Read our Cover Story about Debra Darvick.
DEBRA’S CREATIVITY GOES GLOBAL
COVER STORY—We have several fun ways for you to enjoy Debra Darvick’s creativity this week. First, please read our Cover Story about Debra’s book, We Are Jewish Faces, a colorful picture book of Jewish diversity. We are celebrating with Debra the news that her book has been chosen by the worldwide PJ Library for distribution in 2019! Please, share this news with friends.
IMAGES ALSO TELL A STORY—Debra’s multi-faceted media work also includes the creation of a boxed set, called Picture a Conversation, which may look like a stack of beautiful full-color postcards at first glance. In fact, each card’s image prompts people to think about several questions—as printed on the back of each card. In using her set with groups in recent years, Debra has demonstrated that images are a powerful language. (Here’s more about the history of this unique project.) But are there limits of picture-based reflections? To explore that question, Debra has just written a column about communication with her infant granddaughter—which includes a great little story about sharing an image across generations.
BUT, WAIT! THERE’S MORE! Every week, we share a Front Edge Publishing column full of news and tips about professional media. This week, Marketing Director Susan Stitt writes about how the authors we publish are doing in their efforts to present engaging Amazon Author Pages. As it turns out, Debra Darvick is No. 1 on Susan Stitt’s list of prime examples.
Want to learn more about publishing today? Please, share this home address with friends: www.FrontEdgePublishing.com
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Click to read Suzy’s column.
Wonders of the Night Sky
GOD SIGNS—Each week, columnist Suzy Farbman introduces us to remarkable men and women who invite us to see the world from fresh perspectives. This week, meet Mary Stewart Adams, whose public radio series is called The Storyteller’s Night Sky. Plus, Suzy’s column includes a link to stream some of Mary’s broadcasts. Mary’s greatest accomplishment was helping to lobby for the creation of a Dark Sky Park in northern Michigan in 2011. Mary encourages people to look up into the stars and to dream along with poets and philosophers down through the ages. Please, enjoy her story and share this one with a friend.
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Holidays
Click to read Stephanie’s story about Obon.
MARTYRDOM of THE BAB—On this solemn anniversary, Baha’is around the world also continue to celebrate the expansion of their faith. Stephanie Fenton’s column includes news about a new temple in Colombia.
OBON IS COMING—Check your local calendars if you hope to participate in a colorful Obon festival this year. Across the United States and in Japan itself, the timing of observances vary in July and August. Stephanie Fenton has the Obon story for us.
HOT DOG! Stock up now! July is National Hot Dog Month and our own resident author Joe Grimm is one of the nation’s leading hot dog experts—at least when it comes to Michigan’s signature treatment of this beloved food: the Coney Island. Enjoy our story about July’s many food festivals, which also include ice cream, chocolate and fried chicken.
TISHA B’AV—Often described as “the saddest day in the Jewish year,” the Ninth of Av is traditionally marked with a 25-hour fast in solemn remembrance. Stephanie Fenton has the story as well as some 2018 news items related to the observance.
Want to see all the holidays? www.InterfaithHolidays.com
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FAITH & FILM
Click to read Ed’s review of the Thoreau film.
ED McNULTY, for decades, has published reviews, magazine articles and books exploring connections between faith and film. Most of his work is freely published. Ed supports his work by selling the Visual Parables Journal, a monthly magazine packed with discussion guides to films. This resource is used coast-to-coast by individuals who love the movies and by educators, clergy and small-group leaders.
Among Ed’s free reviews and columns are:
- HENRY DAVID THOREAU—Subtitled “Surveyor of the Soul,” Ed highly recommends this new documentary. His review includes a link to learn more about regional screenings or buying a copy of the DVD. (5 out of 5 stars)
- THE CATCHER WAS A SPY—This is an amazing-but-true story of baseball player Moe Berg, who served as a real-life spy for the U.S. (4 stars)
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Click to read Ed’s review of Mary Shelley.
MARY SHELLEY—Haifaa Al Mansour, the director of the critically acclaimed movie Wadjda about a little girl in Saudi Arabia, is back with an impressive historical drama about the author if Frankenstein. (4.5 stars)
- INCREDIBLES 2—This sequel is delightful, Ed writes, giving the film 5 stars. Ed tells us: The opening sequence is so exciting that everyone in the family—from tots to grandparents—will be thrilled.
- JURASSIC WORLD: FALLEN KINGDOM—But, this sequel is only so-so. This film’s fast pace doesn’t leave much time for character development. (3.5 stars)
- ON CHESIL BEACH—The film features wonderful performances by a fine cast, especially the radiant Saoirse Ronan who has become a world-class actress. (4 stars)
- WADJDA—This week, Ed reaches back a few years to celebrate the amazing movie Wadjda, the first feature filmed entirely in Saudi Arabia—and with a feminist theme! This movie is a delight and well worth seeking out on DVD, Blu-ray or streaming. (5 stars)
- FIRST REFORMED—Director/writer Paul Schrader’s latest film tackles some big issues—theological and environmental—and provides Ethan Hawke with perhaps his greatest role. (5 stars)
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