Arts & Culture

Here’s Why You Should Care About the Pogrom in Amsterdam

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Last night, we witnessed an event straight out of the 1940s — an event that proved a culture of hatred for Jewish people is spreading across the world. For those of you fortunate enough to have never heard the word being used for this event, a “pogrom” is a Russian word meaning, “to wreak havoc.” It historically refers to violent attacks on Jewish populations in Russia and across Eastern Europe in the late 19th and early 20th century. One of the largest pogroms in history was Kristallnacht, “the Night of the Broken Glass” which occurred in Germany on Nov 9th, 1938 — ironically, or perhaps intentionally, almost 86 years ago to the day. 

The pogrom which occurred last night in Amsterdam was an organized and pre-orchestrated event against Israeli soccer fans after a game between Maccabi Tel Aviv and Ajax. After the game, mobs crisscrossed the city searching for Jews; according to Dutch authorities, they were “riled up by calls on social media to target Jewish people.” In footage taken by the attackers (an action frighteningly reminiscent of Oct. 7), fans were seen being beaten, chased with knives, and running from vehicles attempting to hit them.

Arts & Culture

‘Wicked’: You Will Be Popular — Or Not

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I am a major Broadway buff, the sort who can and will tell you with great enthusiasm about shows from creatives spanning the likes of Rodgers and Hammerstein to Sondheim, Andrew Lloyd Webber and Lin-Manuel Miranda, to the lyricist whose musical we shall discuss today: Steven Schwartz. Of all the many Broadway shows I adore, the one I have perhaps loved the dearest and longest is Wicked. And yet — or perhaps because of — my little obsession, I have a few qualms about the Wicked movie, whose first half is set to release this November. 

Arts & Culture

SOLAR FLARE | HTOGO (Hebrew To Go)

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As we enter into a new academic year, Jewish students are feeling apprehensive. Last year was undeniably difficult, as college campuses world-wide were flooded with antisemitism. However, these challenging times also taught us that we are not alone. Since the atrocities of October 7th, the “rise of antisemitism and anti-Zionist rhetoric is inspiring Jewish pride and solidarity with Israel,” states Dr. Mijal Bitton, who is directing the first national study of Sephardic Jews at NYU. Dr. Bitton wrote that Jewish students are, ”rediscovering that they belong to a rich history of Jews who experienced othering and expulsions but whose greatest strength was in each other.” For example, Hillel Ontario, the largest Hillel in the world, saw a 40% increase in student engagement last year, highlighting, “the critical need for Jewish connection, safe Jewish spaces and a strong response to anti-Jewish hate and intolerance.” 

However, since Jewish students cannot be at Hillel or surrounded by friends every moment, they should have something similar on hand – a collection of songs filled with reminders of the strength of the Jewish people and community.

Arts & Culture

Cornell Celebrates Annual Israel Week

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This upcoming week, from May 1 to May 7, Cornell will celebrate its annual Israel Week, run by Cornell Hillel. The week will focus on Israeli culture and traditions, with events ranging from a book fair to a food market, Tel Aviv Bar Night to Israel Shabbat and so much more. 

There has never been a more critical time for Israel Week. Presently, an encampment stands on the Arts Quad, where only a few days ago protestors chanted together, “There is only one solution, intifada revolution” and “globalize the intifada.” This “intifada” they mention is referring to the First and Second Intifada, two Palestinian uprisings which resulted in the deaths of thousands of Israeli and Palestinian civilians. Calls for another intifada revolution are calls for violence against Israel and those who support Israel’s right to exist. Calls to “globalize” the intifada are worse.

Arts & Culture

SOLAR FLARE | The College Experience

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The college experience is difficult to describe. An odd in-between spanning the gap between childhood and real adulthood, college is a time when you set off on your own and also realize how much you still need those back home. We begin with so many grand ideas and goals, but inevitably have to learn that some of the paths we envisioned are not the ones we actually want or are capable of taking. We have to find new passions, and these experiences can cause many emotions: guilt, excitement, exhaustion and more. The best way to process these feelings and experiences is through music.

Arts & Culture

The Irony and Gravity of This Year’s Passover

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Passover, or Pesach in Hebrew, is one of the most important and beloved Jewish holidays. Passover is usually a joyous affair; it begins on the 15th of the Hebrew month of Nissan — sometime in March or April in our calendar — meaning it is also a festival of spring. Celebrating the beginning of the agricultural season and freedom from slavery, characterized by family and friends coming together, there is usually little to be sad about during Passover, though my caring grandmother did always shed a tear for the animals lost throughout the story. However, as Jews across the globe anticipate the beginning of Passover on the sundown of April 22, this holiday will inevitably be seen in a different and much more somber light. Given recent events, the story and message of Passover is more critical than ever — and undeniably ironic. 

Passover commemorates an event which occurred over 3,000 years, making it the oldest continuously celebrated holiday in the Jewish calendar, having been celebrated since at least the fifth century BCE.

Arts & Culture

Iconic, Chaotic and Timeless: Film and the Women of 70s Rock-and-Roll

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There has arguably never been a more captivating character than the wild ’70s female rock star, or rock groupie, and they have arguably never been better presented than in the movie Almost Famous and the TV show Daisy Jones and the Six. Today we will discuss these projects’ iconic stars: Kate Hudson’s Penny Lane and Riley Keough’s Daisy Jones. 

Though both of these stories have male leads, the men simply pale in comparison to their female counterparts. It does not matter how handsome or talented Sam Claflin’s Billy Dunne or Billy Crudup’s Russell Hammond are — their spotlights are stolen because the women dancing across our screen with their bellbottoms and wild hair are ethereal, completely captivating. Despite being ’70s characters — Almost Famous is set in 1973 and Daisy Jones in 1977 — there is something timeless about them, something which connects deeply with female viewers. They are like older sisters, completely terrible influences, but important role models nevertheless, who inspire young girls to become the people they want to be. 

Their stories and choices are not perfect: Both girls nearly die in the glamorized whirlwind of ’70s drug culture.

Arts & Culture

Hatikvah: Israel’s History and Hope 

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Hatikvah, which translates to “the hope” is the national anthem of the state of Israel. Officially adopted as the national anthem in 2004, Hatikvah was created over a century prior to its installation. It has been said that “few words are as well-known to Jews around the world as the lyrics of Hatikvah.” 

History 

Hatikvah was first written as a nine-stanza poem by Naphtali Herz Imber. Imber was born in 1856 in the town of Zloczow (then in the Galician region of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, now part of Ukraine). In 1882, Imber came to Ottoman-ruled Palestine as part of the First Aliyah.

Arts & Culture

TV Shows Returning in 2024

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Now that the SAG-AFTRA strike has finally ended, 2024 is shaping up to be an absolutely amazing year for television fans who have been long awaiting the return of their favorite shows. Though this list spans only a tiny fraction of all the shows returning this year, the ones covered below include many of the biggest names in current television, as well as personal and highly recommended favorites. On this list, there is something for everyone: historical dramas, comedies, action adventures, reality, international stories, romances and so much more. It is time to pull up your Google Calendar and start adding in these dates for a binge-watching session — there is a lot to look forward to in the months ahead. 

Winter

All Creatures Great and Small: January

One of the first shows to return this year, and the only one on this list already released, is the third season of All Creatures Great and Small. All Creatures is a PBS Masterpiece show that returned to American screens on Jan.

Arts & Culture

Modern Film Flaws: Feminism is Not One Size Fits All

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Feminism: Misunderstood, misused and undeniably important. Feminism is, as defined by the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, the “belief in and advocacy of the political, economic, and social equality of the sexes expressed especially through organized activity on behalf of women’s rights and interests.” And, despite centuries of effort, somehow the sexes are still not treated equally and feminism is still very much needed. While it may not be a revolutionary idea that sexism still exists in the world, it somehow always shocks me when the continued discrepancy between genders is publicly revealed, for instance, through films. Recent films and media have pulled this continuing sexism into the spotlight, and they have also brought attention to another issue: The misuse of feminism. Recently, people have been taking things too far, using feminism to turn beautiful concepts into things that are considered “bad” or “weak.” I think the continuation of these tropes would be incredibly dangerous for the next generation of young women. First, let us look at the recent Barbie Oscar snub, where Greta Gerwig, who created one of the most talked about and critically acclaimed movies of the year, was left out of the Best Directors Category, and Margot Robbie, the star and a critical producer of the film, was left out of Best Actress.