And the Gates Opened: Women in the Rabbinate

Aired 2004-05 on ABC and 2005-06 on NBC. Produced by Diva Communications 

Presented by The Jewish Theological Seminary In May of 1985 Amy Eilberg made Conservative Jewish history as she stood to receive Smicha, rabbinic ordination, from The Jewish Theological Seminary. This landmark event in the history of the 118 year old movement represented a seismic shift for Conservative Jews world wide and the long term impact is only just beginning to be felt. As JTS prepared to celebrate the 20th anniversary of women’s ordination, this documentary explores the history leading up to the entry of women into the rabbinate and investigates the legacy this new paradigm is creating for the next generation of religious and lay leaders. From 1972 when the Reform movement first ordained Sally Priesand to today when a young Bat Mitzvah girl can hope to one day be a rabbi; “women rabbis have gradually begun reshaping the contours of Conservative Judaism, providing fresh perspectives on Jewish tradition and new models of gendered behavior in Jewish practice.” {Tradition Renewed Volume Two "The Politics of Women’s Ordination" Beth S. Wenger}

To purchase a copy of the film call  212 397-7259.

The Celebration of Easter from the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception

Aired 2011-12 on NBC and 2012-13 on ABC. Produced by the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception Join in the celebration of Easter from the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, the patronal church of the United States and the nation’s preeminent Marian shrine, located in Washington, D.C.  The Most Reverend Barry C. Knestout, Auxiliary Bishop of the Diocese of Washington, is celebrant and homilist of the Solemn Mass of Easter from the beautiful Crypt Church of the Basilica.

The Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception is the largest Roman Catholic church in North America and ranks among the ten largest churches in the world.  Rivaling the great sanctuaries of Europe and the world in art, architecture, historical importance, and significance as a center of worship, the Basilica receives nearly one million visitors annually.  Among those who have visited are Pope Benedict XVI, Pope John Paul II, and Mother Teresa.  The Basilica is open 365 days a year.  All are welcome.

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For more information, please visit www.nationalshrine.com

A Place for All: Faith and Community for People with Disabilities

Aired 2009-10 and 2011-12 on NBC. Presented by a Consortium of Jewish Organizations,  Produced by Diva Communications

It is a startling number. According to the CDC, 1 out of 5 Americans has at least one disability. The fact is, we’re all going to be disabled one way or another. Time takes care of that. Things happen in life. But how we cope with that disability and how we deal with other people with disabilities – well, that’s a choice. A learned response. We need to change attitudes, remove barriers, and create a truly inclusive community.

A Place for All: Faith and Community for Persons with Disabilities explored how faiths have moved toward inclusivity as they help ease the social isolation that often plagues the one out of five Americans with disabilities. This program highlighted the stories of people with disabilities who had been welcomed as valued members of their religious communities, where they had celebrated baptisms, Bar/Bat Mitzvahs, and annual events, as well as the stories of those who had found strength in their faith allowing them and others to see past their disabilities.

To purchase a DVD copy 

Building a Basilica

Aired 2013-14. Building a Basilica “Among the churches of America, the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Victory is, for many reasons, to be counted as one of the greatest. This sanctuary is truly a masterpiece, in the nobility of its lines, in the splendor of its marbles, in its massive solidarity, and in its artistic finish..."

-Quoted from the Apostolic Decree by Pope Pius X

When asked to recall Father Nelson Baker, many describe a man who was a protector of people and a strong advocate for the rights of the disadvantaged. Others refer to him as a visionary and a shrewd businessman who was able to turn desperate situations around. All remember him as a spiritual leader of incredible faith with a steadfast devotion to the Blessed Mother as Our Lady of Victory.

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In 1921, at the age of 79, Msgr. Nelson Baker contacted Architect Emile Uhlrich with plans to build a church dedicated to the Blessed Mother, in Lackawanna, NY.  It was to be a place of wondrous beauty and radiating hope to all who enter its doors.

Emile Uhlrich, born an orphan in Epinal, France, was educated at the Ecole Fenelon, the Lycee St. Nicholas, and the Ecole des Beaux Arts. At age 18 Emile moved to the United States and in 1900 was naturalized. He soon became a successful architect specializing in church design in Cleveland, Ohio.

Within five years, the priest and the architect built a church that was a true architectural wonder. Building costs came to $3.2 million, which was paid for before church doors open in 1926.

Iron from steel giant Bethlehem Steel and marble from Georgian Marble company would house hundreds of paintings, sculptures, mosaics and stained glass from world renown artists.

Today Our Lady of Victory Basilica carries the title of National Shrine and Minor Basilica. It is considered to be Emile Uhlrich’s pinnacle work.

And for the priest who started it all, Msgr. Nelson Baker, he has been named Servant of God the first step toward sainthood.

“Building a Basilica” produced by Daybreak TV Productions, Catholic Diocese of Buffalo, tells the story of this national shrine through vast archive materials including drawings and hundreds of letters from Fr. Baker, Emile Ulhrich,  builders, artists and contractors.

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Fierce Goodbye: Living in the Shadow of Suicide

Aired 2012-13. Presented by the National Council of Churches USA; Produced by Mennonite Media Over four million people a year in the U.S. mourn the tragic suicide deaths of family members. In the award-winning Fierce Goodbye documentary, you'll meet some courageous, beautiful people who share their deepest moments of despair, grief, pain and finally hope as they cope with the aftermath of suicide. Protestant, Catholic, Jewish, and Greek Orthodox theologians, and scholars and people working in the mental health field, provide insights in dealing with the aftermath of suicide.  A groundbreaking look at the role of faith and suicide.

Fierce Goodbye: Living in the Shadow of Suicide, is a groundbreaking look at faith perspectives on the taboo subject of suicide and how families find hope and healing. The hour-long documentary is hosted by Judy Collins, folksinger and author of a memoir on suicide, Sanity and Grace, and brings to light stories of families and friends as they face difficult, unanswerable questions following suicide. Mental health experts including Dr. Kay Redfield Jamison, Johns Hopkins University, and Sheri Davis Molock, George Washington University, weigh in on the stigma of mental illness and suicide. Biblical scholar G. Lloyd Carr and author of the book,Fierce Goodbye, and theologians from Catholic, Greek Orthodox, Jewish and Protestant faiths share their views on what the Bible and their traditions have taught about suicide and how those views are changing. The documentary features an original musical score by Emmy-award winning composer, David Cottrell.

www.fiercegoodbye.com

DVD available at http://www.MennoMedia.org/FierceGoodbye

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Women & Spirit: Catholic Sisters in America

Aired 2013-14.  

“Women & Spirit: Catholic Sisters in America,” is a one-hour documentary narrated by noted NPR and ABC news analyst Cokie Roberts, and featuring interviews with historians, journalists and sister. This film brings to life the inspiring, virtually untold, 300-year story of Catholic women religious who have greatly and at times sacrificially contributed to the American landscape. It examines the courage (mostly quiet but at times outspoken), entrepreneurial spirit, and indomitable faith exercised by these women during many dramatic moments in U.S. history. The film is an outgrowth of the highly successful touring exhibit (2009 - 2012) of the same title, sponsored by the Leadership Conference of Women Religious (LCWR), the film’s executive producer.

The documentary has been selected for NBC’s “Horizons of the Spirit” series in partnership with the Interfaith Broadcasting Commission.

Local viewers’ calls, emails or letters to their local stations increase the possibilities of a station airing this program.

https://vimeo.com/72112238

A Killer in the Dark: Combating Malaria

Aired 2011-12 and 2013-14 on NBC. Presented by the National Council of Churches USA; Produced by United Methodist Communications As a young mother tucks her children into bed in West Africa, the night brings ominous uncertainty. She may not know the cause, but her children risk falling ill and dying. Across the ocean, the best scientific minds labor to find an answer to what she calls, “the killer in the dark”; others know it as the mosquito-borne disease called malaria.

NCIS star Pauley Perrette hosts this compelling documentary about the quest of the scientific and faith communities to combat this preventable and treatable disease. Although solutions are sought in laboratories around the world, there is power in the pews as people of faith mount a intricate campaign against the mosquito. How are these faithful followers helping to drive-down the number of malaria-related deaths and what is the lasting impact of their efforts?

Watch the compelling story unfold in An Extraordinary Effort to Catch a Killer in the Dark.

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M9sLQJbos3w

A Journey of Spirit

Aired 2012-13 on NBC. A Journey of Spirit is a wonderfully vibrant and moving film that makes us laugh, cry and sing! This inspirational story of the pre-eminent Jewish singer/songwriter Debbie Friedman, offers insights into the woman and her music, and the influence of her music across boundaries of religion, culture, age and gender. In the late 1960’s and early 1970’s, a quiet revolution began in the world of liberal American Judaism. At the heart of the revolution was singer/songwriter Debbie Friedman. Influenced by American folk music, Friedman began writing and performing her own folk songs, incorporating Jewish themes and liturgy. Her music quickly caught on with young people all over the United States, and by 1972 she had released her first album "Sing Unto God."  Although her popular reception was immeasurable, her reception by the Reform establishment was less warm. Cantors felt threatened. They feared that the genre known as "Debbie Friedman" would infiltrate the synagogue and that would be the end of nusach, or traditional Jewish modes.

Combining English and Hebrew and speaking in an inclusive, egalitarian language, Debbie Friedman has confronted traditionalists, combated gender roles and managed to transform Jewish sacred music so that it is accessible to a large and diverse audience. Through Debbie Friedman’s story, Ann Coppel explores the transformation of liberal Jewish worship over the past 30 years, weaving in interviews with live concert footage that will make anyone who’s ever set foot in summer camp, tap their feet and sing along.

A Journey of Spirit lets us experience the positive influence that one determined woman can have on the spiritual lives of Jews, as well as the infinite power of music to generate community, spirituality, and healing. Ann Coppel’s thought-provoking documentary educates and challenges viewers of all denominations.

View the trailer:

America's Children

Contact Phone: 800-494-6007. Purchasing Notes: The cost is $19.98 plus $3.95 shipping and handling per half-hour video.