In the Path of Prayer: Ancient Synagogues in Israel 2014 reissue of 1970s film
Distributed by Alden Films, Box 449, Clarksburg, NJ 08510; 732.462.3522
Produced by Y’gael Ephraity and David Schultz
Directed by Arie Mambush and Nina Mayo
DVD, color, 25 min.
High School - General Adult
Israel, History, Antiquities
Date Entered: 05/23/2016
Reviewed by Sandra Collins, Byzantine Catholic Seminary Library, Pittsburgh, PAThis DVD is a reissue of a television documentary highlighting the meaning behind synagogue symbolism by tracing its presence in ancient ruins throughout the Levant. Visuals include actual ancient ruins, schematic drawings of the layout of synagogues and panoramic views of important sites in the ancient Near East, such as Masada, Herodium and Qumran. A gentle voice-over guides the visuals to allow for the greatest pedagogical value.
Unfortunately, this is a poorly reproduced, grainy reprint that requires its audience to look past these limitations in order to appreciate the illustrative value of the ruins. As such, there is no sustained arch to the narrative; its sole purpose is to highlight the imagery embedded within synagogues as representations of the holiness of Jerusalem as well as, more specifically, the entirety of the land of Israel.
Its value is limited to its pedagogical worth. Therefore, recommended only for devotional or catechetical audiences wanting to know more about ancient Judaism as expressed via symbols found in synagogue ruins.