The Yarmulke Meets Pop Culture
Graphic by Angelie Zaslavsky
By Anna Goldenberg May 6, 2015
Image by Collin Kornfeind via Aeon Video
Remember when the Forward brought you everything you wanted to know about the yarmulke but were afraid to ask?
A short documentary by Aeon’s Collin Kornfeind explores what we described as character yarmulke. “Reverence” takes a close look at yarmulkes that display brands, sports teams and other references to popular culture. It’s a way to have fun with the traditional Jewish headgear, and at the same time express attachment to Judaism and American culture, the film’s protagonists argue.
Image by Collin Kornfeind via Aeon Video
The film is clearly aimed at those who are no experts when it comes to donning a kippah. About a third of the 12-minute documentary is taken up by explanations of the meaning of the yarmulke. No attention, on the other hand, is given to women who wear kippahs.
If you can get used to the somewhat annoying Klezmer-esque background movies you’ve heard in a gazillion Jewish films before, the documentary is worth a few minutes of your attention — and even if it’s just for the brilliantly done animations.
Image by Collin Kornfeind via Aeon Video
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