cottage cheese. As a result, the price has gone back down to reasonable levels.

This one act of social networking set the dominoes into motion. Following the cottage cheese boycott, another important movement in Israel occurred. A group of approximately 100 young people set up tents in the center of Tel Aviv, one of the most expensive cities in the world, to protest the high cost of living, and the fact that it is nearly impossible today for young couples to afford to purchase their own homes in Israel. Word spread quickly, and Israelis from across the country were soon joining the protest in their own cities.

Hundreds of thousands of people marched on the streets time and time again; left wing, right wing, religious, seculars, Arabs, students, young families, elderly, etc. walking together in peace, shouting “The people want social justice!” At the end of every demonstration in every city, famous Israeli singers performed and showed their support. In the tent cities that sprang up across Israel, the peaceful protest continued, with young people playing guitars, singing, discussing social justice issues and talking to academics, Rabbis, Knesset members, etc. All of it without a hint of violence.

The result: The protests caused the government to set a committee to devise ways to reduce the high cost of living. All Israelis are awaiting the results.

One must understand this is very different than the protests for freedom and democracy taking place in the Arab world. We already have freedom and democracy in Israel, so these recent Israeli demonstrations are not a threat to democracy. Simply put, they are a cultural shift in Israeli society. For years, people in Israel complained in front of the TV and never did more than that — a problem common to all democracies. Today, something is different: people believe that they can change their lives more than once every four years.

I dare say that I invite democracies around the world to watch and learn how a social protest can be done to effect change in a positive way.

If you would like to discuss Israeli current events, history, or anything about Israel, please remember to contact me at 913-327-8124, , or find me on Facebook. I look forward to talking to you!

Many people may have heard about, seen pictures of or visited the Dohany Street Synagogue in Budapest. It is absolutely magnificent in the richness of its details, sumptuosity and grandeur. I always thought it was the world’s largest synagogue, but I was wrong.
As you drive into Jerusalem, when coming from Tel Aviv, you are able to see in the skyline a huge building. This building doesn’t have any remarkable architectonic features other than its size. One would never guess that it is a synagogue. Belz Beit HaMidrash HaGadol (The Belzer Hassidim Great Synagogue) is located in the ultra-Orthodox neighborhood of Kyriat Sanz. This humongous building is an enlarged replica of the synagogue built in 1843 by the first Belzer Rebbe. It is composed of a grandiose main sanctuary, smaller study halls, party rooms for weddings, several libraries and other communal facilities. Next door to it is the home of the current Belzer Rebbe Yissachar Dov Rokeach. This synagogue, dedicated in 2000, took 15 years to complete. Curiously, I found out that it took the same amount of time to complete the original one in Belz back in 1843. I was amazed to learn that 6,000 people can sit and worship in the main sanctuary at once. Apparently that was not big enough, because the sanctuary is currently being enlarged. The very ornate ark inside the sanctuary is 12 meters high and weighs 18 tons. It has the capacity to hold 70 Torah scrolls!

Belz was made famous by the Yiddish song, my Shtetele Belz, whose refrain is known to anyone that grew up with Eastern European relatives:
Oy, oy, oy Beltz, mayn shtetele Beltz,
Mayn heymele, vu ikh hob
Mayne kindershe yorn farbrakht.
Beltz, mayn shtetele Beltz,
In ormen shtibele,
Mit ale kinderlekh dort gelakht.
Oy, eden Shabes fleg ikh loyfn
Mit ale inglekh tzuglaykh
Tzu zitzn unter dem grinem beymele,
Leynen bay dem taikh
Oy oy oy Beltz,
Mayn shtetele Beltz,
Mayn heymele, vu kh’hob gehat
Di sheyne khaloymes a sakh.
Beltz, my little town! The little house where I spent my childhood!
The poor little room where I used to laugh with other children!
Every Shabbos I would run to the river bank to play with other children under a little green tree.
Belz, my little town!
My little town where I had so many fine dreams!

During our visit to Jerusalem a few months ago, I was determined to see the synagogue from the inside. I tried to get in and couldn’t. Through a little ingenuity and persistence I managed to get one of the young Chassidim to show me around. We were very lucky because we not only got a great tour, but I was also able to gain insight and knowledge about my new-found friend. As I grilled the young man about his lifestyle I found out that he was a newlywed. He had just come in from London to get married and was enjoying a year of kest, a Chassidic tradition by which the new husband is maintained by his in-laws for a year (or more) to study. As his year of kest was coming to an end, my new friend was extremely worried about how he would make a living, mainly because he had no secular knowledge. I discussed several ideas with him and at the end of the tour gave him a small token of my appreciation for his time and kindness. I am sure that it was a novel experience for both of us; he had never met a Reform Jew before and I had never spoken with a Belz Chassid.

As we were walking toward our car, I could not help but think that this synagogue is a true wonder not only because of its size but because the Belz Chassidic sect was almost totally decimated after the Holocaust. Yet the existence of this massive synagogue is proof of our people’s resilience.

Arthur Frank passed away Monday, Sept. 26, 2011, at the age of 83.

He was born in Germany on Feb. 7, 1928, and immigrated to the United States in 1938 along with his parents, of blessed memory, Walter and Paula Frank. They settled in St. Louis, Mo., where Arthur learned English and after school delivered groceries.

At age 18 he entered the U.S. Army serving as a topographic draftsman/mapmaker in the Korean Conflict.

After his military service, he moved to Kansas City where he met his future bride, Maxine Schaffer. They were married for 61 years, living in Kansas City where Arthur worked in the furniture business as a salesman, buyer and manager.

Arthur and Maxine enjoyed many trips together, traveling on cruise ships and touring the United States, Europe and Israel.

Family was most important. Arthur Frank is survived by his wife, Maxine; children, Fran (Phil) Yeddis, Lee (Judy) Frank, all of Denver, Roz (Tim) Dwyer, Lake Lotawana, Mo.; and six grandchildren, Jordan, Joshua and Lisa Yeddis, Katy and Dylan Dwyer and Asher Frank.

Funeral services were held Tuesday, Sept. 27, at The Louis Memorial Chapel, with burial following at Mount Carmel Cemetery. Donations may be made to Congregation Beth Shalom or American Diabetes Association.

Online guest book available at www.louismemorialchapel.com.

Arr: The Louis Memorial Chapel, 816-361-5211.

In trying to comprehend the world’s love fest and obsession with a Palestinian state, one must conclude that it is deluding itself into believing that such a state would greatly contribute to the wellbeing of the world.

However, a reality check reveals that such a belief is wishful thinking and has no basis in fact. There are two ways to predict the future reality of such a state. If one looks at other Arab states as a guide, such a state will likely mirror totalitarian states. Saudi Arabia and the other Gulf states provide no liberties or human rights to their citizens. States like Syria and Libya, where there is civil war, use violence against its own citizens. States like Egypt, Lebanon and Yemen are influenced or controlled by Muslim extremists wishing to impose Sharia law.

If one wishes to be more accurate in his prediction, one can look at the nature of the autonomous Palestinian entity in the West Bank and Gaza, created after the implementation of the 1993 Oslo agreement where the Palestinian Authority has been controlling the daily internal affairs of 98 percent of the Palestinian people.

According to past evidence the Palestinian state will have the following characteristics.

Terrorist and militant — After the Israeli army left major Palestinian cities and many villages in 1999 and the PA took civil control of 98 percent of its people and responsibility for its internal affairs, Arafat and Abbas began their war of terror, by sending suicide bombers inside Israel on a daily basis, and murdering more than 1,000 Israeli civilians and injuring more than 5,000. Since the Israeli army and all Jewish settlers unilaterally left Gaza in September 2005, it has become a safe haven for terrorists and more than 6,000 rockets and mortar shells have been fired toward Israeli cities.

Undemocratic — President Mahmoud Abbas and the Palestinian legislature have stayed in power for the last two years without new elections and there is no independent judiciary or rule of law.

Welfare state — The Palestinian Economy is artificially resuscitated by handouts from foreign donors. Economic studies show that 60 percent of its GNP comes from donations from the United States, Europe, U.N. and other nations. The Palestinian people receive the largest amount of per capita donations worldwide, which amounts to an average of $560 per family, per month.

Corrupt — Most donations go to the pockets of the ruling party bureaucrats and senior officials in the Palestinian government rather than to build an independent economic infrastructure or help the people.

Historical revisionist — The PA has repeatedly misrepresented history by claiming and acting as if a Palestinian Arab state existed before the establishment of Israel in1948 and that Jerusalem was its capital. They also deny any historical Jewish connection to the land. However, in reality, there was never an Arab or Muslim state called "Palestine" in the area west of the Jordan river and no state ever existed there except a Jewish state and Jerusalem was never the capital of any entity other than a Jewish one.

Indoctrinating and glorifying death and martyrdom — In the West Bank and Gaza, streets, schools, soccer teams, U.N.-sponsored summer camps and trading cards are named after suicide bombers. TV shows for school children and school text books extol hatred for Jews and praise suicide bombings.

Apartheid and racist — The Palestinian representative to Washington, Maen Areikat, told American reporters on Sept. 14 that a future "Palestine" would ban Jews and homosexuals. It would be the first state to officially prohibit Jews since Nazi Germany.

Rejectionist — Abbas refuses to recognize Israel as a Jewish state and Hamas does not recognize the existence of Israel at all. Arafat and Abbas both rejected two Israeli government’s offers in 2000 and 2008 to end the conflict by establishing a Palestinian state within almost all disputed territories and a capital in Jerusalem. Now Abbas rejects direct negotiations.

Divisive — Hamas violently kicked out the PA from Gaza in June 2007 and since then any attempt to reunite has failed while both have been imprisoning and torturing each other’s supporters.

The world and the Palestinians Arabs should be careful of what they wish for since this hope for a Palestinian utopia will crash and burn like the Arab spring.

S

houla Romano Horing was born and raised in Israel. She is an attorney in Kansas City and a national speaker. Visit her blog at www.shoularomanohoring.com.

Beautifully expressing his wishes and fantasy, the prophet Isaiah, who lived in the 8th century B.C.E., said, "…nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore." (Isaiah 2:4). That was, is, and will remain a fantasy for a long time. It is a fact that mankind’s entire history is replete with wars. This fact permits us to view the human race as a war-addicted species.

Since eons ago, man’s aggressive behavior has not changed and it is not about to. Therefore, it seems axiomatic that in the future, we will continue to have wars — small wars, intermediate-size wars, and even a global war. Should the latter materialize, and the probability for that is high, it is likely to be fought with nuclear weapons. Such a war could end the existence of the human race. Obviously, we should spare no effort to avoid being dragged into a global war.

It is widely known that the Palestinians’ ultimate aim is to annihilate the state of Israel. Not so well known is the fact that many Israelis subscribe to the motto "Masada shall never fall again." Thus, if in a future war with an Arab entity, Israel is pushed to the edge of the abyss, Israel will use its nuclear weapons, resulting in massive deaths and destruction on the Arab side. This, in turn, could spark World War III.

To avoid the above, the Arab/Israeli conflict must be brought to a definitive end. Conditions should be created that would satisfy both the Palestinians and the Israelis, while realizing that neither side can have all its claims fulfilled. Also, it is important to include in the solution-formula a process that will eradicate from the Arab psyche the desire to destroy Israel.

My research has led me to target two key elements involved in the conflict: one, the Israeli settlers in the West Bank, and two, the Arab population in Israel.

When a Palestinian state is created, the Palestinian people in the West Bank will find it difficult and frustrating to zigzag around the Israeli settlements in their midst. Therefore, all the Israeli settlers will have to leave, and resettle in Israel. This will allow the Palestinians to start their country with a clean slate.

In exchange, and to complete the solution, all the Israeli Arabs will have to leave Israel and resettle in the new Palestine, with the option to migrate to other countries. This will allow the Israelis to have their clean slate by not having an internal Arab problem. No Arabs in Israel and no Jews in the West Bank is the essence of the solution for the Arab/Israeli conflict.

The Arab population in Israel presents a blatantly abnormal social situation not found in any other country. Over a million Arabs live in Israel. They make up about 20 percent of the total population. As Israeli citizens, they enjoy much more freedom and democratic living than their brethrens in any Arab country. They also enjoy the amenities the state of Israel provides to all of its citizens. However, they differ from their Jewish counterparts in two basic respects: One, they don’t serve in the army, and two, their allegiance is not to the state of Israel, but to Israel’s enemies, who pledge to destroy Israel. An American analogy for that would be that 60 million Americans (20 percent of the total population) champion the destruction of the United States.

No doubt, there will be much screaming from many quarters against the proposed transfers of the two populations, with the loudest screams coming from the Israeli Arabs and the Jewish settlers. That is understandable. To ameliorate their pain, the transferees should be given every possible physical and emotional assistance. But once the dust settles, with the transfers completed, we are likely to see very positive results.

The new situation will be considered a fait accompli by both sides and by the world at large. As such, the desire for Israel’s destruction will enter a process of fading away. The Palestinians, free from Israelis breathing down their necks, will be able to divert all of their energies toward building their new country. The former Israeli Arabs will take pleasure in supporting their new country rather than hating their previous one. No one will be able to accuse Israel of mistreating its Arab population, because there won’t be any.

The Arab/Israeli conflict is like a patient. This patient has been extremely ill for a long time. He is going from bad to worse. The only way to save him is through a radical, painful surgery. Thus, the surgery — the population transfers — is performed, and the outcome is a success.

A future historian of these events will finish his narrative writing, "… and tranquility descended on the region."

Zeev Dickmann, Ph.D., is a retired professor of reproductive biology.

Courting the Jewish vote

Republicans are of course ecstatic that the New York 9th Congressional District voted Republican for the first time in almost 90 years, despite its being the district with the largest percentage of Jewish voters in the country, having a 3 to 1 Democrat advantage in registered voters, and having an Orthodox Jew running against a Catholic. Paradoxically, Jewish Democrats should be equally ecstatic.

This outcome shows that Obama is hemorrhaging Jewish votes. Trying to spin the results any other way is futile. Obama is suspected by some of being a closet Muslim; now he will be required to become more Jewish than Moses. In order to stem this tide, from now until election day he will have to go to any length to convince Jewish voters that he is unreservedly on Israel’s side, and doubtless that is exactly what he will do. In fact, the process has already started.

That’s excellent. Israel’s situation now is extremely perilous, and it will more than ever need total support from the United States. It doesn’t matter why it will now get that support; the critical factor is that it will be there. If this means Obama will thereby manage to retain many Jewish votes, so be it.

It is my personal hope and expectation that Obama will be a one-term president. But if the result of the election in New York’s 9th District is a wake-up call that leads him to be unequivocally supportive of Israel at this critical time, it is an outcome devoutly to be wished.

Lee Levin
Overland Park, Kan.

Respect President Obama

I am frustrated by hearing many Jewish people voicing their opinion that President Obama does not support Israel. I have even heard some say they will not vote for him because of this misconception. I have never been a one -issue voter, and am sad that many people are, but in this case, the perceptions (and concerns) are misplaced. Just last week (Sept. 15), the Chronicle included a short article about AIPAC and AJC lauding Obama for the immediate U.S. intervention on behalf of Israel’s besieged embassy in Cairo. Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu also expressed gratitude for our quick and decisive assistance.

Though I am disappointed in some aspects of his administration, I respect President Obama for his handling of the myriad problems that have faced him, many not of his own making. I will continue to support him in every way I can, while respecting the opinions of others who do not share my conviction. However, as Bill Clinton said on ABC News recently, EVERY United States president will always support Israel, so I believe we as Jewish voters can afford to take a broader view of the administration, review its accomplishments, appreciate its support for Israel and think about the values of the Democrats and how they differ from those of the Republican candidates. As many have said before me: “Be careful what you wish for!”

Judy Sherry
Kansas City, Mo.

I recently returned from a conference with colleagues from similar-sized Jewish Federations around the country. We continued some difficult conversations about how the Jewish world has changed and how Jewish Federation can manage that change.

All 19 communities represented in our group are dealing with change: Change coming harder and faster than we have ever seen before. It is driven by economic and political instability and technological, demographic and generational shifting. Some old institutions are beginning to crumble. New organizations are struggling to exist. And a change of thinking and behavior for those under 45 is enveloping us all.

At one time, the Jewish Federation’s primary focus was raising dollars to rescue and resettle Jews in the United States and Israel. Many of our institutions were created to handle the immigrant influx: JFS, JVS and JCCs which served as the hub of “Americanization,” grew from these needs. During this era, our donors willingly supported these newcomers, many of whom were relatives. The newcomers, in turn, supported later waves of immigrants, and fed the growth of our synagogues and organizations.

Fast forward to the beginning of the 21st century: The children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren of these immigrants are making their mark. They are inhabiting a different world — one in which they have economic means, social stability and a society (at least in North America) that is totally open to them. In Israel, which is still threatened by conflict, there is a high-functioning technological economy that has influence far beyond the Middle East. Rather than working to Americanize Jews (as in the past), we are working to make them more Jewish. There are very few threatened populations which require a wholesale move to the promised land. And major conflicts between Israel and the Palestinians are no longer garnering universal Jewish support.

We are a culture defined by individualism. A philosophy of philanthropy once guided by a feeling of responsibility to one another is now guided by the personal cause of the month.

We believe in individual donor choice. Which means umbrella, and therefore, Jewish Federation giving, have lost favor.

So what does this mean as we move forward? Can we still have a community? Is mutual responsibility dead? Can we experience a meaningful Jewish peoplehood? Does support for the particular mean no support for the greater?

Moving Forward

At issue, for all Jewish organizations, is how we do what we do, when we do it, and how we derive our community support. And how it fits into today’s society.

As I stated earlier, Jewish Americans have become American Jews. We succeeded in what we set out to do. So the purpose of our organizations and the resulting programs need to change for us to stay relevant. But change now happens overnight. This, combined with the fact that Jews are free and welcome to participate almost everywhere, including the virtual world, makes it an ever-present challenge to remain current and relevant.

What does all of this mean?

To meet the vastly changed landscape of community, the Jewish world and those of us who work within it, are compelled to do what we do differently. We have to be more nimble as organizations, embrace groups outside our usual circle and make new technology work for us. Some institutions will not survive these times. Others may become dramatically different. History has shown us to be a remarkable people. Despite slavery in Egypt, exile in Babylonia, pogroms, the Holocaust and attacks by numerous Arab armies and terrorists, we go on. We have shared in the birth of a modern Jewish state and have, despite our challenges, developed Jewish education and culture to a level no one ever thought possible.

We will meet these challenges of today with the same intellect, creativity and sense of purpose and in the end we will provide a rebirth of our community in the 21st century.

Todd Stettner is executive vice president & CEO of Jewish Federation of Greater Kansas City.

Cinema lovers in Greater Kansas City do not need to travel to Cannes, Toronto or Jerusalem to attend a first-class film festival. Opportunity knocks starting next weekend when local audiences can find their very own slice of film nirvana in Overland Park at the 11th annual Kansas International Film Festival (KIFF). KIFF will take place Sept. 30-Oct.6 at the Glenwood Arts Theatre located inside the Metcalf South Shopping Center.

This year’s festival will premiere more than 50 films over seven days. The lineup contains an eclectic mix of dramatic features and documentaries with many filmmakers in attendance for question-and-answer sessions following the presentation of their films.
Three films will have a distinctive Jewish flavor.

“Berlin 36” is a drama based on the true story of German Jewess Gretel Bergmann, one of the best high jumpers of her day. Berlin is the host city for the 1936 Olympic Games. America is threatening a boycott if no Jewish athletes are included on the German team.
Gretel has mixed emotions when invited to the German training facility. She doesn’t want to win a medal as she is opposed to Hitler’s racial policies. A renowned Jewish sports official tells her that she would undermine talk of a superior Aryan race by setting a world record. The scheming Nazis feel they have found a better athlete in Marie Ketteler. Gretel and Marie become roommates and good friends. The very intelligent Gretel has to endure taunting and ridicule from other female team members. The replacement trainer makes her run more laps in an effort to get her to drop out. He even separates her from the others by making her eat alone. Gretel makes a surprising discovery, but threats directed at her and her family force her to keep silent. Black and white archival footage and authentic photographs are seamlessly inserted into the narrative. The real-life Gretel appears in an interview at the conclusion of the movie. The dialogue is in German with English subtitles. This relatively unknown story makes me appreciate as a Jew the freedom to compete in sports competition. It will be shown on Monday night, Oct. 3, at 7:25 p.m. I highly recommend this film with my rating of 3 stars (out of 4).

“Habermann” (Saturday, Oct. 1, at 3 p.m.) is a fictitious wartime drama based on a true story. August Habermann is a fourth-generation German residing in the small Sudetenland village of Eglau (standing in for Bludov). Habermann is the wealthiest person around employing most of the Czech population either in his flour mill or sawmill. The movie opens in 1937 with his marriage in the Catholic church to the beautiful Jana, an orphan who grew up in a monastery following her mother’s death. We learn at the outset that Jana’s birth certificate indicates her father’s surname was Silberstein. The bulk of the movie spans the seven-year period from 1938-1945 when the Third Reich occupies the area. August is continually hounded by Major Kurt Koslowski for his saint-like morals and fair treatment of his predominantly Czech workers. The movie gets off to a promising start, but runs out of steam with a violent third act. It turns into a long and tiresome soap opera with made-for-television production values after trying to emulate “Schindler’s List.” The subplot involving Jana being half-Jewish and their marriage a violation of the Nuremberg Laws enacted to protect German blood and honor takes a back seat, becoming almost inconsequential to the friction between the Germans and Czechs. The movie gets confusing with so many characters to keep track of and goes off on several tangents. The movie ends with brutal mob scenes representing Czech vengeance which ultimately resulted in 3 million Sudeten Germans being expelled from their country. The actor playing the Nazi antagonist stands out for the best performance. The passionless lead character is rather bland and fails to curry much sympathy. The dialogue is in German and Czech with English subtitles. The movie won the Jewish Eye for Best Feature Film at the 2010 World Jewish Film Festival. My rating 2 ½ stars.

“Israel vs. Israel” is a powerful documentary that will stir up discussion and debate. It follows four Israeli peace activists who oppose the military occupation in the West Bank and want more humane treatment for the Palestinians. The protest groups represented in the film are Breaking the Silence, Anarchists Against the Wall, Rabbis for Human Rights and Checkpoint Watch. Filmmaker Terje Carlsson filled the roles of producer, director and cinematographer. He is also credited for the original musical score. The movie brings up the issues of nationalism versus religion and differentiates between the state of Israel and the biblical land of Israel that God promised to the Jewish people in perpetuity. The excellent cinematography takes you to places that you will not see on your tour when visiting from the United States. The hatred is most evident in Hebron where soldiers are constantly demanding that the camera be turned off. The movie is slanted toward those opposing what the government is doing and the extreme security precautions. It pushes for territorial compromise and moral behavior that treats human life as holy. The documentary is partially in Hebrew with English subtitles and has a running time of 58 minutes. It screens on Sunday afternoon, Oct. 2, at 3:45 p.m. and you are encouraged to stick around afterwards to meet Carlsson, who will be in attendance.

My rating 3 1/2 stars.

Higher profile major studio releases premiering at KIFF before their regular fall openings include: “Take Shelter,” the Critics Week Grand Prize winner at the 2011 Cannes Film Festival; “We Need to Talk About Kevin” starring Oscar winner Tilda Swinton; “Like Crazy,” Grand Jury Prize winner at the 2011 Sundance Film Festival; and “Dirty Girl,” a comedy about a troubled and promiscuous Oklahoma high school student in the 1980s.

Full festival passes which cover admission to all KIFF films along with special advance seating privileges are priced at $60. Individual tickets are $6.50 before 5 p.m. and $8.50 for evening shows. Seniors 60 and over pay $6.75 anytime. Discounts are available for Film League members. Tickets may be purchased at the Glenwood Arts. For more information, call 913-642-4404 or visit www.kansasfilm.com.