Stories,photos

123 results total, viewing 91 - 100

Classic movies portrayed the Arab world in a benign light

As a teacher of film history, I show “classic” movies of yore and compare them to recent fare, adding commentary about their contexts. Here is such a comparison between then and now on-screen. Sabu, the Indian stable boy who was the … more

Mike Fink | 10/29/15

In old trinkets, faded photos and my thoughts, I see my father richly

My father was born in London – in Whitechapel, the Jewish quarter. He was a first-born – a son! – so I have a fine framed oval portrait of him, dressed rather royally as a toddler, standing proudly and with poise for the … more

Mike Fink | 9/17/15

‘Dumbo’ was Jewish – who knew!

I came across an odd and intriguing obituary: one Helen Aberson of Syracuse, New York, had died and asked the mourners to contribute to the United Jewish Appeal. Oh, and by the way, nonagenarian Helen Aberson had published one book, a … more

Mike Fink | 9/3/15

Native son publishes ‘treasure of a book’

“Denmark: A Photographer’s Odyssey” is a treasure of a book by our native son Marshall H. Cohen, a handsome volume printed by Narayana Press in Denmark and available locally at the Brown University Bookstore or by email … more

Mike Fink | 8/6/15

A story of a creative legacy

“I was born in the Negev desert. The Turkish Ottoman Empire was crumbling, but my family was busy rebuilding the Hebrew language,” she said. Varda Lev asked me to her home in the vicinity of the statue of Roger Williams. She wanted to show … more

Mike Fink | 6/18/15

Irving’s story is more than a childhood memory

We had an open porch facing the yard at our childhood home. After the war, the G.I. vets looking for work closed it off and installed knotty pine panels from which we hung pictures and bas-relief decorations. We called the narrow chamber … more

Mike Fink | 5/22/15

Much to say about ‘Woman in Gold’

I like unpopular movies. “Woman in Gold” kept me deeply interested despite, or because of, its negative reviews. Helen Mirren did a superb job of portraying inner turmoil. The camera gave the viewer plenty to think about, not just … more

Mike Fink | 5/7/15

A plague on both your houses!

It’s from Shakespeare, but I drag it out to describe my dilemma in the voting booth. A plague on both your houses! Along with a feh! The Republicans are right as rain when it comes to issues about Israel. Strangely, the right gets … more

Mike Fink | 4/23/15

A journey of discovery to Sosua

We hired a cab. It got a flat tire on the road from Puerto Plata to Sosua. We were heading for the downtown strip, between a hotel and a bank, where, hidden by a fence and a wall, there was a Jewish historical museum. And, right next door, a … more

Mike Fink | 3/26/15

Almost happy in the adopted homeland

I met Alexandra Broches at a marina cafe in South Kingstown. She has served as director of the Hera Gallery in Wakefield, where she has also shown her prints, photographs and paintings. She has taught at both the University of Rhode … more

Mike Fink | 2/26/15