7 films bow at isle Jewish festival

The Temple Emanu-El Kirk Cashmere Jewish Film Festival will open next Saturday with the local premiere of “;The Little Traitor”; and an introductory discussion by its producer, Lynn Roth.

Seven films, including two with a Japanese connection, will be shown for the first time in Hawaii during the festival, which continues through March 18 at the Academy of Arts Doris Duke Theatre. This is the eighth year for the film series named for the late civil rights attorney.

Tickets are $8 for general admission; $7 for seniors, students and military personnel; and $5 for academy members. Information is available at 532-8700 or online at www.honoluluacademy.org. The schedule:

» “;The Little Traitor,”; 2007, filmed in Israel and the United States. March 6 at 7:30 p.m.; March 9 at 1, 4 and 7:30 p.m.

» “;Inside Hana's Suitcase,”; 2009, filmed in Japan, Canada and Czech Republic. March 7 at 1 p.m.; March 10 at 1, 4 and 7:30 p.m.

» “;A Matter of Size,”; 2009, made in Israel. March 7 at 4 p.m.; March 11 at 1, 4 and 7:30 p.m.

» “;The Lemon Tree,”; 2008, filmed in Israel, Germany and France. March 13 at 7:30 p.m.; March 16 at 1, 4 and 7:30 p.m. » “;Beau Jest,”; 2008, made in the United States. March 14 at 1 and 7:30 p.m.; March 17 at 1, 4 and 7:30 p.m.

» “;Circumcise Me, the Comedy of Yisreal Campbell,”; 2008, filmed in Israel and the United States. March 14 at 4 p.m. March 18 at 1, 4 and 7:30 p.m.

» “;Leaving the Fold,”; 2008, made in Canada, will be shown with “;Circumcise Me.”;

Casino-themed parties mark Purim

Honolulu's Jewish congregations will celebrate the annual Purim holiday tonight at parties with a gambling casino theme.

» Temple Emanu-El, 2550 Pali Highway, will hold its “;Casino Night Purim Ball”; from 8 to 11 p.m. for people 21 and older. There will be a costume contest, casino-style gambling, a raffle, dancing and a silent auction. The cost is $30 per person, $50 per couple. Call 595-7521 for reservation information.

» Chabad of Hawaii will celebrate “;The Purim Party, Las Vegas 2010”; beginning at 5 p.m. at the Ala Moana Hotel. It features a masquerade for adults and children, live music, games of chance and a buffet dinner. The cost is $20 for adults and $10 for children with discounts for families, military personnel and students. Call 735-8161.

The holiday memorializes the story in the Book of Esther about a foiled plot to destroy the Jews living under Persian rule in about 360 B.C. It is traditionally celebrated with lighthearted festivities. The whole book—called the megillah—is read aloud with the audience using noisemakers and rude noises to drown out the name of the villain Haman each time it occurs in the Scripture.

The megillah will be read at 7 p.m. today at Temple Emanu-El.

Megillah readings at Chabad of Hawaii will be at 7:30 p.m. today and 9 a.m. tomorrow.

Taiko students to perform at festival

High school students from Pacific Buddhist Academy will demonstrate their taiko drumming talent at their annual Taiko and Karaoke Festival at 2 p.m. March 7 at Pearl City Cultural Center, 2100 Hookiekie St.

The entire student body of the school will participate in the opening of the “;Wisdom of the Dragon”; show.

All freshmen at the school are required to take taiko as a method to develop concentration and self-discipline.

The concert will also feature adult karaoke singers Seng Berkoff, Craig Shimizu and others, and an Okinawan dance by students Marcie and Kaycie Moribe.

Tickets at $12 can be reserved by calling 532-2649 and will also be available at the door.