KA CC Archive Dec 2024

As a kid, my favorite movie was “The Wizard of Oz.” Thanksgiving dinner had to be scheduled around the showing of the movie, since, in those days, Thanksgiving was the only time it was shown. I loved the positive attitude of hope that the movie projected. Now, everyone is eager to see, or has seen, the movie prequel, “Wicked.” The movie is based on the novel, Wicked, by Gregory Maguire, who loosely based his book on The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum.  It’s a story about a society sliding into fascism, where speaking animals are demonized. This is not the positive attitude of hope of the Judy Garland movie. Even the title warns you that something unpleasant is going to happen. “Wicked” is a darker and more adult-themed revisionist exploration of the characters and setting of the original movie and book. In “Wicked,” Maguire urges us to stand up for what is right and to not be so quick to judge and demonize others.  He states that his book specifically refers to Hitler, who demonized and oppressed marginalized groups like the Jews. The Wicked Witch of the West, Elphaba, is the only one to stand up for the rights of the animals being demonized.  The implication is that it is easy to demonize people and difficult to stand up for others’ rights. This idea resonates with the Jewish experience of being demonized as the “other,” and unfortunately, this hostility is returning to society today.  With this message in the movie, one person cannot fight hatred by themselves, but everyone can do something.

There are many opportunities to “do something,” you just have to look for them. Our Ma’asim Tovim Committee is always looking for people to help by providing meals or just reaching out to people, and letting them know they are not alone. Our Chanukah holiday is coming soon! This holiday provides a message of hope for all of us. Let’s see if we can support the people in our community who might feel marginalized and provide them with a feeling of hope. Have a good holiday and a happy secular new year!

B’shalom,

Sharon Cross
Sisterhood President