Details

Written by Joanne Wallenstein

Published: 09 January 2025

Created: 09 January 2025

Last Updated: 09 January 2025

Hits: 448

It’s movie season. With the Golden Globes in our rearview mirror and the Oscar’s to come, the Jacob Burns Film Center (JBFC) in Pleasantville is presenting an exhibition celebrating the illustrious career of one of the most influential movie poster designers of our time. The exhibit features sixteen of Baillie’s most celebrated works—from Dirty Dancing in 1987 to Barbie in 2023— showcasing her groundbreaking contributions to the art and design of film marketing.
This exhibition comes to the JBFC from Poster House in New York City, with original support from the New York State Council on the Arts (NYSCA) and the Department of Cultural Affairs (DCAL). All posters are part of the Poster House Permanent Collection.

"A poster’s job is to celebrate a film in one frame. The job is well done when an audience is piqued and the poster makes it to the dorm room wall.” —Dawn Baillie, The New York Times, 2024

"We are thrilled to host The Anatomy of a Movie Poster: The Work of Dawn Baillie, an exhibition that not only highlights the incredible artistry behind film marketing but also celebrates the groundbreaking career of a trailblazing designer. Dawn Baillie’s work has left an indelible mark on the intersection of art, cinema, and culture, and we are proud to share her legacy with our community," said Mary Jo Ziesel, JBFC Executive Director.

Visit the third floor in the Jane Peck Gallery to enjoy this exhibit. It’s accessible seven days a week during theater operating hours. The Jacob Burns Film Center is located at 364 Manville Road, Pleasantville, NY 10570. Click here for more information about the exhibit.

Details

Written by Andrea Seiden

Published: 20 January 2025

Created: 20 January 2025

Last Updated: 22 January 2025

Hits: 669

The publishing industry is grappling with a troubling rise in anti-Semitism and anti-Israel sentiment, which is creating obstacles for Jewish authors and works with Jewish or Israeli themes. To address this pressing issue, Scarsdale Library hosted a panel discussion on January 10, 2025, titled “This Moment in Time: A Panel on Anti-Semitism and Publishing. "

The event, moderated by Scarsdale author Barbara Josselsohn (The Forgotten Italian Restaurant) and Frederic Price, founder of Fig Tree Books LLC, moderated a panel of notable writers. Jacqueline Friedland (He Gets That From Me), Haya Molnar (Under a Red Sky), and Samantha Greene Woodruff (The Lobotomist’s Wife) each shared their insights on the challenges they face as Jewish writers.

Frederic Price highlighted an alarming trend: publishers and agents increasingly avoid representing Jewish authors or works perceived as “too Jewish.” He attributed this shift partly to younger, left-leaning woke employees at publishing houses who dismissed works based on subject matter or the author’s name.

Jacqueline Friedland shared her encounter with a Google spreadsheet titled “Is Your Favorite Author a Zionist?” This widely shared document categorized authors based on their stance on Israel, encouraging users to boycott books by pro-Israel writers. Garnering over one million views, the spreadsheet is a grim reminder of how social media fuels intolerance, particularly in the wake of the Hamas attacks on October 7. Friedland also noted that anti-Zionist readers have intentionally undermined books on social media sites like Goodreads by leaving poor reviews and low ratings, effectively tanking their success.

This environment has led to calls for boycotts of Israeli cultural institutions. Over 1,000 authors, including Sally Rooney and Percival Everett, signed a letter accusing such institutions of complicity in alleged human rights violations. However, there is some pushback. Another coalition of literary professionals signed a letter rejecting these boycotts, arguing that such measures stifle cultural exchange and free expression.

Ironically, panel members shared that they are writing increasingly as proud Jews, refusing to hide or shy away from detractors or topics that can invoke controversy. The panelists offered hope and advice to Jewish writers. “Stay true to your creative voice,” urged Haya Molnar. Frederic Price agreed, emphasizing, “Don’t change a thing.”

The panel also discussed a movement in the literary world regarding whether writers should or should not explore "other voices"—that is, writing about experiences, cultures, or identities that differ from their own. Increasingly, writers are criticized for lack of authenticity and cultural appropriation. In fact, Price shared that some publishing houses employ sensitivity readers to review manuscripts.

Not surprisingly, social media has amplified these criticisms. Some new writers have faced public backlash, boycotts, or even withdrawn books after being accused of cultural appropriation or misrepresentation.

The panel took great offense to these allegations and felt that such unfounded, impractical criticism impeded their storytelling ability. The panel is committed to respectful creativity, and a panel member quoted Maya Angelou’s advice to writers, "I think you need to live in as many different characters’ shoes as possible in your writing. That is to say, be empathic and compassionate, and enter those experiences to the best of your ability. You can never fully know another’s experience, but you can try to understand and portray it honestly."

This is a sad state of affairs with censorship and a lack of freedom of speech emerging in ways many have not witnessed in their lifetimes. Price went on to say we need to move from outrage to action. He encouraged writers to explore alternative publishing avenues, like the Jewish Publication Society, to ensure their stories reach readers. He hopes that some prominent non-Jewish people will have the courage to speak out against this censorship. Readers also play a role and should continue vigilance and speaking up. When asked, some panelists would refuse to read specific authors given their criticism of Israel, like Sally Rooney (Normal People) or Percival Everett (James).

The event concluded with attendees expressing gratitude for the Scarsdale Library’s commitment to fostering dialogue on critical issues. By spotlighting the challenges of Jewish the panel discussion sparked a meaningful conversation about the broader implications of free expression and cultural tolerance. Events like these remind us of the power of discussion to inspire understanding and action.

Commenting on the event, Barbara Josselsohn said, "It was wonderful to see so many people join us on a cold January morning. The panelists all had such valuable insights, and the audience questions and observations were smart and thoughtful. I’m so grateful to the Scarsdale Library for hosting this important discussion.”

Details

Written by Joanne Wallenstein

Published: 17 December 2024

Created: 17 December 2024

Last Updated: 17 December 2024

Hits: 1505

John Catania fought off an assailant with knife on a subway in 2022.A Scarsdale High School Art Teacher who heroically saved a woman on the subway in 2022 has been awarded the Carnegie Medal for Heroism. John Catania will receive a gold medal and a one-time grant of $7,500.

As we reported in 2022, Catania fought off an assailant who attacked a woman on the subway with a knife and ended up being severely injured himself. Below is an account of what happened:

A 28-year-old woman was sitting on a subway car in New York City on Nov. 22, 2022, when a 6’4”, 30-year-old man walked up to her and suddenly slashed her in the face with a 3-inch, bladed weapon described by police as a shank. John Catania, a 29-year-old art teacher from New York, stood across from the assailant as the train made its stop. He saw the first strike and yelled at the assailant, who ignored him. The assailant struck the woman again with the weapon. Catania rushed at the assailant and shoved him away from the woman, which allowed her to escape to an adjacent car. Other passengers on the moving train scattered as Catania grappled with the assailant, who stabbed him repeatedly in the head and back. As they struggled, Catania grabbed the assailant’s legs and took him to the ground as the train reached a stop and the assailant fled the scene. Catania, who was covered in blood, also exited the train, where a bystander wrapped Catania’s head with a sweatshirt and escorted him to police above the platform. He suffered 11 lacerations to the head and upper back, which were stapled and sutured shut. Catania recovered. The woman suffered a cut to her cheek and her hand. She too, recovered. The assailant was arrested on attempted murder, hate crimes, and other charges. At the time of the Hero Fund’s investigation, he was awaiting trial.

Catania is among 18 individuals who are being honored for extraordinary acts of heroism. According to a press release other honorees include a 34-year-old healthcare worker who saved a boy who had fallen through ice covering an apartment complex pond and a 62-year-old repairman who entered a burning home three times to rescue an 11-month-old baby. Others are being honored posthumously including a 31-year-old mother who died attempting to save her 1-year-old son from their burning home, a 28-year-old father, who drowned attempting to save his 7-year-old daughter, and a 45-year-old father who died attempting to save his teen daughter from drowning.

Below find information about the Carnegie Hero Fund Commission and learn more here:
https://www.carnegiehero.org