This episode discusses what has happened to the religious identity as defined over the last 50 years. Have the religious defining and dividing lines of old been updated? Reworked? Have they become inexorably intertwined? Are we witnessing the redefinition of these identities, or in fact the trench warfare which has unfolded between them? In this episode, four personal stories serve as the core element of the program. The characters featured exemplify the phenomenon through their personalities and life-histories: They are all very different, yet they all fall between the lines of accepted definitions between secular and religious. By their thoughts and actions, the characters exemplify how the fuzzy area between secularism and religiosity has become their home – a place worth fighting over – even, at times, at the price of isolating themselves from the homes they have respectively come from. Yoni Turner, a Jerusalem doctor, grew up in a religious household, and he "wears a transparent head-covering", defining himself as a religious man, and his religion as "the religion of one man." Eilon and Hili Shamir are children of the kibbutz movement, who grew up with a fervently anti-religious education. Their religious outlook is not unified, and they have found their own original middle ground that enables them to create a variegated, mosaic-like way of life. They don't suffer any confusion in raising their children this way. The children learn in a mixed school for religious and secular students. Rani Yager grew up in a secular Tel Aviv household and has established the "Israeli Study Hall" – a secular forum for learning in the style of a yeshiva- in the heart of secular Tel Aviv. Yakir Englander grew up in the closed world of an ultra-orthodox Hassidic court, removed his head covering, but still defines himself as a secular Vishnitzer Chassid.
Festivals
- Camp Ramah, NY, USA, 2008
- Warsaw Jewish Motifs Film Festival, Poland, 2008
- Jewish Federation of of Metrowest, USA, 2007
- Israfest New York, USA, 2007
Additional info
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Asaf Schneider- Maariv
"It is worth watching “ Did Herzl Really Say That" . The captivating personalities of Harman and Ofran- wise and knowledgeable, yet still down to earth and straight shooting is one side of the story. The other is the age of the duo, which turns "Did Herzl Really Say That?" into a series for the 30-something generation. This is seen in both their interview technique and also in the visuals, in the shared experiences which hint of this the most. And this is how the journey of Harman and Ofran differentiates from the norm: It isn't yet another fruitless search for "roots"- rather an honest self-evaluation full of good intentions to make peace with the here and now somehow, for the generation who will soon be drawn into involvement with the majority of facets of life in the State of Israel."
Ehud Asheri- Haaretz
"This was one of the most outstanding and entertaining journeys to reach my screen of late.
Their way of debating is via dialogue which freely skips between the personal, cultural and theological, and through encounters with equally smart people.
Through their lighthearted and friendly approach, the pair succeed in avoiding the trap of didactic pseudo-intellectualism, and yet still challenge the viewer on a level that would condemn them had this been shown on Channel 2- but on Channel 8, two stars were born last night."
Oren Persico- Globes
"These two talents, who joined our screens yesterday having won no reality competitions, nevertheless manages to provide verbal expression for their spirituality and that of their conversation partners, or at least for the doubts"
"That everyone has about their spirituality, and all this without going off base even once. In their warmth, their erudition, and their deep understanding, Ofran and Harman embarked upon a journey on the blurred border between secularism and faith in Israel, and returned with 50 minutes of pure championship, showing great promise with regard to coming episodes, and proving that television, as well as the corridors of power, requires decent academics prepared to give their time and talents for the good of us all."
Second Authority "Daily Display" Ran Bin-Nun
"Harman and Ofran have brought things up we hadn't yet heard, and even if we had heard them before, never in such a manner. Without a doubt, Herzl would be stroking his beard and maybe even unfolding his map of Uganda once again."
Raanan Shaked- Yediot Aharonot
"Did Herzl Really Say That?" is an excellent example of why, even though it may be far from home, you must all pack a toothbrush and get yourselves over to Channel 8 pronto."
"The blurring of boundaries in Israeli society captivates "Did Herzl Really Say That?" which itself stands upon a blurred boundary, without defining itself as to what it is really getting at, yet spreading magic and originality from almost every issue it touches upon. This is just the sort of original documentary that Channel 2 needs to bring out in order to stop embarrassing itself and we the viewers.
Lilach Wallach- Nana
"Do the names not mean anything to you? Great- that's in fact just what we needed. Not another churned-out celebrity with questionable personality who will charm us into helping them get to the top… we are talking about two young educated men, with impressive lineage… Ofran and Harman have more charisma than all those wimps, signed by the Children's Channel prior to becoming sex symbols, put together. And they have a mission, a difficult but ambitious one- to crack the code of "Israeliness"
"From the lukewarm swamp of today's Israeli television, which bows down to the red carpet of puppet celebrity, it is so very calming to know that somewhere, on Channel 8, a new type of celebrity is emerging, one that is even based upon intelligence and education.”