I’m not writing a long post tonight, because I’m reading an outstanding book I’ve wanted to read for a long time. I plan to curl up in bed with it shortly. It’s been a while since I’ve had that “can’t put it down” feeling, so I’m going to indulge it.
recommend
My completely unsolicited review of “Megillas Lester”
After all my recent ranting and raving about Esther in pop culture, I watched a video this afternoon with the husband and kids that made me feel better. I’d first heard about it on Tablet, then on the OU’s website.
Megillas Lester–a hilarious film in the Purim Spiel tradition.
Kolrom media, who has produced a lot of music videos and shorts for the Orthodox audience (like the video for the song “Ana Avda” and a hilarious bit on Aish.com called “Sicko” about how NOT to do the mitzvah of visiting the sick), has just released a video about Purim that refers to all the midrashim and commentaries I talked about in my rant. And it’s funny. Although Esther doesn’t make an appearance. Even Mordechai barely shows up.
That’s because “Megillas Lester” is about a boy, Lester, who dreams he has messed up the Purim story so much that Esther doesn’t have a chance to become queen. And Mordechai doesn’t get a chance to save the king. So who will save the Jewish people from Haman’s evil plot? Continue reading
Take 2 Books and Call Me in the Morning: British docs prescribe books for patients
Therapeutic reading?
Imagine popping a couple chapters of a book instead of two of these.
Newspapers are reporting that doctors in the United Kingdom will be prescribing self-help and health books as reading material for those suffering from a variety of mild-to-moderate mental ailments, such as mild depression, anxiety and panic attacks. The CEO of the British charity the Reading Agency, Miranda McKearney, explained in an article in The Guardian, “There is a growing evidence base that shows that self-help reading can help people with certain mental health conditions to get better.”
Wales has already started the recommended reading program, with England scheduled to start in a few months. Continue reading
Rebecca Klempner 