- Playing
- Little Odessa in Brooklyn
- From
- Helen Borten
Little Odessa in Brooklyn is about the Russian Jews who survived pogroms and purges and brought humor, music and vitality to Brighton Beach,from its heyday in the 20s, 30s and 40s to the present day. It is also the story of a dying neighborhood saved by the determination of one woman and the energy and brio of a wave of new immigrants.
This program was originally aired on NPR's Weekend All Things Considered. Winner, "Best Documentary on Jewish Life," Judah Magnes Museum, Los Angeles, CA.
One :30 promo (click "listen" page, promo labeled "Segment 2")
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Piece Description
Little Odessa in Brooklyn is about the Russian Jews who survived pogroms and purges and brought humor, music and vitality to Brighton Beach,from its heyday in the 20s, 30s and 40s to the present day. It is also the story of a dying neighborhood saved by the determination of one woman and the energy and brio of a wave of new immigrants. This program was originally aired on NPR's Weekend All Things Considered. Winner, "Best Documentary on Jewish Life," Judah Magnes Museum, Los Angeles, CA. One :30 promo (click "listen" page, promo labeled "Segment 2")
3 Comments
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Review of Little Odessa in BrooklynI'm not sure I've ever heard anyone who does this history-on-the-radio any better. The reporting and the thinking are both keen, and thes sense of how much sound, how long a clip--wow, this is professional in the very best sense of the word. What an intriguing place to describe, right back to the early days of the great hotels. |
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Review of Little Odessa in BrooklynThis might be the best mini-documentary I've ever heard. Well produced with a lot of found sound and appropriate interviews. Very good variety of sound. This piece would fit on any PR station in an area with a large recent immigrant population, especially Russian; someplace like Spokane, WA, might have an interest in this piece. |
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Jonathan Groubert
Posted on August 15, 2005 at 11:07 AM | Permalink
Review of Little Odessa in Brooklyn
This excellent piece certainly doesn't need any more praise from the PRX Editorial Board. However, my mother is from Brighton Beach and I grew up only 10 minutes walk from there and am, therefore, compelled to chime in.
Little Odessa in Brooklyn does indeed deserve praise. Producer Helen Borten has woven together lively interviewees, music and color into the audiophonic equivalent of the geographical and social eccentricity we locals simply call "Brighton". All the elements are there: the boardwalk, the beach, the el and waves of immigrants.
My only criticism is the half-hour format simply does not support the time-span. Whole decades of events are simply rushed through and glossed over. This is otherwise a polished, professional and gratifying bit of radio that deserves a slot in your programming this Rosh Hashana.