SOSTD135: The Hollywood Connection: Jews, Movies & The American Dream (DOUBLE-PERIOD COURSE 3 & 4) Teacher Letter Period 4 on Sunday in Newton Center Instructor: Jacqui Adler

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SOSTD135: The Hollywood Connection: Jews, Movies & The American Dream (DOUBLE-PERIOD COURSE 3 & 4) Teacher Letter Period 3 on Sunday in Newton Center Instructor: Jacqui Adler

Dear Parents: As the teacher of your child’s class, THE HOLLYWOOD CONNECTION, I would like to introduce myself and this course to you. A graduate of Emerson College and the Prozdor, I joined the Prozdor faculty in January 2005. As a Golden Globe and Christopher award winning television Producer from Los Angeles, I bring my wealth of Hollywood knowledge and experience to this class. This course will ask and answer the questions: Did you know that your favorite movie might have an underlying Jewish premise? Did you know that Hollywood was created by Jews who produced films that were Jewish in nature but cloaked in universal principles? Did you know that the first studio Moguls fled to California to escape anti-Semitism and built one of the most powerful industries in the world? We will delve into the backgrounds of these Moguls, how their experiences as Eastern European Jews and then as immigrants helped them to create the entertainment business and how their Jewish values shaped society. This course will expose the behind-the-scenes development of Hollywood and the Jewish foundations, ideas and subtext of some of the most popular and acclaimed films in the history of the motion picture industry. We will view films with underlying Jewish themes and then discuss the impact and the message of the film on society as well as on each other. During the screening as well as after the viewing of each film we will analyze and discuss the content, message and style of each film and how the Jewish perspective permeates the theme of each. We will explore both the historical and political atmosphere around the time that each film was produced and if the messages of each of these films still holds true today. I will evaluate each student by their class participation, attendance, class assignments and on their final paper. Students that are absent are expected to view the films that were shown in class at home. Each of these movies can be found at the local library or local video store. If you have any further questions, please feel free to e-mail me at jadler@prozdor.org. Regards, Jacqui Adler

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SOSTD178: Spielberg, Levinson and Lumet: An In-Depth Study (DOUBLE PERIOD 1 & 2) Teacher Letter Period 1 on Sunday in Newton Center Instructor: Jacqui Adler

Dear Parents: As the teacher of your child’s class, Spielberg, Levinson & Lumet: An In Depth Study, I would like to introduce myself and this course to you. A graduate of Emerson College and the Prozdor, I joined the faculty in January of 2005. As a member of the Entertainment community in Los Angeles for a number of years, I bring my wealth of Hollywood knowledge and experience to this class. In this course we will examine a sampling of films written and/or directed by Steven Spielberg, Barry Levinson and Sidney Lumet, three of today’s most influential and respected Jewish filmmakers. After screening a selection of their films, we will discuss their approaches to filmmaking, their perspectives on material, the type of stories they are drawn to, how each approaches Judaism in their films and how Judaism and the state of current affairs has shaped the films that they have brought to the screen. We will also discuss their impact on today’s film market and the legacy they will leave behind. During the screening, as well as after the viewing of each film, we will analyze and discuss the content, message and style that each filmmaker brings to a project and how the Jewish perspective permeates and shapes their work. I will evaluate each student by their class participation, attendance, class assignments and on their final term paper. Students that are absent are expected to view the films that were shown in class at home. These movies can be found at local libraries, local video stores or at online hubs. As we will be studying the films of Steven Spielberg, you should be advised that I will be showing his Oscar winning film, “Schindler’s List.” Due to the nature and subject matter of this film, there is violence and brief nudity. If this is a concern to you, please do not hesitate to let me know. It might be advisable for you to view this film before sending your son or daughter to class. I will give ample notice as to when this film will be screened. If you have any further questions, please feel free to e-mail me at jadler@prodzdor.org. Regards, Jacqui Adler

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SOSTD178: Spielberg, Levinson and Lumet: An In-Depth Study (DOUBLE PERIOD 1 & 2) Teacher Letter Period 2 on Sunday in Newton Center Instructor: Jacqui Adler

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