Seraphic Secret

Robert J. Avrech: Emmy Award winning screenwriter. Movie fanatic. Helplessly and hopelessly in love with my wife since age nine.

Jewish Holidays

Succot 2019

by 1 Comment

A Yemenite Jew named Yehia holding a lulav and etrog—the four species— in a succah, Jerusalem, 1939.
A Yemenite Jew named Yehia holding a lulav and etrog—the four species—in a Sukkah, Jerusalem, 1939.

As Jews all over the world make last minute preparations for the holiday of Sukkot, which begins this evening, here are a few wonderfully evocative pictures of Jews celebrating this joyous holiday in Israel — and a rare photo of Jews in Samarkand.

You will dwell in booths for seven days; all natives of Israel shall dwell in booths.

—Leviticus 23:42

On the first day, you will take for yourselves a fruit of a beautiful tree, palm branches, twigs of a braided tree and brook willows, and you will rejoice before the L-RD your G-d for seven days.

—Leviticus 23:40

[Read more…] about Succot 2019

A Duck Dynasty Purim!

by 10 Comments

The 2014 Purim celebration begins on Saturday night March 15 and continues through the 16th.

On the holiday of Purim, Jews listen to a reading of Megillat Esther, send gifts of food to friends and neighbors, donate to the poor, attend a festive meal where we make a l’chaim—“Genocide averted, let’s eat!”—and frequently wear witty costumes.

Those good men of Ducky Dynasty have joined Seraphic Secret in this year’s Purim celebration.

TV_Duck_Dynasty_Purim

[Read more…] about A Duck Dynasty Purim!

Purim: The Non-Progressive Jewish Holiday

by 14 Comments

“The Banquet of Esther and Ahasuerus” by Jan Victors, 1640s.
“The Banquet of Esther and Ahasuerus” by Jan Victors, 1640s.

Today is the Fast of Purim which commemorates Esther’s three days of fasting in preparation for her meeting with King Ahasuerus.

It’s an old ( 5th century B.C.E.) but agnonizingly familiar story: An intolerant Jew-hater named Haman hatches a plan to annihilate the Jewish people in the ancient kingdom of Persia.

[Read more…] about Purim: The Non-Progressive Jewish Holiday

Succos: 2012

by 6 Comments

Bukharian Jews celebrating the holiday of Succos, Israel, 1900.

When I first came to Hollywood I was hired by a powerful producer to write a major motion picture. After contracts were signed, I sat down with the producer and his staff and we talked about the script. The producer suggested a specific date for delivery of the first draft.

“Sorry, that’s Rosh Hashanah.”

The producer sighed wearily and suggested another date.

“Um, sorry, that’s Yom Kippur.”

[Read more…] about Succos: 2012