Religion & Ethics NewsWeekly is a production of THIRTEEN for WNET. Visit www.pbs.org/religionandethics for additional information. Show #1719 will be fed over PBS at 5:00 p.m. EST on January 10 (check local listings).
- Jews and Humor – According to Harvard University professor Ruth Wisse Jews, subject to centuries of persecution, have used humor to maintain a defense against attacks and suffering. Correspondent Bob Faw talks to Wisse, visits “Old Jews Telling Jokes,” the show playing in Chicago and traces Jewish humor from Yiddish theater to the Borscht Belt to Hollywood.
- Prayer and Rebuilding in the Philippines – As surviving Filipinos continue to try to recover from the devastation of Hurricane Hayaan, Fred de Sam Lazaro listened to survivors’ stories and their many expressions of confidence that it was prayer that saved them. Indeed, many saw what happened as a test of their faith, a test they were strong enough to pass.
- The Jewish holiday of Tu B’Shevat – Starting on the evening of January 15th, Jews will observe Tu B’Shevet, the new year for trees. Jews traditionally have observed the day by planting trees in Israel. Recently, it has also been seen as an occasion to work for protecting the environment everywhere.
