The new film Between Two Temples, starring Jason Schwartzman and Carol Kane, has as its protagonist a cantor at a denominationally ambiguous American synagogue. In his review of the film, Matt Austerklein takes a close look at the history of hazanim in American cinema:

Cantors have been part of American cinema since its inception—literally, cantors were the subject of the very first “talking picture.” The Jazz Singer (1927), starring Al Jolson, tells the story of young Jake Rabinowitz, a cantor’s son, who is torn between his pious Jewish family and his emerging success as a vaudeville performer. Thus the modern era of American film began with a classic articulation of the cantor’s dilemma: whether to choose expression (the stage) or limitation (the religious life/the cantorate).

Most cantors in American film, however, were not the stars of the show. With only a few exceptions, which I will detail later, I would argue that cantors largely play the role of sacred furniture—minor extra characters who are part of the musical backdrop of a religious scene. These sacred-furniture roles include many scenes of synagogue services, most of which feature the cantorial roles played by actual cantors. . . . One of the earliest and most revealing iterations of the cinematic-furniture cantor is in the psychedelic comedy, I Love You, Alice B. Toklas (1968).

If there’s one lesson to be learned from the history of the Israel-Arab conflict, it’s never to be confident that an end is in sight. Ehud Yaari nevertheless—and with all due caution—points to some noteworthy developments:

The absolute primacy of “armed struggle” in Palestinian discourse has discouraged any serious attempt to discuss or plan for a future Palestinian state. Palestinian political literature is devoid of any substantial debate over what kind of a state they aspire to create. What would be its economic, foreign, and social policies?

One significant exception was a seminar held by Hamas in Gaza—under the auspices of the late Yahya Sinwar—prior to October 7, 2023. The main focus of what was described as a brainstorming session was the question of how to deal with the Jews in the land to be liberated. A broad consensus between the participants was reached that most Israeli Jews should be eradicated or expelled while those contributing to Israel’s success in high tech and other critical domains would be forced to serve the new Palestinian authorities.

Yet, the ongoing aftershocks from the ongoing war in Gaza are posing questions among Palestinians concerning the viability of armed struggle. So far this trend is reflected mainly in stormy exchanges on social-media platforms and internal controversies within Hamas. There is mounting criticism leveled at the late Mohammad Deif and Yahya Sinwar for embarking upon an uncoordinated offensive that is resulting in a “Second Nakba”—a repeat of the defeat and mass displacement caused by launching the war in 1948.

To be sure, “armed struggle” is still being preached daily to the Palestinian communities by Iran and Iranian proxies, and at least half the Palestinian public—according to various polls—believe it remains indispensable. But doubts are being heard. We may be reaching a point where the Palestinians will feel compelled to make a choice between the road which led to past failures and an attempt to chart a new route. It will certainly require time and is bound to cause fractures and divisions, perhaps even a violent split, among the Palestinians.