| Pardes Levavot |  |
Pardes Levavot, “Orchard of Hearts,” was formed in the spirit of creating conscious holy community. Our name expresses the spiritual blossoming of each individual heart within an inspiring and nurturing orchard.
For information on our congregation please call (303) 563-2110 and leave a message or send email to info@pardeslevavot.org. To join our congregation, please print a copy of our membership form, fill it out, and send it to our Synagogue.
Pardes Levavot gratefully acknowledges Allied
Jewish Federation of Colorado for their support of
our Circle of Family Education program. Thank you!
Mellon Financial Denver Jewish Film Festival Held At The Mizel Center For Arts And Culture February 9-16, 2006DENVER - The Mellon Financial Denver Jewish Film Festival opens at the Mizel Center for Arts and Culture on Thursday, Feb. 9. The week-long festival, which features numerous Colorado premieres, offers the best in contemporary international Jewish film from Israel, Germany, England, Spain, Argentina, the United States and Canada. The line-up includes timely and provocative documentaries, hilarious and irreverent comedies, family-friendly features, and a day of music-themed films. Many of the films offer expanded discussion opportunities after the screenings with directors, scholars and critics. There are currently more than 65 annual Jewish film festivals in the United States annually, and over 100 around the world. Audiences are realizing that Jewish film festivals are not only a gateway to Jewish culture, knowledge, and identity, but they're also great entertainment. Opening night, which is sponsored by Coors Brewing Company, brings a gala party and the inauguration of the Mizel Center's Cultural Achievement Award (the first recipient is columnist, civic activist and Mizel Center board member Susan Barnes-Gelt). The opening film is Isn't This a Time, featuring Pete Seeger and the Weavers. The film is a salute to Howard Leventhal, the man who took Jewish values - and folk music - from the blacklist to Carnegie Hall. The week's highlights include the hilarious comedy Only Human; Salvador Litvak's award-winning When Do We Eat (starring Jack Klugman, Michael Lerner, Lesley Ann Warren and the Israeli actress Mili Avital); three music-themed films on Sunday, Feb. 12; the dramatic Israel documentary 10 Days in Gaza from director Dov Gil-Har; the bravura performances of two of Israeli's finest comic actors in Danny Verete's Metallic Blues; and Go for Zucker, Germany's first Jewish comedy since World War II. A fun and informal Grand Finale event caps off the week. The evening features a screening of the English film Wondrous Oblivion, which combines the laughs of Bend It Like Beckham with the feel-good drama of Billy Elliott, and a post-screening discussion with Howie Moshovitz. All films will be screened in the Shwayder Theatre at the Mizel Center for Arts and Culture, 350 S. Dahlia St., Denver. Tickets are $8/general admission, $6 students and seniors; a festival pass offers any 12 admissions for $36 (does not include Opening Night or the Grand Finale). For information, call 303-316-6360 or visit www.mizelcenter.org. EVENT AT A GLANCE MELLON FINANCIAL DENVER JEWISH FILM FESTIVAL
Mizel Center for Arts and Culture
Thursday, Feb. 9, 7:30 p.m. (also shown on Tuesday, Feb. 14, 5 p.m.) Isn't This a Time! A Tribute Concert for Harold Leventhal Director: Jim Brown
Pete Seeger and the Weavers, Peter, Paul and Mary, Theodore Bikel and Arlo Guthrie take the stage in a special concert honoring the legendary music promoter and social activist Harold Leventhal. The upbeat film includes concert footage, behind-the-scenes interviews with the musicians, and recollections from Leventhal, who recently died. Colorado Premiere. Saturday, Feb. 11, 6:30 p.m. Only Human (Seres queridos) Directors: Dominic Harari and Teresa Pelegri
A new international production suggests Meet the Parents crossed with Billy Wilder and early Pedro Almodavar. When Leni, a successful Jewish daughter, brings her fiance Rafi home to her crowded family apartment, everything goes smoothly until the boyfriend reveals that he is Palestinian. Zany characters, elaborate slapstick, hilarious misunderstandings and rapid-fire conversation make for a very funny film. Colorado Premiere. Saturday, Feb. 11, 9 p.m. When Do We Eat Director: Salvador Litvak
Starring Jack Klugman, Michael Lerner, Lesley Ann Warren and the Israeli actress Mili Avital, When Do We Eat is the story of a seder that slows down considerably after one of the boys slips Dad a dose of Ecstasy. This affectionate, ironic look at family dynamics also takes a critical look at Jewish stereotypes. The film, which has a great soundtrack, opened the Palm Beach International Film Festival and won Best Screenplay at the San Diego Film Festival. Colorado Premiere. Sunday, Feb. 12, Noon A Journey of Spirit Director: Ann Coppel
A new documentary tells the story of the remarkable singer and songwriter Debbie Friedman, who has worked tirelessly to transform Jewish sacred music by integrating contemporary melody with Jewish liturgy. The prize-winning film explores the artist's achievements and the controversies that surround the ground-breaking musician. Director, writer and producer Ann Coppel has known Friedman since 1971, when Coppel was a camper and Friedman was her song-leader at a Reform movement camp. Sunday, Feb. 12 2:30 p.m. A Cantor's Tale Director: Erik Greenberg Anjou
In a joyous feature-length documentary filled with the glorious strains of cantorial voices, Cantor Jacob Mendelson returns to his old Brooklyn neighborhood to undertake a nostalgic journey through family and tradition. Mendelson, president of the Cantors Assembly of America, revisits the synagogues and cantors that influenced him as a young man. Special bonus - Alan Dershowitz and Jackie Mason sing! Colorado Premiere. Sunday, Feb. 12, 5 p.m. (also shown on Tuesday, Feb. 14, 10 a.m.) The First Time I Was Twenty Director: Lorraine Levy
Marilou Berry (Look at Me) gives a stunning and sparkling performance in this unusual French coming-of-age story. It's the 1960s, and sixteen-year-old Hannah lives with her working-class Jewish family in the Paris suburbs. This zaftig ugly duckling is smart, funny, and plays a mean upright bass. A classic tale of an underdog, the feel-good, uplifting film is laced with dark humor and a fabulous jazz soundtrack. Colorado Premiere. Sunday, Feb. 12 7 p.m. 10 Days in Gaza Director: Dov Gil-Har
The latest film from the Israeli director Dov Gil Har (Sleeping With the Enemy and Behind Enemy Lines) follows the story of Israel's disengagement from the Gaza settlements. During the dramatic evacuation, had over 20 news crews on the ground covering the historic events. Based on comprehensive footage filmed by Israel's Channel 2 news team, the film is a compelling portrait of a nation riven by shock, emotion and change. Complex and heart-wrenching. Colorado Premiere. Monday, Feb. 13, 7 p.m. Protocols of Zion Director: Marc Levin
Marc Levin, director of Slam (Grand Jury Prize at Sundance), gives us an explosive exploration of anti-Semitism in the wake of 9/11. Levin engages in a free-for-all dialogue with Arab Americans, Black nationalists, Christian evangelists, white supremacists, Kabbalist rabbis, Holocaust survivors, and the founder of the popular Jew Watch website. Important and disturbing. Don't miss the follow-up discussion with Bruce DeBoskey, an expert on the Protocols of Zion. Tuesday, Feb. 14 5 p.m.: Isn't This a Time! Post-Screening Discussion: Barry Ollman, an expert on Woody Guthrie, was recently featured in Rolling Stone Tuesday, Feb. 14, 7 p.m. Metallic Blues Director: Danny Verete
Two of Israel's finest comic actors, Moshe Ivgy and Avi Koushnir, star as Israeli used-car salesmen Siso and Shmuel. When a Palestinian drives a 1985 Lincoln Continental Limousine onto their lot, they purchase it with plans to re-sell the car in Germany for a quick and handsome profit, but nothing goes as planned. Dark humor and strong acting gained Metallic Blues awards for the Best Script and Best Actor at the 21st International Film Festival of Jerusalem. Colorado Premiere. Wednesday, Feb. 15, 7 p.m. Go For Zucker (Alles auf Zucker!) Director: Dani Levy
Germany's first Jewish comedy since World War II is politically incorrect, ironic, and totally contemporary. Jaeckie Zucker is a pool shark on the verge of jail, ruin, and divorce. When his mother dies, her will specifies that the family must reconcile and sit shiva together for them to claim her inheritance. The winner of six German "Oscars" and the Ernst Lubitsch Award for Best German Comedy, Zucker was also nominated for two European Film Awards. Colorado Premiere. GRAND FINALE Thursday, Feb. 16, 2006 6 p.m.:
Wondrous Oblivion Director: Paul Morrison
Set on the cusp of the swinging sixties in England, Wondrous Oblivion combines the laughs of Bend It Like Beckham with the feel-good drama of Billy Elliott. Mad about cricket, eleven-year-old David Wiseman is wonderfully oblivious to his complete lack of skill. When a Jamaican family moves in next door and builds a cricket net, David has to choose between fitting in and standing up for his new friends. Nominated for a London Critics Circle Film Award, Wondrous Oblivion won a Best Feature at the Boston Jewish Film Festival. Colorado Premiere. |