‘THE BOOK OF RUTH: MEDIEVAL TO MODERN’
The Joanna S. Rose Illuminated Book of Ruth, measuring nine inches tall and an amazing 18 feet long, is an accordion-fold vellum manuscript of the biblical book about King David’s great-grandmother. It was designed and illuminated by New York artist Barbara Wolff over two years, 2015-2017, and is presented online alongside 12 other manuscripts that also illustrate the story of Ruth but date from the 12th to the 15th centuries. — Through October 4, The Morgan Library & Museum, themorgan.org/exhibitions/book-of-ruth. Free.
‘ADVOCATE’
Attorney Lea Tsemel is a champion in Israeli human rights circles for her longtime defense of Palestinians. But she is seen by some as “the devil’s advocate.” Filmmakers Rachel Leah Jones and Phillippe Bellaiche document her trials in “Advocate,” which was shortlisted for an Oscar in the Best Documentary Feature category. — The film airs as part of PBS’ POV series, Monday, July 27, 10 p.m., Thirteen/WNET, pbs.org/pov/watch/advocate/.
‘CRIP CAMP’ Q+A
If ever there were a film about fun, resilience and tikkun olam, “Crip Camp” is it. No one at Camp Jened, a camp for disabled teens just down the road from Woodstock, could have imagined that those summers in the woods together would be the beginnings of a revolution. The campers-turned-activists shaped the future of the disability-rights movement and changed accessibility legislation for everyone. Join a virtual, live-captioned Q+A with filmmakers. — Monday, July 27, 8:30 p.m., Marlene Meyerson JCC Manhattan, eventbrite.com/e/crip-camp-qa-tickets-111044448936. Free. Watch the film on Netflix, netflix.com/title/81001496.
DAVID CROSS NEEDS TO DO STAND-UP
Actor David Cross (“Arrested Development”) tries his hand at live stand-up comedy during a pandemic. We’re just hoping he does his bit about the binary nature of the word “Jew.” Enjoy socially-distanced comedy in Parklife’s 4000-square-foot outdoor yard while enjoying tacos and drinks. Masks are required and all safety guidelines will be adhered to. — Monday, July 27, 8:30 p.m.-10 p.m., Littlefield LIVE@Parklife, 636 Degraw St., Brooklyn, parklifebk.com/event/littlefield-live-at-parklife-presents-david-cross-needs-to-do-stand-up/. $28 includes two tacos.
JUDY GOLD ON ‘YES, I CAN SAY THAT’ WITH ROSIE O’DONNELL
Join comedian Judy Gold and Emmy Award-winning Rosie O’Donnell online for a laugh-out-loud conversation about Gold’s new book, “Yes, I Can Say That: When They Come for the Comedians, We Are All in Trouble.” Over the last few years, with the dramatic rise in political correctness and “cancel” culture, we’ve seen an increase in censorship of comedians who cover controversial issues. What are the uncomfortable truths that comedy reveals about our culture and society? Why is free speech the core value of our democratic society and what can be done? — Tuesday, July 28, 7 p.m., 92Y, 92y.org/event/judy-gold-and-rosie-o-donnell. $10.
LULLABIES AND LOVE SONGS FROM MY LIVING ROOM
Rachel Policar, who played the title character of National Yiddish Theatre Folksbiene’s production of Yiddish-language operetta “The Golden Bride,” will present an online concert of Yiddish theater favorites with special guest Cameron Johnson, her “Golden Bride” co-star. — Wednesday, July 29. 1 p.m., Folksbiene!LIVE, nytf.org/live/.
BERNARD-HENRI LÉVY IN CONVERSATION WITH THOMAS FRIEDMAN
Few moments in modern history are riper than this one for the sharp lens and iconoclastic insight of Bernard-Henri Lévy (“The Genius of Judaism”). Join the French philosopher, activist and filmmaker in discussion with New York Times columnist Thomas Friedman about his latest book, “The Virus in the Age of Madness,” which lays out a complex collision of catastrophes and whether they will lead to the humiliation of democracies. — Wednesday, July 29, 5-6:30 p.m., Virtual Streicker, temple-emanu-el-streicker-center-classes.ticketleap.com/bernard-henri-lvy-in-conversation-with-thomas-friedman/dates/Jul-29-2020_at_0500PM. Free.
emanuelnyc.org.
VIRTUAL CINEMA: ‘MY POLISH HONEYMOON’
“My Polish Wedding” is a comedy/drama about a young Parisian couple with Jewish origins visiting Poland for the first time. During what is technically their honeymoon, they will attend a memorial ceremony for the Jewish community in Adam’s grandfather’s village, which was destroyed 75 years ago. Anna is hoping to reconnect with her roots and finally discover more about her own family’s history, which has always been a mystery. — Streaming Friday, July 31-Friday, August 7, $12. A free Q+A with the filmmaker is Tuesday, August 4, 1 p.m. Israel Film Center, israelfilmcenterstream.org/film/virtual-cinema-my-polish-honeymoon/.
THE HAMPTON SYNAGOGUE JEWISH FILM FESTIVAL
Drive-in movies are a new Sunday-evening ritual in the tradition of the Hampton Synagogue’s Jewish Film Festival, now in its 18th year. Order a variety of food options in advance at beachbakerycafe.com. This Sunday, August 2, the festival will screen Matt Ratner’s comedy “Standing Up, Falling Down,” starring Ben Schwartz as a struggling comedian forced to move back home to Long Island, and Billy Crystal as his new friend, an alcoholic dermatologist. RogerEbert.com calls the film “genuinely funny” and says, “With a movie like this, chemistry is key, and ‘Standing Up, Falling Down’ has got it.” — The festival runs Sundays through September 6, 8:30 p.m., The Hampton Synagogue, Francis S. Gabreski Airport, Sheldon Way, Westhampton Beach, NY, thehamptonsynagogue.org/summer-2020-drive-in-movies/. To register, call Danielle M-Th, 10 a.m.-3 p.m., at 631.288.0534 ext.10.
NATAN SHARANSKY & RABBI RICK JACOBS: PRISON, POLITICS AND THE JEWISH PEOPLE
A month before the release of his new book, “Never Alone,” reflections on the journey he’s traveled from Soviet Gulags to the rough-and-tumble of Israeli politics and then to the leadership of the Jewish Agency, Natan Sharansky will join us for a conversation moderated by Rabbi Rick Jacobs, President of the Union for Reform Judaism. — Monday, August 3, 5 p.m., Virtual Streicker, temple-emanu-el-streicker-center-classes.ticketleap.com/natan-sharansky-prison-politics-and-the-jewish-people/dates/Aug-03-2020_at_0500PM. Free.
HAMPTONS TRUNK SHOW
For more than a dozen years, UJA has presented the Hamptons Trunk Show, where hundreds flock to shop, connect and raise money for UJA. This year, the show is a virtual experience that UJA promises will rival its big tent event. As always, a percentage of proceeds will benefit UJA and, this year, UJA’s response to the ongoing needs created by Covid-19. Each morning at 11:00 a.m. the show will feature a live segment with trendsetters in the fashion world. — Monday, August 3-Thursday, August 6, UJA-Federation of New York. Register for free at ujafedny.org/event/view/hamptons-trunk-show.
STAND UP NY IN THE PARK
Most comedy clubs offer a lot of Jewish humor (and why shouldn’t they?), but Stand Up NY has long presented an especially heavy rotation of Jewish comedians. The club’s Upper West Side location is closed until it’s safe to reopen, but never fear, Stand Up NY is producing comedy shows in parks across New York City. Showtimes and locations are released daily at 10 a.m. on the club’s website, and capacity is limited to ensure the safety of both audience members and performers. — Stand Up NY, standupny.com. Free.
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‘MENTSHUN-FRESSER’ (PEOPLE-EATERS)
New video, old song! Berlin-based Yiddish music stars Daniel Kahn & The Painted Bird have released a brand new video of Solomon Small’s 1916 Yiddish ballad about pandemics that killed so many Jews who had escaped pograms to gather in crowded urban communities. Some lyrics have been updated, Kahn told The Times of Israel, “to make it sharper in terms of its relevance.” The stellar performers, who include Kahn, Sveta Kundish and Patrick Farrell, were filmed in June 2020 at an estate in Brandenburg, Germany. — Ongoing on YouTube, youtube.com/watch?v=RaYmQNgCtnQ&feature=youtu.be. Free
MILTON GLASER: TO INFORM & DELIGHT’
For many, Milton Glaser is the personification of American graphic design. Best known for co-founding New York Magazine and creating both the enduring I♥NY campaign and an iconic Bob Dylan poster, the full breadth of Glaser’s remarkable artistic output is revealed in this documentary portrait. — Now available to purchase or rent, Kino Now, kinonow.com/film/milton-glaser-to-inform-delight/5d4c5ab24b32993829637fb9. $4.99-$9.99.
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