News of the Muse

Israeli producers stopped by NYPD.

By JTA, MIRIAM SHAVIV
Israeli producers stopped by NYPD Producers of Born to Dance said they were detained as a potential security threat while taping in New York. Yoav Tzafir and Tzivka Hadar, who produce the hit televised contest, said Sunday that while preparing to tape the final episode in New York last week they accidentally found themselves in neighboring New Jersey. They decided to capitalize on the navigation error by taping the ride back, but their cameras got the attention of undercover police. Arrests and interrogations followed. "The police officers thought we were gathering intelligence for the Iranian army," Hadar told Ma'ariv. "After we showed them the photographs of the contestants on the program, they agreed to let us go." Tzafir added, "Very luckily for us everything worked out, and we even invited the police officers to the finals." JTA Extinguish the silencing of women The rabbinical courts in Israel continue to stifle the voices of women, says Mavoi Satum, the organization in Israel that fights for the rights of agunot (the thousands of women in this country who remain "chained in marriage" because they are refused religious divorces by their husbands and rabbinical court judges). To counteract this, the Festival of Women and Religion in Film was born to give women a chance to express themselves. The festival, which deals with the complicated relationship between women and religion, and will be taking place in cooperation with the Jerusalem Cinematheque and Binyanei HaUma between March 6-8. For more information, go to www.mavoisatum.org. Miriam Shaviv Spring is in the air in Rishon The eighth annual international spring festival in Rishon Lezion is on its way. From March 23 to April 1, numerous countries will take part in the acting, dancing, singing and music that make up the festival. Cuba, Austria, Uzbekistan, Guinea, Romania, Africa, Georgia, Brazil, and Spain will all be sending performers to Rishon Lezion's Heichal HaTarbut. A salsa band from Cuba, a performance of Efraim Kishon's "Ketuba" by the Cameri, the Wonder Children of Uzbekistan, and a jazz band from Georgia are all part of the fusion of cultures represented at this year's festival. Several 11 and 12 year-old children are also being given the opportunity to conduct the Rishon Lezion Symphony Orchestra. The Kibbutz Dance Troupe will open the festival with their premiere of "Power of Attorney". Tickets are priced between NIS 90-150 and can be purchased by calling 03-948-8688. Miriam Shaviv